Executive Director, OAN

Ohio Children•Columbus, OH

13d•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. The work focuses on four priorities: Champion and advocate for Ohio's OST field by building awareness, influencing policy, and advancing sustainable public and private investment in afterschool and summer learning. Strengthen program quality and capacity by supporting a skilled workforce, professional development, quality standards, effective practices, and meaningful use of data. Connect and align Ohio's OST ecosystem, bringing together providers, schools, state agencies, employers, community organizations, funders, and other partners around shared goals for young people. Expand equitable access to high-quality OST opportunities that respond to the needs and interests of young people and families and support learning, well-being, career exploration, and future success. 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.
Must reside in Ohio.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree welcomed but not required.

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.