Steward Jobs

About The Position

Requirements

• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience, including 5–7+ years in senior/executive roles, within nonprofit, mission-driven organizations is a plus
• Demonstrated success translating strategy into execution, including setting goals, KPIs, and driving organizational alignment
• Experience leading in decentralized, multi-site, or chapter-based environments
• Experience building systems, processes, and infrastructure to support growth and consistency
• Strong track record of fundraising success, including major gifts, corporate partnerships, and/or national sponsorships
• Demonstrated financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, and financial oversight
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage and align diverse stakeholders
• Proven success in relationship-building across boards, staff, volunteers, donors, and community partners
• Experience partnering effectively with a Board of Directors, supporting Board development, governance and leveraging board engagement
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and lead through complexity, change, and growth
• Ability to lead and scale a growing national nonprofit through strong business acumen, financial oversight, organizational structure, systems development, and long-term strategic planning while preserving the mission-centered culture of the organization.
• Adaptable, resourceful, and solutions-oriented with a builder mindset.
• Exceptional ability to communicate openly and transparently while building trust and alignment among chapters, board members, national leadership, donors, volunteers, families, and community partners across a federated organizational model.
• Demonstrated success in fundraising, donor cultivation, corporate sponsorships, and brand visibility, with the ability to inspire philanthropic investment and elevate Special Spaces’ national awareness and impact.
• Deep passion for the mission and a genuine sense of empathy, humility, and service leadership, with the ability to connect authentically with children, families, volunteers, and stakeholders during emotionally sensitive situations.
• Capacity to thoughtfully lead organizational evolution by implementing stronger systems, accountability, onboarding, consistency, and shared services while balancing growth with the organization’s entrepreneurial and relationship-driven culture.
• Courageous and confident, with the ability to navigate ambiguity, complexity and tension.
• Ability to foster an inclusive, supportive, and team-oriented culture that values listening, shared decision-making, volunteer engagement, board partnership, and leveraging the strengths and perspectives of diverse chapters and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Provide visionary and operational leadership to advance Special Spaces’ mission while strengthening alignment across a decentralized, chapter-based network.
• Translate the organization’s strategic framework into clear priorities, goals, and measurable outcomes.
• Lead short- and long-term planning, including growth strategy, chapter development, and organizational sustainability.
• Define enterprise-wide standards and performance expectations and performance metrics to drive consistency and accountability across chapters.
• Serve as a change leader, guiding the organization through continued evolution.
• Foster a one team culture that balances national alignment with local chapter engagement.
• Develop and execute a national fundraising strategy, including corporate partnerships, major gifts, and philanthropic initiatives.
• Personally engage in donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, particularly with high-impact and national-level supporters.
• Identify and expand national sponsorship opportunities that can scale across multiple markets.
• Partner with chapters to strengthen local fundraising capacity and share best practices.
• Oversee development operations, including donor systems, pipeline management, and performance tracking.
• Oversee day-to-day operations, ensuring high-quality, mission-aligned program execution across all chapters.
• Develop and implement standard operating procedures (SOPs) and a strengthened shared services model.
• Monitor and evaluate program performance, chapter effectiveness, and impact metrics.
• Support chapters at varying stages by providing tools, training, and operational guidance.
• Identify opportunities to enhance family experience and long-term engagement.
• Lead the annual budgeting process and oversee financial planning in alignment with strategic goals.
• Monitor financial performance, including revenue, expenses, and cash flow, and adjust strategies as needed.
• Evaluate and refine the revenue-sharing model to ensure clarity, equity, and value across chapters.
• Ensure compliance with financial policies, controls, and regulatory requirements.
• Partner with finance leadership and the Board to strengthen financial infrastructure and reporting.
• Communicate the organization’s mission, vision, and impact to donors, partners, and the broader community.
• Elevate and steward the organization’s external presence and strategic partnerships with corporate, philanthropic, and community partners.
• Represent Special Spaces through speaking engagements, media, and public forums.
• Strengthen internal communications to ensure transparency and alignment across chapters and stakeholders.
• Promote a compelling national brand narrative that supports growth and awareness.
• Serve as a strategic partner to the Board, supporting Board development, governance, planning, and decision-making.
• Prepare and deliver regular reports on organizational performance, financials, and strategic progress.
• Assist in board development, including recruitment, onboarding, and committee engagement.
• Leverage board members’ expertise, networks, and resources to advance organizational priorities.

Benefits

• competitive benefits package