Executive Director

Raising Readers in Story County (RRSC) is seeking a dynamic, collaborative, and strategic Executive Director to lead our organization and to ensure continuous progress toward our critical mission.

ORGANIZATION SUMMARY

Established in 2000, RRSC is a grassroots community organization focused on early language and literacy development throughout Story County. The mission of Raising Readers in Story County is to support the language and literacy development of young children by providing books, caregiver guidance, and early childhood programs. We envision a future in which generations of young children get a solid foundation in reading, communicating, learning, and relationships that helps prepare them to become successful students and contributing citizens. We go the extra mile to serve children living with risk factors to help maximize their potentials.

RRSC is a founding member of Story County Reads and a member of the National Grade-Level Reading Campaign. RRSC has received numerous recognitions, including awards from national Reach Out and Read, The Library of Congress, Story County NAACP, and the national Grade-Level Reading Campaign.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Executive Director (ED) serves as the chief executive of RRSC. Together, the Board of Directors (Board) and the ED ensure that RRSC successfully implements the mission, vision, and values of the organization.

The ED reports to the Executive Committee of the Board. The Board delegates responsibility for the day-to-day operations to the ED in accordance with strategic direction and policies established by the Board. The ED will actively supervise staff, engage with the Board of Directors, embrace strong governance practices, communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders, and foster a culture of teamwork, innovation, and accountability.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Vision and Mission Strategic Leadership
Leads strategic planning and implementation by partnering with the Board to establish priorities, translating strategy into measurable annual goals, monitoring organizational progress, addressing implementation challenges, and cultivating partnerships that advance RRSC's mission and image.

Board Relations and Organizational Leadership
Creates a culture of collaboration and respect where the Board, staff, volunteers, and partners each fulfill their responsibilities while sharing information, supporting one another, and working together to maximize mission impact.

Maintains a strong partnership with the Board by providing timely, accurate, and transparent communication; translating strategic priorities into operational action; and keeping directors informed of organizational performance, finances, partnerships, opportunities, risks, and emerging issues.

Ensures effective organizational operations by reviewing policies and developing procedures; overseeing administrative systems, technology, and facilities; maintaining organizational records; and ensuring compliance with all legal, regulatory, contractual, and grant requirements.

Organizational Performance and Accountability
Champions RRSC's vision to ensure every child in Story County receives a strong foundation in language and literacy.

Drives organizational excellence by advancing performance measures, using data to inform decision-making, developing annual work plans and dashboards, and fostering accountability for organizational results and continuous improvement.

Human Resource Management
Recruits, develops, supervises, evaluates, and retains high-performing staff and volunteers while fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, inclusion, continuous learning, and professional growth.

Provides leadership for staffing, volunteer engagement, performance management, and succession.

Builds leadership capacity among volunteers, committees, and families.

Program Management
Provides strategic leadership for RRSC programs by collaborating with the Board to assess and address community needs; evaluate programs to ensure alignment with established goals; communicate results to funders and stakeholders; and identify opportunities for innovation and growth.

Oversees the Program Manager to ensure program quality and implementation, monitor outcomes and impact.

Financial Management and Fundraising
Provides sound fiscal stewardship by developing and managing the annual budget, implementing internal controls, ensuring compliance with accounting standards and applicable regulations, and providing regular financial reports and forecasts to the Board.

Leads resource development by working with the Board to create and implement an annual fundraising strategy that diversifies revenue through individual giving, corporate partnerships, sponsorships, and grants.

Builds and sustains relationships with donors, funders, community partners, and Board members to strengthen long-term organizational sustainability.

Oversees grant development, reporting, compliance, contracts, audits, and financial policies, with approval from the Executive Team.

Community Outreach and Growth
Expands RRSC's community presence by cultivating strategic partnerships, representing the organization in public forums, and serving as a spokesperson to strengthen visibility, engagement, and community impact.

Maintains collaborative relationships with healthcare providers, schools, libraries, early childhood organizations, businesses, government leaders, families, media, and community organizations throughout Story County.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

- Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
- Leadership experience with a nonprofit, education, public administration or related experience.
- Fiscal management experience.
- Ability to travel throughout Story County to represent the organization as a visible, credible, and enthusiastic ambassador at meetings, community events, public presentations, and partner organizations.
- Flexibility to work outside typical office hours.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong relationship-building abilities.
- Experience supervising others.
- Fundraising and grant management experience.
- Experience working with nonprofit Boards.
- Knowledge of early childhood education, literacy, or family support programs.
- Experience with strategic planning.
- Familiarity with nonprofit financial management.
- Knowledge of outcome measurement and program evaluation.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, donor management databases, social media platforms, AI tools, and other relevant technology.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

RRSC offers a competitive compensation package, commensurate with experience and qualifications. Benefits include a health plan, a voluntary retirement savings plan (SEP IRA), and paid leave.

TO APPLY

Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, response to the supplemental question, and three professional references to Lynne Carey at lynnecarey59@gmail.com. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Initial review of applications will begin on Monday, July 27, 2026.