Executive Director
Are you a mission-driven, human-centered leader who believes business can be a force for positive change and is deeply committed to reSET’s values, goals, and entrepreneurial spirit? reSET's Board of Directors is seeking an Executive Director (ED) to advance our mission by developing and implementing organizational strategy, overseeing day-to-day operations, managing staff and volunteers, handling the budget and financial planning, and leading fundraising and development efforts.
WHO WE ARE
Founded in 2007, reSET is a nonprofit organization headquartered in Hartford, CT, whose mission is advancing the social enterprise sector and providing inclusive entrepreneurial support across Connecticut. In February 2025, reSET acquired New Haven-based Collab, combining complementary strengths to create a more robust ecosystem for impact-driven entrepreneurs throughout the region. reSET specializes in social enterprise — impact-driven businesses with double or triple bottom lines — providing coworking space, accelerator programs, and mentoring services that inspire innovation and community collaboration. To date, reSET and Collab have assisted over 500 small businesses to start with impact.
With the integration of Collab's entrepreneurial support expertise, reSET has strengthened its commitment to providing entrepreneurs with impactful, rigorous business support using a compassionate, heart-centered approach. The organization prioritizes serving people of color and women — particularly Black and Latinx entrepreneurs — who face persistent barriers due to structural inequities, delivering programming that combines high-quality business education with leadership development to help entrepreneurs build successful businesses, create economic power, and shape their communities.
WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR
We are growing our team and seeking a mission-driven, human-centered leader who believes business can be a force for positive change and is deeply committed to reSET’s values, goals, and entrepreneurial spirit. In close partnership with the Board of Directors, The Executive Director (ED) advances reSET’s mission by developing and implementing organizational strategy, overseeing day-to-day operations, managing staff and volunteers, handling the budget and financial planning, and leading fundraising and development efforts. The ED oversees the organization’s day-to-day management—guiding staff, stewarding financial resources, and ensuring sound operations—so that reSET remains financially sustainable, impactful, and positioned for growth.
A great candidate will be curious, positive, and creative, bringing an entrepreneurial mindset, a commitment to continuous learning, and a strong dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion. They will be excited to help strengthen an inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem grounded in triple-bottom-line and “business for good” principles. The ideal candidate has at least five years of professional leadership experience. Experience in social enterprise, entrepreneurship, or investments is required; nonprofit or startup leadership is highly desirable. Strong fundraising, fiscal management, marketing/branding, and spokesperson skills are essential.
This hybrid role requires both in-person and remote work and an ability to travel throughout Connecticut as needed. Some evening and weekend hours may be required.
Strategic Vision and Stakeholder Engagement
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Champion reSET’s vision and mission, ensuring they shape all organizational decisions and activities.
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In partnership with the Board, lead long-term strategic planning while aligning budgets, staffing, and priorities with core mission objectives. Keep up to date with stakeholder feedback, community trends and other external forces in order to stay ahead of the curve.
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Maintain a strong, transparent working relationship with the Board, providing timely information and analysis to support effective governance, including reporting out at bi-monthly board meetings and regular committee meetings.
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Partner with the Board Chair and Governance Committee to cultivate a diverse, inclusive, and well-engaged Board representative of the community.
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Proactively engage funders, community partners, alumni, elected officials, donors, and other key stakeholders to sustain and expand partnerships.
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Represent the organization externally, enhancing visibility, credibility, and advocacy efforts in the community and sector.
Finance and Development
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Lead fundraising strategy in collaboration with the Development & Operations Director, ensuring diverse revenue streams through philanthropy, grants, donor engagement, contracts, and partnerships.
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Cultivate and manage high-level donor and partner relationships to strengthen reSET’s long-term financial sustainability.
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Working closely with the contracted grant writer and Development & Operations director, align financial resources with strategic priorities, ensuring funds are allocated to present needs and future opportunities.
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Oversee fiscal management, including budget development, forecasting, monitoring, controls, and reporting; provide clear financial updates to the Board at monthly Finance Committee meetings. Includes complex tracking of multiple restricted grants and contracts, supported closely by outsourced accounting / auditing firms, and day-to-day management by Development & Operations Director.
Infrastructure and Operations
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Ensure delivery of high-quality services and prepare the organization for future growth.
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Hold the people operations function in conjunction with HR, accountants. Manage and support staff with a focus on empowerment, accountability, collaboration, and professional development. Includes creating and updating job descriptions, goal setting, performance reviews, and other tasks related to ensuring a strong and healthy team.
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Foster a positive, multicultural workplace that promotes strong internal communication and alignment across programs and operations.
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Refine, uphold, or establish as needed, clear decision-making processes, operational systems, and data practices that ensure organizational efficiency and effectiveness.
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Oversee financial planning and prioritization to meet both programmatic and staff needs while maintaining sound fiscal practices.
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Guide organizational design and change management to adapt people, processes, and systems for evolving demands.
Program and Impact Leadership
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Oversee program development to ensure alignment with mission, responsiveness to social entrepreneurs’ needs, and delivery of high-quality experiences and outcomes.
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Safeguard programmatic standards and ethos across the organization to maintain consistency and integrity.
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Ensure programs are financially viable through innovative business models, grants, and partnerships.
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Establish as needed, and maintain measurable goals for programs and track impact in alignment with reSET’s strategic objectives.
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Develop standards, tools, and systems to improve program efficiency and visibility, strengthening reSET’s overall impact.
WHO YOU ARE
Must be based in CT.
A BA is required, with an MBA, MPA, or related advanced degree preferred.
Spanish fluency is a bonus, not required!
WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU
This is an exempt position with a salary range of $85-100k commensurate with experience
Access to medical, dental, vision insurance and annual professional development stipends
Hybrid work schedule requiring both in-person and remote work in Connecticut. Primarily based in Hartford, with regular travel to New Haven.
Dynamic entrepreneurial team!
To apply, submit your cover letter and resume via email to [email protected].
We are committed to growing an organization centered in diversity, equity, and inclusion, in which our business leaders, and reSET as a team, are reflective of the community we serve and live in. We especially encourage members of historically marginalized communities, including women, to apply even if you may not think you meet 100% of these qualifications.