Executive Director

Location: Houston, TX (remote until a temporary or permanent location is determined, then in-person; approximately 5% travel outside Houston)
Organization: STRIVE International, Inc. (STRIVE Houston)

Organizational Overview:
STRIVE is a national leader in workforce development solutions, empowering individuals to discover their best future selves through innovative, evidence-based career training and holistic, lifelong support. STRIVE partners with employers, funders and community organizations to close gaps in workforce needs and help local economies thrive. Founded in East Harlem, NY, in 1984, STRIVE has grown to offer programs in locations across the country. For more than 40 years, STRIVE has been a catalyst for economic change and prosperity in underserved communities. Its tuition-free skills and job readiness training, one-on-one support and lifetime personal coaching prepare students for careers in high-growth industries such as healthcare, construction and logistics. STRIVE has embarked on an ambitious ten-year growth plan, aiming to serve up to 10,000 individuals each year by 2033.

Position Summary:
STRIVE seeks a dynamic, strategic, entrepreneurial leader responsible for overseeing the launch and expansion of STRIVE Houston. Supported by STRIVE's National Program Team, the Executive Director will join a network of STRIVE sites delivering programs including the flagship Career Path program and specialized justice-impacted programs. The mandate is to establish STRIVE as a preferred partner for middle-skills jobs in the region and to expand the number of job seekers served. The founding Executive Director leads program execution, community engagement, partner cultivation and facility establishment, providing vision and leadership, fiscal responsibility and sustainability, budget oversight, and program management. As STRIVE Houston grows, it will look to raise upwards of $2 million annually from local and national sources.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Fundraising & Community Engagement:
- Develop and lead STRIVE Houston's local fundraising strategy in partnership with the national Development team.
- Serve as the "face of STRIVE" in Houston, representing STRIVE in regional meetings, conferences, panels, and media opportunities.
- Prospect, cultivate, and generate local operating revenue through individual, institutional, and public sources.
- Oversee execution of outcomes and fulfill requirements for local grants and contracts.
- Build and staff a STRIVE Houston Advisory Board.

Program Leadership:
- Develop and lead implementation of STRIVE programs in Houston with support of the National Program Team.
- Ensure high-quality delivery of career pathway training to students and alumni.
- Cultivate a pipeline of employers willing to invest in training and commit to hiring STRIVE graduates.
- Increase awareness of and enrollment in STRIVE's training; develop strategic alliances with local service providers, education and human services agencies, and community colleges.

Team Leadership:
- Build and lead a team; facilitate performance management, professional development, and team meetings.
- Ensure program goals are met or exceeded, including outcomes tracking and reporting.
- Serve as primary liaison between the Houston site and STRIVE National teams.
- Prepare, manage, and grow the annual program budget.

Finance & Operations:
- Serve as on-site lead for local administrative and operational needs, collaborating with centralized HR, Technology, Operations, and Finance teams.
- Oversee the local budget, monitor financial performance, and ensure compliance.
- Develop a comprehensive facility strategy, including researching locations, negotiating leases, and managing build-out and relocation logistics.

Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree and/or minimum of 7-10 years of relevant professional experience.
- Experience working for nonprofits, especially workforce development, a plus.
- Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders, including donors, community leaders, and employers.
- Strong understanding of the social, economic and cultural landscape of Houston.
- Deep understanding of foundation, corporate, major donor, and government funding.
- Excellent conversational, public speaking, presentation, and writing skills.
- Thrives in a creative, entrepreneurial, fast-paced startup environment; data-driven and results-oriented.
- Detail-oriented with exceptional organizational and time management skills.

Benefits include: health, dental, and life insurance; FSA; pre-tax commuter benefits; 401k with employer match; 20 days PTO; sick leave; up to $500 annual professional development reimbursement; paid holidays; and early Friday closings during summer.

STRIVE is an Equal Opportunity Employer.