Vice President, Best Buddies Life at Best Buddies… · Location…

Best Buddies International is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, inclusive living, and family support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

Best Buddies is the largest organization dedicated to ending the social, physical and economic isolation of the 200 million people worldwide with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Our programs empower people with IDD to form meaningful friendships with their peers, secure jobs, improve communication and advocacy skills, and live independently, while also offering support for their families.

Job Title: Vice President, Best Buddies Life
Department: State Operations and Programs
Reports to: SVP, Global Mission Impact & Engagement
# of direct reports: 2

Position Overview:

The Vice President, Best Buddies Life (BBL) will lead the strategy, growth, and execution of the BBL national initiative. Best Buddies Life seeks to create pathways to lifelong learning, meaningful employment, independent living, leadership development, and community engagement for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Through strategic partnerships with higher education institutions, employers, and community organizations, BBL will expand access to inclusive education, workforce development, career placement, wellness programming, and other supports that empower participants to achieve greater independence and self-determined lives.

The Vice President will oversee program innovation, partnerships, revenue development, operational excellence, and impact measurement while building a scalable national model. As a member of the organizational leadership team, this executive will also contribute to enterprise-wide strategic planning and organizational growth, positioning Best Buddies Life as the premier model for inclusive lifelong learning and adult success.

Job Requirements

• Master's degree required in Higher Education Administration, Special Education, Disability Studies, Nonprofit Leadership, Public Administration, Business Administration, Education, Social Work, or related field.
• Minimum 15 years of progressive leadership experience in higher education, workforce development, disability services, transition programming, nonprofit leadership, or related fields.
• Demonstrated executive leadership experience overseeing large-scale programs, initiatives, or organizations with national or multi-state impact.
• Experience working across nonprofit, higher education, corporate, and public sectors preferred.
• Proven success building programs or organizations from concept through implementation, growth, and expansion.
• Significant experience developing and managing strategic partnerships with universities, employers, corporations, foundations, and community organizations.
• Experience managing multi-million-dollar budgets and complex operational initiatives.
• Strong track record of fundraising, business development, revenue generation, or securing philanthropic support.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, public speaking, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Deep understanding of disability inclusion, workforce development, and support for individuals with IDD.
• Experience leading or developing inclusive postsecondary education, workforce development, or employment initiatives preferred.
• Must travel, use personal cell phone, and work evenings and weekends as necessary in order to accomplish job responsibilities

Job Duties include, but are not limited to:

Programs

• Develop and execute the long-term vision, strategic plan, and growth strategy for Best Buddies Life.

• Serve as the executive leader responsible for the overall performance, impact, sustainability, and expansion of the initiative.
• Partner with executive leadership to advance enterprise-wide strategic initiatives and organizational growth objectives.
• Lead innovation efforts that expand opportunities for individuals with IDD across education, employment, independent living, and community engagement.
• Identify emerging trends, market opportunities, and strategic partnerships that strengthen program impact and scalability.
• Present strategic updates, growth plans, and performance metrics to executive leadership, key stakeholders, and the Board of Directors.
• Establish Best Buddies Life as a preferred partner for institutions seeking to expand inclusive education and transition programming.
• Lead the development and execution of a multi-year national expansion strategy to grow participant enrollment, geographic reach, and nationwide network of colleges, universities and education partners.
• Negotiate and manage strategic partnership agreements with educational institutions and credentialing organizations.
• Lead the development and execution of a multi-year national expansion strategy to grow participant enrollment, geographic reach, and institutional partnerships across educational settings.
• Establish goals for national expansion, including the development of a network of colleges, universities, and educational partners across the country.
• Cultivate strategic relationships with employers and industry leaders to create employment opportunities for participants.
• Work with Best Buddies Jobs national staff to grow relationships with existing partners
• Lead the development and implementation of innovative, scalable workforce readiness, career exploration, credentialing, internship, employment, learning, and independent living initiatives that establish measurable participant employment and career success outcomes.
• Ensure workforce initiatives align with evolving labor market trends and employer needs.
• Advance Best Buddies' leadership position in disability inclusion, workforce development, and inclusive lifelong learning.

Fund Development

• Develop and execute a comprehensive revenue strategy to support long-term program growth and sustainability.
• Partner with Development leadership to secure major gifts, corporate partnerships, foundation grants, government funding, and sponsorship opportunities.
• Serve as a lead representative in meetings with prospective donors, investors, philanthropic partners, and funders.

• Explore earned revenue opportunities, innovative funding models, and strategic investment opportunities.
• Oversee annual budgeting, financial forecasting, and resource allocation.
• Maintain accountability for a multi-million-dollar operating budget and long-term financial growth objectives.
• Build strategic partnerships with corporations, foundations, educational institutions, government agencies, and community organizations.

Marketing

• Serve as the national spokesperson and thought leader for Best Buddies Life.
• Represent Best Buddies at conferences, industry events, higher education forums, workforce development initiatives, and public engagements.
• Cultivate relationships with policymakers, advocates, and influencers to advance systems-level change that benefits individuals with IDD.

Operations

• Utilize data, research, and stakeholder feedback to drive continuous improvement and innovation.
• Develop and monitor key metrics related to enrollment, retention, employment outcomes, independence, community engagement, and participant satisfaction.

Human Resources

• Build and lead a high-performing national team responsible for program operations, partnerships, participant success, and expansion.
• Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, accountability, and excellence.
• Oversee staffing strategy, organizational structure, leadership development, and succession planning.
• Ensure operational systems, policies, and procedures support sustainable growth and organizational effectiveness.
• Maintain compliance with organizational standards, educational partnerships, and applicable regulations.
• Directly oversee the Senior Director, Best Buddies Corps and the Senior Director, Best Buddies Life.

Best Buddies® is an affirmative action employer, in addition to an EOE and M/F/V/PWD/PV employer. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are foundational to Best Buddies International’s core values and help the organization continue to achieve its mission. Here at Best Buddies, our goal is to lead and advocate for a more inclusive world.

Best Buddies offers a comprehensive and generous benefits program that include financial security, health and wellness and time off.

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