Executive Director

careers-ampact; Iowa (LA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

CAREERS-AMPACT in Iowa seeks an Executive Director to lead AmeriCorps programs, drive fundraising, and manage stakeholder relationships across the state. The role sets vision, guides the team, and ensures high-impact service for participants and partners.

The position requires strong leadership, fundraising excellence, and policy navigation, with some travel to Des Moines as needed. A committed, mission-driven leader will advance growth and program quality.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required or equivalent experience.
• 10+ years of leadership and program management experience.
• Proven fundraising success and donor stewardship.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• Experience navigating public policy and government relations.
• Ability to translate strategy into actionable plans.
• Passion for service and mission-driven work.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a fundraising plan with revenue goals.
• Cultivate relationships with donors, foundations, and corporations.
• Lead grant writing for philanthropic, state, and federal funding.
• Oversee AmeriCorps programs in Iowa and ensure program fidelity.
• Lead expansion to new sites and manage budgets and compliance.
• Collaborate with advisory board and external partners.

Skills

Fundraising leadership

Strategic partnerships

Grant writing

Stakeholder engagement

Program leadership

Team management

Policy navigation

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.

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