Director of Disability Initiatives

POSITION OVERVIEW – Director of Disability Initiatives

The Director of Disability Initiatives will lead the development and implementation of products and services that focus on advancing disability inclusion and creating systems change. This senior-level position is charged with developing external relationships and leading the design and delivery of disability inclusion training with external customers.

This role is responsible for creating multi-channel content, contributing to grant and other fundraising opportunities, and serving as a public-facing spokesperson for Lifeworks.

This position will serve as a subject matter expert on accessibility standards and concepts such as plain language, universal design, and facilitation as they relate to the Lifeworks brand.

The role is hybrid-office based in our Richfield, MN headquarters.

Position Title: Director of Disability Initiatives

Department: Sales & Marketing

Hours: Full-time, Monday – Friday (Exempt)

Location: Lifeworks Services – Richfield / Hybrid / External Sites

Compensation: $90,000+

What we offer employees:

Lifeworks offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes:

18 days of PTO accrued in the first year of employment.
11 paid holidays (New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, plus a Personal Holiday)
Medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D insurance, short & long-term disability coverage
Up to $3,000 annually in tuition reimbursement
403(b) retirement plan – Lifeworks contributes 3% of your salary and matches up to 4% of employee contributions.

Why work at Lifeworks:

Lifeworks is an industry leader on the forward edge of partnering with people with disabilities in innovative, person-centered ways. Disability inclusion is our true north, guiding every service we provide and ensuring that people with disabilities have opportunities, can thrive, and defy expectations. The Lifeworks Team is collaborative, passionate, and strategic, using a person-centered approach to increase access in our communities.

Learn More About This Role

You’ll succeed in this role if you have:

Demonstrated professional experience leading initiatives on an organizational level, including demonstrated passion and ability to develop disability inclusion initiatives and strategies.
A defined understanding of disability rights and the social model of disability.
A demonstrated ability to successfully engage in and manage community relationships.
Excellent written and verbal communications including engaging presentation skills.
Demonstrated skills and abilities and professional experience assessing, designing, developing, and delivering training to people with various backgrounds.
Strong self-awareness and self-reflection skills are essential to the role, with the ability to lead with empathy and an appreciation for individual development along the continuum of advancing disability inclusion competency.
Proven influencing and relationship building skills with internal and external partners and people from various backgrounds and cultures.
Ability to leverage critical thinking, decision-making, problem-solving, change-management, and coaching to ensure success.
Must be self-initiating, exercise good judgment, and be able to work with minimal supervision using a collaborative and creative work style.
Must be able to work on multiple projects and prioritize work in a changing environment and meet deadlines.
Demonstrated effectiveness managing diverse stakeholders including but not limited to executives, employee groups, external vendors, and consultants.
Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate metrics, research and trends into strategy and initiatives.

How you’ll be spending your time:

Developing and implementing strategies and initiatives that advance and grow Disability Inclusion as a revenue-generating product that aligns with Lifeworks mission.
Creating an annual plan and goals that align with the organizational strategic plan.
Managing a department budget and meeting revenue goals.
Collaborating with the sales, marketing, and fundraising leaders on fundraising, external events, and community engagement.
Representing Lifeworks externally through media appearances, conference speaking engagements, disability inclusion consultations and networking.
Delivering and facilitating Disability Inclusion trainings to external audiences in-person, virtually, and in hybrid formats.
Overseeing the training, onboarding, and engagement of training consultants and staff as co-facilitators.
Creating well-researched, accessible disability-related content for all channels including internal and external websites, blogs, social media, videos, marketing campaigns, resource guides, and informational materials.
Researching and providing leadership on the evolving landscape of disability inclusion and disability rights.

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree required plus a minimum of 4 years’ work experience in or 8 years of equivalent related work experience.
Capable of performing the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations.
Experience managing department budget or profit & loss budget experience.
Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC) or willing to be certified in first 12 months of employment.
Understand the impact of ableism and its effect on people with disabilities and our communities.
Strong interpersonal skills, exceptional skills including public speaking and group facilitation (virtual & in-person).
Understands different learning styles and incorporates various stylistic approaches when developing and presenting content.
Well organized with excellent attention to detail.
Skilled at establishing and cultivating strong relationships.
Ability to influence and lead others through change in the organization.
Ability to take initiative and strengthen relationships with new & existing communities.
Fluent in English, verbal and written.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Microsoft PowerPoint.
Knowledgeable with CRM database/s preferred.
Non-profit experience preferred.
Project Management and vendor management is a plus.
Must pass a background study with the Department of Human Services, a drug test, and have reliable transportation to use for work driving purposes (e.g., in-office, on-site training locations, etc.).

To apply:

Complete our application form here or click the button below. Please include the job type you are applying for as well as your resume.

Lifeworks Services is committed to hiring people from a variety of diverse cultures with diverse life experiences. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, familial status; genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Lifeworks Services is an equal opportunity employer, and we encourage members of diverse groups to apply.