Required Experience:
Preferred qualifications
Bachelor level college or higher
Law degree preferable
Experience managing staff
Experience with social justice work, especially work involving low-income individuals, workers, and/or people of color
More than seven years’ experience in nonprofit or governmental leadership.
Grant writing and fundraising experience
Published or demonstrable written works
Strong public speaking skills
Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $100,000 – $120,000 commensurate with experience and qualifications.
Benefits include:
Generous paid vacation, parental, sick, bereavement and personal time, as well as paid holidays
One month sabbatical after five years of employment
Medical, dental, and vision coverage for FT employees and dependents
Life insurance
401(k) style plan with 3% annual employer contribution
Short-term disability
Professional development, CLE’s and bar dues covered
How to Apply
To apply, please submit the following application materials to ginachiala@jobsandfreedom.org
· A letter of interest, including why you are interested in the job and why you believe you would be a good fit
Your resume
A list of three references (including at least one former or current direct supervisor)
EEO & At-Will Employment Statement
Heartland Center is an at-will, equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. We are an equal opportunity employer and comply with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, gender identity, or gender expression.
Pay: $100,000.00 - $120,000.00 per year
Benefits:
401(k)
Dental insurance
Health insurance
Paid time off
Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
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Duties / Expectations:
Executive Director
Heartland Center for Jobs and Freedom
4120A Baltimore Ave, Kansas City, MO 64111
$100,000 - $120,000 a year - Full-time
Benefits
401(k)
Health insurance
Paid time off
Vision insurance
401(k) 3% Match
Dental insurance
Sabbatical
Full job description
Executive Director
Location: Kansas City, Missouri
Posted: 3/18/2026
Priority deadline: May 15, 2026; open until filled
About Heartland Center for Jobs and Freedom:
The Heartland Center is a nonprofit organization that enforces the legal rights of low-wage workers and tenants, while building their collective power to win good housing and jobs for all. We envision a world where everyone lives free of exploitation, racism, abuse and poverty. Our housing, workplace and organizing programs carry out this vision. We defend tenants in eviction court, stopping hundreds of evictions each year. We marry grassroots organizing and impact litigation to win better housing and jobs. And, we work with partner organizations to win broad, systemic policy change. Eleven lawyers, an organizer, and five support staff drive this work. In light of our recent growth, we are restructuring and developing a new leadership team. We would for love you to consider joining us. We are a collaborative and supportive team and Heartland is a great place to work.
Position Overview
Our ideal candidate holds a bold vision for systemic change, coupled with the skill, creativity, and tenacity to operationalize that vision. The primary purpose of this role is to ensure Heartland Center’s mission and vision are being carried out strongly and effectively; that our programs and operations are soundly funded; and that we root our work deeply in the community, both from a coalition perspective and an engagement perspective. The position requires strong verbal and written communication skills, experience leading and supporting staff, knowledge of nonprofit workings, and solid strategy and relationship building capacity.
Key Responsibilities
Development (35%)
· Craft an annual fundraising plan, including donor drives, grant writing, and fundraising events with the support of Heartland’s Operations Director.
· Meet with and deepen relationships with funders and keep funders updated.
· Craft grant proposal budgets and financial reports with Operations Director
· Build relationships with new, potential foundations and donors.
Vision and Program (30%)
· Continually strengthen program impacts by evaluating overall program performance, deepening relationships with collaborative organizations, and adjusting program processes.
· Meet regularly with program directors to determine annual and quarterly goals and metrics, and to discuss program strengths and challenges.
· Explore housing and workplace policy solutions in partnership with community partners that could produce systemic change for low-wage workers and tenants
· Work with community partners to build campaigns to win systemic change for low-wage workers and tenants.
· Help the organization envision and implement long-term, transformative goals and objectives.
Communications (10%)
· Ensure that organizational messaging consistently conveys Heartland’s central tenets and core beliefs by approving press materials, monitoring Heartland’s social media posting, and assisting staff with presentations.
· Participate in the drafting of Heartland’s annual reports and website content, among other public materials.
Recruitment and Hiring (5%)
· Recruit, interview and hire staff in collaboration with relevant program directors.
· Negotiate terms of employment with potential hires.
Manage the Board of Directors (5%)
· Help manage, grow and develop Heartland’s board of directors.
· Schedule board meetings and develop board meeting agendas and documents with Operations Director.
· Call additional board meetings as needed.
· Communicate to the board any significant organizational developments.
· Ensure board participation in key Heartland affairs.
Human Resources (5%)
· Determine personnel policies, including benefit packages, workplace rules, and salary rates with the advice and consultation of directors and with input from staff.
· Problem solve around staff performance challenges, including termination where necessary, in collaboration with program directors.
Financial management (5%)
· Propose Heartland’s annual budget to the board with the advice and consultation of the Operations Director.
· Regularly assess the financial health of the organization and calibrate spending and fundraising accordingly, with the assistance of the Operations Director and board treasurer,
· Determine organizational spending policies with the advice and assistance of the Operations Director and approval of the board,
· Provide the board with annual and quarterly financial reports with the assistance of the Operations Director.
Community Relations (5%)
· Meet with other organizational leadership to strategize areas of collaboration.
· Present Heartland’s work or conduct trainings at conferences, meetings, and public events.
· Write letters to the editor, reports, and statements describing policy positions.
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