Executive Director - College Possible Leadership Team

Executive Director

College Possible Office in Omaha

About College Possible

As one of the largest and most successful college access and success organizations in the country, since 2000 College Possible has empowered more than 85,700 students on their path to earning a college degree. Its pioneering model matches eligible students with a near-peer coach and an evidence-based curriculum designed to help them overcome the most common barriers to getting into college and completing their degree - all at no cost to students or their families. Compared with their peers from similar backgrounds, College Possible students are 30% more likely to enroll in college the year after high school graduation, and three times more likely to earn a bachelor's degree.

College Possible is a proud AmeriCorps program. AmeriCorps is a federal agency that brings people together to tackle the country's most pressing challenges through national service. Our AmeriCorps members commit to a year of service as College Possible coaches in communities throughout the country. Many represent the identities of the students they serve, and each brings a commitment to social justice and closing the college equity divide.

Our near-peer coaching model has earned national recognition: the inaugural Evergreen National Education Award recognized our leadership in increasing access to and success in college for students from low-income backgrounds. It also earns top-of-field results: a Harvard study found that the program more than doubles a student's chance of enrolling in a four-year college, and our students are four times more likely to become college graduates than their low-income peers. College Possible has an annual operating budget of ~$33.5 million, more than 190 full-time employees and more than 245 AmeriCorps and VISTA service members. During the 2021-2022 school year, we reached an estimated 25,700 students nationwide.

Headquartered in Saint Paul, MN, College Possible operates: regional sites in Austin, TX; Chicago, IL; Milwaukee, WI; Omaha, NE; Philadelphia, PA; Portland, OR; Saint Paul, MN; and Seattle, WA; as well as Catalyze partnerships in California, Iowa, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Tennessee and Texas.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

College Possible is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion, and seeks to build a diverse workforce to create impact in partnership with the communities we serve. We welcome a diverse pool of qualified applicants. For each of its positions, College Possible is mindful about what best serves our students, and seeks to hire staff with relevant experience, skills and aptitude, and a commitment to the power of education.

Equal Opportunity Employer

College Possible is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, or status with regard to public assistance. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. We provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals and conduct all possible activities in fully accessible settings. Alternative application formats are available upon request by contacting hr@collegepossible.org.

Your Role as Executive Director

As Executive Director of the Omaha site, you are the leader for the site overseeing operations including planning, managing, and executing a comprehensive strategy that drives impact within the site. In addition to operations and leadership, the Executive Director serves as the external face of College Possible to the local community and the various stakeholders of College Possible. As such, the Executive Director will lead all fundraising activities, community outreach efforts, and collaborate with the Local Advisory Board.

You will work with national subject matter experts (SME) and in alignment with national policies to ensure that the proper infrastructure is in place to support the high-performing, results-oriented, mission-aligned team in reaching their goals and contributing to the mission of College Possible. As such, you have highly effective communication and listening skills, set clear and realistic expectations for staff, and possess the ability to inspire and activate individuals across all levels. As a leader, you thrive when it comes to leading with transparency, collaborating, vision-setting, creating accountability, and maximizing the impact of diverse skills, talents and experiences of the team.

As an intentional, strategic, results-oriented, and mission-driven leader, the Executive Director ensures that the organization has the strategic priorities aligned with the national strategy and relationships needed to achieve the mission of College Possible.

The Executive Director is integral to the culture, effectiveness, and impact of College Possible:

Overall Site Management

• Serves as the leader of the Omaha site, which includes guiding overall management of the site in all operational areas working with key national SMEs to handle human resources, information technology, finance/accounting, and facilities, directly supervising the site leadership team.
• As a talent leader and champion, you will be responsible for guiding your team to work with national SMEs to recruit, develop, and retain a full-time & part-time staff to meet the key objectives and outcomes of service delivery. Moreover, you work to ensure that the proper infrastructure is in place to support a high-performing, results-oriented, mission-aligned team in reaching their objectives and contributing to the mission of College Possible.
• Works in close collaboration with the local Site Advisory Board to develop a strategic plan for the site, and to maintain community relations, determine the programmatic direction, support donor cultivation, and ensure program satisfaction.
• Instills and develops the organizational culture, one of the key components to our success as an organization.
• Ensures compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, rules, and College Possible policies and standards.
• Outstanding problem solver with an entrepreneurial spirit.
• Demonstrated leadership skills that inspire and motivate both internal and external stakeholders.
• Superior interpersonal and presentation skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Evidence of excellent collaborative and relationship-building abilities.
• Self-starter with the ability to juggle multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
• Strong experience with change management.
• Flexible and adaptable to change.
• Comfort with budgets and financial management.

Fundraising and External Relations

• Responsible for designing, developing and implementing funding strategies to support College Possible's programs in the state.
• In collaboration with Site Advisory Board and national leadership, develops strategies to build and cultivate new individual donor relationships, enhance current institutional partner relationships (including foundations and corporations), maximize opportunities for securing state and federal appropriations, and increase levels of engagement with the organization.
• Actively works to elevate the regional and national brand by serving as a thought-leader on issues of education and college success at various events, meeting with community partners and stakeholders, and acting as a primary external advocate for the organization.
• Schedules and attends meetings with key foundations and individual contacts with national leadership, local leadership and/or members of the local Site Advisory Board, as appropriate.

Program Development

• Provides programmatic oversight, ensuring alignment in the development and implementation of the College Possible programs in the local service area.
• With support from the National program team, maintains and enhances the standard for College Possible, both internally and externally, while ensuring fidelity to our program model and achieving key metrics.
• Ensures appropriate evaluation of program efforts and maintains a results-focused orientation across every aspect of College Possible's work in the region.

Marketing & Communications

• In close collaboration with the national communications team and regional external relations team, oversees the marketing and communications efforts in the local community and supports the elevation of College Possible's brand identity in the region.
• Serves as the region's main spokesperson in the Omaha community and provides strategic direction for special events and media efforts.

What You Bring

Education, Certification and Licenses:

• Bachelor's degree (Master's preferred).

Related Work Experience:

• At least 8-10 years of relevant experience, which includes serving as a successful senior leader and building a positive organizational culture.
• Evidence of a results orientation in management and a record of achieving desired outcomes.
• Prior fundraising or development experience is required, with a proven track record of building upon and expanding an organization's donor base.
• Experience with the Omaha funder community is strongly preferred.

Computer/Software Skills:

• Strong computer skills, including demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Office, and experience in database management.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to lift up to 15 pounds when needed.
• Office environment with limited travel.
• Ability to stand and/or sit for a minimum of 7 hours a day.

What We Offer

As a committed, diverse, values-based organization, we offer:

• A competitive salary commensurate with experience.
• Excellent benefits including complete health, dental, life, short-term and long-term insurance.
• 401(k) retirement plan.
• Encouraged sustainability through a generous paid time off program.
• Personalized professional development and growth opportunities.
• An opportunity to have a tremendous impact both internally and across the country.

To Join Our Growing College Possible Team

Please apply online at https://collegepossiblelt.applicantpro.com/jobs/, which includes submitting your resume and cover letter.