Chief Executive Officer

Hammer & NER stands at a pivotal moment in its 100-year history. The next Chief Executive Officer (CEO) will inherit a mission-driven organization with a powerful legacy of service, a deeply committed workforce, and a reputation for excellence across Minnesota’s disability services ecosystem. At the same time, disability service providers nationwide are navigating dynamic regulatory changes, workforce shortages, and shifting waiver/government funding structures. This moment offers a unique opportunity for a CEO who sees challenge as a catalyst for innovation and sector-wide impact.

The CEO will be a unifying, forward-thinking leader who will be able to honor Hammer & NER’s history while guiding the organization into its next era of stability, innovation, and impact. 

To Apply:

Hammer & NER has exclusively retained CohenTaylor Executive Search Services to help conduct this search. For more information, or to submit your resume as application, please email; Hammer@cohentaylor.com. If you apply directly via Paylocity, we will share your application with CohenTaylor. It remains up to them to coordinate the search for this position.

Organization Mission and Strategy

• Works with the board of directors and staff to ensure that the organization’s mission is fulfilled through programs, strategic thinking and community outreach.
• Leads strategic planning to ensure that Hammer & NER can successfully fulfill its mission into the future.
• Strengthens the organization’s public image through active community engagement and partnerships with professional, civic, and private organizations. 

Financial Performance and Viability

• Ensures the fiscal integrity of Hammer & NER, including submitting an annual budget and quarterly financial statements to the Board of Directors that accurately reflect the organization’s financial position.
• Manages finances within the approved budget, maximizes resource use, and maintains a strong financial position.
• Leads fundraising and resource development to support Hammer & NER’s mission. 

Organizational Operations

• Oversees and implements appropriate and effective administration of resources to ensure that the operations of Hammer & NER are appropriate.
• Oversees the hiring and retention of competent, qualified staff. 
• Executes notes, agreements, and other instruments on behalf of the organization as outlined in the Signing Authority document of the Board. 

Board Governance

• Leads Hammer & NER in a manner that supports and guides the organization’s mission as defined by the Board of Directors and the organization’s bylaws.
• Ensures timely, accurate communication with the Board of Directors, providing all information needed for effective governance and informed decision-making.
• Supports board development through the recruitment of potential board members. 

The ideal candidate is a values-driven leader who centers the dignity and lived experience of people with disabilities. They build meaningful relationships across families, staff of all levels, and community partners. Grounded and approachable, they bring the emotional intelligence to listen deeply, the cultural awareness to lead inclusively, and the communication skills to motivate and bring people together around shared purpose. 

They pair this relational strength with the strategic discipline needed to guide a complex, multi-site organization. This leader understands how to steward resources, navigate government-funded systems, and make sound decisions in a shifting policy and reimbursement environment. They bring a track record of leading through change, strengthening organizational culture, and advancing new ideas. 

While no one individual will possess all of the criteria below, the CEO will possess many of the following professional and personal abilities, attributes, and experiences: 

• A mission-anchored, people-centered leader who embodies empathy, authenticity, and deep respect for individuals with disabilities, their families, and the direct support workforce.
• A strategic, business-savvy executive with strong financial acumen and the ability to navigate a complex, multi-site, waiver-funded organization with discipline and foresight.
• An experienced change leader who has successfully guided organizations through transition, uncertainty, or growth while maintaining stability and trust.
• A credible advocate and policy influencer who can build relationships with legislators, testify effectively, and elevate the organization’s voice in statewide disability services.
• An exceptional communicator who can serve as a spokesperson for Hammer & NER and the broader disability services field with clarity and credibility.
• A compelling storyteller and relationship-driven fundraiser who can partner with donors, close major gifts, and expand philanthropic support beyond legacy families.
• An inclusive, culturally competent leader who values and supports a diverse workforce.
• A collaborative, trust-building leader who strengthens cohesion across program and administrative teams and fosters a culture of transparency, accountability, and respect.
• An innovative, forward-thinking strategist who brings curiosity and creativity to diversifying revenue streams and exploring new service models.
• A team-oriented leader with experience leading a large staff, partnering effectively with a strong executive team, and who invests in developing personnel. 

Qualifications

• 10+ years of executive leadership experience, preferably with experience in nonprofit disability, housing, or social services or related.
•  Master’s degree in nonprofit management, public administration, social work, health care administration, or related field preferred.