Executive Director/Nonprofit Leadership, Fundraising, Sponsorship, Donors (Ridgefield ABC)

Executive Director | Nonprofit Leadership, Fundraising, Educational Equity & Community ImpactRidgefield A Better Chance (RABC)

Ridgefield A Better Chance (RABC) is part of the national A Better Chance network, one of the nation’s leading educational equity organizations dedicated to increasing access to high-quality college preparatory education for academically talented students of color.

Since 1987, Ridgefield ABC has empowered young women of color through educational opportunity, leadership development, academic enrichment, and community support. Scholars live in a residential setting supported by residential directors, academic advisors, host families, college counseling, and dedicated volunteers while attending the academically rigorous Ridgefield High School.

Ridgefield ABC is a respected and mission-driven nonprofit organization with a highly engaged Board of Directors and strong community support. We are seeking a dynamic, relationship-centered Executive Director to lead fundraising, nonprofit operations, strategic growth, community engagement, student-centered programming, and organizational leadership.

The Executive Director reports directly to the Board President and works collaboratively with the Board of Directors, volunteers, staff, families, community stakeholders, and national ABC partners.

Position Overview

Executive Director

The Executive Director is the chief executive and strategic leader of Ridgefield ABC, responsible for advancing the organization's mission by strengthening fundraising, cultivating donor and community relationships, overseeing operations and financial stewardship, supporting student success, and partnering with the Board to ensure long-term sustainability and growth.

The successful candidate is a collaborative, relationship-driven nonprofit executive with a demonstrated track record in fundraising, organizational leadership, financial management, team development, and community engagement. They are passionate about educational opportunity, student achievement, leadership development, and creating an inclusive environment where scholars can thrive.

Key ResponsibilitiesFundraising & Resource Development

• Lead the organization's fundraising strategy to ensure long-term financial sustainability.
• Cultivate, solicit, steward, and retain individual donors, foundations, corporate partners, and community supporters.
• Partner with the Board and Fundraising Committee to execute annual giving campaigns, sponsorships, fundraising events, and major gift initiatives.
• Identify and pursue grant opportunities while supporting proposal development and reporting.
• Build a robust donor pipeline and strengthen long-term philanthropic relationships.
• Develop innovative revenue strategies that expand organizational capacity and mission impact.

Strategic Leadership

• Serve as the organization's primary strategic leader and public ambassador.
• Lead implementation of the strategic plan while identifying opportunities for future growth and innovation.
• Foster a collaborative, mission-focused culture centered on educational excellence, belonging, accountability, and student success.
• Build strategic partnerships that increase organizational visibility, strengthen community engagement, and expand opportunities for scholars.
• Continuously evaluate organizational effectiveness and drive continuous improvement.

Operations & Financial Management

• Oversee all organizational operations, administrative systems, and day-to-day management.
• Partner with the Treasurer and Finance Committee to develop and monitor annual budgets and financial forecasts.
• Ensure sound fiscal stewardship, financial transparency, and compliance with nonprofit regulations and grant requirements.
• Establish efficient operational systems, organizational policies, and performance metrics.
• Maintain appropriate risk management and internal controls.

People Leadership

• Recruit, supervise, coach, and develop staff, resident staff, and volunteers.
• Create a culture of collaboration, accountability, professional growth, and high performance.
• Strengthen volunteer engagement and create meaningful leadership opportunities for community members.
• Ensure personnel practices support organizational excellence and mission achievement.

Community Relations & Communications

• Serve as the primary spokesperson and representative of Ridgefield ABC.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with students, families, alumni, volunteers, schools, donors, civic leaders, and community partners.
• Partner with the Communications Committee to elevate the organization's visibility through storytelling, media relations, digital communications, and community outreach.
• Represent Ridgefield ABC at community events, speaking engagements, and partnership meetings.

Student-Centered Leadership

• Foster a supportive, inclusive environment where scholars are empowered to succeed academically and personally.
• Respond to sensitive situations with professionalism, empathy, sound judgment, and integrity.
• Collaborate with resident staff and program leaders to ensure student well-being remains at the center of organizational decision-making.
• Promote a culture grounded in safety, belonging, leadership, and educational opportunity.

Board Partnership & Governance

The Executive Director serves as the Board of Directors' primary strategic partner and works closely with Board leadership to advance the organization's mission and governance responsibilities.

Responsibilities include:

• Supporting implementation of the Board's strategic priorities.
• Providing regular reports on organizational performance, finances, fundraising, and program outcomes.
• Partnering with Board committees on fundraising, governance, strategic planning, and organizational sustainability.
• Preparing materials for Board and committee meetings and ensuring effective communication between the Board and staff.
• Supporting strong governance practices through transparency, accountability, and collaborative leadership.

Candidate Qualifications

• Minimum 5–7 years of nonprofit leadership experience in roles such as Executive Director, Development Director, Director of Advancement, Director of Development, or similar leadership positions
• Demonstrated success in nonprofit fundraising, donor cultivation, sponsorship development, and community engagement
• Proven ability to secure and steward major donors, business partners, and philanthropic relationships
• Experience leading fundraising campaigns, donor stewardship strategies, annual giving efforts, and fundraising events
• Strong nonprofit operational leadership, budget management, financial oversight, and organizational management experience
• Demonstrated experience collaborating with and supporting a Board of Directors
• Experience with strategic planning, organizational growth, and mission-driven leadership
• Excellent verbal, written, interpersonal, and presentation skills
• Demonstrated success supervising, mentoring, and supporting staff and volunteers
• Experience using CRM systems, donor databases, fundraising software, Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, and digital communication platforms preferred
• Action-oriented, adaptable, collaborative, and innovative leadership style
• Strong commitment to educational equity, diversity, inclusion, belonging, and student success
• Ability to work effectively with diverse communities and stakeholders from varying social and economic backgrounds

Position Details

• Full-time exempt position
• Hybrid schedule with flexible remote work options
• Part-time on-site presence required in Ridgefield, CT
• Evening Board meetings held monthly
• Vacation and remote scheduling aligned with the Ridgefield High School academic calendar

We recognize that strong candidates may not meet every qualification listed above. If you are excited about the mission and believe you could thrive in this role, we encourage you to apply.

Compensation & Benefits

• Starting salary: $75,000 commensurate with experience
• Flexible schedule
• Paid time off
• Sick leave in accordance with Connecticut state guidelines

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Ridgefield, CT 06877

How to Apply

Please submit a resume and brief cover letter outlining your fundraising, nonprofit leadership, and community engagement experience to:

jobposting@pearlhernandezconsulting.org

Subject Line: Ridgefield ED

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $75,000.00 per year

Ability to Commute:

• Ridgefield, CT 06877 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Ridgefield, CT 06877: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Ridgefield, CT 06877

Salary : $75,000