Executive Director

Independence, MO

Full Time

Drumm Center for Children

Executive

Executive Director

Drumm Farm Center for Children

Independence, Missouri

The Moran Company is pleased to partner with Drumm Center for Children to recruit the organization's next Executive Director.

Organizational Background

Nestled among 32 acres of trees and rolling hills, the historic Drumm Farm Center for Children campus has been a safe space committed to offering a guiding light to area youth for more than 100 years. Originally named the Andrew Drumm Institute, Drumm Farm Center for Children was established in 1919 by prominent Kansas City businessman, Major Andrew Drumm, as a home and working farm for orphaned and impoverished boys. Drumm left his estate to establish the organization, which has transformed over the years and evolved to serve boys and girls in foster care, but the mission has never wavered from helping children build successful lives.

Today, Drumm Farm Center for Children consists of ten family homes that provide foster care (HOME) with a focus on keeping sibling groups together and providing a pathway to a forever home placement. Additionally, Drumm’s Transitional Housing Program (TLP) provides 31 apartments for young adults experiencing homelessness (COMPASS) as well as community-based services (STREET OUTREACH) for young adults that are homeless in eastern Jackson County, Missouri. Drumm offers a host of services for children and families to help them overcome emotional, physical, financial, educational, and housing challenges. Drumm maintains a small farm that grows produce, raises livestock, and operates a seasonal Market as a means of providing work opportunities for youth.

The organization employs a total of 37 full and part-time staff, including administrative, clinical, and educational professionals. Program components include the Home Foster Care program, the Compass program (housing for young adults experiencing homelessness), Street Outreach Services, the Farm and Market, and Counseling, Education, and Case Management services. In 2024, the Drumm Center for Children served 256 children, youth, and young adults. The Drumm Center for Children is governed by an eleven-member Board of Directors who are actively engaged in the mission of the organization. The operating budget for FY 2026 is $3.2 million. Drumm Farm is annually funded in part by a trust established by Andrew Drumm.

Drumm Farm Center for Children is located in Independence, Missouri, a suburb of Kansas City. Located near the south bank of the Missouri River, Independence is the largest suburb on the Missouri side of the Kansas City metropolitan area and the fifth largest city in the Show-Me State. It is a city known for its rich history and thriving community, as well as the home of the Truman Presidential Library. For more information about Independence, see: https://www.independencemo.gov/visitors.

Position Summary

The Drumm Center for Children Board of Directors seeks an innovative, experienced, and highly skilled Executive Director to work collaboratively with the Board, staff, and key community partners to lead and support all areas of the organization. The Executive Director should be ready and willing to fully support the work of Drumm Center for Children, collaborate with existing and new community partners, and engage with the community and schools to meet the changing needs of children and families. As the administrative leader of Drumm, the Executive Director has the responsibility to effectively represent the organization and ensure all functions and services of the organization are focused on the mission of Drumm: ”To provide nurturing and inclusive services and environments that inspire and yield the lifelong success of children, young adults, and families.”

Key Responsibilities of the Executive Director

The Executive Director will:

Provide overall management and oversight of the organization’s administration and programs.
Oversee and facilitate the organization’s resource development efforts to ensure the availability of adequate resources for current operations and programs and for new innovations and expanding programs.
Represent the organization in its relationship with all constituencies, including clients, funding sources, other agencies, and community groups, to ensure a positive image and effect appropriate collaboration and partnerships.
Support and staff the work and activities of the Board of Directors to help ensure that they are able to provide timely and effective leadership and direction to the organization.

Professional Qualifications and Personal Characteristics

The following list of qualifications and characteristics is required for the Executive Director position:

Strong interpersonal skills – proven ability to build and maintain critical relationships with children and youth, family members, staff, Board members, and representatives of the community
Demonstrates a passion for improving the lives of children and youth through prior successful leadership experience
Assures sound fiscal management, including general budgeting, financial planning, and analysis; accurate and timely reporting; appropriate investment of funds; audits; and professional records
Ability to provide thoughtful leadership, vision, and inspiration in fulfilling the mission of Drumm Farm
Impeccable integrity, ability to conduct oneself with honesty and humility in all settings
Represents the organization in its relationship with all constituencies, including clients, funding sources, other agencies, and community groups, to ensure a positive image and effect appropriate collaboration and partnerships
Proven ability to fundraise, to build rapport with potential donors, and maintain key relationships with existing donors
With the input of the Board of Directors and others, demonstrates the ability to develop and implement a strategic plan that guides Drumm Farm into the future
Ensures that the organization secures, rewards, and retains the people and talent needed to accomplish its mission, plans, and desired outcomes
Excellent organizational and team management skills, including planning and program development

Preferred Education and Experience

Master’s degree in social work or related field preferred
Five years of supervisory experience working in social services
Proficiency in budgeting and financial management
Experience in personnel management
Fundraising experience
Ability to represent the organization effectively in the community and among various constituencies
Experience in strategic planning
Experience in working with boards
Excellent communication (both verbal and written) and interpersonal skills
Familiarity with information technology
Strong work ethic
Flexibility and creativity

Compensation

The salary range for the Drumm Center for Children Executive Director position will be $110,000 - $120,000. The position comes with a highly comprehensive benefits package that includes health insurance, retirement match plan (403b and 457c), life insurance, paid time off (PTO plan), short and long-term disability insurance, and paid holidays.

Statement of Non-Discrimination

Drumm Center for Children is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.

Application Process

The search for the Drumm Center Executive Director is being conducted by The Moran Company. Screening interviews for the position are scheduled to begin February 26-27, 2026, with final interviews scheduled for March 19-20, 2026. For more information regarding this position, please contact Jon Rosell, Senior Search Consultant, The Moran Company: jon (at) morancompany.com.

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Executive Director

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