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.

The Executive Director will be a dynamic leader who will 1) lead the organization, 2) expand programs within the community, 3) secure and establish resources for its programs and expansions, (iv) build organizational awareness, and 4) lead strategic planning efforts to achieve maximum impact for the organization. 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.

As the public face of Atlas Scholars, the Executive Director represents the organization to the community, embodying its commitment to a performance-driven culture where students’ motivation, drive, and desire to invest in themselves determine their success. This leader oversees daily operations while proactively identifying new opportunities, partnerships, and avenues for strategic growth, ensuring that the organization continues to expand its impact and reach.

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. The organization was created in response to the lack of competitive, performance-driven environments that provide real-world experience prior to college and career entry. 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.

Each year, selected Scholars participate in a rigorous, immersive professional development program that blends real-world business case studies, energy and finance-focused curriculum, industry mentorship, structured college preparation, professional skills training, and direct exposure to corporate leaders and workplace environments. Students complete three consecutive summer programs following their sophomore, junior, and senior years, complemented by year‑round mentorship and programming. Operating within a professional, accountable, and performance-oriented culture, Scholars engage in problem-based learning, field experiences, scholarships, and leadership development opportunities not typically available in traditional public high schools.

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. The organization tracks long-term outcomes to measure mobility and career advancement and is now entering its next phase of growth—expanding cohorts, strengthening alumni programming, and building a diversified, multi‑year funding pipeline. 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

• Lead the organization with an entrepreneurial outlook and spirit while balancing the need to make educated, smart business decisions.
• Develop and execute strategy within the context of the city, state, and national landscape as to Atlas Scholars’ programs and funding source creation.
• Foster new ideas and initiatives; apply innovative thinking and performance measurements to analyze and support strategic decision-making.
• Inspire and gain Board approval, participation, and support of strategic plans.
• 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.
• Lead strategic discussions as needed for Board approval and propose refined, actionable items (plans) that should be voted on, adopted, and/or embraced by the Board.
• 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.
• Search as the primary motivational team leader, inspiring staff, Board, and volunteers.
• Work as a true partner with the Board of Directors to leverage the experience, knowledge, abilities, and connections of the group to guide the organization to wise and thoughtful strategic decision making on behalf of the organization.
• Partner with the Board of Directors to identify, plan, and recommend strategic programmatic expansion initiatives that advance the organization’s mission, establish clear goals and objectives, and define measurable metrics to track progress.
• Direct and manage the development, implementation, and analysis of organization goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for programming; allocate resources accordingly.
• Provide general oversight of specific programs, services, and activities which support the goals and objectives of the organization.
• 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.

Fundraising & Partnerships

• 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.
• Serve as the organization’s primary fundraiser, building, managing, and advancing a robust pipeline of individual, corporate, and foundation donors; secure major gifts, corporate sponsorships, foundation grants, and multi‑year funding commitments to ensure annual revenue targets are met or exceeded in support of disciplined growth.
• 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.
• Advise the Board on prospective fundraising and development opportunities through direct, hands‑on leadership of cultivation and solicitation strategies.
• Review organizational fundraising history, assess current and future development capabilities, and develop the strategy and infrastructure necessary to support scalable growth and evolving funding challenges.
• Adapt to changing community and workforce needs by identifying and securing new funding sources, including grant applications and strategic partnerships, while promoting the organization as a high‑impact nonprofit within the business, workforce development, and education communities.
• 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.

Operational & Financial Oversight

• 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.
• Oversee and support staff, consultants, key vendors, third‑party accounting partners, and payroll platforms to ensure alignment with organizational priorities.
• 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

• Maintain consistent, proactive communication and strong relationships with the entire Board, serving as the primary liaison and strategic partner to the Board of Directors.
• 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.
• Drive organizational growth by creating consensus among Board members, volunteers, and staff around strategic priorities, fundraising initiatives, sponsorship engagement, donor cultivation, and necessary organizational changes; collaborate with Board members to advance fundraising efforts, including sponsorship introductions and event engagement, while fostering a culture of shared accountability for Board giving and revenue development.
• 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.
• Experience building and managing donor pipelines and cultivating long‑term funding relationships.
• 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.
• Prove experience working collaboratively with and/or reporting to a Board of Directors.
• Change management experience with proven track record of professional success as a business or nonprofit leader growing organizational capacity.
• 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).
• Ability to function effectively in a high‑paced, growth‑oriented environment with competing priorities.
• 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:

PLEASE ADDRESS APPLICATIONS TO

Ex Hopson, Senior Executive Search Principal
Scion Executive Search
Extension 142

Review of applications, nominations, and expressions of interest will begin immediately and continue on a confidential basis until an appointment is made.

ABOUT OUR FIRM

Scion Executive Search is an award‑winning retained executive search firm. Our track record and recruitment process have made us one of the top recruitment firms in the United States. Through innovative team building and recruitment solutions, Scion Executive Search seamlessly bridges the gap in interim and executive searches. Our track record and recruitment process have made us one of the top recruitment firms in the nation.

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