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Executive Director

NVMS is seeking an executive director to oversee the organization’s operations. The Executive Director will serve as the organization’s sole full-time leader, working closely with the Board and a small group of staff, volunteers, and interns to sustain and grow impact.

Role Overview

Directly reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director serves as the primary leader responsible for the organization’s overall management, sustainability, and external relationships, including partnerships and affiliations with colleges, local governments, organizations, businesses, and lawmakers. The Executive Director oversees revenue generation across fee-for-service programming, fundraising, and grants, while ensuring effective day-to-day operations in a small, resource-constrained environment. In the near term, the Executive Director will focus on sustainable revenue generation in response to changes in government and foundation grant making and collaboration with other regional dispute resolution providers across Virginia. In the longer term, the Executive Director will lead and implement the next strategic planning effort for the period 2027 to 2031.

Key Responsibilities

Organizational Leadership & Operations

  • Oversee the fiscal and financial affairs of the organization, including budgeting, financial tracking, and cash flow management, in compliance with audit standards
  • Manage day-to-day operations and administration of a small organization with the support of staff, volunteers, interns and contractors
  • Recruit, supervise, and develop the NVMS staff, contractors, volunteers, and interns
  • Ensure the quality of all programmatic activities and advocacy including PR, awareness campaigns, marketing and outreach, and networking
  • Foster good working relationships with volunteers, clients, practitioners, and partners
  • Lead, envision, and engage in strategic planning and execution in collaboration with the Board of Directors
  • Lead, envision, and engage in strategic planning and execution in collaboration with the Board of Directors
  • Update policies and procedures

Fundraising & Revenue Generation

  • Identify and develop new fee-based and other revenue-generating business opportunities
  • Lead fundraising efforts, including grants, individual giving, partnerships, and fundraisers/friendraisers

Board Engagement and Support

  • Serve as ex officio member of the Board, actively participating in governance discussions and strategic direction
  • Attend the Board’s Executive Committee meetings, contributing to high-level planning and organizational oversight
  • Engage regularly with Board committees to support their work, ensure alignment, and facilitate effective collaboration
  • Provide timely, relevant, and well-prepared information for Board and committee meetings to support informed decision-making
  • Help identify prospects for Board recruitment

Core Competencies

This is a hands-on leadership role within a small organization. The Executive Director will be expected to balance strategic leadership with direct execution across operations, fundraising, fee-based activities, and external engagement, with support from staff, contractors, and the Board.

  • Leadership & Initiative: Ability to operate independently, take ownership, and create a collaborative team culture to drive organizational outcomes
  • Ethics & Compliance: Understanding ethical behavior and professional practices and ability to ensure compliance with values and policies of the organization
  • Financial Stewardship: Experience managing budgets and operating within limited and variable resources
  • Strategic Thinking: Ability to balance long-term vision with day-to-day operational realities, including foreseeing and planning for risks and opportunities
  • Relationship Management: Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build relationships with diverse stakeholders
  • Communication: Clear and effective written and oral communication skills
  • Adaptability: Flexibility and skilled problem-solving in a dynamic, resource-constrained environment

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
  • 5+ years of professional experience, with increasing leadership responsibility
  • 3+ years of supervisory experience
  • Strong organizational, financial management, and operational skills
  • Comfort using standard office tools and managing basic administrative and technology needs
  • Experience in fundraising, grant solicitation, and revenue generation

Preferred Qualifications

  • Master’s degree
  • Experience in mediation, conflict resolution, training, or a related field
  • Virginia mediator certification or familiarity with court-connected mediation programs
  • Familiarity with office and accounting software, (e.g., QuickBooks, Microsoft Office Suite), social media platforms (e.g., LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Constant Contact, blogging), and CRM platform (outcome tracker)
  • Familiarity with website content updates or content management systems
  • Skills necessary to support basic communications and outreach efforts, including social media

HOW TO APPLY:

To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter describing your qualifications as well as your interest in the position to EDsearch@nvms.us. Please submit your materials in a single PDF document labeled “Last Name, First Name_ED_Application_2026” Interviews are being conducted on a rolling basis beginning in early September. Applicants are encouraged to submit applications by September 30, 2026; however, applications will be accepted until the position is filled. This position is slated to begin no later than January 2027.