Chief Executive Officer

NWA Equality; Fayetteville (AR); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The NWA Equality Center seeks a visionary Chief Executive Officer to lead strategy, operations, and external relations in Northwest Arkansas.

You will steward fundraising efforts, serve as the organization’s primary spokesperson, and partner with the Board to advance LGBTQ+ advocacy and community programs. This full-time role requires executive leadership experience in nonprofits and a deep commitment to the region's inclusive mission.

Qualifications

• Proven fundraising success with major gifts and donor portfolios.
• Strategic acumen to transition founder- or volunteer-led organizations into a professional structure.
• Deep alignment with the LGBTQ+ community and Northwest Arkansas context.
• Executive experience as CEO/Executive Director in nonprofit or mission-driven orgs.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & External Affairs: lead planning and public representation.
• Primarily responsible for fundraising and development activities.
• Oversee COO and HR; implement board policies and ensure accountability.
• Budget development and reporting; present annual operating plan to Board.

Skills

Fundraising

Strategic Leadership

Public Speaking

Relationship Building

Nonprofit Leadership

Job description

The CEO is the Organization’s principal executive officer, responsible for the general supervision over the administration, personnel, and strategic execution of NWA Equality Center. Reporting directly to the Board of Directors, the CEO serves as the primary visionary and external representative.

Crucially, the CEO holds sole responsibility for high-level relationship management and fundraising, ensuring the COO is empowered to focus exclusively on internal operations and program delivery.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & External Affairs

• Visionary Leadership: Lead the strategic planning process to define the future of LGBTQ+ advocacy and support in Northwest Arkansas.
• Primary Spokesperson: Represent NWA Equality Center in all public, private, and governmental matters. The CEO serves as the "voice" of the organization to the media, donors, and community partners.
• Fundraising & Development: Own the organization's revenue strategy. This includes major gift solicitation, corporate sponsorships, and capital campaign leadership.
• Community Partnerships: Cultivate and maintain high-level relationships with regional stakeholders, including philanthropic organizations, local municipalities, and peer non-profits.

Management & Personnel

• Executive Supervision: Provide direct supervision to the Chief Operating Officer (COO), ensuring operational goals align with the broader strategic vision.
• Human Resources: Oversee the employment, evaluation, and discharge of all staff and contractors.
• Policy Implementation: Execute all policies and initiatives adopted by the Board, serving as the bridge between governance and execution.
• Budget Development: Prepare (in coordination with the COO) and present an annual operating budget for Board approval during the third quarter of each fiscal year.
• Revenue Generation: Ensure the organization meets or exceeds annual fundraising targets to sustain and expand NWA Equality Center’s mission.
• Contractual Authority: Negotiate and execute all grants, contracts, and legal instruments. While the CEO may delegate specific administrative tasks to the COO, the CEO remains the final signatory and authority.

Board Governance

• Liaison: Serve as the principal link between the Board of Directors and the staff.
• Committee Engagement: Serve as a voting ex officio member of all committees, providing the strategic context necessary for committee success.
• Reporting: Provide regular, transparent updates to the Board regarding the financial health, strategic progress, and community impact of the organization.

Reporting Structure & Terms

• Reports to: The Board of Directors
• Performance Evaluation: Conducted annually by the Board during the third quarter, focused on fundraising milestones, strategic plan benchmarks, and community impact.
• Terms of Employment: A compensated, full-time position with a written employment agreement. The initial term will be between one (1) year, renewable by Board resolution for terms up to three (3) years in length.

Qualifications

• Proven Fundraising Success: A documented track record of securing sustaining grants, major gifts and managing donor portfolios.
• Strategic Acumen: Experience transitioning an organization from a "founder" or "volunteer-led" phase into a mature professional structure.
• Community Connection: Deep alignment with the LGBTQ+ community and an understanding of the unique cultural landscape of Northwest Arkansas.
• Executive Experience: Prior experience in a CEO, Executive Director, or senior development role within a non-profit or mission-driven organization.