Chief Executive Officer - Boys & Girls Clubs of Athens

Overview

The Board of Directors seeks a dynamic, visionary, and relationship-oriented leader to serve as the next Chief Executive Officer. The CEO will provide strategic leadership and operational oversight while serving as the organization's chief advocate, fundraiser, spokesperson, and ambassador.

 

The successful candidate will inherit an organization with a proud legacy, strong community recognition, dedicated staff, engaged volunteers, and significant opportunities for growth. This individual will work closely with the Board of Directors, Board of Trustees, staff, donors, and community partners to build upon recent progress and lead the organization into its next era of impact.

 

Reporting directly to the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer is responsible for the overall leadership, strategic direction, financial sustainability, and operational management of Boys & Girls Clubs of Athens.

 

The CEO will translate vision into action by developing and implementing strategies that strengthen organizational capacity, expand community engagement, enhance fundraising results, support exceptional youth outcomes, and ensure the long-term sustainability of the organization.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Provide inspirational leadership that advances the mission, vision, and values of Boys & Girls Clubs of Athens.
• Collaborate with the Board of Directors to develop and implement strategic priorities that support organizational growth, impact, and sustainability.
• Foster a culture of accountability, transparency, innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure organizational resources, staffing, and priorities remain aligned with strategic goals.
• Identify emerging opportunities and challenges and develop strategies to position the organization for future success.

 

Fundraising & Resource Development

• Serve as the organization's lead fundraiser and chief relationship builder.
• Actively identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward individual, corporate, foundation, and public-sector funding partners.
• Partner with the Board of Directors and Board of Trustees to strengthen philanthropic engagement and expand fundraising capacity.
• Lead efforts to grow annual giving, major gifts, grants, sponsorships, and planned giving opportunities.
• Ensure the development and execution of comprehensive fundraising and stewardship strategies that diversify and strengthen revenue streams.

 

Community Engagement & External Relations

• Serve as the primary spokesperson and ambassador for the organization.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with donors, elected officials, community leaders, school systems, youth-serving organizations, foundations, and corporate partners.
• Increase awareness of the organization's mission, impact, and value throughout the community.
• Represent the organization at community events, public meetings, fundraising functions, and strategic partnership opportunities.

 

Organizational Leadership & Operations

• Ensure the delivery of safe, high-quality, and impactful programs that produce measurable outcomes for youth.
• Recruit, develop, mentor, and retain a high-performing staff team.
• Promote a positive organizational culture that supports staff engagement, professional growth, and accountability.
• Ensure compliance with all Boys & Girls Clubs of America requirements, grant obligations, regulatory requirements, and organizational policies.
• Monitor organizational performance and utilize data to drive continuous improvement and informed decision-making.

Financial Stewardship

• Oversee the development and implementation of annual and long-range financial plans.
• Ensure sound financial management, internal controls, and responsible stewardship of organizational resources.
• Partner with finance staff and board leadership to monitor financial performance and ensure organizational sustainability.
• Support ongoing efforts to strengthen financial reserves and long-term fiscal health.

 

Board Relations & Governance

• Develop and maintain a strong partnership with the Board of Directors.
• Support board development, recruitment, orientation, engagement, evaluation, and succession planning.
• Ensure the Board receives timely, accurate, and relevant information necessary for effective governance and decision-making.
• Support the work of board committees and the Board of Trustees.

Qualifications

The successful candidate will be:

• Mission-driven and passionate about improving outcomes for young people.
• A visible and engaging community leader.
• Strategic, entrepreneurial, and forward-thinking.
• Collaborative, authentic, and relationship focused.
• Results-oriented and accountable.
• An effective communicator and storyteller.
• Adaptable, resilient, and comfortable leading through change.

 

The ideal candidate will possess many of the following qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university required; advanced degree preferred.
• Demonstrated success in nonprofit leadership, organizational management, fundraising, and community engagement.
• Significant experience cultivating and securing major gifts and philanthropic investments.
• Strong financial acumen and experience managing budgets, financial reporting, and organizational resources.
• Proven ability to build and maintain productive relationships with boards, donors, staff, volunteers, and community leaders.
• Exceptional communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Experience leading organizational growth, change management, or strategic transformation initiatives preferred.
• Knowledge of youth development, education, workforce development, or related human service fields preferred.
• Experience working with a governing board and volunteer leadership structure.