Description
Overview
The Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) is seeking a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead the organization through a critical period of growth, renewal, and transformation. At this pivotal juncture, the next CEO must be committed to building trust with members, centering community accountability, and steering RID toward a long-term organizational structure fostering integrity and mission alignment. This leader will shape the future of a mission-driven nonprofit rooted in equity, access, and transparency — serving the evolving needs of Deaf communities, interpreting professionals, and the public.
RID was founded in 1964 at Ball State Teachers College in Muncie, Indiana, as a professional association dedicated to supporting interpreters and improving communication access for Deaf individuals. Over the past six decades, RID has evolved into a national certification and advocacy organization, responsible for setting standards, promoting professional development, and cultivating ethical interpreting practice. Today, RID stands at a pivotal juncture—committed to rebuilding trust, deepening accountability, and ensuring that the next chapter of its legacy reflects the diverse lived realities of the communities it serves.
RID’s purpose is to serve equally our members, profession, and the public by promoting and advocating for qualified and effective interpreters in all spaces where intersectional diverse Deaf lives are impacted. We are driven by a deep commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Belonging (DEIAB) and seek a leader who embodies these values with clarity, courage, and compassion.
The Opportunity
This is not a maintenance role—it is a bold leadership opportunity. The incoming CEO will be responsible for:
Innovating service delivery to align with rapidly changing communications and Deaf interpreter landscape.
Strengthening external relationships with members, donors, partners, and the communities we serve.
Leading strategic execution of RID’s ambitious three-year plan.
Stabilizing internal operations and finances through modern, transparent systems.
Identifying and cultivating new funding sources to ensure the future of RID.
Our next CEO will be a systems thinker, change agent, and values-driven leader who thrives in a complex and dynamic environment, leading with both heart and strategy.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Innovation
Champion the implementation of RID’s 3-year strategic vision, ensuring alignment with RID’s Mission, Vision, and Values (MPVV).
Drive bold innovation in systems, partnerships, and professional relevance.
Collaborate with the Board of Directors on a growth mindset for effective governance and strategic communications that enhance and develop RID’s public reputation, professional services and membership value.
External Relationships & Advancement
Serve as RID’s public voice—authentic, transparent, and community-centered.
Identify new relationships with funders to increase and broaden RID’s revenue streams.
Cultivate and expand fundraising pipelines and strategic partnerships. Research relationships with current, past and prospective funders and lay the groundwork for longer-term fundraising success.
Ensure engaging and proactive communications with external stakeholders (e.g., members, Deaf community partners, certification bodies and Affiliate Chapters).
Membership & Conference Planning
Projects enthusiasm, hope and optimism for RID’s future towards membership.
Identifies strategic long- and short-term opportunities for increasing membership.
Leads the successful planning and implementation of RID’s conferences, working closely with the Board Vice President.
Oversees milestone tracking for key conference deliverables including venue, program, speaker confirmations and registration benchmarks.
Effectively markets RID’s conferences to members and stakeholders in collaboration with the Board, member leaders, and RID conference and communications staff.
Financial Management & Oversight
Partners with the Treasurer and Finance Committee to restore fiscal stability. Oversee systems of internal controls to safeguard financial assets of the organization.
Establish forecasting models, grant strategies, and financial accountability systems.
Ensure that RID continues to operate in accordance with non-profit accounting and financial management best practices.
Evaluate financial results and key metrics against appropriate base comparison (prior year budget, cash flow and other forecasts, provides in-depth analysis to prepare and present projections and deviations from plan) in coordination with the Treasurer.
Oversee banking and finance vendors, outsourcing and auditor relationships.
Internal Operations
Restructure internal workflows, practices, and compliance processes.
Build scalable, resilient infrastructure to support future growth.
Support HR procedural fairness and uphold RID’s values of integrity, ethical leadership, and accountability.
Build a workplace culture of productive collaboration, commitment and shared accountability.
Requirements
Who You Are
We’re looking for a CEO who:
Brings 10 or more years of progressively responsible executive-level leadership, preferably with a track record of driving organizational transformation.
Holds a relevant educational background and/or professional certification in a related field such as association management, Deaf education, interpretation services, nonprofit management, etc.
Has exceptional relationship-building skills and consistently meets or exceeds challenging fundraising goals from diverse funding sources, including member dues, sponsorships, corporate and foundation giving, partnerships and major gifts.
Experience managing senior leaders and overseeing key association functions, including staff management, technology management, operations, finance and vendor management.
Exceptional executive presence and experience as the lead external spokesperson for the organization.
Demonstrated skills with strategic planning, can strengthen Board leadership through effective collaboration and can develop a strong pipeline for future Board service and committee leadership.
Is fluent in ASL and can effectively lead an ASL-first organization.
Navigates complex, multi-stakeholder environments with empathy and agility.
Demonstrates professional understanding of the interpreter profession, policy landscape, and evolving demands of communication access.
Balances visionary leadership with day-to-day operational precision and management expertise.
Performance-Based Leadership
The salary range is $175,000–$225,000, plus incentives. Eligibility for performance incentives (10–20%) based on success in:
External relationship growth and fundraising.
Strategic innovation and plan execution.
Financial stabilization and health.
Operational restructuring, change management, accountability and excellence.
Additional Details
Location: While RID offices are based in Arlington, VA, the position is remote.
Reporting: Reports directly to the Board President.
Evaluation Process: Includes a written scenario assessment, structured rubric review, background checks, and quarterly performance accountability meetings.
Application: Expand HR Consulting has been exclusively retained for this search. To apply, please send your resume and letter of interest to Expand HR Consulting, resumes@expandhr.com.
Application Deadline: Please submit resumes and letter of interest by November 28, 2025.
Our organization is built on commitment to our mission supporting the Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing and DeafBlind communities. Our work has an incredible impact through the elevation of the sign language interpreting profession. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion/creed, sex, national origin, disability, citizenship status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or partnership status, familial status, or any other status protected by applicable law.
