Executive Director

Description

Essential duties and responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Vision ● Partner with the Board and Elevate USA to set a 3–5-year vision and annual operating plans. ● Anticipate trends, guide policy, ensure compliance with affiliate agreements, and align with Elevate’s mission and values. ● Represent Elevate Jacksonville with integrity to the community, partners, and the general public. Program & Operations Oversight ● Oversee the design, delivery, and evaluation of programs to ensure measurable impact for students and families. ● Implement policies, procedures, and quality-control measures to maintain high standards. ● Ensure operations meet or exceed the expectations of students, families, schools, and funders. Fundraising & Financial Management ● Lead a diversified fundraising strategy including major gifts, grants, corporate and individual donors. ● Build and steward relationships with key supporters, serving as the primary liaison to donors and partners. ● Work with the Board to prepare, manage, and report on annual budgets and cash flow. ● Oversee and ensure the organization’s overall financial health and performance. People Leadership & Organizational Culture ● Recruit, develop, and hold accountable a high-performing team that reflects the community served. ● Foster a culture of trust, inclusion, cultural humility, and psychological safety. ● Build leadership capacity across the organization to support growth and sustainability, in accordance with the strategic plan. Community Engagement & Partnerships ● Serve as spokesperson and ambassador, building relationships with schools, civic organizations, community leaders, and corporate partners. ● Establish feedback loops with students, staff, and community partners to inform continuous improvement. Risk & Compliance Management ● Identify operational, financial, and reputational risks; develop mitigation strategies. ● Ensure compliance with legal, insurance, and data privacy requirements. Staff Management & Organizational Oversight ● Provide direct leadership and oversight of all staff, from the Executive Leadership Team to Program Director and Teacher Mentors, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and expectations. ● Ensure all key roles are fully staffed by leading strategic hiring efforts, building strong talent pipelines, and maintaining appropriate staffing levels to meet program and organizational needs. ● Implement and manage performance systems, including regular evaluations, goal setting, and individual development plans, to drive accountability and continuous growth across the team. ● Develop and coach leaders within the organization, strengthening internal capacity and preparing staff for increased responsibility over time. ● Foster clear communication, role clarity, and operational alignment across all levels of the organization to ensure effective execution of the mission.

Qualifications

Personal Attributes ● Mission-driven and values-aligned. ● Relationship builder who earns trust and inspires collaboration. ● Organized, self-starting, and committed to follow-through. ● Adaptable problem-solver who thrives amid complexity. ● Integrity-driven leader committed to excellence and impact.

Education and Experience

Required ● Proven nonprofit leadership experience, preferably in education or youth development, with demonstrated success leading an organization or major division through measurable growth, stabilization, or expansion. ● Demonstrated fundraising success, including major gifts, grants, and diversified revenue streams, with a proven track record of leading or significantly contributing to fundraising efforts for an organization with a $1M+ annual budget. ● Strong people leadership experience, including direct supervision of staff across multiple functions (program, operations, development). Proven ability to build, lead, and retain high-performing teams, develop leaders, and cultivate a healthy, accountable team culture. ● Track record of strategic leadership and execution, including developing and leading strategic plans, setting organizational priorities, and driving results across multiple initiatives with clear outcomes. ● Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to cast vision, influence stakeholders, and engage diverse audiences including board members, donors, community partners, and staff. ● Demonstrated ability to manage complexity and deliver results, including overseeing multiple priorities, solving problems, and making sound decisions in dynamic environments. ● Working knowledge of nonprofit governance, finance, and compliance, with experience partnering effectively with a Board of Directors and managing budgets, reporting, and organizational accountability. ● Deep passion and personal commitment to serving youth, with alignment to Elevate’s mission, values, and faith-based foundation.

Salary/Salary Range

$90,000-$120,000

How to Apply

We want you! If you’re a visionary, people-driven leader who excels in organizational development, and can galvanize teams around a shared mission, spark collaboration, build momentum, and unite diverse talent to create lasting change for students, we want to hear from you! If interested, please submit your resume to: resumes@elevatejacksonville.org