Executive Director

Valid8 Financial, Inc.; Kansas City (MO); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

i.c.stars Kansas City seeks an Executive Director to serve as the strategic and operational leader for the site, driving program excellence, growth, and community impact across recruitment, training, placement, and career retention. The ED will report to the CEO and lead by example in building a high-performing, inclusive team culture.

The role emphasizes employer engagement, fundraising, and partnerships to expand regional impact, with oversight of financial performance and advisory boards to

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience in a related field.
• 7+ years of leadership experience in workforce development, nonprofit management, education, or related areas.
• Strong skills in fundraising, partner engagement, strategy, and team leadership.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for the Kansas City site, aligning with growth goals.
• Lead and develop a high-performing local team and foster an inclusive, accountable culture.
• Oversee program operations, learner experience, and employer partnerships to maximize outcomes.
• Manage budgets, financial performance, and fundraising activities in collaboration with national leadership.
• Build and maintain relationships with employers, funders, and community partners to expand impact.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting

Fundraising

Partnerships

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/Nonprofit/related field

Job description

Reports to : Chief Executive Officer Member of: Senior Leadership Team (SLT)

About Us :

We are a nearly 30-year-old nonprofit workforce development organization dedicated to preparing individuals from underserved communities for rewarding careers in technology. With a passionate team of 20+ professionals across three cities, we’re committed to bridging the gap between diverse talent and the tech industry. We find talent, train talent, and place talent in rewarding careers that end cycles of generational poverty and yield long-term success. At our core, we believe that innovation thrives when people are empowered, supported, and allowed to grow.

If you’re someone who is energized by people-first leadership and is passionate about making a lasting impact, you may want to be a part of our journey as we continue to shape the future of tech professionals.

About the Role:

The Executive Director (ED) will serve as the strategic and operational leader of the i.c.stars Kansas City site, driving program excellence, organizational growth, employer engagement, and community impact. The ED will oversee all aspects of local operations, ensuring a high-quality experience for learners from recruitment through commencement, placement, and career retention.

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the Executive Director will provide leadership across program execution, team management, financial performance, fundraising, corporate partnerships, and community engagement. The ED will cultivate strong relationships with employers, funders, civic leaders, alumni, and community partners while building a high-performing and inclusive team culture.

This role requires a mission-driven leader who combines strategic thinking with operational execution, possesses high emotional intelligence, and can effectively engage stakeholders as donors, partners, volunteers, advocates, and employers. The Executive Director will play a critical role in expanding i.c.stars' presence within the Kansas City workforce development and technology ecosystem while advancing the organization's mission of transforming people, businesses, and communities through technology workforce development.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Organizational Management

Provide strategic and operational leadership for the Kansas City site, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and long-term growth objectives.

Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing local team, fostering an inclusive, collaborative, and accountable culture.

Execute local strategies that support learner success, employer engagement, fundraising, and organizational sustainability.

Partner closely with the CEO, national leadership team, and cross-functional departments to align local efforts with enterprise-wide goals.

Assess opportunities, risks, and emerging needs within the Kansas City market and develop strategies to strengthen impact and sustainability.

Build and maintain a culture of transparency, trust, continuous improvement, and mission-driven performance.

Lead operational planning and resource allocation to ensure effective execution across all functional areas.

Recruit, develop, and engage a high-impact local advisory board, leveraging members' expertise and networks to advance organizational goals.

Program Leadership & Operational Excellence

Oversee local program operations and ensure high-quality delivery of the i.c.stars training model and learner experience.

Ensure successful execution across recruitment, learner support, training delivery, talent placement, alumni engagement, and employer partnerships.

Monitor program outcomes, placement rates, retention metrics, and learner success indicators to ensure achievement of organizational goals.

Utilize data and performance metrics to drive decision-making, improve outcomes, and optimize program effectiveness.

Implement and continuously improve systems, processes, and operational practices that enhance efficiency, scalability, and organizational effectiveness.

Collaborate with national program leadership to ensure consistency, quality, and innovation across site operations.

Monitor workforce, business, and technology trends to ensure program offerings remain relevant and responsive to employer needs.

Ensure compliance with organizational policies, grant requirements, and applicable regulatory standards.

Community Engagement & Ecosystem Leadership

Serve as the primary ambassador and spokesperson for i.c.stars Kansas City.

Strengthen and expand relationships with regional employers, workforce development organizations, educational institutions, nonprofit partners, government agencies, and civic leaders.

Represent i.c.stars at industry events, conferences, workforce development forums, and community gatherings.

Position i.c.stars Kansas City as a trusted workforce development and technology talent partner within the regional ecosystem.

Cultivate strategic partnerships that create opportunities for learner recruitment, mentorship, employment, and community impact.

Advance i.c.stars thought leadership by sharing organizational successes, workforce insights, and innovative practices across the Kansas City market.

Support efforts to increase community awareness, stakeholder engagement, and organizational visibility.

Support the growth and sustainability of a diversified revenue portfolio including corporate sponsorships, foundations, individual donors, grants, and public funding opportunities.

Partner closely with the National Development Team to support fundraising strategies, grant opportunities, donor stewardship, and impact storytelling.

Cultivate and maintain relationships with corporate sponsors, funders, donors, and philanthropic partners.

Identify and secure employer partnerships that create hiring pathways and career opportunities for i.c.stars learners and graduates.

Develop opportunities for volunteer engagement, executive mentorship, sponsorships, and strategic partnerships.

Support events, networking opportunities, and fundraising initiatives that elevate community visibility and mission impact.

Manage local financial performance and budget accountability in partnership with national finance leadership.

Ensure responsible stewardship of organizational resources while maximizing community impact and mission outcomes.

What You Bring

Bachelor's degree in Business, Human Resources, Workforce Development, Nonprofit Management, Technology, Education, or a related field; or equivalent professional experience.

7+ years of leadership experience in workforce development, nonprofit management, education, talent development, business operations, business development, technology, or a related field.

Demonstrated success leading high-performing teams and managing organizational growth, change, or operational excellence initiatives.

Strong operational leadership capabilities, including budgeting, financial oversight, planning, and performance management.

Exceptional relationship-building and stakeholder management skills with the ability to engage corporate, philanthropic, civic, governmental, and community leaders.

Experience developing and maintaining strategic partnerships that advance organizational goals.

Demonstrated success in fundraising, corporate engagement, business development, or partnership development.

Strong communication, facilitation, presentation, and writing skills.

Ability to balance strategic leadership with hands‑on execution in a dynamic and evolving environment.

Experience utilizing data, metrics, and performance indicators to inform decision-making and improve outcomes.

High emotional intelligence, adaptability, resilience, and sound judgment.

Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and creating opportunities for historically underrepresented communities.

Preferred Qualifications

Knowledge of workforce development, talent pipelines, employer engagement, and career pathway programs.

Experience working within the Kansas City workforce, nonprofit, corporate, philanthropic, or technology ecosystem.

Experience managing employer partnerships and talent placement initiatives.

Familiarity with grant-funded programs and nonprofit funding models.

Experience building advisory boards, community coalitions, or cross-sector partnerships.

Passion for developing diverse technology talent and advancing economic mobility through workforce development.

Success in This Role

The successful Executive Director will strengthen i.c.stars Kansas City's position as a leading workforce development and technology talent organization by driving exceptional learner outcomes, cultivating strong employer and community partnerships, building a thriving team culture, and securing the resources necessary to expand the organization’s impact across the region.

Why Join Us?

Make an Impact: Help us shape the team that develops and prepares individuals for careers in tech. Be a part of an organization that’s making a meaningful difference in the lives of our participants, and the communities and businesses we serve.

Growth Opportunities: We’re a dynamic, growing organization that’s committed to developing both our staff and the people we serve. You’ll have the chance to shape your role and grow professionally.

Collaborative Environment: We pride ourselves on being a supportive, team‑oriented organization where everyone’s voice is heard.

Work-Life Balance: We value our people’s well‑being, offering flexible work arrangements and a comprehensive benefits package.

A Culture of Learning: As a team, we believe in continual growth—personally and professionally. There’s always room to learn, share ideas, and try something new.

i.c.stars is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, prior record of arrest or conviction, or current employment status.