President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Full-Time, Salary (Exempt)

Position Summary

The President and CEO is a highly‐skilled professional that provides leadership, vision and direction to the leadership team and the broader Firefly Autism organization. The President and CEO represents the organization to the public, leads organizational development and strategic planning, optimizes financial performance, oversees program delivery, builds donor relationships and oversees personnel. The President and CEO works closely with the Board of Directors, senior leadership team members and is responsible for expanding systems and procedures to accomplish the mission and reach the strategic goals set forth by the board.

The President and CEO develops organizational strategy, sound practices and supportive relationships, both internally and externally, resulting in cooperative and effective collaborations that further the mission of Firefly Autism.

Reports To: 

Board of Directors

Duties and Responsibilities: Provide thoughtful executive leadership that is inclusive, transparent, and empowering in a manner that supports and guides the organization’s mission.

Development & Fundraising:

·        Drive development and fundraising in collaboration with the Development Director, leveraging the Board as needed.

·        Establishes sustainable and growing visibility with consistent communication in the community at large.

·        Collaborates with others to solve bigger community problems in the autism space.

·        Commands a strong external presence with all current and prospective partners, government agencies, and individual relationships to garner new opportunities and build Firefly Autism’s brand in the community.

·         Serve as a visible thought leader and ambassador for Firefly Autism, advancing the organization’s influence, expertise, and impact within the autism, nonprofit, and community sectors.

Programs & Services:

• Directs, plans and implements policies, objectives and activities of the organization to ensure continuing operations, to maximize return on investments and to increase impact and successful outcomes.
• Ensures ongoing programmatic excellence and rigorous program evaluation
• Work closely with the leadership team to implement and execute the strategic plan and report progress quarterly to the Board of Directors.
• Comfort in clinical settings/audiences

Team Leadership & Culture

• Foster independence in all department leaders in the organization, creating an environment of growth, mobility, and innovation.
• Lead, support, and develop a high-performing leadership team aligned with Firefly Autism’s mission, values, and strategic priorities.
• Evaluate and strengthen organizational structure and talent to meet current and future needs.
• Foster a culture of trust, accountability, inclusion, collaboration, and professional growth.

Finances & Management:

• Plan, actively manage and oversee the day-to-day operations of the organization and ensure its overall successful financial sustainability
• Provide leadership in organizational and financial plans and executes on the policies authorized by the Board.
• Maintain stringent financial controls in collaboration with finance partners, while fostering banking and general financial relationships
• Active participation and support of board and committee meetings.
• Apply performance measurements to analyze and support strategic decision-making
• Continually foster a culture that encourages collaboration between departments and recognizes positive contributions
• Active involvement in the organizational structure while supporting team in the management of processes such as hiring, separation, ongoing staff development, performance management, compensation and benefits, and marketing.

Board Partnership & Governance

·        Maintain and strengthen Firefly Autism’s culture of strong governance, transparency, and board partnership.

·        Build trust-based relationships with the Board of Directors, ensuring clarity in roles, responsibilities, and strategic direction.

·        Provide timely, accurate, and forward-looking communication and reporting to support effective oversight and decision-making.

·        Partner with the Board Chair and Executive Committee to sustain high board engagement, strong member retention, and meaningful board service.

·        Support the Board’s governance and fiduciary responsibilities while reinforcing the Board’s role in setting strategy and the staff’s role in executing that strategy.

Essential Skills and Qualifications:

·        Minimum 7 years leading matrix-based organizations and teams with seasoned board experience.

·        Proven strategic thought leader in organizational growth and change management impact

·        Strong command of P&L with diligent fiscal management and preparing organizations to a financially sustainable path forward

·        Passion for innovative program creation to maintain relevance to the community it serves

·        High level strategic thinking and planning.

·        Proven ability to collaborate and work hands on in fast growing organizations

·        Ability to envision and convey the organization’s strategic future to the staff, board, volunteers, and donors.

·        Transparent and high integrity leadership.

·        Ability to foster an environment of accountability, healthy work relationships, and inclusivity among staff to maintain a positive and collaborative work environment.

·        Must be highly visible across the communities we serve in addition to the community at large.

·        Experience working in a highly-regulated field and navigating legal compliance, approvals, and licensing with state and federal agencies

Additional Considerations:

·        Knowledge of service delivery systems and programs for individuals with autism

·        An understanding of ABA, related staff qualifications and ethical responsibilities, autism, and behavioral and developmental disabilities. Experience in a clinical or education-related field may be considered in lieu of Autism/ABA experience.

Physical Requirements of the Job:

The incumbent typically works in an office environment and uses a computer, telephone and other office equipment as needed to perform duties. The noise level in the work environment may be similar to or greater than that of an office. Incumbent may encounter frequent interruptions throughout the workday. The employee is regularly required to sit, talk, or hear; frequently required to use repetitive hand motion, handle or feel, and to stand, walk, reach, bend or lift up to 20 pounds.

At Firefly Autism, we offer a competitive compensation package, with a variety of benefits, including medical, dental, and vision plans, life, accident, disability and other supplemental insurances, employee assistance program, 12 paid holidays, generous vacation and personal time off, 401(k) plan with employee and company contribution opportunities, opportunity for discretionary fiscal yearend bonus, and other supplemental insurances.

Position Salary Range: $150,000 - $165,000

Starting pay is based on education and experience

To apply, please send your resume and cover letters to Firefly’s Board of Directors at hiring@fireflyautism.org