President and CEO

Position Title: President and CEO

Reports To: United Way of Lake County Board of Directors

Supervises: Vice President, Resource Development, Vice President, Community Impact, Vice President, Marketing and Communications, Director, Administration, Manager, Information Technology, Specialist, Finance, Executive Assistant

Start Date: April 1, 2025

Purpose of Position:

As the organization's leader and under the Board's direction, the President and CEO is responsible for establishing and executing United Way of Lake County's mission, vision, and strategic plan through collaboration with community leaders, volunteers, and staff. In this position, the CEO must be able to build upon existing relationships and be innovative in finding new networks across the private, public, and corporate sectors to improve conditions in the community by increasing resources and financial support for United Way of Lake County.

Primary Job Responsibilities:

Strategic Fundraising and Revenue Diversification Expertise:

• Experience with Innovative Funding Models: diversify revenue beyond traditional donor contributions, including expertise in corporate partnerships, government grants, social enterprises, and community development investments.
• Track Record in Corporate and Foundation Partnerships: engage with corporate and philanthropic entities to create sustainable financial models for similar organizations that may excel in this role.
• Community Needs Assessment Skills: assess community needs and align funding initiatives with local economic and social challenges, demonstrating United Way's value as a responsive and adaptive community leader.

Visionary and Collaborative Community Leadership:

• Experience in Cross-Sector Collaboration: demonstrate a history of fostering collaboration across government, corporate, and non-profit sectors, with a particular emphasis on bringing diverse communities together for shared goals.
• Community Engagement Track Record: understanding community engagement, particularly with underrepresented or marginalized groups, is essential to ensuring programs reflect and serve the broader needs of Lake County's population.

Operational and Financial Acumen:

• Experience creating and managing organizational budgets; identifying cost-saving measures within operational processes; analyzing financial reports to identify areas for improvement; forecasting future revenue based on operational data; aligning operational strategies with financial goals; and demonstrating a deep understanding of day-to-day operations and their financial implications.

Talent Leadership:

• Senior-level experience developing individuals and teams through an equity lens to achieve organizational goals.
• Experience managing and motivating high-performing teams, emphasizing developing leaders capable of driving initiatives across resource development, community impact, operations, and marketing.

Core Competencies:

• Diversify Funding Sources: Initiate corporate sponsorships and foundation grants targeting economic recovery, workforce development, and early childhood education—key focus areas with high community impact.
• Create Data-Informed Campaigns: Use data analytics to identify service gaps and demonstrate impact to funders to help secure targeted funding and increase transparency with stakeholders.
• Engage Corporate Partners in Community Impact: Highlight initiatives where corporate sponsors can make tangible differences in local education, health, and economic stability, presenting them as an extension of the United Way of Lake County's mission.
• Increase Public Awareness: Use public relations and marketing to improve visibility in the community. Highlight stories of impact and initiatives through local media, social media, and partnership events to engage community members as supporters and advocates.

Education:

A bachelor's degree is required, but a graduate degree is preferred. Relevant experience instead of an advanced degree will be considered.

Knowledge and Experience:

• Ten years or more of progressively responsible experience in leadership and management, including experience implementing traditional and innovative resource development strategies and community programming.
• Prefer prior experience working in a non-profit organization of comparable size and similar mission. United Way experience is desirable but optional.
• Experience with volunteer boards, management committees, and other volunteer groups.
• Knowledge of social service agencies systems and operations.
• Ability to attract, motivate, and develop leadership among diverse volunteers and staff.
• Demonstrates a history of dedicated commitment to the community by involvement in roles on committees or as a board member of community organizations.
• Experience supervising and leading staff, including senior teams.
• Focused sales/marketing experience emphasizing customer relationship building and applied sales skills.
• Possess emotional intelligence to maintain work-life balance for self and staff while working on multiple priorities.
• Ability to manage multiple projects at the same time while working well with a variety of personalities and work styles.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills with an ability to effectively relate to diverse individuals, groups, and organizations.
• Creative and energetic individual who functions well within a fast-paced team environment and works collaboratively across all departments.

Other Requirements:

It is required that the CEO and President live in or relocate to Lake County.

Must have a valid driver's license and automobile insurance and is responsible for own transportation to and from home, meetings, and events outside of the office during working hours and in early morning, evenings, and weekends.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here represent those necessary to perform the functions of this job successfully. United Way of Lake County will make reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

While performing the duties of this job, the person in this position is occasionally required to sit, stand, walk, drive/operate a car, lift and carry bags and boxes of approximately ten pounds; talk or hear, read, use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, reach with hands and arms; climb stairs, stoop, kneel, or crouch, type, and frequently operates a computer and other office productivity machinery such as a calculator, copier, printer, and scanner.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

United Way of Lake County seeks to create and maintain an inclusive work environment because teams with different perspectives and experiences are more robust. We value a workplace that encourages people of all backgrounds to apply.

United Way of Lake County does not discriminate based on race, gender, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. All employees, contractors, and volunteers are responsible for maintaining a culture free from discrimination and harassment by treating others with respect.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $175,000.00 - $200,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

• Management: 10 years (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Gurnee, IL 60031: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

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