Executive Director

Position Summary

The Executive Director (ED) effectively manages the day-to-day operations of The Resolution Center. The ED works to expand the Center's mediation services and training to new and diverse communities, collaborating with a small staff and large team of volunteer mediators to bring cutting edge conflict resolution techniques approaches to citizens in need.

The ED is a full-time staff member with a starting salary of $72,000-$75,000 per year, who is responsible for leadership of all organizational development, administrative, program design, and program implementation workstreams, staff management, and community outreach. The person in this role reports to the Board of Directors and works closely with peers, direct reports, and mentors from a variety of professional backgrounds, including the Director of Youth Programs, Manager of Mediation Services, Mediation Case Manager, Program Coordinator, AmeriCorps Member, volunteers, partner organizations, and clients.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities of the ED include, but are not limited to:

• Strategic Planning & Program Management (approx. 25-30% of role or 10-12 hours a week, varies based on program calendar)
• Collaborate with the Board of Directors to develop and implement strategic plans that meet the Center's goals and objectives for future growth
• Oversee compliance with Massachusetts SJC Uniform Rules on Dispute Resolution with particular focus on ethical attention to the mediation principals
• Oversee and contribute directly to mediation program management, including Family Mediation, Court and Community Mediation, Parent Mediation Program, Housing Mediation Program, Re-Entry Mediation Program; mentor and guide staff and volunteers on best practices in mediation case management and inclusive, accessible mediation
• Oversee and contribute directly to training programs, including Basic Mediation Training, workshops, and events, with a focus on inclusive, accessible training programs
• Advise and support Youth Programs program management
• Human Resources & Stakeholder Management (approx. 25-30% of role or 10-12 hours a week, varies based on )
• Manage, lead, recruit and hire all staff; develop and administer personnel policies that advance diversity, equity, and inclusion goals; conduct annual performance reviews
• Develop and grow meaningful relationships with community partners, courts, government agencies and elected officials
• Oversee recruitment, support, and engagement of volunteer panel; develop and administer policies around volunteer and consultant engagement
• Develop, implement, and oversee communications and marketing strategies, including outreach events
• Finance & Operations (approx. 25-30% of role or 10-12 hours a week, varies based on grant proposal & reporting and budget planning calendars)
• Partner with the Treasurer to manage all finances including annual budget development, internal and external reporting, accounting systems, and payroll
• Manage contracts with vendors, consultants, and professional services (book-keeping, insurance, audit/financial review)
• Manage contracts and invoicing of clients for fee-for-service mediation and training
• Spearhead grant writing by determining opportunities for major impact; administer grant-funded work to ensure compliance; develop and implement individual donor fundraising (donor cultivation, fundraising events, peer-to-peer fundraising) and donor Customer Relationship Management system
• Oversee operations including record-keeping, project management tools and procedures, case management tools and procedures, technology (software, hardware, maintenance, use policies), office space, hybrid work capacity, and tools and policies to ensure accessible and inclusive service delivery

Desired Skills and Experience

We welcome applicants with diverse identities and experiences. Research has shown differences in how people interpret job postings – for example, a study found that men applied for jobs if they meet 60% of the qualifications, while women only applied if they met 100% of the qualifications listed. If you have or are working on some of these skills, and have experience that would add value to our work and community, please apply to start the conversation: 

• Excellent verbal and written communication, presentation, and relationship development skills
• Sensitivity to cultural and socioeconomic diversity and the needs of individuals with low incomes; Ability to engage in cross-cultural communication effectively
• Previous leadership experience managing a staff or volunteers (including hiring, firing, performance appraisals, mentorship, mapping of workloads, etc.)
• Commitment to and 2 years of experience in fundraising and grant writing/grant management
• Deep understanding of and 2 years of experience in budget development and management
• Strong curiosity or experience in the field of conflict resolution (Mediation, Restorative Justice, De-Escalation Skills)
• Strong comfort with standard office technology and understanding of the value of critical data collection
• Interest in and willingness to participate in continuous professional development to expand skills while in the role, and interest/capacity to lead a variety of training/workshop options
• Bachelor's degree

Hours and Compensation

This is a full-time, salaried position starting at $72,000-$75,000 per year depending on experience and increasing by cost of living, merit increases, and/or bonuses with tenure and success in the role. We offer a Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangement (QSEHRA) to support employees’ healthcare costs up to $300 per month. We provide a 401(k) retirement plan with an employer match (typically 2-3% per year). We offer three paid vacation weeks per year (increases to 4 weeks after 2 years of employment) along with paid sick leave and a flexible work environment.

The Resolution Center operates on a flexible 40-hour work week with business hours between 9am and 5pm, Monday-Friday. Staff are expected to establish a work schedule with their supervisor that provides consistent coverage of those core business hours among the staff team, with flexibility for staff to provide services outside of core business hours to meet community needs (for example, trainings that occur on weekends, mediations that occur in the evening), and flexibility for staff to work on a schedule that is healthiest and most productive for them as they manage their personal responsibilities and priorities outside of work as well.

Location and Working Conditions

This is a hybrid position, primarily consisting of computer and phone-based program administration/office work (which can be performed fully in The Resolution Center office or a combination of in-office and remotely), as well as in-person and online trainings, events, and meetings that may include speaking in front of a group, sitting or standing for periods of time, and transporting or arranging for transport/set up of basic event supplies and materials. The Resolution Center office is located in the Cummings Center in Beverly, MA. We can accommodate the hybrid arrangement that best suits the person hired into this role, though we expect the person in this role will work at least 2-3 days per week in the office on average to facilitate teamwork, and will spend significant time in community outreach and program activities out of the office.

To Apply 

Please submit a resume along with a brief cover letter that describes your interest in and qualifications for the role by email to applications@ResolutionNorthShore.org, with the subject line “Executive Director – [last name]”. We expect to invite a small number of applicants for initial interviews by phone/Zoom on a rolling basis in April/May 2025. 

About The Resolution Center 

Formerly called the North Shore Community Mediation Center, we were established in 1994 as a non-profit organization providing conflict resolution skills and services to people across Essex County, MA. Our mission is to educate and empower people to transform conflicts into opportunities for mutual understanding, social change, communication, and personal growth.  

We are a staff of 5-6 people with a large network of volunteers and partners. Together, we provide direct service in community, family, and court-referred conflicts; mediation training to residents, schools, organizations, professional associations, businesses and municipalities; and customized conflict resolution and restorative practice workshops and facilitations.  

As mediators we encourage respectful engagement for diverse perspectives to be heard and offer a place where people can have constructive conversations. The ideas of access, empowerment, equity, quality, creativity, and service are what define us as community peace-makers. We strive to create an inclusive workplace that brings together a diverse group of staff and volunteers who represent the range of experiences and identities that make up our community. 

Mission: The Resolution Center is a non-profit corporation whose mediators educate and empower people to transform conflicts into opportunities for mutual understanding, social change, communication, and personal growth. The Resolution Center, through collaborative efforts, raises public awareness of the value of Mediation & Alternative Dispute Resolution methods as vehicles for resolving personal differences and diminishing conflict in society. 

To learn more about our work, please visit https://www.resolutionnorthshore.org and explore our mediation and training services, history, leadership, and recent activities.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $72,000.00 - $75,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Flexible schedule
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Experience:

• managing a staff or volunteers: 2 years (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Beverly, MA 01915 (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Beverly, MA 01915

Salary : $72,000 - $75,000