Executive Director, OAN

Ohio Children's Alliance•Columbus, OH

39d•$50,000 - $65,000•Remote

About The Position

The Ohio Children's Alliance is the fiscal sponsor for the Ohio Afterschool Network (OAN). OAN connects, strengthens, and champions Ohio's out-of-school time (OST) community to expand access to high-quality opportunities so all of Ohio's young people can thrive. OAN serves as a statewide voice, connector, and capacity-builder for afterschool and summer learning. OAN is seeking a collaborative, strategic, and entrepreneurial Executive Director to lead the Network through its next stage of growth and development. This is a .75 FTE position, with the potential to become full-time as resources allow. OAN is part of the National Network of Statewide Afterschool Networks, supported in part by the C. S. Mott Foundation. Working in partnership with OAN's Strategic Leadership Team, the Ohio Children's Alliance, regional and statewide partners, and national colleagues, the Executive Director will provide leadership for OAN's strategy, advocacy, partnerships, resource development, communications, and operations. The Executive Director will be both a statewide leader for the OST field and a network builder, cultivating relationships across sectors and ensuring that the perspectives and needs of OST providers, young people, families, and communities inform OAN's priorities.

Requirements

A commitment to advancing equity
Significant leadership experience (10+ years preferred) in out-of-school time, youth development, education, nonprofit leadership, or a related field.
Knowledge of the OST field and the important role afterschool and summer programs provide in supporting young people, families, schools, and communities.
Experience with public policy, advocacy, government relations, and coalition building.
Demonstrated success cultivating partnerships across nonprofit, government, education, philanthropy, and business sectors.
Experience securing and managing public and/or private funding.
Strong understanding of nonprofit financial management, budgeting, grant management, and organizational sustainability.
Experience working effectively with boards, advisory groups, coalitions, or other shared leadership structures.
Demonstrated ability to move successfully between big-picture strategy and hands-on implementation.
Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a part-time leadership role.
Excellent written, verbal, facilitation, and public speaking skills.
Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience; advanced degree welcomed but not required.

Nice To Haves

Collaborative: Builds trust, listens well, values diverse perspectives, and brings people together around shared goals.
Strategic: Sees the big picture while translating vision into achievable priorities and action.
Entrepreneurial: Identifies opportunities, builds resources, and is comfortable leading a growing organization.
Relationship-driven: Effective and enjoys building authentic relationships with providers, policymakers, funders, partners, and community leaders.
Equity-focused: Understands the barriers that often limit access to high-quality OST opportunities and works to ensure that OAN represents and serves communities throughout Ohio.
Credible and engaging: Will effectively represent the OST field with audiences ranging from frontline professionals and young people to legislators, experienced professionals, agency leaders, and diverse funders.
Adaptable: Can navigate change, ambiguity, and competing priorities while maintaining focus on OAN's mission.
Results-oriented: Establishes clear priorities, follows through on commitments, and uses data and feedback to assess progress.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic leadership to advance OAN's priorities while strengthening its governance, infrastructure, and long-term sustainability.
Foster a connected statewide network by engaging stakeholders, identifying emerging trends, and creating opportunities for collaboration and shared learning.
Serve as a leading advocate for Ohio's out-of-school time (OST) community by advancing policy priorities, strengthening relationships with decision-makers, and increasing public awareness of OST's impact.
Mobilize stakeholders and use data, research, and storytelling to influence policy, secure resources, and communicate emerging legislative developments.
Lead resource development efforts by securing and diversifying funding through grants, partnerships, sponsorships, and other revenue-generating opportunities.
Cultivate funder relationships and ensure effective stewardship, reporting, and alignment with OAN's strategic goals.
Build and strengthen strategic partnerships across education, workforce, youth-serving, philanthropic, and government sectors to advance statewide OST priorities.
Promote cross-sector collaboration and position OST as a key contributor to Ohio's education, workforce, and family-support systems.
Advance program quality and workforce excellence by supporting the implementation of quality standards, evidence-based practices, and continuous improvement efforts.
Collaborate with partners to expand professional development, coaching, peer learning, and workforce development opportunities across the OST field.
Develop and oversee a coordinated communications strategy that enhances OAN's visibility, value, and engagement with members, policymakers, funders, and other stakeholders.
Serve as a compelling ambassador for the organization by sharing timely information, resources, opportunities, and stories that elevate the field.
Provide operational and fiscal leadership by developing annual priorities, work plans, budgets, and performance-tracking systems aligned with OAN's strategic objectives.
Oversee organizational resources, partnerships, compliance requirements, and reporting to ensure accountability, efficiency, and sustainable growth.