Executive Director

Ampact; Ames (IA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Ampact is seeking an Executive Director in Ames, Iowa to lead the AmeriCorps programs. You will set the vision and direct the team to maximize impact for individuals served, while delivering outstanding service to members and partnering sites.

Key duties include fundraising, relationship management with funders and stakeholders, program expansion, and ensuring compliance with AmeriCorps regulations. Occasional travel to Des Moines is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 10+ years of leadership in organizational management, program leadership, or related field.
• Proven success in fundraising and developing partnerships.
• Experience navigating public policy and political environments.
• Ability to develop and execute strategic plans and achieve goals.
• Strong written and verbal communication with stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute an annual fundraising plan to meet revenue goals.
• Cultivate relationships with corporations, foundations, and donors to diversify revenue.
• Lead grant writing strategies for philanthropic, state, and federal funding sources.
• Engage the advisory board and key influencers to secure support and steward donors.
• Represent the organization with external stakeholders and advocates for program adoption.
• Provide vision and leadership to ensure program fidelity and compliance with AmeriCorps regulations.
• Drive recruitment and retention strategies for AmeriCorps members.
• Oversee program budgets and alignment with fundraising targets.

Skills

Fundraising

Relationship management

Leadership

Strategic planning

Policy navigation

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Overview

The Executive Director is responsible for fundraising, relationship management with key stakeholders, and the overall leadership of the AmeriCorps programs in Iowa. This individual will set the vision and direction for the Iowa programs and will effectively lead their team to maximize impact for individuals served by the program, while also providing an exceptional service experience for our AmeriCorps members and partnering sites.

The Executive Director is responsible for fundraising, relationship management with key stakeholders, and the overall leadership of the AmeriCorps programs in Iowa. This individual will set the vision and direction for the Iowa programs and will effectively lead their team to maximize impact for individuals served by the program, while also providing an exceptional service experience for our AmeriCorps members and partnering sites.

This role does require some travel to Des Moines on occaison

Responsibilities

Fundraising & Resource Development

• Develop and execute an annual fundraising plan in collaboration with the Senior Vice President of Regional Leadership, achieving targeted revenue goals.
• Cultivate and manage relationships with corporations, foundations, and donors to diversify and grow private sector revenue.
• Lead grant writing strategies for philanthropic, state, and federal funding sources.
• Engage the advisory board and key influencers to secure financial support and steward donor relationships.
• Partner with marketing to strengthen brand presence and support fundraising communications.

Relationship Management & External Engagement

• Build and sustain strong relationships with funders, partners, government agencies, and community leaders to advance program success.
• Represent the organization with external stakeholders, legislators, and educational leaders, advocating for program adoption and support.
• Direct and oversee stakeholder visits and site engagement to deepen external partnerships.
• Collaborate with the advisory board to ensure alignment with community, political, and educational landscapes.

Program Growth & Leadership

• Provide vision and leadership to ensure program fidelity, high-quality member and partner experiences, and compliance with AmeriCorps regulations.
• Drive recruitment and retention strategies to meet enrollment and retention goals for AmeriCorps members.
• Lead program expansion into new communities, ensuring readiness of new sites for successful implementation.
• Oversee program budgets, aligning resources with fundraising targets and ensuring compliance with grant requirements.
• Use program data and evaluation findings to inform continuous improvement and maximize student outcomes.

Qualifications

Minimum Education

• Bachelor's degree

Minimum Experience

• 10+ years of leadership experience in organizational management, program management, or related field or industry.
• Proven success in fundraising and strategic partnerships, with experience managing philanthropic and community relationships; deep local connections preferred.
• Experience navigating public policy and political environments to build support and secure resources.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute strategic plans and consistently achieve or exceed goals.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to translate complex concepts into practical solutions.
• Passion for service and mission-driven work that improves student and community outcomes.

Physical Requirements

Ampact is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and will make reasonable accommodations as possible to enable employees to perform the essential function of their positions.

This Position Requires The Ability To

• Travel locally and statewide as needed to attend meetings
• Communicate effectively with people/groups in multiple settings within and outside the organization
• Effectively utilize existing and emerging technology to achieve required results
• Transporting of moderately heavy objects up to 25 pounds