Executive Director

Vanderbloemen • Kalamazoo, MI

9d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Executive Director (XD) of the Jericho Foundation is a full-time leadership role with flexible hours, headquartered in the Kalamazoo/Grand Rapids area of Southwest Michigan. The XD serves as the chief administrative officer, chief storyteller, and primary fundraising catalyst for a specialized 501(c)(3) charity. The foundation serves underserved children and youth in Bosnia & Herzegovina (BiH) through a holistic scholarship program, leadership seminars, and a U.S. learning internship experience. The XD must lead and manage operations across an 8,000-to-10,000-mile remote span, bridging the gap between active U.S. donors, a highly professional Board of Directors, and a dedicated team on the ground in Sarajevo.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required
• A minimum of 5+ years of non-profit management experience with a proven history of direct donor cultivation and fundraising growth
• Direct experience planning and executing mid-to-large-scale charity events (dinners, silent auctions, golf outings) hosting up to 300 guests.
• Prior success reporting directly to, and working collaboratively with, an active and professional Board of Directors.
• Powerful public speaking, writing, and interpersonal skills; the ability to explain complex geopolitical struggles clearly to secure financial backing.
• Strong business acumen with experience managing a half-million-dollar budget, reading profit/loss sheets, and tracking overhead with extreme discipline.
• High level of detail orientation and proactivity; the ability to track multiple "spinning plates" (e.g., event planning, host homes, student visas) months in advance to avoid a rushed, reactive state.
• A relational approach to development that goes beyond email—actively utilizing phone calls, text messages, office visits, and personal touchpoints to cultivate deep donor care.
• Willingness to learn the history of the Bosnian War, recognize the psychological scars of second-generation PTSD, and navigate local cultural nuances with deep respect
• Humility with Confidence: Possesses the relational humility to learn from on-the-ground program staff, the founder, and the students themselves, balanced with the self-confidence and grit to draw a line in the sand, push back when necessary, and run the organization autonomously.
• Grit, Tenacity, & High Adaptability: Exceptional resilience to drive through cultural, religious, and logistical barriers when coordinating remote operations across 8,000–10,000 miles.
• Emotional Regulation & Crisis Management: Excellent stress tolerance and emotional maturity; the ability to navigate crises calmly, make rapid, objective decisions, and maintain a reassuring presence in front of students and staff.
• Theological Fit & Christian Modeling: Fully committed to upholding the Christian-aligned principles in the Statement of Faith. Models Christ's love and grace relationally, while clearly respecting that the foundation does not lead with active proselytization, meaning the XD will not lead student devotions, run active evangelism campaigns, or act as a pastor to students.
• Collaborative & Empathic Heart: Receptive to the viewpoints of Bosnian staff, possessing an open mind and a collaborative spirit that is not easily threatened by others' expertise or unique cultural solutions.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with, or serving, people from diverse backgrounds, ethnicities, or marginalized socio-economic environments is highly desired.

Responsibilities

• Act as the primary champion for fundraising and community involvement.
• Cultivate deep, personal connections with donors and seek to revitalize the Circle4Hope monthly giving base.
• Serve as the strategic catalyst and lead organizer for major annual events, including the Night of Hope dinner and silent auction (funding 35% of the budget), the Golf 4 Good outing (funding 10%), and the Kalamazoo Luncheon appreciation event.
• Lead, coach, and retain staff in both the US and Bosnia. Successfully transition the leadership dynamic from an "operator" to a delegating, trust-building "leader". Support the autonomy of local Bosnian staff to ensure they maintain local decision-making speed and authority with students.
• Maintain transparent communication with the Board of Directors by providing streamlined program evaluation metrics. Prepare for and lead 9 to 10 board meetings per year, utilizing board members as strategic consultants rather than day-to-day managers.
• Oversee the foundation's $500,000 annual operating budget with strict oversight of overhead expenses to ensure funds go directly to student services.
• Serve as the passionate and persuasive public face of the foundation. Articulate the historical context, post-war struggles, and critical needs of marginalized youth in BiH to secure emotional and financial buy-in from diverse networks.
• Collaborate with the board and founder to design potential national rollouts, complete strategic business planning, and build business partnerships in new expansion markets.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive