IADLEST Executive Director

Who We Are:
We are a non-profit organization dedicated to transforming policing by promoting excellence in 
training and professional standards. Our membership is comprised of key leaders in law enforcement 
training, including the Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Directors of every state in the 
U.S.and U.S. territories, as well as International law enforcement, and state and local training 
academy directors. With these influential groups, we directly impact 664 basic law enforcement 
training academies and approximately 900,000 police and correctional officers in the United States 
alone. Because we believe in learning from, and sharing our experiences with, other countries, we 
are proud to have international members and thus have a worldwide perspective and
dialogue regarding public safety standards and training.

Our Mission:
IADLEST’s mission is to support the innovative development of professional standards in public 
safety through research, development, collaboration and sharing of information, to assist states 
and international partners with establishing effective and defensible standards for the employment 
and training of public safety personnel.

Position Summary
The Executive Director (ED) serves as the chief executive of IADLEST, responsible for providing 
strategic leadership, operational oversight, and organizational stewardship in support of the 
association’s mission to enhance public safety through the development and implementation of law 
enforcement training standards and practices. The ED reports directly to the Executive Committee 
and is accountable for the performance of staff, contractors, and projects at national and 
international levels.

This role is highly collaborative and involves strategic planning, fiscal responsibility, 
stakeholder engagement, compliance with federal grant and nonprofit regulations, and continuous 
evaluation of organizational initiatives.

Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership and Planning
•  Lead the development, execution, and periodic revision of the strategic plan in partnership with 
the Executive Committee.
•  Evaluate new opportunities and initiatives for alignment with IADLEST’s mission and strategic 
goals.
•  Promote a forward-thinking culture that encourages innovation and organizational 
growth.

Organizational Management
•  Oversee day-to-day operations, including full-time, part-time, and contracted 
employees.
•  Provide direct oversight of current initiatives.
•  Monitor all major projects through active participation in project calls and federal program 
manager interactions to ensure compliance with timelines and deliverables.
•  Ensure operational procedures and standards are in place and effective.
Program and Grant Oversight
•  Oversee pursuit, development, implementation, and evaluation of all grant-funded projects and 
technical assistance programs.
•  Ensure financial and programmatic compliance with federal, state, and international 
grantors.
•  Lead grant strategy and manage relationships with federal partners and funding 
agencies.

Financial Management
•  Manage budgets, ensure fiscal responsibility, and produce timely financial reports.
•  Support long-term financial sustainability through revenue growth strategies and prudent cost 
management.
Membership and Partnerships
•  Promote membership growth and retention among POST Directors and Academy Directors across the 
U.S. and internationally.
•  Cultivate and maintain relationships with federal agencies, nonprofit partners, and law 
enforcement stakeholders.
•  Represent IADLEST at conferences, partner meetings, and national/international forums.
Communications and Governance
•  Serve as the primary spokesperson for the association.
•  Provide regular reports to the Executive Committee on progress, financial status, and strategic 
developments.
•  Collaborate closely with the President and Executive Committee to ensure transparent, effective 
governance.
•  Facilitate clear, timely communication with members, partners, and the public.

Working Conditions & Physical Demands
•  Primarily hybrid work with extensive domestic travel and some international travel 
required.
•  Must be available for occasional evening/weekend responsibilities tied to board meetings or 
major events.
•  Frequent use of digital communication and remote conferencing tools.

Requirements
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)
•  Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a 
related field, or commensurate experience.
•  Proven leadership experience in law enforcement training, POST operations, or public safety 
program administration.
•  Strong background in grant management, nonprofit governance, and organizational 
strategy.
•  Exceptional communication, relationship-building, and advocacy skills.
•  Demonstrated proficiency in navigating federal compliance requirements.
•  History of successfully managing remote/hybrid teams and complex project portfolios.
•  A proven history of collaborative leadership.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have:
•  Master’s degree in Criminal Justice, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a 
related field.
•  Minimum 10 years of progressive leadership experience; at least 5 years in executive-level 
management.
•  Prior experience working with or within a POST organization strongly preferred.
•  Successful track record in managing multi-million-dollar budgets and federally funded 
initiatives.
•  Demonstrated experience in growing a diverse membership organization.