Wisconsin State Director - Special Spaces

Special Spaces Wisconsin State Director

Special Spaces Wisconsin creates dream bedrooms for children with cancer. In just 24 hours, volunteers and skilled professionals transform a child's room into a place of hope, healing, rest, and comfort. Special Spaces, Inc., founded in 2004, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating dream bedroom makeovers for children battling cancer. The goal of Special Spaces is to provide these children with a special space where children sleep and rest and also play and thrive — a space to just to be a kid! A custom bedroom designed just for them. Special Spaces Wisconsin is a high-touch, high impact organization that measures success by the quality of the experience. This effort is done with teams of dedicated volunteers, sponsors, community partners, and donated goods and/or services. Through its 10 chapters across 9 states, the organization transforms approximately 200 bedrooms a year into comforting, healing spaces where children can rest, recover, and dream. Special Spaces work is powered by a passionate network of volunteers who bring skill, creativity, and heart to each makeover…. One Child. One Room. One Day….at a time.

Position Overview

Special Spaces Wisconsin chapter continues to grow, and it is seeking a compassionate, mission-driven State Director to lead program operations, fundraising, partnerships, and community engagement. The Wisconsin State Director serves as the primary leader for the state chapter and is responsible for the overall management, fundraising, program delivery, volunteer engagement, and strategic growth of Special Spaces Wisconsin. This role ensures that each bedroom makeover is executed with excellence while building strong relationships with donors, sponsors, community partners, and volunteers. The Wisconsin State Director will also expand partnerships and fundraising efforts, while fostering strong relationships with chapter leaders, volunteers, donors, and partners. This is a unique opportunity for a mission-driven, operationally strong leader to team build and scale an organization delivering meaningful, immediate impact to children and families statewide.

Core Responsibilities

Leadership & Operations

• Oversee all daily operations of the Wisconsin chapter, ensuring alignment with the national mission and standards.
• Develop annual goals, budgets, and strategic plans to support program growth.
• Manage program timelines, bedroom makeover scheduling, and overall workflow.
• Maintain compliance with organizational policies, reporting, and financial procedures.

Program Oversight

• Manage staff who lead bedroom makeover projects from concept to completion, ensuring high-quality, child-centered designs.
• Ultimately responsible for the smooth delivery of the dream bedroom. Ensuring all contractors, volunteers, and Special Spaces families have an excellent experience.
• Ensure safety, professionalism, and mission integrity throughout all makeovers.

Fundraising & Development

• Build and execute a comprehensive fundraising plan, including individual giving, corporate sponsorships, grants, and events.
• Develop and strengthen relationships with donors, business partners, and philanthropic foundations.
• Oversee major fundraising events, such as Dream BIG Gala, Sandbagger Golf Tournament, Raise the Roof, Chicks & Sticks, to meet annual revenue goals.
• Manage third-party fundraisers.
• Write, submit, and follow-up on community grants.
• Oversee the Young Professionals Board.

Volunteer Management

• Recruit, train, and engage volunteers to support makeovers and events.
• Maintain strong communication with volunteer groups and corporate volunteer teams.
• Build a positive, inclusive culture that reflects the values of Special Spaces.

Community & Partner Engagement

• Serve as the primary ambassador of Special Spaces in Wisconsin.
• Develop strong relationships with hospitals, nonprofits, community groups, and local businesses.
• Represent the organization in presentations, media engagements, third-party fundraisers, and networking events.

Marketing & Communications

• Support the creation of social media content, newsletters, and mission-driven stories.
• Work with the Social Media/Marketing Coordinator to engage donors.
• Ensure consistent messaging aligned with brand standards.

Administration & Reporting

• Oversee state-level budgeting and financial stewardship.
• Track program metrics, donor activities, and volunteer engagement.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience. 5+ years of leadership experience in nonprofit management, program oversight, fundraising, or community relations. Strong relationship-building skills with donors, corporate partners, and volunteers. Experience organizing events, campaigns, or community programs. Highly organized with strong project management skills. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Core Competencies & Personal Attributes for Success

Personal Attributes:

• Mission-driven, empathetic, and family-centered
• Strong leader who inspires volunteers and partners
• Creative problem solver who thrives in a fast-paced environment
• Positive, collaborative, and flexible mindset
• Comfortable rolling up their sleeves and jumping in wherever needed
• Passion for serving children and families facing medical challenges

Relationship Building & Stakeholder Engagement:

• Demonstrates exceptional ability to cultivate, steward, and deepen relationships with donors, volunteers, sponsors, families, and community partners.
• Builds trust quickly and creates meaningful connections that inspire long-term engagement and support.

Fundraising & Resource Development:

• Possesses a proven track record of securing financial support, developing donor relationships, and creating strategic partnerships.
• Effectively communicates the mission in ways that inspire philanthropy and expand resources to support future growth.

Mission-Driven Leadership & Emotional Intelligence:

• Leads with empathy, compassion, and authenticity while navigating emotionally sensitive situations with families facing pediatric cancer.
• Serves as a passionate ambassador for the mission and fosters a culture of care, gratitude, and purpose.

Strategic Leadership & Growth Orientation:

• Thinks strategically about the future of the organization while balancing opportunities for expansion with the preservation of the chapter's highly personalized culture.
• Identifies new markets, partnerships, and innovative approaches to broaden impact across Wisconsin.

Organizational Leadership & Execution:

• Provides structure, accountability, and operational discipline within a small, resource-constrained environment.
• Effectively prioritizes competing demands, clarifies roles and responsibilities, and ensures strong execution across multiple initiatives.

Communication & Community Presence:

• Serves as an engaging and visible representative of Special Spaces, demonstrating excellence in public speaking, storytelling, networking, and written communication.
• Builds awareness and advocacy for the organization while energizing stakeholders around a shared vision and mission.

Compensation & Location

A total compensation range of $120,000 - $150,000 is offered, along with a competitive benefits package. This position is based in Wisconsin, with a preference for the Wisconsin State Director to be located near the main office in southeastern Wisconsin. Location and Travel: 90% remote, with approximately 10% travel to room makeover locations or Special Spaces events.