Executive Director, Midwest Literacy Collective

Alma Advisory Group•Omaha, NE

1d•$200,000 - $225,000

About The Position

The Executive Director will lead the launch and growth of the Midwest Literacy Collective. This role offers a unique opportunity to launch a funded nonprofit, which is ideal for a leader committed to making a meaningful impact on the lives of Nebraska students. The mission of the Midwest Literacy Collective is: we serve as Nebraska’s trusted hub for coordinating, scaling and sustaining evidence-based practices and resources to advance literacy for all learners, from birth through adulthood. Blending strategic leadership with hands-on operational management, the role is designed for a leader who thrives in ambiguity, builds strong teams and has a passion for literacy. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the ideal candidate is comfortable toggling between vision and execution.

Requirements

Experience as a leader in education or nonprofit organizations
Experience collaborating with Boards and committees to advance organizational goals with intentionality
Proven experience leading high-performing teams using equity-based frameworks
Experiencing managing an organization’s budget
Equitable Systems Perspective
Passionate about the importance of literacy as a core tenet of access and achievement for students and community engagement to support literacy
Deep understanding of complex education systems with the ability to navigate them to build coherence and drive impact
Committed to the vision of a more equitable education system
Communication, Connection, and Relationship Building
Excellent oral and written communication skills that support driving impact and change
Solicit, elevate, understand, and value--either through personal experience or empathy--the perspective of a wide variety of stakeholders
Navigate the complex political landscape of a large, diverse community with skill and diplomacy, building trust and productive relationships across various entities served by the organization
Open to giving and receiving constructive feedback
Strategy and Project Management
Comfortable thriving in ambiguity and designing new opportunities
Effectively prioritize competing demands, with strong, inclusive project management and strategic skills, - - able to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously
Analyze complex situations and data, before making decisions, and then set clear metrics for success, monitor progress and honestly acknowledge mistakes when something does not go as planned
Operate at a micro and macro level, paying acute attention to detail while balancing the overarching goals with detailed steps to achieve the organization’s objectives and priorities
Solutions-oriented, demonstrating urgency and sound judgment in accomplishing difficult or complex work
Decisive, assertive, and results-driven
Independent thinker who operates effectively with minimal oversight
Process-oriented, with a strong preference for structure and order
Analytical and strategic, able to evaluate complex systems and act confidently
Direct communicator—clear, factual, and authoritative
High standards for performance, both personally and across the team
Comfortable making difficult decisions and enforcing accountability
Motivated by measurable outcomes, not recognition or consensus

Nice To Haves

Experience leading an early-stage nonprofit organization or experience in a startup environment
Experience serving the P12 education system
Knowledge of the Nebraska education landscape
Deep literacy content knowledge

Responsibilities

Build the organization’s reach and impact across Nebraska and surrounding communities
Cultivate strategic relationships with peer organizations, community partners, policymakers, education leaders and teachers, and develop strategic partnerships that advance defined objectives
Serve as the primary ambassador, promoting public awareness and visibility
Strengthen credibility and visibility through results and disciplined messaging
Contribute to thought leadership, marketing initiatives and communications campaigns to support the mission
Communicate directly and factually to stakeholders, policymakers, and partners
Deliver strategic leadership and operational oversight
Build, coach and inspire a diverse, high-focused team in preparation for scaling the organization
Foster an organizational culture rooted in equity, inclusion and belonging
Continue to develop, iterate and execute on the vision and strategic plan by establishing and achieving annual goals
Develop and maintain operational systems and infrastructure to support organizational growth
Develop new initiatives aligned to the organization’s strategic plan and monitor their success and impact
Maintain control of priorities, ensuring alignment with organizational goals
Establish tools and metrics to assess organizational effectiveness and progress toward goals
Oversee the organization’s budget and ensure responsible management of resources
Ensure organizational compliance with legal, regulatory and policy requirements
Collaborate with the Board of Directors and committees to advance the organization’s mission
Serve as a trusted liaison between the Board and staff, ensuring transparency, aligned decision-making and accountability
Continue to develop, iterate and execute on the vision and strategic plan by establishing and meeting annual goals
Identify risks early and implement corrective actions
Attend board meetings and contribute to ensure alignment between governance and execution