Job Description: Executive Director
Community, Work & Independence, Inc. (CWI)
Position Summary
The Executive Director (ED) serves as the senior operational leader of Community, Work & Independence, Inc. (CWI) and is accountable directly to the CWI Board of Directors for the organization’s operational, regulatory, financial, strategic, and reputational performance.
CWI is a nonprofit agency providing supports and services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the Glens Falls region and greater Capital District. The Executive Director is a highly visible, community-facing leader and the primary representative of the agency with individuals served and their families, community partners, regulators, elected officials, and the public.
The Executive Director reports directly to, and serves at the will of, the CWI Board of Directors. The ED holds sole responsibility for executive leadership and decision-making and for recommending all material strategic, operational, financial, and risk-related actions to the Board.
The Executive Director serves as CWI’s principal liaison to the Citizen Advocates, Inc. Network (also known as the Daxia Integrated Health Network). The ED will advise, plan, and collaborate with Network leadership to build aligned strategy and advocate for matters affecting operational performance, regulatory compliance, and quality of care. The Network’s role is advisory and supportive in nature and does not include authority to direct, approve, or mandate CWI operations, staffing, employee or labor relations, human resources or benefits, or financial decisions. Authority for operations, quality, compliance, financial performance, and reputation rests exclusively with CWI through its Executive Director and Board.
Frequent travel is expected, including travel to program sites, community meetings and events, the State’s capital, and Network meetings and events.
Core Responsibilities
- Leadership, Operations, and Labor Authority
- Lead a self-contained CWI leadership team with full responsibility for organizational management, staffing, employee and labor relations, human resources and benefits, and performance.
- Ensure high-quality, person-centered services and a culture of compliance, safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Oversee all program and operational functions, including residential and day services, clinical leadership, facilities, and transportation.
- Serve as the senior executive responsible for labor relations, including union engagement and collective bargaining and resolution of grievances.
Board Accountability and Governance
- Serve as the Board’s primary operational partner and advisor.
- Provide timely, accurate, and candid information to support governance oversight and decision-making.
- Implement Board-approved strategy and retain sole responsibility for executive decisions and recommendations.
Network Partnership, Vendor Oversight, and Governance Boundaries
- Serve as the primary liaison between CWI and the Citizen Advocates, Inc. Network (also known as the Daxia Integrated Health Network).
- Advise, plan, and collaborate with Network leadership on system-level initiatives, standards, and shared priorities that impact quality, compliance, and operational effectiveness, while maintaining clear governance boundaries.
- Advocate for CWI within the Network on issues affecting service quality, compliance, and operational performance.
- Support the CWI Board in its relationship with the Network through clear communication, preparation, and follow-through.
- Work directly with outsourced and Network-supported vendors, including those engaged in close coordination with the Network, while retaining full accountability for vendor performance, compliance, and outcomes.
- Certain governance and statutory rights are reserved to the parent organization consistent with nonprofit law; these rights do not extend to day-to-day operations, employee or labor relations, human resources or benefits, or management of CWI.
Regulatory Compliance and OPWDD Stewardship
- Serve as the executive responsible for compliance with OPWDD, Medicaid, and all applicable laws and regulations.
- Maintain current knowledge of OPWDD rules, guidance, and policy, including participation in OPWDD regional meetings and forums.
- Translate regulatory and policy changes into clear operational guidance and timely implementation.
- Ensure audit readiness, incident management, and continuous quality improvement.
Financial Stewardship and Reporting
- Hold ultimate responsibility for financial performance and sustainability.
- Coordinating with outsourced financial partners regarding budgeting, forecasting, internal controls, and financial compliance.
- Provide clear, accurate financial reporting and risk visibility to the Board.
Community Presence, Reputation, and Growth
- Serve as the public face of CWI in all community-facing matters and ensure professional representation by leaders and staff.
- Build and sustain strong relationships with individuals served, families, advocacy organizations, providers, and community partners.
- Represent CWI with OPWDD, local governments, and elected officials and maintain constructive, proactive communication.
- Monitor and address reputational risks affecting the agency’s standing with regulators and the community.
- Assess community needs and recommend growth and service expansion aligned with Board expectations, ensuring expansion maintains quality, compliance, and fiscal discipline.
- Frequent travel is expected, including travel to the State’s capital and to Network meetings and events.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.
- Seven to 10+ years of senior leadership experience in I/DD, healthcare, or human services.
- Demonstrated experience leading complex, highly regulated organizations.
- Strong Board-level communication and executive presence.
- Labor relations and union experience preferred.
EEO Statement: CWI is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and supports Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in its hiring and employment practices, so that every team member can feel like they belong and be their authentic self to thrive in their personal and professional lives. In order to do that, all applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race (including traits historically associated with race, including but not limited to, hair texture and protective hair styles), creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, military status, sex, disability, genetic predisposition or carrier status, marital status, arrest record or status as a victim of domestic violence, familial status, gender/gender expression, reproductive health decisions, citizenship or immigration status or any other factor prohibited by law.
