Executive Director

A Better Chance of Andover

Executive Director

Andover, Massachusetts  |  Full-Time  |  Mission-Driven Leadership

About A Better Chance of Andover

A Better Chance of Andover (ABC Andover) is a residential college preparatory scholarship program that opens doors to educational opportunity for academically talented young women from underrepresented communities. Since 1967, our Scholars have attended Andover High School while living together in the ABC House, supported by a dedicated residential team, academic advisors, host families, volunteers, alumni, and an engaged Board of Directors.

Our mission is to reduce inequity in education by providing young people of color access to exceptional academic, leadership, and personal growth opportunities. More than 97% of our graduates earn four-year college degrees and go on to become leaders in their communities and professions.

This is a program built on relationships -- between Scholars and staff, between the organization and the community, and between the mission and the people who carry it forward every day.

About the Role

ABC Andover seeks an experienced, collaborative, and mission-driven Executive Director to lead the organization into its next chapter.

The Executive Director is the senior leader of A Better Chance of Andover, responsible for the day-to-day life of the program, the long-term health of the organization, and the wellbeing of the Scholars at its center. This is a full-time, hands-on leadership role. The right candidate will be as comfortable sitting down to dinner with Scholars as they are presenting to major donors or managing a budget.

Success in this role requires balancing strategic leadership with hands-on engagement -- building strong systems while maintaining meaningful presence in the daily life of the residential program.

The Executive Director reports to the Governing Board Co-Chairs and directly supervises the Resident Director, Associate Resident Director, and House Cook.

Core Areas of LeadershipLeadership and Operations

• Serve as the primary liaison to the Governing Board and lead the Operating Board
• Collaborate with committee chairs across Academics, Admissions, Events, Development, Host Families, Communications, House Management, Scholar Life, and Technology -- providing direct support when committees need backup or as chair if unavailable
• Develop organizational priorities, annual work plans, and measurable goals
• Prepare board agendas, reports, dashboards, and supporting materials
• Develop and manage the annual operating budget in partnership with the Treasurer and Finance Committee
• Ensure compliance with organizational policies, employment practices, grant requirements, and applicable laws
• Oversee technology, vendors, contracts, facilities, insurance, and organizational systems
• Coordinate house operations and facilities in partnership with the Resident Director and House Management Committee
• Implement board-approved strategic initiatives

Residential Program Leadership

• Maintain a consistent and visible presence in the ABC House, approximately 20 hours per week during the academic year
• Hire, supervise, mentor, and evaluate the Resident Director, Associate Resident Director, Resident Mentor, and House Cook
• Ensure the Resident Director is effectively managing the day-to-day residential program, including Scholar support, behavioral accountability, and residential operations
• Provide coaching, guidance, and accountability to the Resident Director while stepping in directly when additional leadership or support is needed
• Serve as a member of the Scholar Care Team
• Partner with the Academic Chair to monitor Scholar progress and ensure appropriate academic support systems are in place
• Oversee admissions, enrollment, and transition planning
• Ensure residential policies, safety procedures, and emergency protocols are consistently followed
• Foster a residential culture centered on belonging, psychological safety, responsibility, leadership, and personal growth
• Oversee Scholar family and Host Family relationships at the organizational level, in partnership with the Resident Director, ensuring families are informed, supported, and equipped to support Scholars

Fundraising and Community Engagement

• Develop and implement an annual fundraising plan in partnership with the Development Committee
• Cultivate and steward relationships with individual donors, foundations, corporations, alumni, and community partners
• Lead grant strategy, writing, reporting, and stewardship
• Partner with board members to identify and cultivate prospective donors and sponsors
• Support and participate in fundraising campaigns and special events
• Represent ABC Andover positively throughout the community as the organization's primary ambassador
• Work closely with the Communications Committee to ensure consistent messaging, marketing, and public relations

Community Partnership and Communication

• Build strong partnerships with board members, committee chairs, volunteers, alumni, and the greater ABC community
• Foster a culture of proactive, transparent, and timely communication throughout the organization
• Ensure the Governing Board receives regular updates on organizational priorities, operational issues, fundraising progress, staffing, and Scholar-related matters
• Escalate significant operational, residential, personnel, or Scholar issues promptly
• Effectively recruit, engage, and utilize board members, committee members, volunteers, alumni, and Host Families
• Build an organizational culture of collaboration, accountability, responsiveness, and continuous improvement

Qualifications

• 10 or more years of progressively responsible leadership experience in a nonprofit, educational, residential, or other mission-driven organization
• Demonstrated success supervising and developing staff
• Experience partnering effectively with a volunteer Board of Directors
• Proven fundraising experience, including major gifts, grant writing, donor stewardship, and community partnerships
• Strong financial management experience, including budgeting and organizational oversight
• Exceptional project management and organizational skills
• Outstanding written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• Experience working with youth, particularly in educational or residential settings, is strongly preferred
• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred

What Makes Someone Successful in This Role

• Build trusting relationships with Scholars, staff, families, volunteers, board members, donors, and community partners
• Lead through collaboration rather than individual execution
• Create systems that improve communication, accountability, and organizational effectiveness
• Delegate appropriately while maintaining strong oversight and accountability
• Communicate proactively, transparently, and consistently
• Balance the immediate needs of the residential program with the long-term growth of the organization
• Inspire confidence through sound judgment, follow-through, and integrity
• Keep the mission and the success of every Scholar at the center of every decision
• Execution-focused and adaptable -- able to manage competing priorities, pivot when circumstances change, and still deliver results.

Compensation and Benefits

• Salary: $80,000 annually
• Benefits include health insurance assistance, paid time off, and other benefits established by Board policy
• Schedule: Full-time with occasional evening and weekend responsibilities
• Location: Based at the ABC House in Andover, Massachusetts with flexibility during non-program hours. Approximately 20 hours per week on-site during the academic year

Why Join ABC Andover?

This is an opportunity to lead one of the nation's longest-running A Better Chance community school programs and make a lasting difference in the lives of exceptional young women.

You will work alongside a dedicated Governing Board, an engaged community of volunteers, committed residential staff, and a network of alumni and supporters who believe deeply in the mission.

This is not a desk job. It is a calling. If that resonates, we want to meet you.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit a resume and a cover letter that tells us why this role and this organization. We are looking for leaders who are genuinely excited about this work -- not just qualified for it. Those who apply directly to the email below versus using "LinkedIn apply" will be highly considered. Applications that do not include a cover letter will not be considered. Please send your materials to: president@andoverabc.org

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We encourage you to apply early.

A Better Chance of Andover is an equal opportunity organization. We are committed to building a team that reflects the diversity of the Scholars we serve. abcandover.org