Executive Director – Clarksville Unit

Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee•Clakrsville, TN

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee (BGCMT) enables all young people—especially those who need us most—to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens. Through safe, high-quality Club experiences, BGCMT helps young people build the academic, social, leadership and career skills needed to thrive. Our work is guided by the Five Readys = Future Ready: Ready to Read, Ready for Class, Ready to Graduate, Ready for Career and Ready to Thrive in Community. BGCMT is launching its first Clarksville Club at Kenwood Middle School. This is a unique opportunity for a community executive and hands-on operator to help build a strong, sustainable model from the ground up. The immediate priority is to launch and stabilize an excellent Club experience at Kenwood, establish trusted partnerships and demonstrate clear value to youth, families, the school system and the broader community. The guiding philosophy for this role is simple: nail the model first, then scale it. Expansion will become a greater focus in Year Two only after the Kenwood model is stable, successful and positioned for responsible growth. The Executive Director – Clarksville Unit serves as the day-to-day leader and primary liaison for Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee’s work in Clarksville and Montgomery County. Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, this position is responsible for successfully launching and stabilizing the Kenwood Middle School Club, leading local staff and operations, building strong school and community relationships, and helping establish the financial and organizational foundation needed for long-term impact. The Executive Director will serve as a key partner to the CEO and will work closely with the Clarksville Advisory Council. The position will develop and maintain productive day-to-day relationships with school leaders, community organizations, corporations, government partners, funders, families and other stakeholders who value BGCMT’s services and want to see them succeed and grow. This is a builder-operator role requiring equal strength in community engagement, staff leadership, operational execution, partnership development and youth-centered program quality.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
At least five years of progressively responsible leadership experience, including responsibility for staff, operations, programs or community initiatives.
Demonstrated success building and leading teams.
Experience managing budgets, performance expectations and multiple operating priorities.
Strong relationship-building skills and the ability to work effectively with educators, families, community leaders, funders, corporate partners and government officials.
Excellent written, verbal and public communication skills.
Ability to work a flexible schedule, including occasional evenings and weekends.
Valid driver’s license and ability to travel locally and regionally as needed.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s or higher degree in business, education, nonprofit management, public administration or a related field.
Leadership experience in youth development, education, nonprofit management, community development or a related field.
Experience launching a new program, site, initiative or market a plus.
Experience working with school systems and community-based partners.
Fundraising, business development, donor relations or corporate partnership experience.
Knowledge of Clarksville and Montgomery County.

Responsibilities

Lead the successful launch and ongoing operation of the Kenwood Middle School Club.
Operate within budget and operates as business owner meeting all financial requirements with support from BGCMT CFO staff.
Establish clear operating routines, staffing plans, schedules, systems and performance expectations.
Ensure compliance with BGCMT policies, Boys & Girls Clubs of America standards, school-system requirements and all applicable licensing, safety and regulatory requirements.
Manage membership, attendance, parent communication, facilities, transportation coordination, food service and day-to-day logistics.
Develop and manage the Clarksville operating budget in partnership with the CEO and BGCMT finance team.
Use data and regular performance reviews to improve enrollment, attendance, youth retention, program quality and operational efficiency.
Deliver a safe, welcoming and engaging Club experience that complements rather than duplicates Kenwood Middle School’s existing after-school offerings.
Lead implementation of BGCMT’s Five Readys framework and signature programs, including academic support, Code Academy, AI and STEM experiences, career exploration, financial literacy, leadership development, mentoring, healthy lifestyles and social-emotional supports.
Ensure programming is responsive to student interests, family needs and community priorities.
Establish measurable goals for youth participation, engagement, learning and developmental outcomes.
Create consistent opportunities for youth voice, family engagement, recognition and monthly signature events.
Recruit, select, onboard, supervise and develop a high-performing local team.
Build a culture grounded in youth safety, accountability, inclusion, collaboration and continuous improvement.
Provide regular coaching, feedback, performance management and professional development.
Ensure adequate staffing coverage and strong execution during all hours of Club operation.
Develop internal leadership capacity as the Clarksville model matures.
Serve as BGCMT’s primary day-to-day liaison with Kenwood Middle School and the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System.
Build trusted working relationships with school leaders, educators, parents and other partners supporting the Kenwood Club.
Develop strong connections with community organizations, businesses, corporations, government agencies, higher education institutions, civic organizations and the military community.
Identify opportunities for volunteers, mentors, program partners, in-kind support, youth experiences and community visibility.
Coordinate closely with the CEO on significant external relationships, public positioning, government engagement and strategic partnerships.
Partner with the CEO and BGCMT development team to build a sustainable base of local financial support.
Support donor cultivation, stewardship, grant opportunities, corporate partnerships, sponsorships and fundraising events.
Develop strong relationships with local funders and community champions who value the Club’s impact.
Communicate the Club’s needs, outcomes and community value clearly and persuasively.
Help ensure the Clarksville operation meets approved financial and fundraising expectations.
Serve as the primary staff liaison to the Clarksville Advisory Council in partnership with the CEO.
Prepare timely operational, programmatic and financial updates for Council meetings.
Engage Council members in community outreach, partnerships, fundraising and advocacy.
Help ensure the Council remains informed, active and aligned with BGCMT’s mission, strategy and organizational policies.
Maintain the immediate focus on successfully launching and stabilizing the Kenwood model.
Document lessons learned, operating requirements and success factors that can inform future growth.
Support expansion planning only when the initial Club model demonstrates strong performance, sustainability and community support.