Executive Director

U.S. Space & Rocket Center; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Space & Rocket Center Education Foundation seeks an Executive Director with proven national fundraising success to lead an eight-person staff and provide organizational leadership. The role focuses on growing unrestricted giving, funding scholarships, and guiding a major capital campaign for two buildings.

The ED reports to the USSRCEF Board and collaborates with USSRC leadership. Education includes a bachelor's degree, with CFRE preferred; 5+ years of senior nonprofit management and a

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required, CFRE designation preferred.
• 5+ years in senior nonprofit management with $7M+ annual fundraising.
• Proven ability to lead, develop strategy, and cultivate major gifts.

Responsibilities

• Lead USSRCEF in alignment with USSRC mission and Board oversight.
• Direct major, multi-year capital campaign and donor cultivation efforts.
• Ensure financial integrity with budgets and quarterly statements.
• Develop and execute comprehensive development plans and strategic planning.
• Oversee operations, staff hiring, and policy compliance.

Skills

Fundraising

Donor relations

Strategic planning

Board governance

Staff leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree

CFRE designation

Job description

The U.S. Space & Rocket Center Education Foundation (USSRCEF) seeks an accomplished Executive Director with a proven track record of fundraising success at the national level. Fundraising experience at the international level would be considered a plus. The Executive Director will lead an eight-person staff and provide oversight of daily operations, program management, organizational leadership, and strategic planning.

The Executive Director is responsible for leading the USSRCEF in a manner that supports and guides the USSRCEF objectives to build the museum/scholarship endowment, increase unrestricted giving, provide annual scholarships for camp programs and museum field trips, and support the U.S. Space & Rocket's building projects. A key responsibility of the position is directing a major, multi-year capital campaign to fund the construction and equipping of two buildings. The Executive Director will cultivate donor relationships, expand philanthropic support, and ensure the successful completion of this multi-million-dollar fundraising initiative.

Key duties include representing and marketing the Foundation in the global community, monitoring internal controls to ensure compliance with the Internal Revenue Service, and cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors. The position reports directly to the USSRCEF Board of Directors and works closely with the U.S. Space & Rocket Center's (USSRC) governing commission and the USSRC CEO.

Responsibilities

Board Governance and Engagement

Works with board to fulfill the mission of the organization.

• Responsible for leading the USSRCEF in a manner that supports and guides the USSRCEF mission in alignment with the USSRC's mission, as defined by the Board of Directors.
• Responsible for communicating effectively with the USSREF Board and USSRC CEO and providing, in a timely and accurate manner, all information necessary for the USSRCEF Board to function properly and to make informed decisions.
• Works with USSRCEF Board officers to cultivate maximum member engagement.

Financial Performance and Viability

Develops resources to ensure the financial health of the organization and support USSRC-lead projects and initiatives.

• Responsible for the fiscal integrity of the USSRCEF to include submitting to the USSRCEF Board a proposed annual budget and quarterly financial statements.
• Responsible for fiscal management that includes operating within the approved budget, ensures maximum resource utilization, and maintains the organization in a positive financial position. Reports in a timely manner any and all conditions which may indicate or lead to poor financial conditions.

Organization's Mission and Strategy

Works with the USSRC's CEO and senior management team, the USSRCEF Foundation Board, Space Camp Alumni Association, and USSRCEF staff to ensure that the mission is fulfilled through fundraising programs, strategic planning, and outreach.

• Design, implement, and guide a comprehensive development plan to increase, enhance, and sustain philanthropic giving in the following areas: current donors, new donors, major gifts, planned giving, capital campaign, endowment, corporate support, and alumni financial support.
• Set and execute the vision and long-range strategic plan for the Foundation to align with, and provide maximum support to, the USSRC

Organization's Operations and Management

Direct the overall operation of the Foundation and its staff.

• Responsible for effective administration of USSRCEF operations, adhering to organizational polices and applicable laws.
• Responsible for the hiring and supervision of qualified staff.
• Responsible for signing all notes, agreements, and other instruments made and entered into, on behalf of the organization.
• The Executive Director is responsible for working in a safe manner and keeping his/her workplace safe.

The above duties reflect the general responsibilities necessary to describe the principal work functions of the job and shall not be considered as a detailed description of all work requirements that may be in the position.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Yes.

Travel Required

Yes

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience

Education: A bachelor's degree, with advanced degree preferred; CFRE (Certified Fund-Raising Executive) designation desired.

Experience

• 5+ years senior non-profit management of a non-profit raising $7+ million annually or comparable management experience.

Physical Requirements of the Position

This position has the following special requirements:

• Walking and climbing stairs to access other departments.
• Sitting for long periods of time for meetings and for reviewing records & documents.
• Carrying and, lifting equipment up to 25 lbs. waist high.
• Sight, reading, wrist movements, and operation of computer terminal and other equipment to write fundraising proposals and gift acceptance documents and to review reports and documents.
• Ability to communicate effectively with guests, clients, and employees through clear verbal communication and active listening.