Executive Director
Position Announcement
Position Profile: Executive Director
Part-time: 28–30 hours per week
Annual Salary Range: $50,000–$54,000
Applications accepted until position filled
Overview
The Chatham Education Foundation (CEF) seeks a highly skilled executive director (ED) to help fulfill our two part mission—to engage our diverse community as public school advocates and to raise funds and resources in support of innovation and educational excellence in Chatham County Schools (CCS). The successful candidate will lead a vital nonprofit that supports the traditional public schools in one of North Carolina’s fastest growing communities. Reporting directly to a dedicated Board of Directors, the ED will oversee daily operations, strategic planning, and the financial health of the Foundation. Candidates must have experience in developing and implementing a successful fundraising campaign.
The ED must be a self-starter comfortable with flexible scheduling within a 30-hour week. This hybrid position combines work from home with travel in the district and occasionally across the Triangle region. Meetings are a combination of in person and remote.
About CEF
Since its founding in 1992, CEF has cultivated 300+ supporters who donate $100,000+ annually in support of programs and instructional resources. CEF also secures $100,000+ annually in corporate, foundation, and government grants. Over the past five years, CEF has provided nearly $1 million to Chatham County Schools to benefit students.
Current areas of focus:
● Literacy – Through Chatham Reads, CEF provides 14,000+ new books to K-8 students annually as well as support for early childhood learning, student tutorials, and teacher training.
● Innovation – Each year, CEF awards Creative Teaching Grants to enable teachers to introduce innovative and enriching resources to their classrooms.
● Access – CEF supports AVID (Advancement Through Individual Determination), a nationally recognized and proven college readiness and academic success system. In 2023, CEF added support for literacy and math tutoring for students not meeting grade level benchmarks.
● Advocacy – In 2023, CEF established the Chatham Public Education Coalition with the mission to inform the community of the strengths, importance, and needs of our local public school district and to counteract education misinformation and underfunding.
Primary Areas of Responsibilities
Supported by a team of 3 part-time employees, and in collaboration with a Board of Directors, the ED has overall strategic, operational, and fundraising responsibility for CEF’s programs and the execution of its mission. In addition to experience with developing and implementing a successful fundraising plan, the ED will need to understand current trends in K-12 public schools. The ED meets regularly with Board leadership, bimonthly with the full Board, and at minimum quarterly with school administration to ensure CEF investments coordinate with and enhance the work of Chatham County Schools. The ED also engages frequently with potential and current donors and grantors as well as with other nonprofits to lead research studies and community initiatives, such as early childhood learning.
Detailed information about CEF and our impact can be found here.
1. Fundraising
This critical and core job function is instrumental to the success and growth of the organization and achievement of its mission. The ED is the Foundation’s chief grant writer and administrator.
● Develop and lead CEF’s fundraising by working with Board members and staff to research, identify prospects, build community relationships, and proactively reach out to individuals, corporations, and foundations.
● Coordinate CEF’s annual giving campaign, which must generate income for the Foundation’s operating costs and some programming.
● Provide strategy and implementation for fundraising events including the annual Invest in Our Future breakfast.
● Plan, coordinate, and write government, foundation and corporate grants; provide required reporting.
● Through a robust stewardship plan, create and maintain meaningful connections to sustain donor and grantor commitments.
● Coordinate with CCS to identify priorities, needs, and potential sources of funding; work to monitor impact of investments over time.
2. Advocacy, Partnerships, and Public Relations
As a foundation invested in the well-being of our local public schools, CEF is in a unique position to promote the strengths and needs of CCS. As such, CEF has created the Chatham Public Education Coalition. Currently, the coalition is working to gather a group of “connectors” (residents with small to large personal or professional networks) to discuss and disseminate fact-based information about the role public education plays in a thriving Chatham County community, economy, and workforce. The ED guides the coalition, ensuring CEF’s efforts align with CCS’ initiatives and needs.
● Remain abreast of current and emerging issues that impact education and the needs of Chatham County Schools’ students, staff, and families.
● Work closely with the Marketing Manager to develop and produce communications to educate the community about CEF’s mission and its impact on our local public schools.
● Make public presentations in and around the community (CCS events, PTAs, businesses, clubs, etc.) to increase awareness of the Foundation’s existence, the importance of public schools, and to obtain potential donations.
● Take a leadership role in establishing and maintaining open lines of communication with parent and community organizations for partnership opportunities.
3. Financial
The ED oversees the budget to ensure solvency, accountability, and to foster growth.
● Work with the Board treasurer to develop, monitor, and review the annual budget and necessary reports and data for the annual audit and tax return forms.
● Maintain ethical and accurate financial management of expenses and income to ensure funds are available for programs and operations.
● Monitor stock and other gifts and ensure annual audits are completed and available for grantors.
4. Operational
The ED hires, supervises, and evaluates 3 part-time staff including a Marketing Manager, Literacy Program Coordinator, and Development Manager. Operational leadership and management is shared with the Board through annual goals and regular progress updates. The Board annually evaluates the ED, reviews parameters, and sets the salary.
● Complete annual staff reviews; address training, correction, and termination procedures as necessary.
● Create reports and provide supporting documentation to the Foundation’s contracted CPA for the purpose of preparation of state and federal tax payments.
● Work with Board members and staff to recruit, engage, and supervise volunteers.
5. Strategic Planning
In 2022, with input from the Board and community, CEF worked with expert consultants, moss + ross, to develop a 3-year strategic plan. The ED interprets, implements, and tracks all aspects of the plan.
● In accordance with the strategic plan, provide action steps for donors and the community to ensure donations are viewed as investments and so that progress and impact are evident.
● With the Board, develop annual Foundation goals, action plans, and budgets.
6. Board Relationships and Administration
Since its founding, CEF has maintained an enthusiastic and dedicated Board of Directors with members representative of the many facets of the Chatham community. The ED fosters a positive, respectful, and productive Board by working with the chair and executive team to recruit, support, and guide Board members.
● Understand and educate the Board on CEF by-laws.
● Partner with the 4-person Executive Committee to plan agendas and materials for board meetings; schedule facilities for and send notification of upcoming meetings.
● Support the Board in meeting CEF’s mission by matching Board members with committees or tasks aligned with their strengths and interests. Meet with members individually as part of Board development.
● Maintain a digital file of Board meeting minutes and other important documents/data.
● Prepare reports (e.g. gift, pledge, financial, program, and event) for the purpose of successful execution of Foundation goals and strategies.
7. Programs
In addition to providing 14,000+ books for elementary and middle school students annually through Chatham Reads’ Books on Break program, CEF supports numerous programs that align CEF goals with district needs and initiatives. Programs range from smaller teacher grants to large, multi-year programs across schools and grades including AVID, teacher literacy training, and a pre-K summer program.
● Work with CCS administration and schools to identify and prioritize program goals.
● Regularly evaluate and report on program progress and outcomes.
● Manage funds for Foundation-housed grants by promoting and receiving applications and securing Grant Team selection and approval for recipients for the purpose of disbursement of grant funds.
● Work with the Literacy Program Manager to support all book access work and participate in the planning and implementation of our annual Books on Break free book fair.
Qualifications
The successful candidate has experience with and expertise in leading a fundraising campaign for a nonprofit. An understanding of the unique nature of Chatham County as it balances the needs of its roots as an agricultural community and the more recent demands of a growing and diverse suburban landscape should be evident in the applicant’s profile. Maintaining CEF’s strong, positive relationship with Chatham County Schools, county residents, parents of CCS students, and area businesses is an important element to successfully navigating this position.
The chosen candidate is expected to lead CEF through the next multi-year phase of a strategic plan that targets growth in fundraising and expanded support for district innovations and strengthened community advocacy for CCS. Other qualifications:
● Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience
● Experience writing government, foundation, and corporate grants
● Facility with technology-based data and communication tools
● Outstanding written and presentation skills
● Organized, detail oriented, and able to work independently
● Exceptional verbal, written, and visual communication skills
● Flexible work schedule and ability to attend meetings and events across Chatham and the greater Triangle area region.
How to Apply
Please send a letter of intent and resume, including names of three references, all in one PDF file, to apply@cefmail.org. You will receive a reply email indicating confirmation that we have received your application.
* moss+ross is working with Chatham Education Foundation to maximize outreach for this position.
