Executive Director

Foundation List; United States; Remote; USD 170,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Collision Repair Education Foundation is seeking an Executive Director to lead strategic initiatives, fundraising, and operational excellence from a remote location. The role reports to the Board of Trustees and drives donor engagement, partnerships with educators and employers, and the Foundation's national visibility.

The ideal candidate will bring executive leadership in nonprofit or philanthropy, strong fundraising and financial oversight skills, and a track record of transforming

Qualifications

• Executive-level leadership experience in nonprofit management, philanthropy, or related field.
• Demonstrated strengths in fundraising, financial oversight, and donor engagement.
• Ability to lead, motivate and develop teams and volunteer networks.
• Proven capacity to build partnerships and guide organizational change.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic, organizational, financial, and external leadership for the Foundation.
• Develop and implement fundraising strategies and grow donor engagement.
• Oversee budgets, operations, and governance practices to ensure accountability.
• Strengthen donor and volunteer management systems and partnerships with schools.
• Raise awareness and visibility to advance the Foundation's mission nationwide.

Skills

Fundraising

Financial oversight

Board relations

Team leadership

Partnership development

Organizational change

Executive leadership

Strategic planning

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in business administration, nonprofit management, public policy, or related field

Master's degree preferred

Job description

Executive Director

Reporting to the Board of Trustees

Remote

For more than 35 years, the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) has helped build the future workforce of the collision repair industry. Founded in 1991, CREF has evolved into a nationally recognized nonprofit supporting students, schools, educators, and employers across the United States. Through scholarships, grants, workforce development programs, equipment donations, career readiness initiatives, and industry partnerships, CREF helps students prepare for rewarding careers while addressing the industry's ongoing need for skilled, well-trained professionals.

CREF has distributed nearly $5.8 million through approximately 1,200 School Benchmark Awards and awarded more than $3.4 million in scholarships to over 1,100 students. CREF has also facilitated more than $130 million in in‑kind donations, providing collision repair education programs with vehicles, tools, software, equipment, and other essential resources. Today, CREF operates with six full‑time staff members, a 13‑member Board of Trustees, and an annual operating budget of approximately $2.5 million. To learn more, please visit

The next Executive Director will join CREF at a pivotal moment in its history. With a respected national brand, strong industry relationships, and a newly adopted strategic plan, CREF is positioned to expand its reach and deepen its impact. The Board seeks a strategic and forward‑looking leader who will translate CREF's vision into measurable results while strengthening fundraising capacity, organizational accountability, technology and systems, impact measurement, and industry visibility. Key opportunities include expanding awareness of collision repair careers, increasing donor and volunteer engagement, strengthening relationships with educational institutions, and maximizing the potential of the Donation Exchange platform.

Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the Executive Director will provide strategic, organizational, financial, and external leadership for CREF. This executive will work closely with the Board and staff to advance long‑range goals, develop and implement fundraising strategies, oversee budgets and operations, strengthen donor and volunteer management systems, and ensure accountability to supporters and stakeholders. As CREF's chief ambassador, the Executive Director will cultivate relationships with employers, educational institutions, donors, industry leaders, and philanthropic partners while building awareness of CREF's mission and impact.

The ideal candidate will be a dynamic and visionary executive who combines strategic judgment with a genuine commitment to developing people and strengthening organizations. Strong candidates will bring executive‑level leadership experience in nonprofit management, philanthropy, workforce development, education, associations, collision repair, or another relevant field. They will have demonstrated strengths in fundraising, financial oversight, board relations, team leadership, partnership development, and organizational change. Approachable, emotionally intelligent, and accountable, this leader will be an effective communicator and thoughtful listener who can align diverse stakeholders around a shared vision for growth and impact.

A bachelor's degree in business administration, nonprofit management, public policy, or a related field is required, and a master's degree is preferred. The successful candidate will have seven to ten years of progressive management experience. Continuing education or professional credentials, such as the Certified Fund Raising Executive designation, are highly desired.

CREF offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package. The salary range is $170,000 to $200,000, commensurate with experience, along with eligibility for a Board‑designated performance‑based bonus of up to 50 percent.