Executive Director

KinderUSA; Texas; Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

KinderUSA is seeking a visionary Executive Director to lead our next chapter, strengthening strategy, fundraising and external partnerships. You will oversee a lean team and the Director of Operations while reporting to the Board.

This is a full-time, hybrid role, based in the United States, with a $3M annual budget under your leadership. You will grow our donor base, diversify revenue, and oversee brand and program impact, while maintaining strong relationships with partners in the region and

Qualifications

• 10+ years of senior leadership experience in nonprofit leadership or fundraising.
• 5+ years in nonprofit executive or senior fundraising roles.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead organizational strategy with the Board.
• Grow and diversify fundraising including major gifts and institutional grants.
• Strengthen brand, communications and external representation.

Skills

Senior leadership

Fundraising

Major gifts

Nonprofit board experience

Overseas partnerships

Strategic planning

Public speaking

Financial literacy

Arabic language (plus)

Job description

KinderUSA is hiring two leadership roles to shape our next chapter!

For almost 25 years, KinderUSA has delivered humanitarian, educational and development programs to Palestinian children in Palestine, Lebanon and beyond. As our longtime leader prepares to move on, we're building a new leadership structure designed for growth, and we're looking for two exceptional people to join us.

Executive Director: Our chief executive and lead voice. You'll set strategy, grow and diversify our fundraising, strengthen our brand, and deepen relationships with donors, partners on the ground and our Board.

This role is full-time and can be based anywhere in the U.S. Together they will lead a lean team managing a $3M annual budget, where every decision has a direct impact on children's lives.

Job Description: Executive Director Lead a mission-driven nonprofit transforming the lives of Palestinian children in Lebanon, Palestine and beyond. Location: Hybrid | Full-Time, Exempt | $3M Annual Budget

The opportunity: We are seeking a visionary Executive Director to lead the next chapter of KinderUSA, a 501(c)(3) organization, which delivers humanitarian, educational and development programs to Palestinian children in Lebanon, Palestine and beyond. Currently headquartered in Dallas, with a virtual presence in Belgium and an affiliate in Ireland, we run lean and move with purpose. As we welcome a new leadership structure, the Executive Director will focus on growth: setting strategy, strengthening our brand, expanding our donor base and overseeing relationships with partners in the region. A Director of Operations, reporting to you, will oversee finance, compliance and day-to-day operations, freeing you to lead externally and think long-term. The Executive Director will serve as the lead of the organization and report to a five-member U.S. Board of Directors.

What you'll do

Strategy and vision

• Develop and lead a multi-year strategy with the Board, setting clear priorities for program focus, geography and growth.
• Translate strategy into an annual plan and budget, working with the Director of Operations and other team members.
• Track and report program impact to the board and externally, so that decisions are grounded in evidence.

Fundraising and donor relationships

• Own the fundraising strategy and lead efforts to grow and diversify revenue across individual donors, major gifts, foundations and institutional funders.
• Personally cultivate, solicit and steward major donors and funders.
• Ensure donors receive timely, transparent reporting on how their gifts are used.

Brand, communications and external representation

• Serve as the organization's lead spokesperson to donors, partners, media and the public.
• Strengthen the organization's brand, messaging and digital presence to build visibility and trust among new communities.
• Represent the organization at conferences, coalitions and community events.

Partner relationships

• Build and sustain trusted relationships with operational partners in Lebanon and Palestine.
• Work with partners to shape program priorities, ensure accountability and share results with donors and the Board.
• Identify new partnership opportunities aligned with our strategy.

Board leadership and governance

• Serve as the lead executive, reporting to a five-member U.S. Board of Directors.
• Prepare for and lead quarterly and annual Board meetings, keeping the Board informed and engaged.
• Support Board recruitment, development and committee work.
• Serve as the third board member of our Ireland affiliate.

Team leadership

• Lead, support and grow a small team, including the Director of Operations, four part-time U.S. staff and an international staff member.
• Foster a culture of integrity, transparency and care.

What we're looking for

• 10+ years of senior leadership experience, with at least 5 years in a nonprofit executive or senior fundraising role.
• A proven track record of raising funds, including major gifts and institutional grants.
• Experience building relationships and managing complex partnerships with overseas partners, ideally in humanitarian, refugee or conflict-affected settings.
• Experience developing and executing organizational strategy.
• Experience working with a nonprofit board.
• Exceptional communication and public-speaking skills, with the credibility and care to represent our mission.
• Strong financial literacy and a commitment to transparency and accountability.
• Arabic language skills and familiarity with the region are a plus.

Why join us: With the Founding Executive Director ready to move on, this is a rare opportunity to shape the future of an organization that has a 25-year track record of working in the region, where every decision has a direct, tangible impact on children's lives. You'll work with a committed board, a dedicated team and trusted partners on the ground, all united by the belief that Palestinian children deserve safety, education and hope.

We are an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourage applications from individuals with lived experience in or connection to Palestinian communities.