Executive Director, National Capital Region (NCR Chapter)

Blue Star Families•Washington, DC

5d•$128,000 - $177,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Blue Star Families is the largest nonprofit dedicated to making military life better for families. Each year, we support over 1.5 million military- and veteran-connected family members through a national network of 300,000+ members and local chapters in communities across the country. Our mission is simple and bold: We make military life awesome for families. We listen, share, partner, and act to deliver evidence-based, data-driven solutions that work for real people. We’re a lifestyle organization, a friend and neighbor, and a trusted partner. Our approach is collaborative, human-centered, and designed with the whole family in mind. A Blue Star Family is one with an immediate family member — a spouse, parent, or child — actively serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, including the Guard and Reserves. These families face unique challenges: frequent relocations, deployments, career disruption, and isolation. We respond with research-informed programs that create connection, build resilience, and foster a true sense of belonging. We serve with urgency but build trust over time — because change happens at the speed of trust. Whether we’re driving spouse employment, supporting caregivers, or helping communities welcome military families, we strive for upstream solutions. Who We’re Looking For: Bold thinkers. Fast movers. Smart collaborators. People who want to build, lead, and drive measurable change — and who care deeply about making an impact that matters. What You’ll Do Here: Solve complex challenges with data, heart, and humility Build cross-sector partnerships that get things done Help military families feel at home wherever they live If you're ready to work in a high-performance, mission-driven environment — and to make life better for those who serve — Blue Star Families is where you belong.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree or 7+ years of progressively responsible experience in community development, nonprofit leadership, or strategic partnerships; 5+ years of staff management experience.
Proven six-figure fundraising success, with experience building toward seven-figure organizational revenue strongly preferred; demonstrated success growing an organization or major initiative.
Demonstrated experience working with Congress, government agencies, or political campaigns, with an established (or rapidly buildable) network of political and governmental relationships in Washington, DC.
Exceptional executive communication skills, with comfort representing senior executives (CEO/President-level) in high-visibility settings; experience managing an advisory board or similar governance structure.
Strong organizational management skills — budgeting, planning, KPI accountability, and team development — ideally at the scale of a large, multi-site or high-membership organization.
Sound political judgment and discretion, with the ability to navigate bipartisan relationships professionally; mission-driven mindset with integrity, humility, and emotional intelligence.
Willingness to work nights/weekends for essential community events (<25% overnight travel, plus frequent local Hill/HQ travel); ability to lift/carry supplies and equipment up to 30 lbs.
Must reside in, or have at least three years of residence in or significant knowledge of, the Washington, DC metro/DMV region, and must be willing to relocate to the Chapter location.

Nice To Haves

Experience using CRM systems; Salesforce a plus.
Understanding of military culture and the lived experience of military families; knowledge of the BSF ecosystem and programs.
Prior experience on Capitol Hill, in a government affairs role, at a national trade association, or in a federal agency.
Existing relationships with DC-based corporate, philanthropic, or government funders.

Responsibilities

Cultivate and leverage relationships with members of Congress, congressional staff, Administration officials, and other political figures on BSF's behalf; represent BSF at Hill briefings, hearings, and events to advance policy priorities for military and veteran families.
Serve as the Chapter's primary liaison to BSF's National Headquarters, coordinating chapter activity with national strategy; stand in for the CEO and President at high-visibility DC meetings and events when needed.
Partner with BSF's Policy, Government Relations, and Executive Office teams to ensure unified messaging, exercising sound political judgment given the visibility and sensitivity of this work.
Develop and execute a Chapter Sustainability Plan with a clear pathway to $1M+ in annual revenue, reflecting the DC donor landscape and NCR's flagship scale.
Secure major gifts from corporations, foundations, and high-net-worth individuals, prioritizing DC-based government contractors, trade associations, and national corporate headquarters; own annual fundraising goals and donor stewardship.
Diversify revenue through corporate sponsorships, foundations, workplace giving, government opportunities, and community campaigns, partnering with the Development and National teams on strategy and pipeline.
Lead the Chapter's full operational portfolio — staff, volunteers, programs, budget, and partnerships — the largest such portfolio in the BSF network.
Recruit, manage, coach, and develop chapter staff and its large-scale volunteer corps, and serve as BSF's senior representative in the region, upholding a high standard of professionalism and visibility with media, policymakers, and national partners.
Ensure excellence in national program execution (Welcome Week, MFLS, Nourish the Service, etc.), apply BSF's data-driven evaluation model, and maintain compliance with operational policies, budgets, KPIs, and risk management.
Recruit, develop, and steward a strategic local Advisory Board, intentionally including political, government, and national-security-adjacent representation.
Cultivate relationships with VIPs, elected officials, military installation leaders, philanthropic champions, and corporate executives, leveraging these relationships to advance BSF's priorities and regional presence.
Represent BSF at community events and national-level convenings, including Hill events and high-visibility engagements on behalf of the CEO and President.
Establish the ED as a recognized thought leader on military family issues, building a network of civic, military, corporate, nonprofit, and philanthropic partners, with emphasis on DC's concentration of federal agencies and defense-sector organizations.
Serve as the Chapter's chief ambassador for military-connected families using MFLS insights and BSF research, including with congressional and government audiences; identify opportunities for regional expansion and innovative programming.
Deepen BSF's local presence through storytelling and brand-consistent communications, partnering with Marketing/Comms to amplify Chapter impact.
Serve as an articulate public voice for military families, including in settings representing the CEO and President.
Perform other duties as assigned.