Executive Director

Fahrenheit Advisors has been retained to partner with the dis Ability Law Center of Virginia to hire their next Executive Director and lead this organization into its next phase of growth and impact. This position is based in Richmond, Va and is an incredible opportunity to lead a well-respected organization with an important mission.

The dis Ability Law Center of Virginia's mission is to advance independence, choice, and self-determination; protect legal, human, and civil rights; and eliminate abuse, neglect, and discrimination of people with disabilities through zealous and uncompromising legal advocacy and representation. dLCV's vision is a Commonwealth free of legal barriers for individuals with disabilities.

The Executive Director (ED) provides strategic leadership and organizational direction for dLCV, ensuring high-performing service programs, sustainable fundraising, and effective business operations. Areas of responsibility include management and administration, fiscal oversight, personnel leadership, Board relations, and public relations and representation. This is a full-time position, hired by the dLCV Board of Directors and directly accountable to it.

The Executive Director will:

• Possess legal or disability rights expertise.

Preferred:

• Be an attorney in good standing with a license to practice law in Virginia or become licensed within one year of hire; or
• Experience leading and fundraising for a nonprofit organization focused on protecting civil rights and possess expertise in Virginia and federal laws, regulations, and systems affecting individuals with disabilities.
• Demonstrate expertise in Virginia and federal laws, regulations, and systems affecting individuals with disabilities, along with experience leading an organization focused on protecting civil rights.
• Provide strategic leadership and empower staff, the Board, PAIMI Advisory Council members, and other stakeholders in carrying out dLCV's mission.
• Demonstrate exceptional communication skills across written, verbal, digital, and public-facing platforms. Effectively articulate dLCV's mission, priorities, and impact to individuals with disabilities, staff, Board members, elected officials, funders, community partners, the media, and the public. Use compelling storytelling and data-informed messaging to build understanding, support, and engagement.
• Demonstrate the ability to lead and support revenue diversification and fundraising strategies.
• Demonstrate the ability to evaluate and interpret legislation, regulations, public policy, and emerging trends affecting individuals with disabilities and to guide organizational policy strategy, advocacy priorities, and stakeholder engagement efforts. Effectively influence policy discussions and advance systemic change consistent with dLCV’s mission.
• Manage a structured leadership system within a diverse and dynamic organization, including staff, interns, externs, and volunteers, through delegation, accountability, and effective organizational systems.
• Be available to work additional time outside normal business hours.
• Maintain a consistent presence in Richmond, Virginia, to support engagement with state agencies, legislators, stakeholders, coalition partners, and community leaders. Candidates should reside in or be willing to relocate to the Richmond area within an agreed-upon timeframe.
• Be able to travel within and, when necessary, outside of the state.
• Have a demonstrated commitment to the rights of all persons with disabilities, inclusion, accessibility, and social justice. Lived experience highly valued.

• Ensure programs, services, and organizational initiatives are effectively led,…