Executive Director (Hybrid)

The Illinois Center for Employee Ownership (ILCEO) is the state’s leading non-profit resource for education, guidance, and support on employee ownership. As part of the national Employee Ownership Expansion Network (EOX), we serve as Illinois’s central hub for free, unbiased information about how business owners can transition to employee ownership.Our mission is simple: to help business owners, employees, and communities understand the power of shared ownership. Through education, outreach, and partnerships, we promote models like Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs), Worker Cooperatives, and Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs)—proven strategies that preserve businesses, protect jobs, and build community wealth.ILCEO offers practical tools and trusted connections—articles, case studies, expert resources, and referrals to qualified professionals—to make every ownership transition informed, successful, and sustainable.Position OverviewThe Executive Director is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the Center’s operations, including strategic planning, program management, fundraising, financial management, staff leadership, and community engagement, while ensuring the organization effectively fulfills its mission by collaborating closely with the board of directors and representing the organization publicly. The Executive Director carries out the vision and mission of the organization.Responsibilities Strategy and LeadershipWorking in partnership with the Board of Directors to create the Center’s strategic plan and implement new processes and approaches to achieve itIdentify, hire and manage effective team members and contractors to support the strategyMaintain strong communication with the board of directors, providing regular updates on organizational performance, and ensuring alignment between the board's vision and operational executionIdentify, hire and manage effective team members to support the strategyProvide for all staff and partners a strong day-to-day leadership presenceReview, design, and execute improvements to organizational structure; find knowledge and skills gaps and help address themRepresent the Center publiclyFundraisingEnsure the financial sustainability and stability of the organizationIdentify fundraising targets and lead efforts to raise funds, including but not limited to corporate, individual, foundation, and municipal grantsManage grants, including tracking key metrics and completing grant reports in a timely fashionFinancial ManagementOversee the organizational budget with approval from the board of directors ensuring alignment with the vision and mission of the organizationAdminister and review all financial plans and budgets; monitor progress and changes; and keep the board informed of the organization’s financial statusCoordinate and lead the annual audit process, liaise with external auditors and the finance committee of the board of directors; assess any changes necessaryMaintain and execute financial policies procedures, accounts payable and receivable, including contractsPartnership and Business Development Lead outreach and cultivate relationships with potential audiences, including business networking groups, community groups (i.e. chamber of commerce), business advisors, educational institutions and state/local government.Cultivate relationships within the professional and service provider communityBuild on existing deep roots in business and community ecosystemsCultivate relationships within government & educationOrganize stakeholder conveningsImplement outreach on succession planning and employee ownership to the business communityDevelop and facilitate educational events to help spread awareness of employee ownership across the stateCreate and maintain a database of contacts and upload to Center’s CRM.Submit periodic reports, as requested.Attend conferences on behalf of organizationMarketing and OutreachImplement outreach to the business communityConduct marketing and PR effortsDevelop and manage web and social media plansCreate materials for advertising, conferences and displaysDevelop toolkits, templates and presentations to assist business leadersParticipate in conferences and exhibitionsOperations and Human ResourcesDevelops and implements operational efficiencies, including policies and proceduresManages all HR, including benefits administration, payroll, business registrations, tax submissions, insurance requirements, etc.Ensures organization is in good legal standingManage risk and insuranceLead the performance management process that measures and evaluates progress against goals for the organizationServe as liaison with organization climate, employee well-being, project updates, proposals, and planningQualifications and ExperienceCommitment to social and economic equityFinancial literacy and proven ability to create and manage budgetsExperience interacting and reporting to a board of directors, including building and executing on strategic plansTrack record of successful fundraising and/or grant writing and business developmentProven ability to lead a nonprofit organization or large department of a similar sizeExcellent written communication and public speaking skillsHands-on, engaging leadership styleStrategic thinker and builderConfident decision makingHigh personal standard of ethics and accountabilityExperience with grassroots organizing and advocacy a plusMarketing or public relations in mainly a business-to-business environment with some business to consumer experience helpful.Ability to build and execute social media strategy through competitive research, platform determination, benchmarking, messaging, and audience identification.Commitment to continuous learning and personal mastery of new skills/knowledgeDemonstrated ability to successfully work independentlyEntrepreneurialMission driven with high expectations for the quality of service providedComfortable managing teams and contractorsA bachelor’s degree or equivalent experienceMinimum of 7 years business or nonprofit managementDemonstrated leadership starting or building organizationsKnowledge of and openness to all forms of employee ownership, including Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs), worker cooperatives, employee ownership trustsHigh degree of familiarity and ability to work independently with Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite, and social media platformsCompensation and BenefitsJob Title: Executive DirectorReports to: Board of DirectorsCompensation Program: Competitive salary and benefits. Anticipated total salary and benefits package to range from $75,000 to $90,000 for FTE based on experience.Location: Chicagoland area (work from home or co-working office; significant in-person collaboration required)Travel: 20%-40% of the timeILCEO is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and establishing an inclusive and diverse workforce. Our workforce comes from a variety of different backgrounds, and we pride ourselves on hiring team members that have a commitment to social and economic equity.Company DescriptionThe Illinois Center for Employee Ownership (ILCEO) is the state’s leading non-profit resource for education, guidance, and support on employee ownership. As part of the national Employee Ownership Expansion Network (EOX), we serve as Illinois’s central hub for free, unbiased information about how business owners can transition to employee ownership.Our mission is simple: to help business owners, employees, and communities understand the power of shared ownership. Through education, outreach, and partnerships, we promote models like Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs), Worker Cooperatives, and Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs)—proven strategies that preserve businesses, protect jobs, and build community wealth.ILCEO offers practical tools and trusted connections—articles, case studies, expert resources, and referrals to qualified professionals—to make every ownership transition informed, successful, and sustainable.

Salary : $75,000 - $90,000