Executive Director, Resilience

Net Impact; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 150,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Resilience, the only stand-alone rape crisis center in Illinois, seeks an Executive Director to lead fundraising, financial management, and strategic growth. The role partners with the Board to stabilize operations and expand programs while ensuring survivor-centered services.

The ED will strengthen governance, build infrastructure for long-term impact, diversify revenue through private philanthropy and earned income, and advance equity, inclusion, and social justice across all programs.

Job description

Founded in 1974, Resilience is the only stand-alone rape crisis center in Illinois and has spent more than five decades supporting survivors of sexual violence and advancing systemic change. Formerly known as Rape Victim Advocates, Resilience adopted its current name in 2018 to reflect a broader vision of healing, empowerment, and transformation.

With a $3 million budget, currently there are 34 full and part-time staff, with a number of roles to be filled, and a network of 150 dedicated volunteers, providing free, 24-hour crisis intervention and advocacy services across Chicago-area hospitals. Last year, the organization served more than 1,500 survivors and their loved ones and reached tens of thousands more through public education and professional training.

Resilience is at an important inflection point. Demand for services is growing, new opportunities are emerging, and the organization has ambitious ideas for expanding programs and developing new revenue streams. The next Executive Director will have the opportunity to stabilize and strengthen the organization, build the infrastructure needed for long-term effectiveness, and then lead Resilience into its next phase of thoughtful, sustainable growth.

A critical priority will be financial sustainability. Approximately 72% of Resilience's revenue comes from public dollars distributed through the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault (ICASA). The Executive Director will bring a strong record of fundraising and financial management and lead efforts to diversify revenue through private philanthropy, earned revenue, and other strategic opportunities.

The Executive Director will also strengthen management systems, organizational infrastructure, accountability, and internal communication. Working closely with the Board and staff, they will develop and implement a strategic plan, establish clear priorities, and strengthen alignment between the Board and staff. An important part of the role will be building consensus around Resilience's voice, priorities, and positions.

As the public face of Resilience, successful candidates must be a confident, compelling communicator with the credibility to engage effectively with survivors, staff, volunteers, funders, government leaders, community partners, and the broader public.

The ideal candidate will bring a demonstrated record of nonprofit leadership, fundraising, financial and business management, strategic planning, and organizational development. They will be a collaborative leader who can build trust, navigate complexity, and build consensus around a shared direction and make difficult decisions when necessary.

Demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, anti-oppression, racial justice, and social justice and an understanding of how these principles intersect with survivor services, prevention, organizational culture, and community advocacy is required.