Fractional Executive Director

About Ladder Down

Ladder Down™ is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that helps professional women advance into and within leadership positions in the legal and insurance industries. Our national programs combine leadership development, personal branding, effective communication, and mentoring — providing a ladder down to women rising in their fields, so that together, we rise.

We run two national flagship programs: a six-month virtual intensive for Insurance & Risk Management professionals and a year-long monthly program for Women Lawyers. Regional chapters operate in Cleveland and Seattle.

Our graduates report promotions to partnership, new clients, successful salary negotiations, board seats, and a lasting referral network of women helping women. Ladder Down is led by a hands-on working board of 6–8 members, and we are now ready for dedicated executive leadership to help us grow.

The Role

Ladder Down is seeking a Fractional Executive Director to serve as our key operational leader for a one-year engagement. You will partner with our working board to execute our strategic plan — growing sponsor revenue, expanding program enrollment, and building the systems a growing national nonprofit needs.

This is a part-time, remote role for an experienced nonprofit, association, or business leader who wants meaningful, mission-driven work on a flexible schedule.

Engagement details

Title - Fractional Executive Director

Status - Independent contractor (1099); part-time

Term - One-year commitment, with potential renewal

Compensation - $35,000 as 1099 contractor for the one-year engagement with the option to renew

Location - Remote (U.S.); occasional travel to industry events possible

Works with - Board Chair and Board of Directors

Schedule - Flexible; some availability needed for evening or virtual board meetings, program sessions, and events

As an independent contractor, you will set your own hours and methods to meet agreed deliverables, and you are welcome to maintain other clients or engagements.

What You Will Do

Operations and board partnership

• Lead day-to-day operations so activities align with Ladder Down's mission, strategic plan, and annual goals

• Partner with the Board Chair and working board to implement priorities, prepare meeting materials, track action items, and support accountability

• Prepare a monthly dashboard for the board: sponsors in pipeline, commitments secured, enrollments confirmed, and scholarships funded

• Support compliance with nonprofit operational requirements, recordkeeping, and deadlines

Sponsor development and fundraising

• Manage sponsor outreach support, follow-up, stewardship, and relationship tracking across our sponsor categories: insurance companies, brokers and TPAs; law firms (enrollment and scholarship sponsors); service-provider vendors; and graduates. This will be accomplished through coordinating volunteers and committees as well as your individual efforts.

• Prepare sponsorship collateral, impact reports, and donor communications

• Support annual giving, the graduate "Pay It Forward" campaign, and scholarship sponsorships, helping the board reach its Year 1 goal of $25K–$60K in sponsorships and donations

Participant recruitment and programs

• Coordinate recruitment for the Insurance & Risk Management and Women Lawyers programs through law firms, insurers, brokers, TPAs, employer partners, and alumni via volunteers and in partnership with the board

• Manage the referral pipeline, ensuring every board referral receives consistent follow-up

• Oversee program logistics: registration, calendars, communications, materials, and coordination with speakers, coaches, and volunteers

Systems and external relations

• Maintain sponsor and donor tracking, enrollment records, and shared board tools

• Serve as the primary administrative and external point of contact for partners, participants, and prospective supporters

• Collaborate with marketing leadership and the board on consistent messaging and visibility

What You Bring

• Experience in nonprofit leadership, operations, program management, development, or a related mission-driven role

• A track record supporting fundraising, sponsorships, partnership development, or external relationship management

• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to juggle priorities and follow through independently

• Strong skills in recruiting volunteers and building engagement toward goals for volunteer teams

• Excellent written and verbal communication, and confidence engaging senior professionals, sponsors, board members, and participants

• Comfort with spreadsheets, CRM or tracking systems, and virtual meeting platforms

• A collaborative, resourceful approach with sound judgment and attention to detail

Nice to have: familiarity with insurance, risk management, or legal industries; experience with women's leadership or professional development programs; an existing network among insurers, brokers, TPAs, or law firms.

How to Apply

Email your resume and a brief cover letter to View email address on click.appcast.io with "Fractional Executive Director" in the subject line. In your letter, tell us about your experience growing sponsorships or program enrollment, and why Ladder Down's mission matters to you.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Learn more about our programs at ladderdown.org.

Ladder Down is an equal opportunity organization and welcomes candidates of all backgrounds.