Nonprofit CEO - Chief Executive Officer

THIS IS A SAMPLE JOB POSTING. WE ARE NO LONGER ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

Title: CEO Location: Sun Coast, Florida

Status: Full Time, Exempt, Hybrid

Position Overview 

This is a CEO seat for a leader who can hold two truths at once: the mission is deeply human, and the work must run with real operational discipline.

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the CEO sets the direction, builds the team, and owns the outcomes. That means translating mission into strategy, strategy into execution, and execution into measurable community impact. The CEO will lead the full enterprise, including organizational planning, program performance, fundraising and revenue strategy, financial stewardship, compliance, and external relationships.

The right leader brings strategic range and sleeves-rolled-up follow-through. Compassion is assumed. Credibility is essential. And the ability to align a diverse set of stakeholders around a clear plan, funded and executed well, is what will move the organization into its next chapter of growth and impact.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Governance

• Partner with the Board to clarify and advance the organization’s mission, vision, and strategic priorities.
• Provide timely insight and clear recommendations that strengthen governance and decision-making.
• Ensure programs and organizational priorities stay grounded in evolving community needs.

Operations & Administration

• Lead staff, volunteers, and contractors with high expectations and high support, building a culture of performance, accountability, and collaboration.
• Implement and sustain performance management systems that measure effectiveness and drive improvement.
• Ensure compliance with all legal, regulatory, and accreditation requirements.
• Maintain an organizational structure and staffing plan that supports both today’s delivery and tomorrow’s growth.

Fundraising & Resource Development

• In partnership with the Development Director, lead a comprehensive fundraising strategy that strengthens major gifts, corporate and foundation support, planned giving, and grant funding.
• Build and steward relationships with donors, funders, and community partners to expand resources and deepen trust.
• Strengthen relationships with county governments in Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, DeSoto, and Highlands to secure new funding and expand reach.
• Support senior leadership in developing and marketing innovative programs and services to peer organizations as a sustainable revenue stream.

Financial Management

• Own budgeting, forecasting, and long-range planning to protect fiscal health and enable mission-driven growth.
• Partner with the outsourced accounting team to build meaningful financial metrics, cash-flow visibility, and decision-ready reporting.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency and allocate resources where they produce the highest impact.

Program Oversight & Evaluation

• Ensure consistent delivery of high-quality programs and services aligned with community need.
• Build data-driven performance measures that show outcomes, not just activity.
• Create a culture of continuous improvement and innovation across program teams.

Public & Community Relations

• Serve as the organization’s public face, representing the mission with clarity and credibility across the community.
• Oversee marketing and communications to increase visibility, understanding, and support.
• Build partnerships across government, nonprofit, and professional stakeholders to expand impact and influence.

Essential Qualifications & Experience

Nonprofit Leadership Experience

• 10+ years of progressive leadership, including 5+ years in senior management in social services, rehabilitation, or nonprofit environments.
• Demonstrated success leading fundraising, financial management, and program oversight, ideally in multi-million-dollar organizations.
• Ability to manage day-to-day operations without losing the long view.

Mission Alignment

• A deep connection to empowering people with vision loss. Lived experience or a meaningful history of advocacy is strongly valued.
• Trusted presence with clients, staff, donors, and community partners.
• Clear commitment to measurable, real-world impact.

Financial Acumen

• Strong nonprofit finance capability, including budgeting, grant compliance, and reporting.
• Ability to interpret financial data and make sound, timely decisions.
• Experience partnering with outsourced accounting teams and building practical financial dashboards and cash-flow analysis.

Relationship-Building

• Strong communicator who can build trust across clients, boards, donors, governments, and community partners.
• Track record of securing funding across individuals, foundations, corporations, and government sources.

Strategic Vision & Execution

• Experience developing and delivering long-term strategic plans.
• Hands-on leadership style that balances strategy with execution.
• Ability to identify organizational constraints early and lead through change with clarity and steadiness.

Cultural Leadership

• Commitment to a healthy, high-performing culture, including staff development and internal alignment.
• Proven ability to mentor leaders and build capacity throughout an organization.
• Skilled change leader who can resolve challenges and strengthen cohesion across teams.

Advocacy & Community Engagement

• Confident public representative and advocate for the blind and visually impaired community.
• Experience with public speaking, media relations, and outreach that increases awareness and support.
• Ability to build partnerships with local governments and community stakeholders to expand reach and results.

Additional Requirements

• Valid Florida driver’s license, reliable transportation, and proof of insurance.
• Ability to pass Level 2 background checks.
• Ability to travel independently.
• Comfort with office technology and common productivity software.