Executive Director

Scion Executive Search has been retained to identify the incoming Executive Director on behalf of our client, Atlas Scholars; an innovative organization dedicated to providing high school students with mentorship, scholarship, and exposure to performance-based, professional environments. This transformative opportunity is ideal for someone interested in making a significant impact in supporting the organization’s aim of filling gaps in the public education system, particularly around applied professional industry experience and the inherent, collective disparities that exist in college-ready high school students across the board. This full-time, hybrid opportunity is located in Houston, Texas, the organization’s headquarters, with some nights and weekends as required.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Executive Director of Atlas Scholars serves as the organization’s chief executive, revenue, and growth leader, reporting directly to the Board of Directors. This role provides strategic vision, operational oversight, and fiscal leadership to ensure continued excellence in programming, long‑term financial stability and sustainability, and disciplined organizational growth.

The Executive Director is responsible for securing the funding, partnerships, and systems necessary to scale a results‑driven program that produces continued 100% college enrollment and strong post‑secondary persistence among Scholars. This leader will steward the organization through its next phase of growth, maintaining program rigor, outcome integrity, and a culture of accountability, collaboration, and measurable impact.

ABOUT ATLAS SCHOLARS:

Atlas Scholars is a Houston‑based nonprofit founded in 2012 by Craig Taylor and Tejpal Singh to address disparities in opportunity and exposure among high school students. Its mission is to equip high‑potential students from diverse schools and backgrounds with the preparation, access, and expectations necessary to compete in demanding academic and professional pathways.

Atlas Scholars has achieved 100% college enrollment among graduating cohorts, with alumni matriculating to selective universities and pursuing careers in finance, consulting, engineering, healthcare, and other high‑demand sectors. Atlas Scholars seeks leadership that can sustain its performance culture while translating measurable impact into strategic revenue growth and long‑term investment. To learn more, visit

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Planning

• Develop and execute strategy within the context of the city, state, and national landscape as to Atlas Scholars’ programs and funding source creation.
• Execute the organization’s strategic plan by establishing and implementing administrative and operating policies and procedures.
• Build scalable systems to support sustainable growth, including event revenue forecasting, sponsorship pipelines, and multi‑year fundraising commitments.
• Stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of public and nonprofit organization administration.

Organizational Leadership & Strategic Growth

• Lead the organization in a manner that supports and guides the organizational mission as defined by the Board of Directors.
• Direct and manage the development, implementation, and analysis of organization goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for programming; allocate resources accordingly.
• Oversee responsible cohort expansion while maintaining program rigor, student outcomes, and alumni success metrics.
• Integrate data systems that track recruitment quality, retention, college matriculation, persistence, and alumni career outcomes to strengthen donor confidence and organizational accountability.
• Drive development and fundraising efforts, in collaboration with the Board, by developing and executing a multi‑year strategic growth and fund development plan aligned with revenue growth, program expansion, and long‑term sustainability.
• Identify, cultivate, and build strategic relationships with corporate, institutional, and individual partners for student programming, mentorship, workplace exploration, guest speaking, school partnerships, donations, sponsorships, and other revenue‑generating opportunities that strengthen both program delivery and funding sustainability.
• Lead the strategy, planning, execution, and revenue performance of the organization’s annual fundraising event, including sponsorship development, ticket sales, expense underwriting, live and silent auction procurement, corporate partner engagement, event messaging, program content, and run‑of‑show to deliver a compelling donor experience and convert event supporters into sustained contributors.
• Partner to disseminate monthly e‑newsletters, social media content, and donor communications to enhance visibility, stewardship, and sustained engagement with supporters and partners.

External Relations & Public Leadership

• Serve as the public face of Atlas Scholars, leading outreach and community relations efforts at events, panels, and within the local and national community to promote the organization’s mission and programs in a consistent, compelling, and positive manner.
• Promote public awareness of Atlas Scholars’ programs while identifying and leveraging new funding opportunities, strengthening visibility among corporate, education, and philanthropic leaders to expand sponsorship, underwriting, and donor pipelines.
• Build and sustain strategic partnerships that expand Scholar opportunities, deepen community engagement, and generate sustainable financial support aligned with organizational growth goals.
• Ensure the development and implementation of effective public relations and strategic communications efforts; oversee the preparation of news releases, public statements, and event‑based visibility initiatives and communications that position Atlas Scholars as a leader in economic mobility and workforce development.
• Supervise the building and administration of the annual, Board‑approved budget, to ensure maximum utilization of resources, accurate revenue projections (fundraising events and sponsorship commitments), and optimum financial positioning for the organization.
• Prudently manage all financial and organizational resources within established budget guidelines and in compliance with current laws and regulations, ensuring transparency, accurate tracking of event income, underwriting, and donor reporting.
• Provide data, analysis, and background for the Board to support informed decision‑making in budgetary review and approval, including comprehensive financial planning and reporting aligned with strategic growth goals.
• Negotiate contracts and solutions for administrative, fiscal, fundraising, and special projects; analyze special contract requests, monitor budgets, effectively allocate limited resources, and maintain strong day‑to‑day organizational operations aligned with long‑term sustainability and growth objectives.

Board Engagement & Governance

• Attend and actively participate in all Board meetings, preparing and presenting clear, mission‑aligned materials and comprehensive reports on strategy, financial health, staff performance, organizational initiatives, project timelines, program quality, Scholar outcomes, and progress to support informed decision‑making and organizational growth.
• Analyze operations and program development to evaluate performance through ongoing assessments, engage the Board in discussions about long‑term impact, and communicating strategic vision and recommendations for evolution opportunities.
• Promote a congenial, communicative, and governance‑forward atmosphere among Board members by partnering to strengthen governance practices, supporting recruitment and onboarding of new directors, enhancing committee engagement, and fostering unified support for strategic plans and mission‑driven initiatives.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in related field required; Master’s degree highly preferred.
• 5+ years of progressive leadership experience in nonprofit management, fundraising, business development, or a related field, with demonstrated supervisory responsibility.
• Demonstrated track record of securing significant funding through major gifts, corporate sponsorships, foundation grants, and high‑revenue fundraising events, with hands‑on experience in fundraising strategy, grant writing, and donor cultivation to support long‑term financial health and sustainability.
• Exceptional business acumen and strong financial literacy, including budgetary oversight, revenue forecasting, financial reporting, and the ability to make sound, well‑informed business decisions that support organizational sustainability and growth.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to translate mission and outcomes into compelling cases for support.
• Strong grasp of nonprofit business functions, including fundraising strategy, governance, compliance, and operational management.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, QuickBooks, and data tracking systems (CRM, donor management, student tracking, or related platforms).
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to use data to inform strategic decision‑making.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

In addition to a competitive base salary of $110,000 to $130,000, Atlas Scholars also provides a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Basis Life and Short Term/Long Term Disability, as well as paid time off and paid holidays. Other ancillary benefits include Supplemental Life, Accident, and Hospital Indemnity plans.

APPLICATIONS AND NOMINATIONS:

Atlas Scholars has retained the services of Scion Executive Search, a national executive search firm specializing in nonprofit recruitment, to assist in conducting this important search. For immediate consideration, please apply with your resume and cover letter, formatted in Microsoft Word, via:

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