Chief Executive Officer

Fahrenheit Advisors; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthy work-life balance for staff

Job summary

An executive search firm is seeking a Chief Executive Officer for a prominent education nonprofit in Richmond, Virginia. The ideal candidate will lead a high-impact organization dedicated to supporting students and will be responsible for driving a five-year strategic plan. This role requires extensive experience in education or nonprofit management, with a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. A strategic and visionary leader is sought to foster relationships and manage a significant budget, making a lasting impact on the community.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7+ years of executive leadership experience.
• Deep understanding of Richmond's racial, political, and educational landscape.
• Experience working with public schools, especially in Virginia.

Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation of CIS Richmond’s 2023–2028 Strategic Plan.
• Champion a student-centered service delivery model.
• Foster a culture of innovation and excellence.

Skills

Proven leadership experience in education or nonprofit management

Demonstrated success in fundraising and advocacy

Strong operational and financial management skills

Education

Undergraduate and graduate degrees

Job description

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Fahrenheit Advisors is proud to be leading the search for the next CEO of Communities in Schools in Richmond VA. This is an incredibly high-impact role leading a well-respected and highly functioning organization doing critical work in Richmond and Henrico public school systems.

Position Summary

Communities In Schools of Richmond (CIS Richmond) seeks a visionary, community-rooted, and equity-driven leader to serve as its next President & CEO. The CEO will lead a trusted, high-impact organization that partners with Richmond and Henrico public schools to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. The CEO will be responsible for executing a bold five-year strategic plan focused on deepening student-centered services, expanding regional reach, and strengthening organizational sustainability. This position reports to the Board of Directors and is based on-site in a beautiful office in Richmond, Virginia. CIS is currently serving 20,000 students / 2,400 case managed across 42 schools with a dedicated team of 65. This CEO will be responsible for a $5.3M budget.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation of CIS Richmond’s 2023–2028 Strategic Plan, ensuring alignment with mission, values, and measurable outcomes
• Champion a student-centered service delivery model that integrates social-emotional development, data-informed practices, and long-term engagements
• Foster a culture of innovation, empathy, and excellence across the organization
• Build and sustain trust-based relationships with school district leadership, principals, families, donors, city and county officials, and community partners
• Serve as a connector across sectors to broker resources and drive collective impact
• Represent CIS Richmond as a credible, visible, and respected voice in education and youth development
• Lead fundraising strategy in partnership with the development team, maintaining and growing relationships with public and private funders
• Advocate for CIS Richmond with city council, school boards, and other government entities to secure appropriations and policy support
• Leverage board relationships and networks to expand philanthropic and strategic partnerships
• Oversee day-to-day operations, ensuring program fidelity, financial health, and staff well-being
• Build and maintain a high-performing, mission-driven team with a strong culture of trust, recognition, and accountability
• Ensure compliance with all regulatory, financial, and data reporting requirements
• Partner with the Board of Directors to set strategic direction, monitor progress, and cultivate a culture of philanthropy and governance
• Engage board members in meaningful ways, including potential reactivation of school-based partnership

Candidate Profile

Required Experience & Skills

• Proven leadership experience in education, nonprofit management, or a related field, ideally with urban school systems or trauma-informed youth service
• Demonstrated success in fundraising, advocacy, and stakeholder engagement
• Deep understanding of Richmond’s racial, political, and educational landscape—or similar urban contexts
• Politically savvy and comfortable navigating government systems and community dynamics
• Strong operational and financial management skills, including HR oversight and data-informed decision-making

Preferred Qualifications

• Undergraduate and graduate degrees required
• Minimum of 7+ years of executive leadership experience
• Experience working with public schools, especially in Virginia
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of leadership
• Empathetic, accessible, and hands‑off management style that empowers staff and honors their lived experiences

Personal Attributes

• Passionate about youth and education
• Bold, optimistic, and resilient
• Excellent communicator and relationship builder
• Not seeking a stepping-stone—committed to long-term impact
• While the CEO role demands high visibility and availability—including evenings and weekends—the organization prioritizes a healthy work‑life balance for staff and expects the CEO to lead with empathy and respect for those boundaries

*** Job is being posted now for review, but interviews will not officially begin until January 2026