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Executive Director

Are you enthusiastic about making a difference in the lives of young people? Are you passionate about shaping the future through innovative STEM education? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you!

Challenger Center for Space Science Education is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization that inspires, engages, and prepares today’s students for the future through innovative K-12 science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education programs. Their global network gives thousands of students each year the opportunity to become scientists, engineers, and innovators and work together on inspiring missions like finding life on Mars or preserving ocean species. Through their programs, students apply STEM concepts in the context of real-world challenges; they are exposed to a range of STEM careers, and they practice essential skills like teamwork, communication, and problem-solving. 

Best-in-Class Benefits and Perks:

We value our employees’ time and efforts. Our commitment to your success is enhanced by competitive compensation of $150K - $200K, depending on experience, and an extensive benefits package including:

• Comprehensive health coverage: Medical, dental, and vision insurance provided
• Robust retirement planning: 401(k) plan available with employer matching
• Financial security: Life and disability insurance for added protection
• Flexible financial options: Health savings and flexible spending accounts offered
• Well-being and work-life balance: Paid time off and holidays, paid family leave, flexible schedule, and remote work choices provided
• Growth and Professional Opportunities: Employee assistance program and professional development assistance
• Additional Workplace Perks!

Plus, we work to maintain the best environment for our employees, where people can learn and grow with the company. We strive to provide a collaborative, creative environment where everyone feels encouraged to contribute to our processes, decisions, planning, and culture.

As the Executive Director, you will report directly to the Chairman of the Board of Directors and be a poised, proven, results-oriented leader of people, teams, and organizations. You will provide the organization with strategic leadership and bear ultimate responsibility for the organization's brand, public image, fundraising, educational programs, operations, and staff.   Overseeing a current annual budget of more than $4 million annually, you will champion the management team and provide day-to-day oversight of the organization. In tandem with the Board and staff, you will be expected to implement a comprehensive strategy that meets the organization's future goals. In addition, you will be held accountable for relationships with elected officials, corporate executives, STEM-related experts, media, and other critical external audiences to build positive brand awareness as a leading organization in STEM education and for generating substantial operating funds through private and government grants, and corporate and individual donations.

Lastly, as the Executive Director, you will be responsible for effectively stewarding the organization's existing human and financial resources and identifying and attracting new opportunities.

To be successful, you should have:

• Education & Experience: A Bachelor’s degree is required.  An advanced degree in a related field (Nonprofit Management, Business, or Education) is a plus. 15+ years of experience is desired.
• Leadership & Management Skills, Values & Dei Commitment: The Executive Director will possess a collaborative management & leadership style and commitment to building internal leadership that fosters mentorship, accountability, respect and mutual learning.  They will be adept at executive coaching skills for senior level subordinates that fosters organizational strength and results and will have experience leading senior level staff. They will be a transparent decision maker who invites feedback and solicits information to make timely, data-driven decisions.  They will be a powerful and clear communicator who values transparency and clarity.  They will be able to lead through a DEI lens, with a commitment to embedding diversity, equity and inclusion into the organizational culture, practices and decision making.  
• Fundraising & External Relations: The Executive Director will be a strong advocate for education and engaging students in STEM. He/She will have significant experience and a proven track record in nonprofit fundraising, especially with major gifts and capital campaigns. They will be a fearless fundraiser, willing to proactively seek new funding opportunities and regularly partner with the development team.  They will have demonstrated experience & success in identifying & developing strategic, diverse partnerships and building relationships as well as excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and the ability to engage diverse stakeholders.  
• Organizational Management Experience: The Executive Director will uphold and continue to foster an organizational culture grounded in equity, trust, respect, transparency, accountability and clear communication.  They will bring a sophisticated and collaborative approach to managing leaders and staff through accountability, mentorship and feedback. The Executive Director must possess high emotional intelligence and will embrace the strengths, commitment, and passion of a high performing team and build collaboration and synergy toward a shared vision. The Executive Director will leverage a strong business acumen to drive strategy and execution, maintaining Challenger Center STEM momentum and ensuring alignment of staff and board around growth targets and goals.  
• Board Relations & Governance: The Executive Director, in collaboration with the Board Chair, will facilitate board alignment on key decisions and strategic direction.  They will partner with the Board to create opportunities for engagement, leveraging their diverse personal and professional background, experiences, and relationships to ensure continued growth of Challenger Center. The Executive Director will support effective Board governance, ensuring continued leadership and representation by building a representative stream of new board members that leverages cross-sector and national relationships.

Your key responsibilities as the Executive Director include:

• Plan, organize, and direct the organization’s operations and programs.
• Champion fundraising efforts, including personally cultivating major donors and helping to secure significant high-financial-level gifts.
• Provide vision and skill in identifying market trends, capitalizing on these opportunities promptly and consistently with the vision and strategic plan.
• Serve as the chief steward of the organization’s strategic plan, ensuring its alignment with stated goals and benchmarks.
• Work with the management team to strengthen the network of learning centers in terms of outreach, educational materials, operations, and financial health.
• Motivate and lead a high-performance leadership team.
• Build a high-quality and efficient infrastructure to support the organization’s fundraising, program development, and operational aspects.

More about our client:

Our client is an international non-profit 501©(3) education organization founded in 1986 by the families of the astronauts tragically lost in the Challenger 51-L mission. Dedicated to the educational spirit of that mission, their programs continue the crew’s mission of engaging students in science, math, engineering, and technology (STEM).

Using space exploration as a theme and simulations as a vehicle, they create student experiences through a network of learning centers and virtual classroom experiences, reaching hundreds of thousands of learners each year. The learning centers create immersive learning experiences that raise student expectations for success, foster a long-term interest in STEM, and inspire students to pursue studies and careers in these fields. More than 6 million students have experienced our client’s program since our founding in 1986.

Today, 34 learning centers are located throughout the United States and South Korea, and they are most often partnered with community colleges, museums, and universities. As the financial resources of schools continue to face reductions and “field trips” become more complex, our client and its learning centers will offer virtual and portable venues to ensure immersive learning continues in the classrooms of tomorrow.  Equally important, they aspire to dramatically expand their reach to students in underserved regions of the country who would otherwise never have an opportunity to visit one of the traditional learning centers.  

Our client is an equal-opportunity employer that welcomes and encourages diversity in the workplace. It does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.