[Hiring] Director, Deaf Survivor Services @Activating Change

Role Description

The Director is responsible for the overall leadership, direction, and success of Deaf Survivor Services (DSS), a program dedicated to increasing access to safe, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed services for Deaf survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and dating violence. DSS operates a national hotline and ongoing virtual services, and is working to expand access to in-person advocacy services for Deaf survivors through the development of new service models across communities.

The Director leads both national service delivery (including the hotline and service line) and the development of in-person service models. The Director leads efforts to expand access to services for Deaf survivors by designing, testing, and refining approaches to in-person advocacy across different communities and contexts. The work will require navigating uncertainty, testing approaches, and adapting based on learning and community feedback.

The Director leads staff, guides program development, collaborates with partners and other key organizations, and serves as the primary representative of DSS to Deaf communities and the project’s funder: the U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women. The Director also plays a central role in positioning DSS for long-term sustainability and potential independence.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Direction and Program Leadership
  • Define and guide the vision, priorities, and long-term direction of DSS
  • Lead program development, growth, and continuous improvement
  • Ensure alignment with Deaf leadership, survivor-centered practices, and community needs
  • Establish and maintain clear decision-making structures within the program
• Staff Leadership and Accountability
  • Lead and supervise DSS staff, including managers and advocates
  • Build a strong, sustainable, and accountable team culture
  • Ensure clarity of roles, responsibilities, and performance expectations
  • Support leadership development across the team
• Service Delivery Oversight
  • Ensure high-quality, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed services
  • Oversee service delivery systems, supervision structures, and case consultation processes
  • Maintain accountability for service quality, safety, and responsiveness
  • Ensure appropriate support is in place for crisis and complex case decision-making
• Program Expansion and Field-Building
  • Lead the development and expansion of in-person services for Deaf survivors
  • Design, test, and refine models for delivering advocacy across diverse communities
  • Build relationships with partners and communities to support expansion
  • Integrate learning into long-term program strategy
• External Leadership and Partnerships
  • Lead collaboration with partners and determine governance approach
  • Represent DSS with funders and the broader field
  • Build and maintain relationships with Deaf communities, collaborators, and partners
  • Guide program visibility, credibility, and positioning
• Compliance, Financial Stewardship, and Organizational Alignment
  • Oversee program budget and ensure allowable use of funds
  • Ensure compliance with federal grant requirements and applicable laws
  • Maintain accountability for program reporting, documentation, and outcomes
  • Work with Activating Change to ensure alignment with grant, legal, and administrative requirements
• Long-Term Sustainability and Independence
  • Lead planning for program sustainability and potential independence
  • Identify opportunities for growth, partnerships, and funding
  • Support development of infrastructure needed for long-term success

Qualifications

• Deeply connected to the Deaf community, with fluency in ASL
• Significant experience leading programs, teams, or initiatives, including supervision of staff
• Experience working with survivors (e.g., domestic violence, sexual assault, trafficking, or related fields)
• Strong understanding of trauma-informed, survivor-centered, and culturally responsive practices
• Demonstrated ability to develop and communicate program strategy and vision
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex programs involving multiple partners and collaborators
• Experience building partnerships and supporting collaborative governance structures
• Experience making decisions in dynamic, high-stakes, or ambiguous environments
• Experience managing or implementing grant-funded programs, preferably Federally-funded programs
• Experience developing or expanding programs, including testing new models or approaches (preferred)
• Experience working in national or multi-site initiatives (preferred)
• Experience engaging with funders, including strategy and relationship management
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trust and navigate conflict
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining accountability for outcomes

Benefits

• The salary range for this position is $120,000 - $125,000.
• Actual salaries will vary depending on factors including but not limited to experience and performance.
• The salary range listed is just one component of Activating Change's total compensation package for employees.
• Invest in the well-being of staff through other rewards including:
  • Merit pay increases
  • Generous paid time off
  • Comprehensive health insurance plan
  • Employer-funded retirement plan
  • Annual stipend to support healing, education, and development
  • Reimbursements for home internet expenses
  • Stipends for work from home supplies