Executive Director

The Opportunity

The Executive Director (ED) position is an opportunity for a dynamic leader with a passion for college access and experience in nonprofit management. The ED must be a good communicator, a collaborator, and a connector with the diverse cultures that GenOne serves. Infused with enthusiasm for education and its role in economic mobility, the ED will naturally connect with students, staff, and external partners effectively.

Specifically, GenOne is seeking an Executive Director to:

• Lead our experienced team of professionals in achieving GenOne’s mission.
• Inspire donors, funders, and government partners to invest in GenOne, enabling us to extend our reach and help more students.
• Partner with the GenOne Board of Directors to execute the strategic plan.
• Establish, communicate, and deliver data-driven metrics of success.

About the Organization

GenOne’s Mission Statement: GenOne envisions a future where all first-generation students from underserved communities who display the drive and potential to pursue higher education will have access to the knowledge, resources and support to achieve their goal; regardless of their zip code, racial/ethnic identity or family income.

To achieve this mission, GenOne partners with talented, first-generation students from underserved communities, helping them successfully navigate into and through college.

• We identify high performing, rising eighth graders attending Title I public middle schools in Charlotte and involve students and families in year-round college and career preparatory programming.
• We prepare students to be “scholarship-ready” by senior year and provide intensive support on standardized testing, applications, financial aid, scholarship searches, and career planning.
• We cultivate social capital and connections through field trips, after school programs, and mentoring relationships.
• We support Scholars with comprehensive college persistence and workforce development services through postsecondary graduation to ensure they gain employment and graduate within six years.
• By 2026, GenOne seeks to work with 15 percent (450) of eligible high achieving, first generation Scholars in CMS along their journey into and through college.
• By 2030, GenOne seeks to serve 25 percent (600-750) of eligible high achieving, first generation Scholars in CMS along their journey into and through college.

Our day-to-day values to achieve these goals are as follows:

• Create Community - We forge trusting relationships that foster collective belonging, connection, and wellbeing.
• Practice Integrity - We choose honesty, fairness, and accountability in every action and decision, even when no one else is watching, to build trust and respect within our community.
• Foster Belonging – Through valuing honesty, openness, feedback, diversity, and inclusivity, we commit to being a place where authenticity exists.
• Achieve Excellence - We strive for our best in everything we do and commit to growth when we fail.
• Harness Resilience - We persist through challenges to become the best version of ourselves, recognizing that true resilience also means prioritizing rest, and overcoming systemic issues together.

GenOne serves a culturally diverse population of students and families. Therefore, there is an intentional effort to embrace diversity, equity and inclusion among our staff and various other stakeholders.

Want to know more? Visit GenOne’s website at www.genoneclt.org.

The Ideal Candidate Profile

Specific responsibilities, experiences, and attributes of the Executive Director include:

Nonprofit and Financial Management

• Deep understanding of nonprofit dynamics with an ability to effectively manage people and resources.
• Experience managing nonprofit financial and operational complexities, successfully navigating fiscal constraints.
• Strong financial management skills, including budgeting and growing philanthropic revenue to ensure excellent financial stewardship of the organization.
• Ability to effectively execute on a wide range of activities including human resources, people management, facilities management, and other organizational tasks typical of small organizations.

Fundraising

• Share GenOne’s impact in a way that inspires donors, partners, families, and other key stakeholders.
• Demonstrate a proven track record of fundraising and building authentic donor relationships.
• Partner with the Director of Development, spearhead fundraising efforts, including major donor cultivation, grant writing, and sponsorship development to secure the financial health of the organization.
• Grow and continuously diversify revenue streams to further strengthen the financial future of GenOne.

Visionary and Strategic Leadership

• Collaboratively develop and articulate a clear, long-term vision for the organization through inclusive engagement of our community, team, board, and GenOne stakeholders.
• Implement and evolve the existing strategic plan in collaboration with the Board of Directors, staff, and stakeholders.

Effective Program Leadership

• Lead the ongoing development and management of robust college and career readiness programs, ensuring they evolve to meet the needs of Scholars at each stage of their journey.
• Strengthen the curriculum, create highly engaging programming, and refine efficient methods for measuring, tracking, and providing timely interventions.
• Drive measurable impact through Scholar retention and high post-secondary graduation rates with low debt.
• Cultivate strategic partnerships with key educational institutions, other nonprofit partners, and local governments.

Staff and Board Development, Management, and Partnership

• Effectively manage, support, retain and promote a diverse and high-functioning GenOne team.
• Create clear expectations for all staff, Board members and volunteers that align with GenOne’s mission and values.
• Build a strong partnership with the Board of Directors, helping them execute their responsibilities in supporting the organization.
• Relationship builder with an ability to meaningfully grow their network.

Embodies Mission

• Demonstrate a deep commitment to GenOne’s mission and show genuine passion for the work and community.
• Lead collaboratively, building strong, trusting relationships with staff and stakeholders to maintain an inclusive and holistically positive culture.
• Prioritize the needs of the organization and its people over personal interests.
• Demonstrate resiliency and optimism, and a dedication to helping GenOne clients overcome trauma and build the skills necessary for a successful future.
• Demonstrate adaptability and a commitment to continuous improvement.

Additional Preferred Attributes

• Experience in nonprofit management and college education access.
• Compassion for and experience with those who have experienced trauma.
• 7-10 years of experience with Bachelors required and Masters preferred.
• Bilingual (Spanish and English).

Think you are the next GenOne Executive Director?

To apply, click on the link to the Executive Director at GenOne position profile at https://jobs.armstrongmcguire.com/jobs/executive-director-genone-clt-job-1421/. You will see instructions for uploading your compelling cover letter, resume, and salary requirements. Please provide all requested information to be considered. In case of any technical problems, contact talent@armstrongmcguire.com. No phone calls, please, and no applications will be accepted by email or directly from third-party posting sites.

Review of candidates will begin March 3rd and will continue until the position is filled.

The salary begins at $85K with an opportunity to earn over $100k with a performance-based bonus. The package also includes benefits and a generous paid time off policy.

GenOne actively seeks a diverse pool of candidates and is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, disability, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or age.

About Armstrong McGuire

Armstrong McGuire is a leading executive search, fundraising and strategic advising firm that believes in unlocking the potential of nonprofit leaders and the communities they serve. Founded in 2004, our diverse team of advisors collaborate with clients and leaders to align strategy, optimize operations, build capacity, and lead nationwide searches that bring supremely talented individuals to high-impact organizations.Learn more about our services in talent acquisition, fundraising counsel, and strategic planning. Armstrong McGuire