Overview

The Executive Director is responsible for fundraising, relationship management with key stakeholders, and the overall leadership of the AmeriCorps programs in Iowa.  This individual will set the vision and direction for the Iowa programs and will effectively lead their team to maximize impact for individuals served by the program, while also providing an exceptional service experience for our AmeriCorps members and partnering sites.  

 

This role does require some travel to Des Moines on occaison 

Responsibilities

Fundraising & Resource Development 

• Develop and execute an annual fundraising plan in collaboration with the Senior Vice President of Regional Leadership, achieving targeted revenue goals. 

• Cultivate and manage relationships with corporations, foundations, and donors to diversify and grow private sector revenue. 

• Lead grant writing strategies for philanthropic, state, and federal funding sources. 

• Engage the advisory board and key influencers to secure financial support and steward donor relationships. 

• Partner with marketing to strengthen brand presence and support fundraising communications. 

Relationship Management & External Engagement 

• Build and sustain strong relationships with funders, partners, government agencies, and community leaders to advance program success. 

• Represent the organization with external stakeholders, legislators, and educational leaders, advocating for program adoption and support. 

• Direct and oversee stakeholder visits and site engagement to deepen external partnerships. 

• Collaborate with the advisory board to ensure alignment with community, political, and educational landscapes. 

Program Growth & Leadership 

• Provide vision and leadership to ensure program fidelity, high-quality member and partner experiences, and compliance with AmeriCorps regulations. 

• Drive recruitment and retention strategies to meet enrollment and retention goals for AmeriCorps members. 

• Lead program expansion into new communities, ensuring readiness of new sites for successful implementation. 

• Oversee program budgets, aligning resources with fundraising targets and ensuring compliance with grant requirements. 

• Use program data and evaluation findings to inform continuous improvement and maximize student outcomes. 

Qualifications

Minimum Education 

• Bachelor’s degree  

Minimum Experience 

• 10+ years of leadership experience in organizational management, program management, or related field or industry. 

• Proven success in fundraising and strategic partnerships, with experience managing philanthropic and community relationships; deep local connections preferred. 

• Experience navigating public policy and political environments to build support and secure resources. 

• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute strategic plans and consistently achieve or exceed goals. 

• Strong communication skills with the ability to translate complex concepts into practical solutions. 

• Passion for service and mission-driven work that improves student and community outcomes. 

 

Physical Requirements 

This position requires the ability to: 

• Travel locally and statewide as needed to attend meetings 

• Communicate effectively with people/groups in multiple settings within and outside the organization 

• Effectively utilize existing and emerging technology to achieve required results 

• Transporting of moderately heavy objects up to 25 pounds