Executive Director; CCR

Job Title: Executive Director
Reports To: Board of Directors

For more than forty‑five years, the Center for Conflict Resolution (CCR) has stood as a trusted bridge in moments of tension and transformation, a place where dialogue replaces division and communities rediscover their shared humanity. Guided by a mission to help individuals, communities, courts, and other institutions manage and resolve conflict, CCR operates with clarity, collaboration, inclusivity, personal accountability and a commitment to shared success, ensuring its work remains both community‑centered and transformative.

Now, as CCR turns the page toward a new chapter, the organization is poised for a season of growth and innovation. With a talented team, a deeply engaged board, and a new Executive Director soon to take the helm, CCR is ready to expand its reach and strengthen its business model while staying true to the values and cultural infrastructure that have made it a cornerstone of Chicago’s civic and social fabric.

The next Executive Director will step into this moment not to start anew, but to build upon a legacy. They will be a steward of CCR’s culture and an architect of its future that understands that preserving the heart of an organization is as essential as innovating its systems. This is someone who thrives on balancing the art of mission with the science of management:

A leader who champions equity, inclusion and belonging across the organization, a bridge‑builder with business acumen, and a visionary grounded in empathy. As CCR grows, its next leader will harness that momentum to:

• Diversify revenue streams
• Deepen relationships with funders and donors
• Cultivate new partnerships that strengthen the organization’s financial sustainability

They will lead with authenticity, inspiring confidence among staff, volunteers, board members and community partners alike. At the same time they will hold space for reflection, protecting the culture of belonging, collaboration and care that makes CCR’s work so transformative.

This moment calls for a leader who can navigate both head and heart, someone who sees fundraising not simply as a financial act but as an extension of:

• Storytelling
• Trust‑building
• Community engagement

They will elevate CCR’s profile as an advocate for equitable access to mediation and conflict resolution, ensuring that every dollar raised translates into deeper impact for the people and communities CCR serves.

The new Executive Director will inherit a strong, fiscally sound, operationally stable, and widely respected organization and will have the freedom to envision what comes next, including:

• New training offerings
• Expanded partnerships with courts and new markets
• Community‑based initiatives that make mediation more accessible than ever

With that comes the opportunity to shape CCR’s strategy for years to come, ensuring that its growth honors its roots and that innovation never comes at the expense of integrity.

• Be a bridge‑builder and listener who values transparency and collaborative leadership
• Bring strong business and financial acumen to guide CCR’s growth responsibly
• Demonstrate a proven track record of fundraising success and donor engagement
• Lead with empathy, integrity and an unwavering commitment to CCR’s Core Values
• Prioritise equity, inclusion and social and economic justice as a lens for all decision‑making
• Balance big‑picture strategy with a grounded understanding of day‑to‑day operations

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred
• 10+ years of nonprofit experience with at least 5 years in senior leadership or executive roles
• Experience advancing DEI principles across culture, programs or partnerships
• Strong knowledge of nonprofit financial management, governance and compliance
• Mediation/Alternative Dispute Resolution experience is preferred
• Proven ability to lead teams, navigate political and organisational systems and inspire collaboration
• Knowledge of the Cook County court system preferred
• Ability to serve as a visible advocate for the organisation, its staff, clients and programme work
• Demonstra…