CEO, Workforce Development & Strategic Growth

MRA Recruiting Services; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, vision, dental, life insurance

Paid time off & holidays

Retirement contribution

Job summary

WRTP | BIG STEP is seeking a Chief Executive Officer to lead a fifty-year-old workforce development organization in Milwaukee, WI. The CEO will drive strategy, fundraising, and external relations while stewarding finances and organizational performance.

The leader will engage with staff, the Board, employers, labor, government bodies, and communities to advance workforce development and economic mobility across Wisconsin and beyond.

Qualifications

• 5-7+ years of progressive executive leadership in a mission-driven environment.
• Proven ability to lead organizations through change, growth, or transition.
• Strong financial, budgeting, and organizational management skills.
• Experience with fundraising, grants, foundations, government funding, or revenue development.
• Experience working effectively with a Board of Directors.
• Exceptional communication, public speaking, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to navigate diverse perspectives and build common ground across stakeholders.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination; advanced degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership for organizational strategy and execution.
• Lead staff, culture, and performance.
• Oversee financial stewardship, budgeting, and sustainability.
• Drive fundraising, grants, foundations, and revenue development.
• Foster Board partnership and governance.
• Build relationships with employers, labor, education, government, and communities.
• Represent WRTP | BIG STEP publicly and with credibility.
• Create clarity, alignment, and momentum for the organization's next chapter.

Skills

Executive leadership

Change management

Financial management

Fundraising

Board governance

Public speaking

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

WRTP | BIG STEP is seeking a Chief Executive Officer to lead a fifty-year-old workforce development organization in Milwaukee, WI. The CEO will drive strategy, fundraising, and external relations while stewarding finances and organizational performance.

The leader will engage with staff, the Board, employers, labor, government bodies, and communities to advance workforce development and economic mobility across Wisconsin and beyond.