Chief Executive Officer, Lafayette House

Chief Executive Officer, Lafayette House

 Joplin, Missouri Area

Position Overview

The mission of Lafayette House is “to be a safe sanctuary, offering compassionate and empowering services to heal the effects of domestic violence, sexual assault and substance use disorders.” Our next CEO will be a leader with high emotional intelligence who can balance trauma-informed client care and advocacy for women, children, and families with mission-driven management and nonprofit business savvy. As Lafayette House is a starting point in changing people’s lives, we are seeking a leader who can nurture while holding people accountable; who can honor and grow what has taken root over the last four decades; and who will pursue culturally-responsive care with passion, patience, and excitement.

The CEO will report to and work closely with a 17-member Board of Directors and manage a long-tenured, dedicated staff team wholly committed to client advocacy and healing. The successful candidate will honor our past and trailblaze our future while leading a 63-employee, $2.5 million organization.

Core Competencies

Leadership:  Proven nonprofit management and finance acumen. Skillful integration of fundraising and revenue diversification strategies. An inclusive strategic thinker who invites input to make informed plans and decisions.

Communication:  Ability to convey the agency in the present as well as future state with a well-defined strategy and vision. Creates momentum for current operations and long-range aspirations. Our next leader will expertly craft and share the evolving story of Lafayette House.

Project Management:  Demonstrated success moving from planning to implementation for short-, mid-, and long-term strategies. Detail-oriented execution inclusive of federal grants monitoring/reporting and other compliance measures associated with funding and operations.

Partnerships & Authenticity:  Collaborator and advocate exhibiting consistency and thoughtfulness. Duties will include local, state, and federal advocacy efforts. Must earn and uphold trust and confidence of the public, the Board, and the staff.

Salary and Benefits

Salary and a rich benefits package are negotiable, commensurate with leadership experience and professional successes. Must be willing to relocate to the Joplin Region if you are an out-of-region candidate.

Non-Discrimination

Lafayette House does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, gender, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation or military status.

Background & Setting

Founded in 1978, Lafayette House grew out of the feminist movement and began as a short-term option for women who needed a safe place to stay overnight to escape domestic violence. Forty-two years later, it is a safe and healing space for individuals and families. Through a residential facility in Joplin and an outreach office in Neosho, Lafayette House offers a full range of services in support of our mission. Minutes from the downtown Joplin business district, Lafayette House is located in a former elementary school building retrofit to provide services in safety and comfort while remaining integrated within our rural yet vibrant community.

Those living in or relocating to the Joplin region enjoy a low cost of living combined with a robust transportation infrastructure and increasing academic offerings, including Missouri Southern State University, Ozark Christian College, and Kansas City University – Joplin’s new campus plus its College of Dental Medicine set to open in 2022. The burgeoning population catalyzes new employment, new businesses, and a robust culinary scene inclusive of year-round indoor and outdoor farmers markets, food trucks, microbreweries, and coffee roasters. Also set to open in 2022, The Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex is a $17-million downtown development project featuring a 450-seat indoor performance hall and 1,500 capacity outdoor amphitheater. Residents currently enjoy 22 parks and greenways for health and recreation.

Coupled with great local healthcare, excellent public and private schools, and a wide range of housing, Joplin is a city that “has transformed into an affordable, livable version of the urban lifestyle” conducive for the right candidate to enjoy a homecoming or deciding to plant their roots and grow their family in our midst.

Professional Qualifications & Personal Attributes

• Bachelor’s degree with at least 5 years of nonprofit management experience at senior levels required.
• Master’s Degree strongly preferred. (Subject non-specific, but Business and/or Nonprofit Administration are particularly relevant.)
• A passion for serving women and children as well as for comprehensive family healing.
• Knowledge and understanding of the needs of victims of interpersonal violence including domestic violence and sexual assault; gender-specific and culturally-appropriate substance use disorders services; and the provision of trauma informed and responsive systems of care a plus but not required. With or without direct experience, must be able to passionately embrace the full realm of this work, guided by knowledgeable staff and allied professionals.
• Skillful manager who commands respect and creates motivation by modeling commitment to a healthy organization and the highest levels of trauma-informed care and compassion.
• Transparent communicator who counsels and supports the Board while ensuring sound, sustainable fiscal management and operations. Willing to engage as necessary in respectful debate. Fosters active partnership of the Board in governance, fundraising, and volunteer leadership recruitment.
• Strong organizational abilities so as to uphold and ensure all necessary and regulated compliance measures.
• Ability to engage with, motivate, influence, and effectively manage a diverse array of staff and volunteers.

Application Process

To apply for this position, submit resume and cover letter to Diane Marty, The Moran Company. In your cover letter please provide details regarding your nonprofit leadership experience pertaining to the primary duties and responsibilities of the position. APPLY NOW