Executive Director | Community Leader

Position reports to the L’Arche Twin Cities Board of Directors

About L’Arche Twin Cities:

L’Arche Twin Cities is an emerging inclusive community of people with and without intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD) creating experiences of belonging rooted in mutual, authentic relationships. We are based in the Midway neighborhood of St. Paul, Minnesota and part of the international L’Arche network of intentional communities. Through collective vulnerability and openness, L’Arche Twin Cities is building a community that addresses loneliness and isolation through authentic connections and regular gatherings that respect and embrace differences. By recognizing the inherent dignity and worth of all people, we strive to be a dynamic movement for radical inclusion.

Today, L’Arche Twin Cities is working to provide people with disabilities new and more varied networks, experiences, skills, and opportunities while delivering additional funding for veteran caregivers, creating a pipeline of informal supports, and building a community that helps those caregivers prevent burnout or isolation. Our vision over the next five years is to build systems in support of our emerging work, grow the number of people we engage in our gatherings and extended community, and explore the feasibility of a physical space for our services and people.

L’Arche Twin Cities is an independently incorporated 501(c)(3) in Minnesota and is formally affiliated with L’Arche USA as a “project community”. L’Arche USA represents the global Federation of L’Arche and works alongside L’Arche communities in the U.S. to advance the rights and inclusion of people with I/DD.

Role Summary:

The Executive Director | Community Leader (ED|CL) of L’Arche Twin Cities will guide the community to realize our mission in three impact areas: Inclusive Community, Broad Impact, and Service Innovation, as established in the 2023- 2026 Founding Mandate. The ED|CL will administer all daily operations to meet financial, legal, and support standards as defined by local and national authorities while ensuring alignment with the mission and values of L’Arche as stated in the L’Arche Charter. The ED|CL will be accountable to the L’Arche Twin Cities Board of Directors and work collaboratively with the Federation of L’Arche regionally, nationally, and internationally. The ED|CL is responsible for representing L'Arche Twin Cities with L'Arche USA, ensuring compliance to membership obligations as a L'Arche community.

Core Responsibilities:

Administration and Operations

• Recruit, supervise, and evaluate one direct employee (the Community Manager) and a 12-person cohort
• Alongside the Community Manager and extended community: plan, drive turnout to, and execute four varied monthly community gatherings and events that are intended to foster the wellbeing and connectedness of our community members, as well as serve as an open invitation to the broader metro area. Community events tend to occur on evenings or weekends.
• Manage, track, and bill enrollments in self-advocacy waiver services
• Develop and promote formation and training plans to foster team growth
• Codify and refine processes and policies
• Nurture natural supports from long-term friends of the community and support participants in making new friendships outside of families and L’Arche

Values and Practices

• Support L’Arche Twin Cities in living the Charter and ensure compliance with L’Arche USA guidelines
• Be a liaison of L’Arche Twin Cities to L’Arche USA and L’Arche International, including some travel to in-person events (at least two national retreats each year)
• Be a thought-leader in terms of revolutionizing the traditional L’Arche support model by collaborating with other leaders and researchers to expand what it means to be community
• Be a culture leader for our community, including L’Arche inclusive spirituality and interdependent leadership among participants with and without I/DD
• Ensure inclusive structures and practices are in place that empower constituents and participants of L’Arche Twin Cities, promoting community-driven leadership

Fundraising

• Develop and implement fundraising systems and strategies that enable the organization to meet its financial development goals, enrich the life of the community, and carry out its operations
• Steward 100 individual donors, including via end of year campaigns and 1:1 relationships
• Steward, source, and apply to existing and new grant partnerships

Financial Management

• Manage L’Arche Twin Cities finances including accounting, payroll, HR, insurance, 990s and taxes
• Hone and codify budgeting and accounting systems

Communications and Public Relations

• Manage communications in adherence with brand guidelines, including web and social media presence, earned media, and in-person recruitment and advocacy events with neighboring community
• Promote the organization within the wider community
• Foster and further relationships with mission-aligned organizations

Partner with the Board of Directors

• Support the Board of Directors of L’Arche Twin Cities in the creation and implementation of policy, procedures, strategy, and fundraising, including best practices for involving board members with I/DD

Planning for the Future

• Further the Mandate goals for Inclusive Community, Broad Impact, and Service Innovation, as established in the 2023- 2026 Founding Mandate
• Alongside the board, determine long-term vision for L’Arche Twin Cities community re: housing

Required Qualifications

• Strong alignment with the mission and values of L’Arche (see attached Charter)
• Commitment to empowering and working interdependently with peers with I/DD
• Strong fundraising and development experience, including through donors, grants, and Minnesota Department of Human Services
• Bachelor’s Degree, preferably in a related field, or the ability to translate work or life experiences to the mission of L’Arche Twin Cities
• Excellent communication and listening skills
• Demonstrated proficiency using technology
• Experience creating operating budgets and expense management
• Ability and willingness to work collaboratively with others across diverse identities and at all levels, including peers, stakeholders, donors, volunteers and participants
• Ability to travel locally, regionally, and internationally as needed

Desired Skills & Experiences

• Leadership experience in a growing nonprofit
• 5 years working with people with I/DD, with a lens toward equity and empowerment
• Experience managing staff
• Understanding of services and funding streams available to individuals with I/DD
• Master’s Degree in Public Administration, Social Work, Education, or a related field
• Demonstrated proficiency using social media, WordPress, Little Green Light, Google Workspace, Mailchimp, and Canva
• Musical instrument or singing experience a plus

Personal Qualities

• Personal qualities of compassion, courage, integrity, and humility
• Ability to acknowledge personal limits and a willingness to ask for help
• Ability to be at ease with ambiguity and challenge
• Openness and respect for people of all backgrounds, ethnicities, and religious beliefs
• Sense of creativity and innovation for disabilities services and building community

Compensation

$60,000-80,000 commensurate with experience, with a competitive benefits package, including health/dental/vision, retirement, and paid time off (for full-time position; a part-time position may be negotiated/prorated). Our office is based in Midway St. Paul; option for some remote work may be negotiated.

To Apply

The search will remain open until the position is filled. First consideration will be given to applications received by January 2, 2026. Submit your resume and cover letter to the Search Committee by emailing Stasya Erickson at serickson@larcheusa.org.

L’Arche is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and will accept applications, hire qualified applicants, administer all terms and conditions of employment, and make available all benefits and compensations of employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, including gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, marital status, familial orientation, status with regard to public assistance, membership or activity in a local commission, national origin, disability, or age, except when based on a bona fide occupational qualification. L’Arche complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws with regard to equal employment opportunity.