Chief Executive Officer

Alexandria, VA

Full Time

American Counseling Association

Executive

Chief Executive Officer

American Counseling Association

Alexandria, Virginia

The Moran Company is pleased to partner with the American Counseling Association to recruit the organization’s Chief Executive Officer.

Organizational Background

The American Counseling Association (ACA) is a 60,000-member not-for-profit organization dedicated to the growth and enhancement of the counseling profession. ACA provides education, community and professional development opportunities to counselors in various practice settings as well as counselors in training. As a 501c3 professional association founded in 1952, ACA also provides leadership, advocacy and resources for the counseling profession. ACA consists of 20 divisions, 4 regions and 56 Chartered Branches.

ACA members work in an array of settings including private practice; elementary and secondary schools; college campuses; criminal justice programs; community mental health centers, hospitals, nursing homes and managed care facilities. ACA members also include counselor educators, LPC Supervisors, graduate students, LPC Associates, and affiliate members who support the mission of ACA. For additional information see www.counseling.org.

The Governing Council is the governing body of ACA. Consisting of ACA’s elected and appointed officers as well as elected representatives from ACA’s 20 divisions, 56 Chartered Branches and four geographic regions, the Governing Council has the fiduciary duty to protect the organization's resources and ensure that it is well positioned to meet its strategic goals and address issues that face the counseling profession.

The American Counseling Association headquarters are located in Alexandria, Virginia.
Alexandria is situated on the western bank of the Potomac River, about 7 miles south of Washington, D.C. It's a principal city within the Washington metropolitan area and offers easy access to the nation's capital. The city has a population of over 150,000 residents and is considered one of the best places to live in Virginia, offering an urban feel with a mix of residential and commercial spaces. https://www.alexandriava.gov

Position Summary

ACA seeks an energetic, experienced, and highly skilled Chief Executive Officer to work collaboratively with the Governing Council, staff and membership to lead and support all areas of the organization. The major responsibilities of the position include:

Working in partnership with the Governing Council to advance the organization’s mission, ensuring strong alignment between strategic direction and effective execution.
Effectively managing the ACA headquarters, operations, and administration.
Maintaining and accurately reporting the financial performance of the organization.
Building and maintaining strong working relationships with ACA membership and key partner organizations, agencies, and regulatory bodies relevant to ACA.
Supporting the work of ACA branches, divisions, regions, and members.
Working with the Board to strengthen Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Anti-Racism, (IDEA) within the community of practice.
Overseeing conference and meeting operations effectively and profitably.
Overseeing and expanding communications, marketing, and membership growth activities of the organization.
Creating and delivering to membership timely and effective professional education programs designed to benefit ACA members.
Developing and implementing a government relations and public policy program that effectively represents the interests and goals of ACA.

As the administrative leader of ACA, the Chief Executive Officer has the responsibility to effectively represent the organization and ensure all functions and services of the organization are focused on the ACA mission: Advancing mental health and well-being through advocacy, community, inclusion and research.

Professional Qualifications and Personal Characteristics

The following qualifications and characteristics are desired for this position. Additionally, the successful candidate must possess a strong ability and desire to support the membership of the organization and counseling profession.

Ability to engage collaboratively with the Governing Council, supporting its strategic leadership role while executing decisions that advance the organization’s mission
Ability to oversee financial performance of ACA and identify new revenue opportunities while ensuring strategic priorities are met
Ability to oversee the management of all association departments utilizing effective leadership strategies and delegation of responsibility
Ability to focus on consensus building efforts and execute ACA’s strategic plan
Ability to create an environment and culture that focuses on ACA’s mission, vision, and values
Ability to effectively communicate with leadership and members a shared vision of continuous growth and improvement of ACA and the counseling profession
Ability to represent ACA’s interests in legislative, policy, regulatory, and professional settings
Ability to effectively and sincerely communicate (written/verbal/listening) with ACA leadership, members, staff and association partners
Ability to effectively build collaborative relationships with individuals, groups and organizations that share similar goals and values as the ACA
Ability to appropriately challenge the status quo and provide alternatives that further the effectiveness and impact of ACA
Ability to ensure ACA is staffed with well-trained, quality and engaged employees

Preferred Education and Experience

Minimum 5 years of successful executive leadership experience. Preference will be given to demonstrated leadership in professional associations, volunteer, or not-for-profit organizations. Master’s degree with preference for the terminal degree from an accredited institution in public administration, business administration, or other fields relevant to the mission of ACA. Preference will be given to those who have a counseling background or hold the Certified Association Executive credential.

Compensation

The ACA Chief Executive Officer will receive a competitive salary commensurate with education and experience along with a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance. Salary is expected to be in the $500,000 range. Higher compensation will be considered for exceptionally qualified candidates. Additional benefits include 403b retirement plan, vacation time, sick leave, and paid holidays.

Statement of Non-Discrimination

The American Counseling Association is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, citizenship, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth and pregnancy-related conditions), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, disability, genetic information, service in the military or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances.

Application Process

For more information regarding the American Counseling Association Chief Executive Officer position, please contact Jon Rosell, Senior Search Consultant, The Moran Company at jon (at) morancompany.com. Screening interviews are scheduled to take place November 5^th - 7^th, 2025.

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Chief Executive Officer

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