Executive Director (CCR)

Job Title: Executive Director
Reports To: Board of Directors

A Story of Growth Legacy and Leadership: The Next Chapter at CCR

For more than forty-five years the Center for Conflict Resolution (CCR) has stood as a trusted bridge in moments of tension and transformation a place where dialogue replaces division and communities rediscover their shared humanity. Guided by a mission to help individuals communities courts and other institutions manage and resolve conflict CCR operates with clarity collaboration inclusivity personal accountability and a commitment to shared success ensuring its work remains both community-centered and transformative.

Now as CCR turns the page toward a new chapter the organization is poised for a season of growth and innovation. With a talented team a deeply engaged board and a new Executive Director soon to take the helm CCR is ready to expand its reach and strengthen its business model while staying true to the values and cultural infrastructure that have made it a cornerstone of Chicagos civic and social fabric.

The next Executive Director will step into this moment not to start anew but to build upon a legacy. They will be a steward of CCRs culture and an architect of its future leader who understands that preserving the heart of an organization is as essential as innovating its systems. This is someone who thrives on balancing the art of mission with the science of management:

A leader who champions equity inclusion and belonging across the organization

A bridge-builder with business acumen
A visionary grounded in empathy

As CCR grows its next leader will harness that momentum to:

Diversify revenue streams
Deepen relationships with funders and donors
Cultivate new partnerships that strengthen the organizations financial sustainability

They will lead with authenticity inspiring confidence among staff volunteers board members and community partners alike. At the same time they will hold space for reflection protecting the culture of belonging collaboration and care that makes CCRs work so transformative.

This moment calls for a leader who can navigate both head and heart someone who sees fundraising not simply as a financial act but as an extension of:

Storytelling
Trust-building
Community engagement

They will elevate CCRs profile as an advocate for equitable access to mediation and conflict resolution ensuring that every dollar raised translates into deeper impact for the people and communities CCR serves.

The new Executive Director will inherit a strong fiscally sound operationally stable and widely respected organization and will have the freedom to envision what comes next including:

New training offerings
Expanded partnerships with courts and new markets
Community-based initiatives that make mediation more accessible than ever

With that comes the opportunity to shape CCRs strategy for years to come ensuring that its growth honors its roots and that innovation never comes at the expense of integrity.

If you are a leader who sees possibility values legacy as much as progress and who connects strategic thinking with human-centered leadership with a demonstrated commitment to advancing equity and cultivating inclusive environments CCR invites you to bring your vision to this next chapter. Together we can expand what is possible when dialogue leads the way.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal Executive Director will bring a blend of strategic vision operational expertise and relational leadership along with a deep appreciation for the transformative power of dialogue and mediation.

They will:
Be a bridge-builder and listener who values transparency and collaborative leadership
Bring strong business and financial acumen to guide CCRs growth responsibly
Demonstrate a proven track record of fundraising success and donor engagement
Lead with empathy integrity and an unwavering commitment to CCRs Core Values
Prioritize equity inclusion and social and economic justice as a lens for all decision-making
Balance big-picture strategy with a grounded understanding of day-to-day operations

Qualifications

Bachelors degree required; advanced degree preferred
10 years of nonprofit experience with at least 5 years in senior leadership or executive roles
Experience advancing DEI principles across culture programs or partnerships
Strong knowledge of nonprofit financial management governance and compliance
Mediation/Alternative Dispute Resolution experience is preferred
Proven ability to lead teams navigate political and organizational systems and inspire collaboration
Knowledge of the Cook County court system preferred
Ability to serve as a visible advocate for the organization its staff clients and programmatic work
Demonstrated success in fundraising and resource development across government sources grants and individual donors

Size and Scope of Organization

$2.4M budget
30 staff 200 volunteers
24-member Board of Directors; 1015-member Auxiliary Board
15000 mediation clients served annually (primarily pro bono)
2500 cases managed each year with approximately 70% court-referred
Strong non-court programming including group/community facilitation and youth-focused restorative justice work
1100 training participants annually in conflict management and customized workshops

Hours Benefits and Salary

This is a full-time position with benefits. The schedule requires some flexibility including mornings evenings and occasional weekends. Salary: $130000/year.

CCR offers a comprehensive benefits package including:
Health dental and vision insurance (BCBSIL)
401(k) with employer match
Life insurance
Professional development opportunities
Paid Cook County holidays
Additional paid time off and organizational benefits

To Apply: Please submit your resume and a letter of interest describing your leadership philosophy and alignment with CCRs mission.

CCR is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Our Commitment to Diversity Equity Inclusion & Belonging

Nonprofit HR is committed to fostering and maintaining a work environment where diversity equity and inclusion (DEI) are fully integrated into everything we do for the benefit of our employees and the clients that we serve. To fully realize our goal we prioritize our understanding of the complexities of DEI within our workforce to inform our approach to talent management. We believe that this guides how we do our work advise our clients to operationalize DEI and position our content and educational opportunities help strengthen the talent management capacity of the social impact sector.

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