President & Chief Executive Officer - The George Washington Foundation

Warren Whitney•Fredericksburg, VA

1d•$195,000 - $220,000•Onsite

About The Position

The George Washington Foundation seeks a dynamic and visionary President & Chief Executive Officer to lead one of Virginia's most respected historic organizations and advance its mission of preserving, interpreting, and sharing the stories of George Washington, Fielding and Betty Washington Lewis, and the people whose lives shaped early America. For more than a century, the Foundation has served as a steward of nationally significant historic resources, including Historic Kenmore, George Washington's Ferry Farm, and the Accokeek Furnace site. Together, these properties provide visitors with a unique opportunity to explore the formative years of America's first president, the complexities of colonial Virginia, and the evolving story of our nation through preservation, archaeology, education, and public engagement. The Foundation stands at an exciting moment in its history. Over the past two decades, significant investments have transformed Ferry Farm from a field destined for a big box store to a nationally recognized historic destination featuring reconstructed buildings, expanded interpretation, and growing public engagement. Historic Kenmore continues to serve as a treasured cultural and educational resource for the Fredericksburg region, while ongoing archaeological discoveries, collections initiatives, and educational programming continue to deepen the Foundation's impact. Building upon this strong foundation, the next President & CEO will have the opportunity to guide the organization through its next phase of growth. Key priorities include strengthening fundraising and donor engagement, expanding audience development efforts, increasing organizational capacity, advancing strategic site development projects, and preparing the Foundation to capitalize on the opportunities presented by the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution and the 300th anniversary of George Washington's birth. The successful candidate will be an accomplished nonprofit executive, fundraiser, relationship builder, and public ambassador who is energized by the opportunity to lead a mission-driven organization of national significance. While an appreciation for history and preservation is important, the Foundation seeks a leader whose strengths include strategic execution, organizational leadership, community engagement, and the ability to inspire support among donors, trustees, staff, and the broader public.

Requirements

Demonstrated success leading a nonprofit, cultural, educational, philanthropic, membership-based, or mission-driven organization of meaningful scale and complexity.
Demonstrated success leading, developing, and retaining high-performing teams and fostering a positive organizational culture built on trust, accountability, collaboration, and respect.
Ability to think strategically while successfully executing complex initiatives and managing competing priorities.
A collaborative leadership style characterized by integrity, curiosity, humility, sound judgment, and a genuine commitment to people.
Significant fundraising experience, including major gift cultivation, donor stewardship, foundation relations, capital campaign participation, endowment development, and philanthropic strategy.
Proven ability to serve as the public face and spokesperson for an organization, inspiring confidence among donors, board members, staff, volunteers, community leaders, elected officials, and other stakeholders.
Experience working effectively with a governing board, including supporting governance, committee structures, strategic planning, and board engagement.
Strong financial and operational management experience, including budgeting, planning, resource allocation, and organizational sustainability.
Strong relationship-building skills and a demonstrated ability to engage diverse constituencies while creating enthusiasm for an organization's mission and future.
Excellent communication skills, including public speaking, writing, presentation, and interpersonal effectiveness.

Nice To Haves

Experience leading organizational growth, institutional advancement, capital projects, campus development, or other significant organizational initiatives is desirable.
An appreciation for history, preservation, education, archaeology, and cultural stewardship. Deep scholarly expertise is not required, but enthusiasm and commitment are desirable.

Responsibilities

Serves as the chief executive officer of the George Washington Foundation and is responsible for providing strategic, operational, financial, and philanthropic leadership for the organization.
Works closely with trustees, staff, donors, volunteers, community partners, and public officials to advance the Foundation's mission and long-term vision.
Serves as the Foundation's chief spokesperson, chief fundraiser, and principal ambassador.
Ensures effective management of the organization's programs, finances, historic resources, and personnel.
Leads, develops, and retains high-performing teams and fosters a positive organizational culture built on trust, accountability, collaboration, and respect.
Thinks strategically while successfully executing complex initiatives and managing competing priorities.
Serves as the public face and spokesperson for an organization, inspiring confidence among donors, board members, staff, volunteers, community leaders, elected officials, and other stakeholders.
Works effectively with a governing board, including supporting governance, committee structures, strategic planning, and board engagement.
Manages budgets, planning, resource allocation, and organizational sustainability.
Leads organizational growth, institutional advancement, capital projects, campus development, or other significant organizational initiatives.
Builds strong relationships and engages diverse constituencies while creating enthusiasm for an organization's mission and future.