Chief Executive Officer
The Chief Executive Officer serves as ECCO’s chief executive, community leader, and lead fundraiser, responsible for the overall leadership, strategic direction, and performance of the organization. The CEO is accountable for mission stewardship, fundraising leadership, board partnership, financial oversight, and community ambassadorship, and provides the guidance, structure, and accountability that enable the leadership team, the Board, donors, and community partners to operate effectively.
Position Summary
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) serves as ECCO’s chief executive, community leader, and lead fundraiser, and is responsible for the overall leadership, strategic direction, and performance of the organization. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the CEO advances ECCO’s mission of providing assistance, guidance, and resources that help neighbors navigate life’s challenges, building on ECCO’s growth from a $500,000 to a $3.3 million organization over the last decade.
The Board recently elevated this role from Executive Director to CEO to reflect the external visibility, philanthropic mandate, and strategic scope now required of the position, supported by a strong leadership team that is well positioned to take full responsibility for day-to-day operations. The CEO is accountable for mission stewardship, fundraising leadership, board partnership, financial oversight, and community ambassadorship, and provides the guidance, structure, and accountability that enable the leadership team, senior staff, the Board, donors, and community partners to operate effectively. While the role is substantially outward-facing, the CEO maintains a regular presence in the building to promote communication and collaboration among department heads, clearly leads the organization, and is directly accountable to the President of the Board of Directors.
Core Responsibilities
Mission, Strategy & Executive Leadership
- Ensure ECCO has a long-range strategy that achieves its mission and makes consistent, measurable progress, including development of a 3–5 year strategic plan.
- Serve as ECCO’s chief spokesperson and public leader, representing the organization positively to donors, community groups, government agencies, and the broader community.
- Provide leadership in developing programs, organizational and financial plans, and fundraising strategy, and carry out policies authorized by the Board.
- Champion a culture rooted in compassion, accountability, collaboration, service, and philanthropy, consistent with ECCO’s stated values.
Fundraising, Development & External Relations
- Serve as ECCO’s lead fundraiser, personally cultivating, stewarding, and soliciting major gifts to safeguard the organization’s financial stability.
- Build and sustain strong relationships with donors, community leaders, government agencies, partner organizations, and faith communities.
- Partner closely with the Director of Development, the development team, and Board to strengthen a culture of philanthropy and support growth of the Annual Fund, major gifts, and membership giving programs.
- Ensure ECCO’s public communications and community engagement accurately reflect its mission, services, and impact.
Board Partnership & Governance Support
- Work in close partnership with the Board of Directors while maintaining appropriate governance–management boundaries.
- Keep the Board informed on the condition of the organization and all important factors influencing it.
- Support the Board’s committee structure (Finance, Development, Programs & Services, Nominating/Governance, Community Engagement, and others) and help lead the Board toward a more strategic, engaged governance role.
- Conduct official correspondence of the organization in conjunction with the Board President, Secretary, and other designated Officers.
Staff Leadership & Organizational Culture
- Directly supervise four Directors and one Executive Assistant and provide overall leadership to a team of more than 20 employees, contracted providers, and consultants.
- Recruit, employ, and release all personnel, including compensated staff and volunteers, in partnership with the leadership team.
- Maintain a culture that attracts, retains, and motivates a quality, diverse staff, and encourages the ongoing development and education of staff and volunteers.
- Build the leadership team into a cohesive unit of equal department heads, with no single head taking the lead, providing the guidance, structure, measures of accountability, and KPIs the team needs to run day-to-day operations efficiently and effectively, with clear ownership of strategic and operational responsibilities.
Financial Oversight & Organizational Stewardship
- Monitor all financial practices and ensure adequate funds are available to operate the organization.
- Prepare a budget and ensure the organization operates within Board-approved budget guidelines.
- Maintain official records and documents and ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
Program & Operations Oversight
- Assure that ECCO’s continuum of programs and services (including the Wellness Pantry, Financial
- Assistance, Dental and Medical Clinics, Prescription Assistance, Clothing Closet, and Asset
- Development Program) remain aligned with community need and organizational capacity.
- Support the leadership team in evaluating existing programs and identifying opportunities for new programs or services, in partnership with the Programs & Services Committee.
Qualifications
Required
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
- Minimum of ten years of progressive leadership experience, including senior executive or organizational leadership responsibilities.
- Demonstrated experience leading teams, managing budgets, and overseeing organizational operations.
- Proven ability to create and sustain a culture of philanthropy, including building and maintaining strong relationships with diverse stakeholders.
Preferred
- Experience serving in an Executive Director, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, or equivalent senior leadership role.
- Experience in nonprofit leadership, philanthropy, fund development, or community-based organizations.
- Demonstrated success in strategic planning, organizational growth, and change management.
- Experience working effectively with nonprofit boards and governance structures.
- Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, and financial oversight.
- Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and public speaking skills.
- A leadership style characterized by humility, emotional intelligence, sound judgment, resilience, and commitment to mission-driven service.
Compensation: $128,000–$160,000
Send a resume and a brief cover letter describing why this opportunity, specifically, excites you to Ginny Waller, Waller Consulting at [email protected] with the subject line ECCO CEO Job Posting. This position will remain open for three weeks from the posting date; we encourage early submissions.