Executive Director

Executive Director

Reports to: Board of Directors


Location: American Tobacco Campus / Virtual


Status: Full-Time

Position Overview

The Executive Director is the chief executive and chief fundraiser of the organization, responsible for advancing the mission, ensuring long-term financial sustainability, and building/enhancing the core systems and practices needed for a small organization to operate effectively.  Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director oversees organizational operations, fundraising and development, programs, staff, and external relations, while serving as a visible ambassador for the organization in the community.

The Executive Director will place an increased emphasis on fundraising, donor engagement, and revenue diversification, and the development of strong internal systems and processes, partnering closely with the Board to grow contributed income and strengthen the organization’s financial health.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising, Development, and Financial Sustainability – 50%

Serve as the organization’s chief fundraising strategist and relationship-builder, with primary responsibility for increasing philanthropic revenue.

• Develop, implement, and regularly report on a comprehensive fundraising plan that includes individual donors, corporate sponsorships, grants, and events

• Cultivate, steward, and grow relationships with current and prospective donors, including major donors and corporate partners

• Identify, pursue, and help secure new funding opportunities aligned with the organization’s mission

• Write, edit, and oversee grant proposals and reports in collaboration with staff and consultants

  • Personally manage donor tracking, outreach activity, stewardship, pledges, and payments, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks

• Create and maintain simple, effective systems for donor identification, follow-up, and recordkeeping (CRM or equivalent tools)

• Maintain accurate and actionable donor and development data to inform fundraising strategy, budgeting, and planning

• Partner closely with the Development Committee Chair and Board members to support donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship

• Oversee fundraising campaigns and special events from planning through execution and evaluation

• Ensure sound financial management practices, including oversight of cash flow, restricted and unrestricted funds, and long-term sustainability

Organizational Leadership and Operations – 15%

Provide overall leadership and operational oversight to ensure the organization runs effectively, ethically, and in compliance with all requirements.

• Create and implement annual organizational plans, including strategic, fundraising, and communications plans, in collaboration with the Board and staff

 • Build, document, and maintain core organizational processes and procedures, including recordkeeping, financial tracking, and internal workflows

Develop the annual budget in partnership with the Finance Director and Finance Committee

• Provide regular, transparent reporting to the Board on financial performance and organizational health

• Oversee daily operations of the organization, including contracts, compliance, and risk management

• Maintain compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations

• Establish structure and consistency in a growing organization, balancing flexibility with accountability 

• Stay informed of trends and best practices in the nonprofit sector

External Relations, Partnerships, and Advocacy – 10%

Strengthen the organization’s visibility, partnerships, and influence.

• Serve as a spokesperson and public representative of the organization

• Build and maintain strategic relationships with nonprofit partners, corporate partners, vendors, and community stakeholders

• Assess alignment and initiate partnerships that advance mission and funding goals

• Lead or support advocacy and policy efforts consistent with the organization’s mission

• Professionally represent the organization at community, sector, and partner events

Staff and Program Leadership – 10%

Ensure strong staff performance and programmatic impact.

•  Hire, supervise, and evaluate staff with an emphasis on clarity, efficiency, and shared responsibility in a small-team environment

• Provide clear performance expectations and regular feedback

• Partner with the Program Director on strategic vision, assessment, and resourcing of programs.

• Support program development and sustainability through alignment with funding strategies

• Participate in external program-related meetings and provide hands-on assistance with programs as needed

Marketing and Communications – 10%

Oversee communications and storytelling to support fundraising, engagement, and mission visibility.

• Guide public relations and communications strategy in collaboration with staff and committees

• Partner with and support Outreach Coordinator with creation of marketing materials and donor-facing collateral 

• Contribute to written content such as blog posts, social media, and donor communications as needed

• Lead preparation of the Annual Gratitude Book and other key publications

• Manage relationships with external designers, vendors, and communications partners

Board Relations and Governance – 5%

Build a strong, collaborative partnership with the Board of Directors to advance the organization’s mission and sustainability.

• Maintain open, transparent, and consistent communication with the Board

• Support the Board Chair in planning and facilitating Board meetings

• Serve on and support the work of Governance, Finance, Development, and Gala Committees.

• Partner with the Board to recruit, onboard, and develop engaged Board members

• Support Board members in fulfilling their fundraising and ambassadorial roles

• Provide the Board with timely information to support effective decision-making

Experience and Qualifications

• Proven nonprofit leadership experience, including significant responsibility for fundraising and donor engagement

• Demonstrated success in cultivating individual donors, corporate partners, and grant funders

  • Demonstrated experience creating, improving, or managing organizational systems and processes with limited staff and resources

• Strong attention to detail and ability to translate strategy into clear, replicable procedures 

• Comfortable working without extensive administrative support