Job Description
Job DescriptionExecutive Director (Boston) – buildOn
buildOn is a global nonprofit that unites people through service and education to ignite a more equitable future (buildon.org). In the U.S., buildOn runs intensive youth service-learning programs in under-resourced high schools, empowering students to transform their communities through service learning.
The Opportunity: As buildOn strengthens its impact in Boston, we are seeking a mission-driven and strategic Executive Director to lead our regional service learning program. This role offers an exciting opportunity for a dynamic leader to oversee fund development ($600K+), guide a high-performing team, and drive program and operational excellence. The Executive Director will foster a strong organizational culture rooted in community engagement, program impact, and sound fiscal management. As the senior leader of the Boston region, you will play a critical role in advancing buildOn’s mission and deepening our reach in local schools and communities.
Key Responsibilities
- Key Responsibilities
The Executive Director will lead efforts to establish a self-sustaining Boston region capable of funding its own ambitious goals while delivering high-impact programming. This role requires strategic oversight across fundraising, operations, and program delivery to ensure measurable and lasting results. - Fundraising and Partnership Development
The Executive Director will design and implement a comprehensive fund development plan aligned with both local and national priorities. Responsibilities include identifying and securing major gifts from individuals, corporations, foundations, and government sources. The role involves mobilizing the Boston Board to support donor engagement and long-term financial sustainability. Once stability is achieved, the focus will shift to programmatic growth and advancing buildOn’s 25-year vision. Strong external partnerships with city agencies, schools, community organizations, and corporate sponsors will be cultivated to deepen program impact. - Team and Programmatic Management
This role includes leading, mentoring, and managing the Boston team with a focus on empathy, accountability, and shared success. The Executive Director will foster a results-driven culture aligned with buildOn’s mission, ensuring all programming meets established KPIs. They will oversee the delivery of service learning programs and build authentic relationships with Boston youth, families, and the broader community. - Visibility and Stakeholder Engagement
The Executive Director will position buildOn Boston as a leading youth development organization by building relationships with community leaders, business executives, and philanthropic stakeholders. They will work closely with the National Marketing team to amplify buildOn’s visibility and reputation within Boston and beyond. - Board and Financial Management
In partnership with the Boston Board Chair, the Executive Director will enhance the board’s fundraising and strategic leadership capacity. They will lead efforts to recruit and engage high-impact board members and provide consistent updates on performance. The Executive Director is also responsible for developing and managing the regional budget, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities and compliance with buildOn HQ and Governing Board approval processes. - Organizational Leadership
The Executive Director will implement buildOn’s 3-year strategic plan in Boston with a focus on local relevance and community alignment. They will collaborate with national leadership to leverage broader partnerships and funding opportunities, while representing buildOn at public events, panels, and conferences to elevate the organization’s profile and impact.
Who You'll Work With
You will report to the Senior Leadership Team. You will supervise the Boston team, lead the Boston Board, and collaborate frequently with the national program and development teams, other Regional Executive Directors, and organizational leadership.
How We Will Know We Are Successful
- Fund development by raising at least $600K annually and expanding local funding sources across individuals, corporations, foundations, and government agencies.
- Strong board engagement and a growing donor pipeline will support long-term financial sustainability.
- Program success will be shown by an increased number of students completing 25+ hours of service and improved outcomes based on Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) data. All programming must align with buildOn’s methodology and meet established KPIs.
- Quality and staff development will be assessed through twice-annual, unannounced site visits and an annual staff survey measuring satisfaction, preparedness, and organizational alignment. Positive results will inform performance reviews.
- The Executive Director will also demonstrate success by deepening partnerships with schools, city agencies, community groups, and corporate sponsors, while increasing buildOn Boston’s visibility through public engagement and collaboration with national marketing.
- Financial and board leadership will be reflected in a balanced, approved annual budget and a stronger, more engaged board. Regular reporting on programmatic and financial progress is expected.
- Finally, success will be measured by effective implementation of the 3-year strategic plan, collaboration with national leadership on cross-regional efforts, and consistent public representation of buildOn’s mission and impact.
What We Offer
At buildOn we value our staff members. Without a talented team we cannot engage youth in service. Our benefits include…
- A generous time-off policy of 44 days annually
- 2 paid shutdown weeks (10 days)
- 3 weeks of paid vacation (15 days)
- Paid sick days (5)
- Paid personal days (7)
- Paid holidays including Juneteenth (7)
- 100% insurance premium paid for medical, dental & vision with subsidized deductibles.
- 403(b) retirement plan with an employer match
- An opportunity to go on Trek to a buildOn partner country where you will work in solidarity with community members to build a school
- $50 monthly cell phone reimbursement
Our Commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
buildOn is committed to building and maintaining an inclusive environment that drives innovation, strengthens ONE buildOn and bolsters a culture where people truly feel valued, heard and respected. buildOn provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, amnesty, or veteran status.
To learn more about buildOn, please visit our website at www.buildOn.org.
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