The Role
Lead FAVOR as its chief executive, strengthening operations, financial management, HR and program systems, developing staff and culture, partnering with the Board, cultivating funder and state relationships, diversifying revenue, and advocating for families navigating behavioral and developmental services.
Summary Generated by Built In
About the Organization
FAVOR, Inc. supports, educates, and advocates for families of children with special mental, emotional, and behavioral health challenges and/or developmental and intellectual disabilities.
Founded in 2002, FAVOR was established to address the need for leadership, coordination, advocacy, and support among family-led organizations across Connecticut. Its mission is to empower families to effectively advocate for their children and access family-driven, culturally responsive services that improve child outcomes and family well-being.
FAVOR also serves as Connecticut’s state chapter of the National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health.
FAVOR delivers its work through several core programs:
- Family Peer Support Specialists (FPSS): Peer advocates who work directly with caregivers, helping them navigate schools, courts, and service systems while building their confidence and advocacy skills
- Family Systems Managers (FSM): Staff who guide families in strengthening their ability to engage in systems and influence decisions affecting their children
- FAVOR Learning and Leadership Academy: A training initiative that supports families, staff, and community partners, including certification for peer support specialists
The organization operates with an annual budget of approximately $2.2 million and a staff of 25 employees. Funding is currently highly concentrated in government contracts, with the Department of Children and Families representing most of the revenue.
This is a unique opportunity for a leader who is energized by both mission impact and organizational building; someone who can honor FAVOR’s strengths while helping the organization grow into a more structured, sustainable, and cohesive future.
Position Summary
The Executive Director (ED) serves as the chief leader of FAVOR, responsible for strengthening internal operations, supporting staff, and ensuring the organization delivers high-quality, mission-driven services. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the ED will guide FAVOR through an important period of transition—building strong systems, reinforcing a healthy organizational culture, and ensuring financial and operational integrity.
This role requires a leader who can balance empathy with accountability, build trust across stakeholders, and bring structure and clarity to a growing and evolving organization.
Key Responsibilities
Team Leadership and Culture
- Lead, support, and develop a dedicated staff team, fostering a positive, professional, and accountable work environment
- Establish clear roles, expectations, and consistent supervision practices
- Set appropriate boundaries while maintaining a supportive, mission-driven environment
- Promote clear, consistent internal communication across staff
Operations and Financial Management
- Build and implement clear systems, processes, and workflows to improve consistency and effectiveness
- Strengthen internal infrastructure, including HR, administration, and program operations
- Ensure clear decision-making processes and organizational accountability
- Ensure strong financial management, including budgeting, reporting, and compliance with grant and government funding requirements
- Oversee accurate tracking and use of funds, strengthening transparency and accountability
- Partner with finance staff and the Board to maintain fiscal health and sustainability
Partnerships and External Relations
- Build and maintain strong relationships with state agencies, funders, and community partners
- Represent FAVOR with credibility and professionalism in external settings
- Navigate complex systems and advocate effectively for families and the organization
Fund Development
- Support and expand fundraising efforts, including grants and other funding opportunities
- Help diversify revenue sources over time to strengthen long-term sustainability
Board Partnership and Governance
- Work closely with the Board of Directors to strengthen governance practices and engagement
- Support the Board in fundraising, strategic planning, and organizational oversight
- Clarify roles and responsibilities between Board and staff
Requirements
Qualifications and Experience
- Demonstrated leadership experience in a nonprofit or human services organization
- Strong financial management experience, including budgeting, reporting, and grant oversight
- Proven ability to lead and develop teams, improve morale, and manage through change or transition
- Experience building or improving organizational systems and operations
- Track record of working with external partners, funders, and public systems
- Experience working with or supporting a Board of Directors
- Demonstrated understanding of the needs of families navigating behavioral health, mental health, or neurodiversity; lived experience is valued but not required.
Leadership Profile
The ideal candidate will bring:
- Steady, experienced leadership with the ability to navigate complexity and lead through transition
- A commitment to transparency and trust-building, with clear and consistent communication
- A structured, systems-oriented mindset that brings clarity and organization to the work
- The ability to balance empathy with accountability, supporting staff while setting clear expectations
- Confidence and sound judgment, including the ability to set boundaries and make difficult decisions
- Strong relationship-building skills, both internally and externally
- A collaborative approach paired with the ability to move work forward decisively
Benefits
Compensation
Salary range: $100,000–$120,000, commensurate with experience.
Benefits Include:
- Comprehensive health, dental, and supplemental insurance options
- Disability and life insurance coverage
- Generous paid time off and 13 paid holidays
- Paid bereavement, jury duty, and voting leave
- 403(b) retirement plan
- Supportive and mission-driven work environment
Skills Required
- Demonstrated leadership experience in a nonprofit or human services organization.
- Strong financial management experience, including budgeting, reporting, and grant oversight.
- Proven ability to lead and develop teams, improve morale, and manage through change or transition.
- Experience building or improving organizational systems and operations (HR, administration, program operations).
- Track record of working with external partners, funders, and public systems (e.g., state agencies).
- Experience working with or supporting a Board of Directors.
- Understanding of the needs of families navigating behavioral health, mental health, or neurodiversity (lived experience valued).
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The Company
What We Do
Fio Partners is a leading nonprofit consulting firm specializing in strategic planning, mergers and alliances, executive search, leadership advisory, and training. Founded in 2007, they support nonprofits, foundations, and government agencies in making confident decisions that drive meaningful change. With nearly two decades of experience, the firm has guided over 500 clients through complex strategic challenges to create lasting community impact.
