ABOUT DIDLAKE
Didlake Inc. is a nonprofit rehabilitative services organization
headquartered in Manassas, Virginia. Founded in 1965, Didlake’s
mission is creating opportunities that enrich the lives of people
with disabilities. Through its programs and services, Didlake
connects people with disabilities to employment and community
engagement opportunities.
Since 1992, Didlake’s employees and organizational practices have
earned the organization a reputation for quality service delivery,
which led to steady government and commercial contract
growth. Through its Day Support, Employment Services, and
Workforce Support and Development programs, Didlake serves over
2,000 people with disabilities annually. Didlake’s footprint
now spans across Virginia from Northern Virginia to Greater Hampton
Roads and Roanoke and across the region into Maryland,
Pennsylvania, and Washington D.C.
Didlake has experienced transformative growth in recent
years, expanding its business solutions and services for
people with disabilities and recently completing the
construction of its new headquarters. Didlake now prepares to
welcome its next CEO, who will join a dedicated staff and Board of
Directors ready to chart Didlake’s future impact as a leader in the
disability community.
Didlake has been recognized by the Commission on Accreditation of
Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) for over 18 years. Didlake is
licensed by the Commonwealth of Virginia, is CIMS-GB-certified, and
proudly serves the nation through the federal AbilityOne® Program.
Visit the Didlake
website to learn more about the organization.
POSITION SUMMARY
Didlake seeks a strategic and business-minded Chief Executive
Officer (CEO) to lead Didlake and help write the organization’s
next chapter of growth and impact. Reporting to the Board of
Directors and overseeing a talented executive leadership team and a
budget of $100M, the CEO will build on a solid track record of
foundation of programs, community engagement, strategy, and
impact.
Building on a 58-year foundation, the new CEO will work with
Didlake’s Board of Directors and executive leadership team to
develop and execute a strategic vision that leverages changes in
the external funding and workforce landscape and prioritizes
Didlake’s optimal strategic positioning and long-term
sustainability. The CEO will inspire, empower, and manage nine
direct reports, working closely with them to ensure Didlake’s
operations, financial, human resources, communications, policy, and
programmatic strategies are aligned to achieve that
vision.
The new CEO will also collaborate with program leaders to ensure a
broad community of workforce partners and funders and demonstrate
an unwavering commitment to creating opportunities for people with
disabilities, ensuring this principle is reflected in the
organization’s strategy, lived values, and culture.
The ideal candidate is a visionary and forward-thinking executive
leader who brings a deeply developed business acumen and strategic
lens to Didlake’s work and a successful record of managing growth
and change. Additionally, they will be an inspirational and highly
collaborative team leader, possess strong interpersonal skills, and
a commitment to empowering team members, enabling them to inspire
staff at all levels to fulfill the organization’s critical mission
through high-quality programs and continuous innovation.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic Vision and
Leadership:
Lead Didlake’s strategic direction and, in collaboration with
the Board and staff, refine and operationalize a multi-year
strategic plan, prioritizing organizational sustainability,
creative and innovative avenues for growth, and the overall success
of the organization
Explore opportunities to meet the changing workforce needs and
opportunities of the disability community, including potential
new services lines, identifying evolving needs, continually
evaluating progress, and ensuring the highest program quality
Continue to grow and innovate Didlake’s current programs,
seeking out new partnership opportunities
Cultivate a strong and transparent working relationship with
the Board and ensure open communication about the measurement of
financial, programmatic, and impact performance against stated
milestones and goals
Serve as President of The Didlake Foundation
and, in conjunction with the Board of the Foundation, set targets
and develop strategies to accomplish those targets
Team Leadership and
Culture:
Provide inspirational leadership and direction to all
staff, and ensure the continued development and management of a
professional and efficient organization aligned
with Didlake’s mission, vision, and values
Facilitate cross-departmental collaboration and strengthen
internal communications with staff and the Board to
cultivate a culture of teamwork, accountability, transparency,
respect, professionalism, and strong business ethics across
Didlake
Implement regular staff evaluations to promote accountability
and progress against Didlake’s strategic priorities
Invest in professional development and DEIA initiatives that
support and retain a diverse and dedicated team, and prioritize
inclusion, access, and equity
Ensure training, incident
reporting, and awareness of responsibilities of
all personnel regarding Human Rights matters to
ensure an atmosphere that promotes Human Rights for all
consumers
Organizational and
Operational Management:
Oversee Didlake’s finances, including long and short-term
plans; monitor the budget; and ensure appropriate financial
controls are in place to promote fiscal security
Oversee Didlake’s
operations to ensure quality
service, and efficient and effective use of
organizational resource
Ensure the delivery of high-quality programs while managing for
current and future growth
Ensure the organization operates in compliance with
all corporate policies and procedures, CARF
standards, AbilityOne requirements, Virginia
Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental
Services licensing standards, Department of Medical Assistance
Services regulations, and
all applicable laws and
regulations promulgated by local, state, and federal government authorities
Work closely with Didlake’s Corporate Counsel, Chief Financial
Officer, Vice President of Rehabilitation Services and
Vice President of Human Resources to assess and refine Didlake’s
risk management policies
Communications and Stakeholder
Engagement:
In collaboration with the staff and Board, oversee
comprehensive communications and marketing strategies that enhance
and amplify Didlake’s public profile and ensure that key
organizational messages reach intended audiences
Serve as the public face and principal spokesperson
for Didlake and assure appropriate organizational
representation in the communities Didlake serves, including
attending site visits, conferences, community
events, and other related meetings
Develop and cultivate relationships with key
constituencies, including
funders, advocacy groups, peer
organizations, key vendors, and potential
strategic partners, to advance Didlake’s mission
Policy and
Advocacy:
In conjunction with executive staff and Board, develop
positions on disability-related public policy
and ensure Didlake and its advocacy positions
are appropriately
presented to elected officials and government
agencies, and keep abreast of
other local, state, and federal
government affairs initiatives impacting disability
policy
Ensure appropriate representation at federal and
state legislative sessions, committee meetings, local
government meetings, and with other groups relevant to
Didlake’s mission
DESIRED SKILLS AND
EXPERIENCES
The ideal candidate will possess many of the following professional
and personal abilities, attributes, and experiences:
A visionary leader with a demonstrated passion for Didlake’s
mission and a dedication to Didlake’s core values
A minimum of 10 years of experience in a senior executive
leadership role in disability services, behavioral or mental
health services, human services, education, or a related field
Demonstrated ability to manage the strategic, financial,
operational, and team leadership needs of a complex
multi-million-dollar organization
Sophisticated business and financial acumen with the
ability to set clear priorities, delegate, and guide investment in
people and systems
A high degree of humility, integrity, professionalism, and
emotional intelligence
Proven record managing large, complex budgets and identifying
opportunities to diversify revenue streams, including
the ability to lead fundraising efforts
Experience developing, collaborating with, and leveraging a
committed Board of Directors
Track record of leading and inspiring diverse, cross-functional
teams and fostering a culture of collaboration, teamwork,
accountability, and transparency
Strong commitment to the professional development of staff;
successful track record of recruiting, supporting, and retaining a
diverse team
Record of successful partnership building with a variety of
external stakeholders, including the private sector,
community-based organizations, business funders
Superb communication and presentation skills, and a successful
track record as a spokesperson, relationship builder, and
fundraiser
Ability to obtain
and maintain top-secret clearance required
Familiarity with the Federal AbilityOne Program or nonprofit
background in commercial operations
Ability to navigate political and regulatory environments;
knowledge of current trends and practices in disability policy and
services, strongly preferred
Demonstrated experience with services to individuals with
intellectual and developmental disabilities, preferred but not
required
COMPENSATION AND
BENEFITS
Didlake offers a competitive salary and benefits package
commensurate with experience Didlake, including generous leave
and employer-funded benefits.
LOCATION
The CEO will be expected to work out of the Manassas, VA
office. Occasional travel will be required as part of the
position.
TO APPLY
Didlake has retained the executive search firm LeaderFit to lead
the CEO search. Interested candidates should submit a resume and
thoughtful cover letter outlining their interest and relevant
experience online.
Candidates are strongly encouraged to apply by April 30th.
Interviews with LeaderFit will begin soon thereafter.
Didlake is a VEVRAA Federal
Contractor and an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action
employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration
for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age,
national origin, sexual orientation, protected veteran status,
pregnancy, disability, gender identity or genetic information.
View Didlake
Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action statement of
policy, and the United States Department of Labor
poster Equal
Employment Opportunity is The Law to learn more about our
status as an equal opportunity employer. You can also view
the Pay
Transparency Statement. Didlake is a drug-free
workplace.
Reasonable Accommodations
Didlake and LeaderFit are committed to the inclusion of all
qualified candidates in the hiring process, including but not
limited to individuals with disabilities. If you require a
reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or
interview process, please email contact@leaderfit.org.