Executive Director Graceful Opportunities

Make a lasting impact in Southeast Missouri. Graceful Opportunities is looking for an experienced, relationship-centered leader who is energized by building programs, strengthening community partnerships, and creating pathways for individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities to experience meaningful work, greater independence, and reliable transportation. This is an opportunity to lead a growing mission, collaborate with committed partners, and help shape sustainable services and enterprises that directly improve lives across the region.

Graceful Opportunities is seeking a mission-driven Executive Director to lead its work arranging and supporting meaningful work and transportation opportunities for individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in Southeast Missouri. As the nonprofit partner of Grace Reliant Health Services, Graceful Opportunities provides business, vocational, and transportation opportunities in Cape Girardeau County and beyond through Grace Coffee and Café, a commercial kitchen, the Rules of the Road Missouri driver’s education program, and vocational rehabilitation services.

The Executive Director will provide strategic, operational, financial, and community leadership while ensuring programs and enterprises are mission-centered, compliant, sustainable, and effective.

Essential Responsibilities

• Lead Graceful Opportunities in alignment with its mission, values, strategic goals, and commitment to meaningful employment and transportation access for individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.
• Oversee day-to-day operations, programs, staff, services, and administrative functions across Graceful Opportunities.
• Lead community fundraising efforts by engaging donors, sponsors, businesses, volunteers, and local partners to advance the mission and strengthen long-term organizational sustainability.
• Oversee leadership teams responsible for enterprises owned and operated by Graceful Opportunities, including Grace Coffee and Café and the Graceful Opportunities commercial kitchen.
• Provide oversight for vocational rehabilitation programming, Rules of the Road instruction, and related transportation and work-support services.
• Oversee compliance with CARF accreditation standards, nonprofit requirements, grant requirements, employment laws, and organizational policies.
• Collaborate with the GraceWorks Director to coordinate services and strengthen outcomes for individuals served.
• Attend monthly SB40 Board meetings and provide updates, information, and follow-through as needed.
• Develop and manage budgets, support fundraising efforts, cultivate donors and community partners, and ensure responsible financial stewardship.
• Supervise and support key positions, including Rules of the Road instructors, vocational rehabilitation staff, instructional chef, and assistant managers of Grace Coffee and Café.
• Serve as a visible advocate and community representative for Graceful Opportunities throughout Southeast Missouri.
  
  

Qualifications

• Demonstrated commitment to inclusion, meaningful work, independence, and transportation opportunities for individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.
• Leadership experience in nonprofit, disability services, vocational rehabilitation, human services, healthcare, business, or another mission-driven setting.
• Strong skills in operations, strategic planning, financial oversight, compliance, accreditation readiness, fundraising, communication, and relationship-building.
• Experience working with a Board of Directors or similar governing body.
• Ability to lead multiple teams, programs, and business enterprises with professionalism, accountability, sound judgment, and a mission-centered approach.
• Preferred experience with CARF accreditation, vocational rehabilitation services, supported employment, transportation programs, grant writing, donor development, or program growth.
• Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, business administration, public administration, social work, or a related field required (graduate degree preferred); equivalent combination of education and relevant leadership experience may be considered.

Benefits 

• Healthcare Costshare Plan
• Dental and vision insurance
• Paid time off
• 7 Paid Holidays
• Retirement plan
• Flexible Spending Account
• Short & long-term disability
  
• Flexible scheduling options