Employment Opportunities

Executive Director

Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, Inc. (FDDC)
Tallahassee, Florida | Full-Time | Executive Leadership

Lead. Advocate. Create Lasting Systems Change.

The Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, Inc. (FDDC) is seeking an accomplished, mission-driven Executive Director to provide strategic leadership to an organization dedicated to creating meaningful and lasting change for Floridians with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.

This is a unique opportunity for an experienced executive to lead at the intersection of public policy, advocacy, systems change, organizational leadership, and disability services. Working in partnership with the Council, staff, state and federal agencies, policymakers, advocates, community organizations, and other stakeholders, the Executive Director will help shape initiatives that increase independence, inclusion, self-determination, and opportunities for people with developmental disabilities throughout Florida.

About FDDC

FDDC is Florida’s federally funded Developmental Disabilities Council, established under the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (DD Act). The Council identifies pressing needs of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families and advances innovative programs, public policy initiatives, advocacy efforts, and collaborative partnerships designed to improve Florida’s systems of services and supports.

FDDC’s work is guided by a comprehensive Five-Year State Plan and a commitment to ensuring that individuals with developmental disabilities have opportunities to participate fully in their communities and make informed choices about their lives.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, the Executive Director serves as FDDC’s senior executive and provides the vision, leadership, and organizational direction necessary to advance the Council’s mission and State Plan.

The Executive Director is responsible for the overall leadership and management of the organization, including strategic planning, Council governance and administration, public policy and advocacy, program implementation, financial stewardship, federal and state compliance, staff leadership, partnerships, and external relations.

This leader will also serve as a highly visible representative of FDDC and build productive relationships with the Florida Legislature, Office of the Governor, state and federal agencies, disability organizations, community partners, and national organizations.

Key Leadership Responsibilities

The Executive Director will:

• Provide strategic leadership for the implementation of FDDC’s Five-Year State Plan and ensure the Council’s work produces measurable, meaningful outcomes.
• Advise and support Council members in carrying out their governance, policy, planning, and oversight responsibilities.
• Lead FDDC’s public policy, legislative education, advocacy, and systems-change initiatives at the state and federal levels.
• Develop and sustain strong partnerships with government agencies, policymakers, disability organizations, advocates, providers, community organizations, and other stakeholders.
• Ensure effective management and oversight of Council-funded programs, grants, contracts, and initiatives.
• Maintain compliance with the DD Act and applicable federal and state laws, regulations, funding requirements, Council bylaws, policies, and procedures.
• Provide executive oversight of FDDC’s financial operations, including budgeting, federal funding, financial reporting, audits, and responsible stewardship of organizational resources.
• Recruit, develop, lead, and support professional staff while fostering a collaborative, accountable, inclusive, and high-performing workplace.
• Serve as a trusted and effective spokesperson for FDDC and the individuals, families, and communities its work is intended to benefit.
• Identify emerging needs, opportunities, partnerships, and strategies that strengthen FDDC’s statewide impact.

The Ideal Candidate

FDDC is looking for a seasoned executive who combines strategic vision with strong execution. The successful candidate will understand how to lead a complex, publicly accountable organization while building relationships across diverse constituencies and maintaining a strong focus on the people and families at the center of FDDC’s mission.

Competitive candidates will demonstrate:

• Significant senior-level leadership and management experience, including responsibility for organizational strategy, staff, operations, and financial resources.
• Knowledge of, and experience with, intellectual and developmental disability issues, services, systems, and advocacy.
• Experience with public policy, legislative processes, government relations, and state and/or federal agencies.
• Knowledge of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act or the ability to develop deep expertise in its requirements.
• Demonstrated success building collaborative partnerships and bringing diverse stakeholders together around shared goals.
• Experience working effectively with a governing board, council, commission, or similar body.
• Strong financial and organizational management skills, including experience overseeing a multi-million-dollar budget and federal or governmental funding.
• Experience leading, developing, and evaluating professional staff.
• Exceptional communication, judgment, problem-solving, relationship-building, and organizational skills.
• A leadership approach characterized by integrity, transparency, accountability, collaboration, and respect for the perspectives and lived experiences of others.

Qualifications

A master’s degree or equivalent, preferably in a relevant field, along with fifteen (15) years of pertinent professional experience, including at least ten (10) years of progressively responsible senior management or executive leadership. The strongest candidates will bring extensive executive or senior management experience and a demonstrated record of leadership in disability services, advocacy, public policy, government, nonprofit management, human services, or a closely related field.

Experience working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, families, self-advocates, and disability organizations is highly valued.

Why This Role Matters

The Executive Director of FDDC has an opportunity to influence more than the operation of a single organization. This position helps shape systems, policies, programs, and partnerships affecting individuals with developmental disabilities across the State of Florida.

For an executive who is passionate about public service, effective advocacy, collaborative leadership, and creating sustainable systems change, this is an opportunity to make a significant statewide impact.

Location: Tallahassee, Florida
Position: Full-Time, Exempt
Reports To: Florida Developmental Disabilities Council
Recommended Salary Range: $153,504 – $162,032 annually, commensurate with qualifications and experience

The Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, Inc. is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and encourages qualified candidates with diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences to apply.

In accordance with Florida’s Government-in-the-Sunshine and Public Records Laws, applications and supporting materials submitted for this position may be subject to public disclosure under Chapter 119, Florida Statutes. Applicants should be aware that information submitted as part of the recruitment and selection process, including resumes and other application materials, may be available for public inspection upon request, unless otherwise exempt or confidential under applicable law.

Pay: $153,504.00 – $162,032.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off

Ability to Relocate:

• Tallahassee, FL 32301: Relocate before starting work (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Director of Public Policy & Advocacy

Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, Inc. (FDDC)
Florida | Full-Time | Remote Hybrid Eligible

Influence Policy. Champion Advocacy. Drive Lasting Systems Change.

The Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, Inc. (FDDC) is seeking an accomplished, mission-driven Director of Public Policy & Advocacy to help advance public policies and advocacy initiatives that improve the lives of Floridians with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced public policy and advocacy professional to work at the intersection of government relations, disability rights, legislative education, and statewide systems change. Working closely with the Executive Director, Council members, policymakers, advocacy organizations, and community partners, the Director will help shape policy priorities, strengthen collaborative relationships, and advance initiatives that promote independence, inclusion, self-determination, and meaningful opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities throughout Florida.

About FDDC

FDDC is Florida’s federally funded Developmental Disabilities Council, established under the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (DD Act). The Council identifies pressing needs of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families and advances innovative programs, public policy initiatives, advocacy efforts, and collaborative partnerships designed to improve Florida’s systems of services and supports.

FDDC’s work is guided by a comprehensive Five-Year State Plan and a commitment to ensuring that individuals with developmental disabilities have opportunities to participate fully in their communities and make informed choices about their lives.

The Opportunity

Reporting directly to the Executive Director, the Director of Public Policy & Advocacy plays an important role in advancing FDDC’s legislative education, public policy, and advocacy priorities at the state and federal levels.

The Director serves as a key resource to Council leadership on emerging legislation, regulatory developments, and policy issues affecting individuals with developmental disabilities. This position develops and maintains relationships with government officials, legislators, advocacy organizations, and other stakeholders while coordinating efforts that strengthen the Council’s voice and influence in public policy discussions.

The successful candidate will bring a strong understanding of the legislative process, the ability to translate complex policy issues into actionable strategies, and a genuine commitment to empowering individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.

Key Responsibilities

The Director of Public Policy & Advocacy will:

• Advance public policy priorities by working with the Executive Director and Public Policy Committee to identify, develop, and coordinate advocacy initiatives aligned with FDDC’s Five-Year State Plan.
• Build influential relationships with Florida legislators, legislative staff, executive branch officials, government agencies, disability organizations, and community partners.
• Monitor and analyze legislation and policy developments at the state and federal levels, evaluating their potential impact on individuals with developmental disabilities, their families, and Council priorities.
• Serve as a trusted policy resource by preparing legislative briefings, policy analyses, educational materials, and recommendations for Council leadership, stakeholders, and policymakers.
• Coordinate legislative education and advocacy activities, including meetings with elected officials, stakeholder forums, Disability Awareness Day activities, and disability policy seminars.
• Strengthen grassroots advocacy by supporting self-advocates, families, caregivers, and Council members in developing the knowledge, communication skills, and confidence to participate effectively in public policy discussions.
• Facilitate collaborative partnerships with advocacy coalitions, legislative consortia, task forces, and other organizations to identify shared priorities and opportunities for systems change.
• Support the Public Policy Committee through meeting coordination, policy updates, research, and implementation of committee priorities.
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal and state requirements governing legislative education, lobbying, and advocacy activities.

The Ideal Candidate

FDDC is looking for a knowledgeable, relationship-driven professional who combines public policy expertise with a passion for advocacy and meaningful systems change.

The strongest candidates will demonstrate:

• Extensive knowledge of Florida’s legislative and executive processes, public policy development, and government relations.
• A strong understanding of intellectual and developmental disability issues, services, supports, and advocacy priorities.
• Demonstrated success developing relationships with legislators, government officials, advocacy organizations, and diverse stakeholder groups.
• Experience analyzing complex legislation, developing policy strategies, and communicating policy implications to varied audiences.
• A proven ability to coordinate grassroots advocacy initiatives, build coalitions, and engage individuals and families in advocacy efforts.
• Exceptional written communication, public speaking, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
• Sound judgment, political awareness, professionalism, and the ability to navigate complex policy environments.
• A collaborative approach that values the perspectives, experiences, and voices of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.
• The ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and effectively represent organizational interests.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of eight years of professional experience in Disability Policy and Grassroots Advocacy.
• Registered lobbyist or ability to become registered upon employment.
• Demonstrated knowledge of legislative processes, public policy analysis, and advocacy strategies.
• Ability to participate in meetings, legislative activities, conferences, and stakeholder events as required.

Why This Role Matters

Public policy decisions shape access to services, opportunities, independence, and quality of life for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.

As FDDC’s Director of Public Policy & Advocacy, you will have an opportunity to help influence those decisions, elevate the voices of individuals and families, and build partnerships that advance meaningful and sustainable improvements in Florida’s systems of services and supports.

This is more than a public policy position. It is an opportunity to turn advocacy into action and help create lasting change across Florida.

For a professional who is passionate about disability rights, public service, legislative engagement, and collaborative advocacy, FDDC offers an opportunity to make a meaningful statewide impact.

Location: Tallahassee, Florida | Hybrid Eligible
Position: Full-Time, Exempt
Reports To: Executive Director
Recommended Salary Range: $93,232–$116,540 annually, commensurate with qualifications and experience

The Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, Inc. is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and encourages qualified candidates with diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences to apply.

Florida Public Records Disclosure

In accordance with Florida’s Government-in-the-Sunshine and Public Records Laws, applications and supporting materials submitted for this position may be subject to public disclosure under Chapter 119, Florida Statutes. Applicants should be aware that information submitted as part of the recruitment and selection process, including resumes and other application materials, may be available for public inspection upon request, unless otherwise exempt or confidential under applicable law.

Pay: $92,232.00 – $116,540.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• QSEHRA Program
• Dental insurance
• Paid time off

Education:

• Bachelor’s (Required)
• Master’s (Preferred)

Experience:

• Disability Policy and Grassroots Advocacy: 8 years (Required)

Work Location: In person