MICHEP Executive Director

Michigan College Access Network•Lansing, MI

just now•$75,000 - $90,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Executive Director/President/CEO is the chief executive officer of the Consortium and will provide strategic leadership, manage daily operations, represent MiCHEP to external stakeholders, lead fundraising and resource development, ensure effective collaboration among members, and guide the organization in fulfilling its mission. The person in this role will work closely with the Steering Committee/Board to translate MiCHEP’s strategic plan into actionable initiatives, ensure financial health, oversee staff and contractors, and serve as a public face and advocate for higher education in prison in Michigan.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in higher education, public policy, nonprofit management, social justice, or related field.
At least 5-8 years of professional experience with a minimum of 3 years in a leadership role in a nonprofit, membership organization, professional association, higher education, criminal justice / corrections, prison education, reentry, or related field.
Demonstrated experience in developing and managing programs affecting incarcerated or justice-involved populations, or working with correctional institutions.
Proven success securing grants/funding, managing budgets, and providing financial oversight.
Experience with policy/advocacy work, engaging government agencies and legislators.
Experience connecting multiple stakeholders (e.g., institutions, corrections, students, community orgs).
Deep commitment to the mission of access to higher education for incarcerated people, and belief in education’s role in rehabilitation and reintegration.
Strong leadership, organizational, and strategic thinking skills.
Excellent communication ability — both oral and written; comfortable speaking publicly; able to tailor messaging to different audiences (students, institutions, corrections, policymakers).
Collaborative style; ability to build consensus, foster partnerships, facilitate shared decision-making.
High integrity; strong ethical compass; sensitivity to justice, equity, and inclusion.
Cultural competence; experience working with marginalized populations, understanding trauma, incarceration, barriers to reentry.
Ability to manage complexity; skilled at juggling multiple projects, deadlines, stakeholders.
Skilled in data-driven decision making; able to oversee collection, interpretation, and dissemination of metrics and outcomes.
Full-time position.
Some travel across Michigan required—for visits to correctional facilities, member institutions, partners.
Must be able to be LEIN-cleared by the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC).
Successfully complete any required MDOC training requirements.
Flexibility in work hours; occasional evening or weekend work as needed for events, meetings, or legislative sessions.
Remote-capable work, but with expectation of periodic in-person meetings and presence at key events.
Commitment to confidentiality, especially in working with incarcerated students and institutional partners.

Nice To Haves

Master’s preferred

Responsibilities

Lead the development, implementation, and periodic updating of MiCHEP’s strategic plan in collaboration with the Board/Steering Committee.
Identify gaps and opportunities in the prison higher education landscape; propose new initiatives or partnerships to expand access, quality, & outcomes.
Ensure that MiCHEP’s efforts align with state and federal policy developments (e.g., Pell Grant eligibility, prison education program standards).
Stay current on research, trends, best practices in college-in-prison, reentry, data collection, equity, and correctional education.
Support member institutions with technical assistance, peer sharing, capacity building, and best practices.
Coordinate with MDOC and other state agencies to review applications for college-in-prison programs, ensuring quality and compliance.
Oversee data collection, analysis, reporting on outcomes (e.g., enrollment, retention, graduation, recidivism) for incarcerated students.
Foster relationships among member colleges, correctional facilities, incarcerated/formerly incarcerated students, and other stakeholders.
Serve as primary spokesperson for MiCHEP to legislators, state agencies, funders, media, and the public.
Advocate for policies, funding, regulations that expand and improve higher education in prisons.
Build partnerships with other nonprofits, foundations, educational networks, community organizations.
Represent MiCHEP at conferences, meetings, and convenings.
Develop and carry out fundraising strategies to secure financial resources (grants, donations, contracts) to sustain and grow MiCHEP’s work.
Manage relationships with current and potential funders.
Ensure compliance with grant requirements, reporting, budget tracking.
Identify in-kind support, partner contributions, and other nonfinancial resources.
Oversee MiCHEP’s operational systems, including staffing or contractors, project management, administrative processes, budgeting, and financial reporting.
Prepare an annual budget; monitor financial performance; ensure fiscal responsibility.
Ensure organizational policies, procedures, and legal requirements are adhered to.
Ensure effective internal communication and collaboration within the organization.
Serve as liaison between staff and Board/Steering Committee; prepare and provide information, reports, and analyses to enable effective governance.
Support board in governance functions: strategic decisions, policy setting, oversight, recruitment, evaluation.
Facilitate, with the Board, regular evaluation of MiCHEP’s performance and adaptation of strategies as needed.
Promote principles of equity, inclusion, justice in all MiCHEP’s work.
Ensure that policies, practices, communications are responsive to the needs and voices of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated students.
Ensure diverse representation in committees, leadership, and decision-making.
Encourage the development of peer leadership among incarcerated students (e.g., tutors, mentors), and successful reentry supports.

Benefits

Full benefits package includes platinum health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance.
Education support program
Employee development program
403b retirement plan (with standard 4% employer contribution and up to an additional 3% match)
240 hours of PTO
13 paid holidays
6 weeks fully paid maternity/paternity/adoption leave
Employee assistance program
Downtown Lansing parking permit
Cell phone reimbursement