Description

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) serves as the chief strategic leader and public representative of the Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation. The CEO is accountable to the Board of Directors for advancing the Foundation’s mission, vision, and long-term sustainability by providing strategic direction, strengthening philanthropy, ensuring effective governance, and cultivating relationships that support thriving communities across Northwest Kansas.

The CEO leads strategy, outcomes, and organizational integrity, while delegating operational execution and systems management to the Chief Operating Officer (COO) and department directors.

Duties/Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership & Vision

Develop, steward, and advance the long-term vision and strategic priorities of GNWKCF in partnership with the Board and executive leadership.
Identify and monitor a succession plan for all key positions within GNWKCF home office.
Ensure strategic plans translate into measurable outcomes that strengthen affiliates, donors, and communities.
Regularly assess organizational performance, external trends, and regional needs to inform strategic direction.
Champion a mission-driven, values-based organizational culture.
Provide inspirational leadership and direction to Foundation staff. Nurture the relationship with each individual, ensuring continued growth and efficient management of the organization.
In partnership with the Board, help build a diverse and inclusive Board of Directors that is representative of the community, highly engaged, and willing to leverage and secure resources.
 

Governance & Compliance

Serve as the primary liaison and strategic partner to the Board of Directors.
Support the Board in fulfilling its governance responsibilities, including fiduciary oversight, policy development, and strategic guidance.
Provide timely, accurate, and meaningful information to support informed Board decision-making.
Facilitate Board engagement, education, and leadership development.
Ensure alignment between Board direction and organizational strategy.
 

Risk Oversight & Organizational Integrity

Maintain accountability for organizational risk management, legal compliance, and ethical standards.
Ensure compliance with bylaws, affiliate agreements, supporting organization agreements, and regulatory requirements.
Uphold transparency, integrity, and public trust.
Serve as the primary executive accountable to the Board for organizational compliance and reputation.
Escalate significant risks or compliance concerns to the Board in a timely manner.
 

Financial Oversight & Investment Understanding

Work closely with the Director of Finance to ensure financial health and sustainability.
Monitor financial reports and oversee budget planning and implementation. Monitor investment performance in concert with investment committee. 
Grow the Foundation’s assets and operational endowment to support the organization’s long- term sustainability, as well as the needs of the Foundation’s affiliates.
 

Philanthropic Leadership and Donor Strategy

Lead the Foundation’s overall philanthropic vision and donor engagement strategy.
Cultivate and steward key donor relationships, fund advisors, and major contributors.
Be the primary external face of the Foundation; effectively represent GNWKCF as a trusted philanthropic partner and regional leader.
Stay informed of philanthropic trends, planned giving strategies, and regulatory considerations impacting charitable giving.
Collaborate with the COO and Directors to ensure donor strategies are supported by strong systems and execution.
 

Affiliate Strategy & Regional Leadership

Provide strategic leadership to GNWKCF’s affiliate network, reinforcing confidence, alignment, and shared purpose.
Represent the Foundation and its affiliates at regional, state, and national levels.
Strengthen partnerships with private foundations, nonprofit organizations, governmental entities, and community leaders.
Ensure affiliate relationships support the Foundation’s mission, growth, and reputation.
Maintain high-level visibility with affiliates while delegating operational affiliate support to appropriate Directors.
Facilitate annual relationship review with all affiliates and supporting organizations. 
 

Director Leadership & Support

Directly supervise and support Directors as functional owners.
Ensure Directors:
Clearly understand what they own
Are protected from task overload
Have the authority needed to lead
Facilitate cross-department coordination and problem-solving.
Hold Directors accountable for outcomes, not just activity.
 

Executive Oversight & Accountability

Hire, support, and evaluate the Chief Operating Officer and department directors.
Clearly communicate expectations and performance outcomes to executive leadership.
Hold the staff accountable for operational excellence, compliance, and execution of strategic priorities.
Ensure organizational structure supports sustainability, accountability, and staff effectiveness.
Foster a collaborative, high-performing leadership team.
 

Decision Authority

The CEO has authority to:

Set organizational strategy and priorities.
Make executive-level decisions impacting mission, reputation, and long-term sustainability.
Represent the organization externally on strategic and philanthropic matters.
 

Collaboration & Escalation

Works in close partnership with the COO to ensure alignment between strategy and execution.
Engages Directors for visibility and alignment, not operational management.
Escalates matters to the Board when issues impact governance, fiduciary responsibility, or organizational risk.
 

Performance Evaluation

The CEO is evaluated by the Board based on:

Strategic leadership and mission advancement
Board partnership and governance effectiveness
Philanthropic leadership and donor engagement outcomes
Affiliate confidence and regional leadership
Organizational culture and leadership effectiveness
Risk oversight and integrity
Evaluations are outcome-based and aligned with the Foundation’s strategic priorities.

Requirements

Required Skills & Abilities:

Visionary and strategic thinking
Strong governance and board partnership skills
Excellent written and verbal communication
Ability to inspire trust and confidence among diverse stakeholders
Decisive, calm leadership in complex environments
Strong financial and organizational management experience; knowledge of financial instruments, rules, regulations and standards for Community Foundations
Ability to meet deadlines and motivate others to do so in a highly collaborative environment
Must live in or be willing to relocate to one of the 15 counties we serve (Cheyenne, Decatur, Ellsworth, Gove, Graham, Logan, Norton, Osborne, Phillips, Rawlins, Russell, Sheridan, Sherman, Thomas, or Wallace County). 
 

Education & Experience:

Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Public Administration, or a related field (preferred) OR equivalent experience in philanthropy and/or nonprofit leadership.
Demonstrated expertise in strategic planning, financial management, governance, and fundraising.
 

Physical Requirements:

Prolonged periods sitting/standing at a desk and working on a computer.
Ability to lift up to 15 pounds occasionally.
Frequent travel required for networking and relationship building with current and future stakeholders.

APPLY AT https://gnwkcf.bamboohr.com/careers/41