The Organization
For more than 45 years, thousands of individuals have trusted Mutual Ground to provide life-changing services that have empowered them to face the challenges of domestic and/or sexual violence. The organization was incorporated in 1975 and began offering counseling and advocacy services for victims of domestic violence. The first shelter opened in Aurora in 1978. In 1983, they began offering counseling and advocacy services to victims of sexual violence. On February 1, 2021, Mutual Ground, Inc. acquired Breaking Free, Inc. Breaking Free, founded in 1977, helped rebuild the lives of those impacted by substance use disorder through counseling, treatment and education.
For fiscal year 2022, Mutual Ground provided emergency shelter to 206 adults and children, counseling and advocacy services to 1,279 adults and children, 1,291 hours of substance use recovery services, and filed 258 Orders of Protection with the help of our legal advocates. Mutual Ground victim services
Position Overview
The next CEO of Mutual Ground will have the opportunity to capitalize on the strong reputation and recognition and lead the organization into its next chapter. Mutual Ground has experienced a tremendous amount of growth over the past few years. The acquisition of Breaking Free, Inc. has brought about many opportunities including the need to eventually expand the physical building to bring both organizations under one roof. To do this, a capital campaign is under consideration in the coming years. In the immediate future, the blending of the two organizational cultures, while being on two separate campuses, and building community within the organization will be a priority for the next CEO.
With the growth that the organization has experienced, there is also a need to examine the infrastructure that currently exists to support the expansion of programs and services. There has been expansion of the staff and with a $1 million grant that the organization recently received from the state, the staff will be further expanded.
Mutual Ground seeks an inspiring, empowering and innovative proven leader with a demonstrated passion for our mission and a deep appreciation of, respect for and commitment to helping those affected by domestic violence, sexual violence and substance use disorder. The next CEO will assure that the organization has a long-range strategy and achieves its mission, and toward which it makes consistent and timely progress. This executive will lead the design of effective growth strategies including program expansion, recruitment and retention of high-quality staff, diversification, identifying and seeking federal/state grants, building strong community partnerships and participating in active fundraising and endowment building.
Valuing diversity, equity and inclusion and demonstrating those values through all aspects of this leader’s work will be critical to this role. Being a strong advocate for the organization, the staff and themselves will be highly valued. A collaborative style, servant leadership mindset, dynamic personal presence, natural optimism, humility, good listening skills and a sense of humor are important personal attributes we seek.
A master’s degree is highly preferred. Demonstration of continuing professional education, accreditation in a professional field and/or nonprofit board leadership would be highly desirable. The successful candidate would be expected to obtain their Certified Domestic Violence Professional (CDVP) certification, their 60-hour training to meet ICADV and ICASA standards and the DCFS mandated reporter training and certificate will need to be acquired within one year of hire and maintain the certification.
How To Apply
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
The salary range for this position is between $150,000 and $170,000 and will be commensurate with experience. As part of our commitment to our employees and their well-being, Mutual Ground, Inc. provides employees with a variety of benefits: health insurance, dental insurance, retirement plan, unemployment insurance and workers’ compensation.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
To apply, please submit a current resume and letter of introduction to Kittleman & Associates, LLC at https://bit.ly/3Yi9Bob (click on the Apply button at the bottom of the page). For more information about Mutual Ground, visit https://www.mutualground.org.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT
It is the policy of Mutual Ground, Inc. to afford equal opportunity in all aspects of employment to all persons without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, physical disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, military status, marital status, age, national origin, ethnicity, political affiliation, medical condition, pregnancy, immigration status or on the basis of genetic information. This policy shall apply to all employees, applicants for employment, board and committee members and volunteers and extends to all phases of hiring, promotion, layoff, placement, termination, compensation and benefits.