Executive Director
United Way of Great Knoxville, Nashville, TN, United States
Position Overview
The Executive Director serves as the chief strategist, fundraiser, and public ambassador for HC*Excell. This leader will champion educational excellence across Hamblen County by driving resource development, stewarding innovative programs, and strengthening community partnerships that connect education to workforce opportunity.
This is a hands‑on leadership role for a relationship‑driven, mission‑focused professional who understands that strong fundraising fuels strong programming and that collaboration creates lasting community change.
The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors and leads a small team of two staff members.
Key Responsibilities Fundraising and Resource Development 60% of Time The Executive Director leads all fundraising strategies and execution to ensure long‑term financial sustainability and growth.
Cultivating and stewarding major donors
Securing foundation and corporate grants
Developing and managing corporate sponsorship relationships
Expanding individual giving initiatives
Building long‑term philanthropic partnerships aligned with HC*Excell’s mission
Serving as the primary external relationship builder and ambassador
Creating an annual development plan with measurable goals
This role requires confidence in asking, clarity in storytelling, and consistency in stewardship.
Programming and Strategic Impact 20% of Time The Executive Director oversees the strategic direction, administration, and advocacy efforts of HC*Excell’s programs, ensuring alignment with community needs and measurable outcomes.
Ready By 6:
Early childhood readiness initiatives that support students and families prenatal to 6‑years‑of‑age.
Arts & Industry:
A middle school program connecting students in grades 6 through 8 with local industries and businesses, offering career exposure and creative engagement.
Workforce and Leadership Development:
Expanding alignment between academics and workforce skills, including Junior Achievement programming across all Hamblen County elementary schools serving more than 800 students annually.
Post Secondary Readiness and Completion:
Supporting students through partnerships with Tennessee Promise, TN Achieves, Complete Tennessee, and Tennessee Reconnect to improve post‑secondary access and completion.
Senator Herbert S. Walters Educator Fund:
Providing professional development, recognition, and appreciation for educators.
Engaging and monitoring program performance and impact
Strengthening cross‑sector partnerships
Identifying opportunities for strategic growth
Advocating for educational excellence within the community
Ensuring alignment between funding priorities and program outcomes
Administration and Organizational Leadership 20% of Time The Executive Director ensures strong internal leadership, governance, and financial stewardship.
Supervising and supporting a team of two part‑time staff members
Partnering closely with the Board of Directors and committees to advance strategy and governance (Executive, Finance, and Governance)
Preparing and presenting regular board reports
Overseeing financial management in partnership with accounting support
Managing budgets and ensuring fiscal responsibility
Supporting board engagement in fundraising and community outreach
Maintaining compliance with nonprofit best practices
Managing information and technology systems
Qualifications Required
Minimum five years’ experience in nonprofit leadership
Minimum five years’ fundraising experience; securing major gifts, grants, annual campaigns, membership programs, and corporate partnerships
Strong relationship‑building skills across sectors
Ability to work collaboratively with a board of directors
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Strong computer and technology competence
Preferred
Experience managing budgets and overseeing financial accountability
Experience in education, workforce development, or community foundations
Familiarity with public education systems
Experience in advocacy or policy related to education
Knowledge of Tennessee’s education and workforce landscape
Ideal Candidate Profile
A confident fundraiser who enjoys building authentic relationships
A systems thinker who understands how education connects to economic health
A strategic leader who can translate vision into measurable outcomes
A collaborative partner to schools, business leaders, and community stakeholders
An advocate who believes deeply in the power of education to transform communities
Salary and Benefits
Annual salary starts at $75,000, plus performance‑based bonus and health stipend.
Professional development budget for continuous learning.
Annual compensation evaluation with opportunity for growth.
PTO and holidays.
Why This Role Matters Hamblen County’s future will be written in its classrooms, its training programs, and its local businesses. The Executive Director of HC*Excell plays a central role in shaping that story. This is an opportunity to lead work that strengthens educational pathways from cradle to career, aligns workforce development with real community needs, and empowers educators to help every student thrive.
This is leadership you can see and feel. It shows up in stronger schools, prepared graduates, supported teachers, and a workforce ready to sustain economic growth. The next Executive Director will not simply manage programs. They will help steward the long‑term vitality of an entire community.
How to Apply HC*Excell has retained Nonprofit Leadership LLC to lead this executive search. Interested candidates should submit a current résumé and a personalized cover letter outlining their connection to education and improving outcomes. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis with a final deadline of April 6, 2026.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
This is a hands‑on leadership role for a relationship‑driven, mission‑focused professional who understands that strong fundraising fuels strong programming and that collaboration creates lasting community change.
The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors and leads a small team of two staff members.
Key Responsibilities Fundraising and Resource Development 60% of Time The Executive Director leads all fundraising strategies and execution to ensure long‑term financial sustainability and growth.
Cultivating and stewarding major donors
Securing foundation and corporate grants
Developing and managing corporate sponsorship relationships
Expanding individual giving initiatives
Building long‑term philanthropic partnerships aligned with HC*Excell’s mission
Serving as the primary external relationship builder and ambassador
Creating an annual development plan with measurable goals
This role requires confidence in asking, clarity in storytelling, and consistency in stewardship.
Programming and Strategic Impact 20% of Time The Executive Director oversees the strategic direction, administration, and advocacy efforts of HC*Excell’s programs, ensuring alignment with community needs and measurable outcomes.
Ready By 6:
Early childhood readiness initiatives that support students and families prenatal to 6‑years‑of‑age.
Arts & Industry:
A middle school program connecting students in grades 6 through 8 with local industries and businesses, offering career exposure and creative engagement.
Workforce and Leadership Development:
Expanding alignment between academics and workforce skills, including Junior Achievement programming across all Hamblen County elementary schools serving more than 800 students annually.
Post Secondary Readiness and Completion:
Supporting students through partnerships with Tennessee Promise, TN Achieves, Complete Tennessee, and Tennessee Reconnect to improve post‑secondary access and completion.
Senator Herbert S. Walters Educator Fund:
Providing professional development, recognition, and appreciation for educators.
Engaging and monitoring program performance and impact
Strengthening cross‑sector partnerships
Identifying opportunities for strategic growth
Advocating for educational excellence within the community
Ensuring alignment between funding priorities and program outcomes
Administration and Organizational Leadership 20% of Time The Executive Director ensures strong internal leadership, governance, and financial stewardship.
Supervising and supporting a team of two part‑time staff members
Partnering closely with the Board of Directors and committees to advance strategy and governance (Executive, Finance, and Governance)
Preparing and presenting regular board reports
Overseeing financial management in partnership with accounting support
Managing budgets and ensuring fiscal responsibility
Supporting board engagement in fundraising and community outreach
Maintaining compliance with nonprofit best practices
Managing information and technology systems
Qualifications Required
Minimum five years’ experience in nonprofit leadership
Minimum five years’ fundraising experience; securing major gifts, grants, annual campaigns, membership programs, and corporate partnerships
Strong relationship‑building skills across sectors
Ability to work collaboratively with a board of directors
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Strong computer and technology competence
Preferred
Experience managing budgets and overseeing financial accountability
Experience in education, workforce development, or community foundations
Familiarity with public education systems
Experience in advocacy or policy related to education
Knowledge of Tennessee’s education and workforce landscape
Ideal Candidate Profile
A confident fundraiser who enjoys building authentic relationships
A systems thinker who understands how education connects to economic health
A strategic leader who can translate vision into measurable outcomes
A collaborative partner to schools, business leaders, and community stakeholders
An advocate who believes deeply in the power of education to transform communities
Salary and Benefits
Annual salary starts at $75,000, plus performance‑based bonus and health stipend.
Professional development budget for continuous learning.
Annual compensation evaluation with opportunity for growth.
PTO and holidays.
Why This Role Matters Hamblen County’s future will be written in its classrooms, its training programs, and its local businesses. The Executive Director of HC*Excell plays a central role in shaping that story. This is an opportunity to lead work that strengthens educational pathways from cradle to career, aligns workforce development with real community needs, and empowers educators to help every student thrive.
This is leadership you can see and feel. It shows up in stronger schools, prepared graduates, supported teachers, and a workforce ready to sustain economic growth. The next Executive Director will not simply manage programs. They will help steward the long‑term vitality of an entire community.
How to Apply HC*Excell has retained Nonprofit Leadership LLC to lead this executive search. Interested candidates should submit a current résumé and a personalized cover letter outlining their connection to education and improving outcomes. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis with a final deadline of April 6, 2026.
#J-18808-Ljbffr