Chief Executive Officer

WRTP | BIG STEP; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 150,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Job summary

WRTP | BIG STEP is seeking a seasoned Chief Executive Officer to guide a fifty-year-old workforce nonprofit into its next chapter. You will set strategy, lead staff, ensure financial sustainability, and steward fundraising, grants, and partnerships with employers, labor, government, philanthropy, and education sectors.

As the external ambassador, you will advance workforce development initiatives, strengthen board relations, and build broad stakeholder support while maintaining a bold focus on

Qualifications

• 5–7+ years of progressive executive leadership experience in a complex, mission-driven environment.
• A track record of leading people and organizations through change, growth, or transition.
• 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.

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.
• Manage Board partnership and governance; build relationships with employers, labor, education, government, philanthropy, and communities.
• Serve as an external ambassador engaging with staff, partners, funders, policymakers, and the public.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Fundraising

Board governance

Public speaking

Financial management

Stakeholder engagement

Team building

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

Lead a respected workforce institution into its next chapter.

WRTP | BIG STEP is seeking an accomplished, strategic, collaborative, and mission-driven Chief Executive Officer to lead an organization with a fifty-year history of connecting employers, labor, education, government, philanthropy, and communities to expand access to family-supporting careers and strengthen Wisconsin's workforce.

This is an opportunity for a leader who can build on a strong foundation while bringing clarity, alignment, and momentum to the organization's next chapter.

The Opportunity

• Reporting to an engaged Board of Directors, the CEO will provide overall leadership for:
• Organizational strategy and execution
• Staff leadership, culture, and performance
• Financial stewardship, budgeting, and sustainability
• Fundraising, grants, foundations, and revenue development
• Board partnership and governance
• Employer, labor, education, government, philanthropic, and community relationships
• Public representation and industry leadership

The CEO will be a highly visible ambassador for WRTP | BIG STEP, engaging regularly with staff, employers, labor leaders, funders, policymakers, government officials, community partners, and the public.

The Leader

• 5–7+ years of progressive executive leadership experience in a complex, mission-driven environment
• A record of leading people and 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
• The ability to navigate diverse perspectives and build common ground across stakeholders
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and professional experience; advanced degree preferred

Experience in workforce development, economic development, education, labor-management partnerships, skilled trades, manufacturing, public-sector workforce initiatives, philanthropy, or nonprofit leadership is strongly preferred.

Most importantly, WRTP | BIG STEP seeks a leader who combines strategic thinking with practical execution, executive presence with humility, and strong business judgment with a genuine passion for mission.

What Success Looks Like

• Clear strategic direction and organizational alignment
• A confident, engaged, and accountable team
• Strong financial sustainability and diversified revenue
• Expanded philanthropic, government, corporate, and strategic partnerships
• Measurable workforce and economic mobility impact
• Continued growth in WRTP | BIG STEP's statewide and national influence

Location & Travel

Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Approximately 10–20% travel, primarily throughout Wisconsin, including Madison and other statewide locations, with periodic national travel, including Washington, D.C.

Evening and occasional weekend commitments should be expected.

Health, vision, dental, life, short-term and long-term disability insurance, paid time off, paid holidays, and retirement contribution.

WRTP | BIG STEP is an equal opportunity and ADA-compliant employer.