CEO - Special Olympics Alabama

Spano Pratt•Montgomery, AL

6d•$105,000 - $125,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Special Olympics Alabama (SOAL) serves as the organization’s chief executive, lead fundraiser, and public ambassador, providing trusted leadership during a pivotal period of organizational strengthening and growth. Reporting directly to the Board of Directors, the CEO is responsible for overseeing all operational, administrative, financial, and programmatic aspects of the organization while advancing quality, scale, and long-term sustainability. In close partnership with the Board, the CEO sets strategic direction, supports effective governance, and ensures SOAL’s mission is conducted with integrity, accountability, and measurable statewide impact. This role calls for an experienced, resilient, and values-driven leader who is energized by the challenge of comprehensive organizational advancement. The CEO will be expected to thoughtfully assess, rebuild, and realign core systems, structures, and practices, bringing clarity, discipline, and momentum to an organization that requires sustained, hands-on leadership. Success in this role demands endurance, follow-through, and a willingness to engage in the deliberate work of building strong foundations over time, while leading with transparency, authenticity, and ethical stewardship. As SOAL’s primary relationship builder and most visible representative, the CEO leads all fundraising and resource development efforts, cultivating and stewarding meaningful relationships with donors, sponsors, foundations, government entities, and community partners across Alabama. Operating within a lean staffing model, the CEO provides day-to-day leadership of operations, fiscal management, compliance, and infrastructure, while building the capacity, systems, culture, and partnerships needed to support future growth. The CEO also ensures the quality, consistency, and expansion of SOAL’s sports and non-sports programming statewide, serving as a trusted advocate for athletes, families, volunteers, schools, and community leaders. This role is ideally suited for a relational, mission-driven executive with a proactive, solutions-focused approach, and is motivated by the opportunity to meaningfully shape the next chapter of Special Olympics Alabama.

Requirements

Demonstrated ability to restore, build, and sustain trust through ethical leadership, transparency, accountability, and exhibit consistent follow-through related to both leadership behavior and organizational stewardship.
Operates with unquestioned integrity and sound ethical judgment
Communicates openly, honestly, and consistently
Demonstrates financial transparency and accountability
Builds confidence through reliability, ownership, and follow-through
Leads with a transformational mindset that rebuilds credibility and momentum
The capacity to define a compelling, mission-aligned vision for SOAL and translate it into clear priorities, actionable strategies, and measurable outcomes that rebuild and grow the organization.
Articulates a clear and inspiring future state grounded in mission and reality
Sets and prioritizes strategies aligned with organizational capacity and growth goals
Translates vision into actionable plans, measurable outcomes, and short-term wins
Uses data, benchmarks, and best practices to inform decision-making
Thrives in start-up or turnaround environments requiring endurance and hands-on leadership
The ability to authentically engage, rebuild, and expand relationships across volunteers, partners, donors, schools, athletes, families, and community leaders statewide.
Highly relational, approachable, and socially adept
Trusted listener who values and incorporates stakeholder input
Visible presence across communities, programs, and events
Serves as a credible and trusted ambassador for SOAL’s mission and brand
Skilled at partnership development and collaboration
The ability to manage SOAL as a disciplined, high-functioning nonprofit while building the financial, operational, and human infrastructure needed to sustain and expand impact.
Strong nonprofit financial and operational acumen
Experience building systems, processes, and teams
Comfortable making financial asks and cultivating donors
Understands fundraising as relationship-driven work
Balances mission passion with execution discipline
The ability to lead change with empathy and inclusion while fostering accountability, belonging, and shared purpose in service of athletes and families.
Deep commitment to inclusion, empowerment, and advocacy
Empathetic and emotionally intelligent leadership style
Respects institutional knowledge and lived experience
Leads transformation without alienating long-tenured stakeholders
Energized by active, mission-centered, and people-focused work
Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or nonprofit leadership certification preferred.
Minimum of 10 years of senior or executive-level leadership experience. Nonprofit senior leadership experience preferred.
Prior experience leading or managing an organization, division, or department, with a budget of approximately $1M or greater, strongly preferred.
Proven record of accomplishment in fundraising, revenue generation, and donor relations, including individual giving, corporate sponsorships, grants, and dedicated events.
Knowledge of nonprofit governance and experience working effectively with and building a volunteer Board of Directors.
Experience cultivating relationships with corporate partners, foundations, community leaders, and public-sector stakeholders.
Demonstrated ability to serve as the public face and primary spokesperson of an organization.
Demonstrated proficiency in budgeting, financial oversight, forecasting, and stewardship of organizational resources.
Experience developing and executing strategic plans that drive program growth and expand community impact.
Community-based program delivery and event management understanding.
Willingness and ability to travel regularly, including evenings, weekends, and occasional overnights, in support of statewide programs, events, and relationships across Alabama, as well as regional, national, and international meetings; the role assumes access to reliable transportation and the ability to travel by automobile as needed.

Nice To Haves

Experience managing and mobilizing volunteer workforces a plus.
Commitment to the mission, values, and culture of the Special Olympics movement.
Commitment to inclusion, diversity, and equity.
Experience working with individuals with intellectual disabilities or other underrepresented populations is valued, though not required.

Responsibilities

Lead and manage the CEO–Board relationship with an elevated level of sophistication, drawing on strong prior experience in nonprofit governance and board building and development to ensure an engaged, effective, and accountable Board.
Serve as the primary partner to the Board of Directors, working closely with the Board to set, advance, and execute SOAL’s strategic vision, priorities, and long-term growth plan.
Support the ongoing strengthening of the Board by facilitating strategic governance practices, supporting recruitment, onboarding, and development of directors, and helping the Board operate at a strategic rather than operational level.
Provide clear, timely, and transparent communication to the Board regarding organizational performance, programs, financial health, risks, and key initiatives.
Identify emerging opportunities and challenges and recommend thoughtful, data-informed strategies to enhance organizational impact, sustainability, and statewide reach.
Lead all fundraising and resource development efforts, including individual giving, corporate partnerships, grants, and signature events.
Build, steward, and expand relationships with donors, foundations, sponsors, community partners, and statewide stakeholders.
Advance diversified revenue strategies aligned with SOAL’s strategic and programmatic goals.
Represent SOAL publicly to elevate visibility, strengthen the organization’s brand, and increase awareness and philanthropic and community support.
Provide day-to-day leadership and oversight of SOAL operations within a lean staffing model.
Supervise and support staff, contractors, and volunteers, fostering accountability, engagement, and organizational effectiveness.
Assess and evolve operational infrastructure, including staffing, systems, and future office or facility needs.
Ensure compliance with nonprofit regulations, Special Olympics International (SOI) standards, and internal policies.
Develop, manage, and monitor the annual budget in collaboration with the Board.
Ensure sound financial controls, accurate reporting, and responsible stewardship of all organizational resources.
Oversee audits, financial reviews, regulatory filings, and long-term financial planning to support sustainability and growth.
Provide leadership and oversight for SOAL programs, ensuring equitable access to high-quality sports competitions, non-sports programming, and initiatives statewide.
As part of a global federated model, the CEO ensures the organization is operating in compliance with all Special Olympics, Inc. rules, standards, and requirements.
Serve as the primary spokesperson and ambassador for Special Olympics Alabama.
Build and strengthen relationships with schools, civic leaders, corporate partners, government agencies, and community organizations.
Promote inclusion, awareness, and advocacy for individuals with intellectual disabilities across Alabama.
Represent SOAL within the broader Special Olympics movement, collaborating with Special Olympics North America and Special Olympics International as appropriate.