Medium-Sized Nonprofit CEO Job Description

Chief Executive OfficerMedium-Sized Nonprofit Organization

• Position: Chief Executive Officer
• Reports to: Board of Directors
• Employment status: Full-time
• Location: City, State or Remote/Hybrid

About the Organization

Organization Name advances mission through a portfolio of programs serving communities or populations. With an established staff, a growing network of partners, and a commitment to measurable results, the organization is preparing for its next phase of organizational development and impact.

We seek an experienced Chief Executive Officer who can strengthen organizational performance, develop a high-performing leadership team, diversify revenue, and position the organization for sustainable growth.

Position Summary

The Chief Executive Officer is responsible for organizational strategy, financial sustainability, program effectiveness, executive team performance, and external relationships.

Working in partnership with the Board of Directors, the CEO establishes strategic priorities and ensures that the organization has the leadership, resources, systems, and accountability structures needed to achieve them.

Unlike a CEO in a smaller organization, this leader will work primarily through managers and functional leaders rather than personally overseeing every operational activity. The CEO must establish clear expectations, delegate authority effectively, evaluate performance, and ensure that the organization's departments operate toward shared objectives.

The role requires a balance of strategic leadership, financial stewardship, revenue development, talent management, and external representation.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy and Organizational Performance

• Lead the development and implementation of the organization's strategic plan in partnership with the board and executive team.
• Translate strategic priorities into annual operating plans, departmental objectives, and measurable performance indicators.
• Evaluate opportunities for program expansion, partnerships, operational improvement, and organizational development.
• Establish regular processes for reviewing organizational performance and addressing gaps.
• Ensure that programs, staffing, and resource allocation remain aligned with mission and strategy.

Executive Team Leadership

• Recruit, supervise, develop, and evaluate senior staff responsible for key organizational functions.
• Establish clear decision-making authority and accountability across departments.
• Promote coordination among programs, finance, development, communications, and operations.
• Build a culture of constructive collaboration, responsible delegation, and continuous improvement.
• Address leadership gaps, succession risks, and organizational capacity needs.

Financial Sustainability and Fundraising

• Oversee annual budgeting, financial forecasting, cash management, and financial performance reporting.
• Work with the finance function and board committees to maintain appropriate financial controls and risk oversight.
• Lead the development of a diversified revenue strategy that may include individual giving, grants, corporate partnerships, institutional funding, and earned revenue.
• Maintain relationships with major donors, foundation leaders, institutional funders, and strategic partners.
• Evaluate the financial sustainability and full cost of programs and major initiatives.

Program Quality and Impact

• Ensure that program leaders establish clear goals and monitor meaningful performance measures.
• Review program effectiveness, service quality, participant feedback, and mission outcomes.
• Support evidence-informed decisions about program investment, redesign, expansion, or discontinuation.
• Maintain appropriate standards for program compliance, safeguarding, and service delivery.

Board Governance and Partnership

• Maintain a strong working relationship with the Board of Directors and its committees.
• Provide timely, decision-useful information on strategy, financial performance, organizational risks, and program results.
• Support effective board engagement in governance, fundraising, strategic planning, and organizational oversight.
• Clarify the distinction between board governance responsibilities and management authority.

External Relations and Organizational Visibility

• Represent the organization with funders, community leaders, government agencies, peer organizations, and other stakeholders.
• Build partnerships that extend the organization's reach and effectiveness.
• Communicate organizational priorities, accomplishments, challenges, and needs to external audiences.
• Monitor developments in the operating environment and recommend appropriate organizational responses.

Risk Management and Compliance

• Maintain systems for identifying, assessing, and managing material financial, operational, legal, reputational, and programmatic risks.
• Ensure appropriate oversight of grants, contracts, employment practices, data protection, and regulatory obligations.
• Escalate significant risks to the board in a timely manner.
• Promote ethical conduct, transparency, and responsible use of organizational resources.

Qualifications

• Significant leadership experience in a nonprofit or comparable mission-driven organization.
• Demonstrated ability to lead managers or department heads and coordinate multiple organizational functions.
• Experience with strategic planning, budgeting, financial oversight, and organizational performance management.
• A record of success in fundraising, revenue development, or building relationships with institutional funders.
• Strong communication, negotiation, and stakeholder-management skills.
• Experience working with a governing board and supporting effective governance.
• Ability to lead organizational change while maintaining staff engagement and operational continuity.

Experience leading organizational growth, program expansion, or a significant period of organizational change is desirable.

Measures of Success

During the first 12 to 18 months, success will include:

• Establishing a shared strategic agenda with the board and executive team.
• Strengthening coordination, delegation, and accountability across departments.
• Improving financial forecasting and progress toward diversified revenue goals.
• Demonstrating progress against agreed-upon program and organizational performance measures.
• Improving leadership development, staff retention, and succession readiness.
• Establishing a consistent process for identifying and addressing significant organizational risks.
• Strengthening relationships with key funders, partners, and community stakeholders.

Leadership Profile

The ideal candidate is a strategic, financially capable, and collaborative executive who can lead through others. This individual combines a strong external orientation with disciplined internal management, builds trust across organizational functions, and holds senior leaders accountable without unnecessarily centralizing decisions.

Compensation and Application

Insert salary range, benefits, application deadline, and application instructions.

Organization Name is an equal opportunity employer committed to a respectful and inclusive workplace.