Empower Success Corps (ESC)'s mission is to empower nonprofits to achieve their goals and contribute to a more just and equitable world. ESC achieves its mission through:

• Consulting services delivered by experienced volunteer professionals

• Executive coaching and facilitated roundtables for nonprofit leaders

• Providing talent to fill interim and transitional roles

ESC is committed to helping nonprofit organizations more effectively serve their constituents and the ongoing work of promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging internally and in relationships with our clients, partners, and supporters. Since its founding in 1982, ESC has helped over 1,000 nonprofits chart their futures, improve governance practices, grow programs, and improve their sustainability.

ESC clients run the gamut from providing childcare to housing to arts education. Many focus their resources on people whose opportunities have been limited by systemic barriers to their inclusion and on issues like climate change which have a larger impact on communities of color. We serve organizations of all types and with a variety of missions. Typically our client organizations have budgets between $1MM and $5MM. Testimony to the high quality of ESC's performance, more than 50% of recent clients are repeat clients or referrals from former clients.

THE POSITION

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ESC provides overall leadership, direction, and management for the organization. Leading a team of seven employees and over 150 volunteers, the CEO will ensure excellence, growth, and adherence to our mission.

This is a unique leadership opportunity at a pivotal moment of transformation for ESC. The organization is poised for innovation and strategic growth, with plans to expand its impact in the Boston nonprofit ecosystem. The new CEO will be able to reimagine program delivery, develop new revenue streams, and elevate ESC's visibility and influence in the region. The incoming leader will be empowered to shape ESC's future, including hiring for key positions such as a newly defined Director of Programs role.

We seek a visionary leader with excellent fundraising experience, innovative thinking, and strong connections to Boston's nonprofit community who can harness the talents of diverse professionals in the region to amplify and refine the impact of our local nonprofits.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Innovative Strategic Leadership

• Bring creativity and vision to the design and implementation of ESC's services and programs

• Lead the organization through its current transformational period with a balance of innovation and stability

• Seek, review, and present new opportunities for related and enhanced services

• Develop business planning for new programmatic ventures

• Collaborate with the Board to refine and implement ESC's strategic vision

• Guide program evolution to meet changing nonprofit sector needs

Relationship Management

• Build and maintain strong connections to the Board of Directors, including regular meetings with Board Co-Chairs and Executive Committee

• Build and nurture relationships with volunteers and clients

• Effectively manage the human resources of the organization, including staff recruitment, hiring, professional development, and supervision

• Provide oversight for recruitment, evaluation and recognition of volunteer consultants

• Provide oversight and quality control of all ESC programming, including monthly Nonprofit Executive RoundTables, consulting engagements, coaching services, and professional development workshops

Financial Sustainability

• Provide fiscal oversight, ensuring solid internal controls, bookkeeping, and accounting procedures, including monthly reports to the finance committee and reports to the Board

• Prepare a comprehensive annual operating budget for approval that includes realistic expectations for all sources of revenue

• Own all fundraising efforts, including individual giving campaigns, major gift solicitation, and grants, delegating fundraising tasks to ESC staff as appropriate

• Lead ESC's core consulting business; participate in all stages of Business Development, including RFP responses and proposal preparation, as needed.

• Develop and implement strategies for new revenue streams and sustainable growth

• Manage the organization's financial resources effectively through periods of change and evolution

Strategic Partnerships and Community Leadership

• Serve as the principal spokesperson and public face of ESC in the Greater Boston region

• Build ESC's visibility and enhance its reputation across the nonprofit, philanthropic, and corporate sectors

• Develop mutually beneficial partnerships with organizations and funders throughout New England

• Identify and capitalize on opportunities for collaboration to expand the organization's impact

• Create strategic relationships that strengthen ESC's position as a leader in nonprofit consulting

• Represent ESC in professional associations, foundations, networks and the broader nonprofit community

Mission Advancement and Equity Commitment

• Ensure all programs and services align with ESC's mission to empower nonprofits and contribute to a more just and equitable world

• Advance ESC's commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging both internally and externally

• Cultivate an organizational culture that embodies ESC's values

• Model ethical leadership and inclusive practices in all aspects of ESC's work

• Support Board Co-Chairs in governance matters, including recruitment and orientation of new members that enhance diversity and representation

• Ensure ESC's services continue to evolve to meet the equity needs of the nonprofit sector

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

We understand that people gain skills through various professional, personal, educational, and volunteer experiences. We encourage candidates to review the key responsibilities and qualifications below. If you have the transferable skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of this role, we encourage you to apply.

• Minimum of seven years in organizational leadership roles within nonprofit organizations, demonstrating strong leadership skills

• Executive presence, credibility, and the ability to effectively represent the organization

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the charisma and passion to inspire volunteers and funders

• Proven success in multi-stream fundraising and revenue generation strategy development

• Experience leading organizations through transformational change, balancing risk tolerance with innovation

• Strong financial acumen, including experience in budgeting and financial oversight

• Track record of working effectively with a Board of Directors and cultivating Board relationships

• Knowledge of the Greater Boston and New England nonprofit sector, including established networks and relationships

• Demonstrated commitment to fostering diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in nonprofit culture

• Experience engaging and managing volunteers, particularly those with specialized or leadership skillsets

• Consulting experience or experience managing consultants preferred

• Creative problem-solving skills and an entrepreneurial mindset

SALARY & BENEFITS 

This is a full-time, exempt position with a competitive salary range of $150,000-$170,000 annually. The range has been established after a comprehensive analysis of market data, industry benchmarks, and internal salary structures.

In addition to the base salary, we offer a comprehensive benefits package. To learn more about benefits, please click here.

This is a full-time hybrid position. Full time staff currently work from the Boston office a minimum of two times per week.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates are encouraged to promptly submit their application through the online portal. All applicants will receive a response to their application. Please email rcostello@positivelypartners.org with questions or for support submitting your application.

The process will include two rounds of screening conversations with the team at Positively Partners followed by an interview with the Search Committee. Finalists will be invited to participate in a multi-part interview with a range of stakeholders. The expected start is Early Summer 2025.

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