Philly BOLT, Executive Director

Edgility Search•Philadelphia, PA

5d•$115,000 - $140,000

About The Position

Philly BOLT seeks a strategic, community-centered Executive Director to guide the organization through its next phase of growth and impact. Building on the foundation established by its founding Executive Director, this leader will strengthen BOLT’s grassroots and youth leadership development model while developing the financial, organizational, and operational capacity needed for long-term sustainability. The role reports to the Board of Directors and works with staff and stakeholders to advance goals that include doubling the operating budget and expanding youth programming into approximately one additional Philadelphia high school each year. The Executive Director will serve as BOLT’s chief fundraiser, oversee financial and operational health, build and support a strong team, and cultivate partnerships with Philadelphia neighborhoods, schools, philanthropic institutions, and civic organizations. The leader will also navigate the transition from founder-led leadership while protecting BOLT’s community trust, relationships, culture, and community-centered approach. Success requires balancing growth with financial sustainability, organizational readiness, program quality, and fidelity to BOLT’s mission. BOLT advances its mission through the eight-month School for Grassroots Leadership, which provides adults leading community initiatives with instruction, coaching, networks, and financial support, and the Youth Leaders Fellowship, which supports Philadelphia public high school students through civic leadership, financial literacy, workforce development, and community action projects. Graduates of the adult program mentor youth fellows from their neighborhoods, supporting intergenerational learning and community action. The position requires residence in Philadelphia. Compensation is listed as a competitive salary range of $115,00–$140,000. Benefits include 100% employer-paid medical coverage and 75% employer-paid dental and visual coverage.

Requirements

Demonstrated experience with grassroots or community-led organizations or initiatives and commitment to elevating community voice and authentic relationships.
Strong knowledge of Philadelphia’s neighborhoods and civic and nonprofit ecosystem, with ability to build partnerships across grassroots organizations, schools, philanthropy, and civic institutions.
Ability to set a clear vision, establish priorities, make strategic tradeoffs, and build organizational capacity for sustainable growth.
Demonstrated ability to lead fundraising strategy, cultivate philanthropic relationships, and secure resources for organizational priorities.
Experience overseeing organizational budgets and financial performance and using financial information to guide decisions, manage resources, and assess risk.
Ability to build effective systems, structures, and operational practices that support accountability and sustainable growth.
Demonstrated experience managing, coaching, and developing teams with a collaborative, mission-first approach.
Exceptional ability to build trust, communicate across diverse audiences, navigate difficult conversations, and cultivate strong relationships.
Proficiency with Google Workspace, including strong to advanced skills in Google Sheets or comparable spreadsheet tools for organizing, analyzing, and using data to inform decisions.
Bachelor’s degree and/or 7+ years of nonprofit executive experience.
Must reside in Philadelphia.

Nice To Haves

Experience leading an organization or significant function through growth or change is strongly preferred.
Success personally raising significant philanthropic revenue and building or expanding individual donor programs is strongly preferred.
Existing relationships with Philadelphia-area funders are highly valued.
Experience using QuickBooks or similar financial management software is highly preferred.
Senior leadership experience in a nonprofit, community-based, social-impact, education, or comparable mission-driven setting is preferred.
Experience working with youth and/or schools and partnering with a nonprofit Board is preferred.
Prior experience as an Executive Director or CEO is not required.

Responsibilities

Champion BOLT’s mission and ensure community expertise and voice remain central to organizational decisions.
Partner with the Board, staff, and stakeholders to establish strategic priorities and measurable goals for sustainable growth.
Lead the transition from founder-led leadership while protecting BOLT’s community-centered model, relationships, and culture.
Develop and execute strategies to grow and diversify revenue from institutional and individual donors, corporate partners, and government sources.
Personally cultivate, solicit, and steward funders; expand individual giving; and build a strong donor pipeline.
Engage the Board in fundraising and strengthen the systems and team capacity needed for long-term financial sustainability.
Oversee financial health, including budgeting, forecasting, cash flow, and resource allocation.
Build systems, structures, accountability, clear roles, effective decision-making, and operational practices that support sustainable growth.
Use financial and operational data to guide strategy, monitor progress, and manage risk.
Build, coach, and retain a strong, mission-aligned team through clear expectations, delegation, performance management, and ongoing feedback.
Foster a collaborative and accountable culture that develops staff leadership, celebrates contributions, and supports employee well-being and sustainable workloads.
Represent BOLT and build authentic relationships with grassroots leaders, schools, funders, and civic partners across Philadelphia.
Cultivate a strong, collaborative relationship with the Board, supporting effective communication, strategic alignment, and meaningful governance engagement.
Provide strategic oversight of youth and grassroots leadership programs, using community feedback and impact data to strengthen programming, demonstrate results, and preserve BOLT’s intergenerational leadership model.
Establish trust with staff, Board members, community leaders, youth, funders, and partners while developing a shared vision for BOLT’s next chapter.
Establish a fundraising strategy with clear revenue goals, deepen funder relationships, expand the individual donor pipeline, and plan for long-term development capacity.
Assess staffing and operational needs, clarify roles and accountability, strengthen management practices, and support a healthy, sustainable team culture.
Partner with the Board and staff to define strategic priorities, measurable goals, and the conditions necessary for responsible expansion.
Strengthen approaches to measuring program outcomes, elevate community feedback, and build partnerships that support BOLT’s reach and impact.