Executive Director - University Academy Foundation

University Academy Foundation (UAF) is a 501(c)3 organization that was created to deliver transformative assistance to students throughout their elementary and secondary journey at (UA). The mission of UAF is to facilitate educational programs and opportunities that support college readiness, college completion, and career success for UA students and alumni. The vision of University Academy Foundation is to empower UA students and alumni to reach their academic and professional aspirations by providing extraordinary life-long support.

UAF accompanies UA students as they transition into college and supports them all the way to graduation. Beyond graduation, UAF remains a steadfast resource and network for UA alumni as they embark on their careers and navigate life after college.
The Opportunity

The Executive Director (ED) serves as chief executive of UAF ensuring operational and financial effectiveness of UAF while fostering an inclusive and collaborative culture for team members to thrive and excel in their roles.

Reporting to the board of Directors, the ED ensures that organizational goals, budget, program activities, processes, and people are aligned and positioned to advance the Mission and Vision of the organization. The ED represents the organization to external stakeholders including University Academy, corporate, foundation, and individual donors, community partners, program operators, students, alumni, and families.

Responsibilities of the Executive Director:
Executive Leadership and Organizational Management

• Ensure UAF’s strategy, operations, programs, people, and resources are aligned to advance the organization’s mission, vision, and long-term impact.
• Build, develop, and retain a high-performing team by fostering an inclusive, mission-aligned culture rooted in ethics, accountability, professional growth, collaboration, and measurable results.
• Define, track, and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure organizational success, program impact, and financial health.
• Set objectives, quality control, optimize resources across programs.
• Facilitate organization of resources and staff, protect institutional knowledge, drive for predictable, improved performance.
• Establishing goals for the organization and engaging relevant stakeholders such as Board, staff, and other leaders.
• Responsible for overall policy setting, guidelines, and legal and financial compliance.
• Establishes strong and productive relationships with the Board, staff, University Academy, corporate, foundation, and individual donors, community partners, program operators, students, alumni, and families.
• Assures quality, organizational stability through development and implementation of standards and controls, systems and procedures and regular evaluation.

Board Relations & Founder Engagement

• Work closely with the UAF Board; ensure alignment of annual goals and strategy to mission & vision; ensure board has information necessary to fulfill fiduciary oversight responsibility.
• Attending all Board meetings and providing transparent updates on current initiatives, ongoing projects, and progress towards key organizational goals and success metrics including developments in education, college access, community, not-for-profit management, capacity building, philanthropy, governance and fund development.
• Building relationships and maintaining strong channels of communication with all Board members.
• Implementing inclusive Board policies/procedures and building buy-in for Board decisions among staff.
• Engaging with the Board on governance matters.
• Inform the Board about trends, challenges, and activities and make recommendations and decisions to facilitate positive change.
• Support ongoing board development efforts, including recruitment, onboarding, and engagement, while proactively identifying opportunities for board members to contribute meaningfully to the organization’s mission and strategic priorities.
• Ability to navigate founder engagement and leadership transitions with diplomacy, transparency, and respect, balancing legacy with evolving organizational needs.

Finance and Fundraising

• Preparing, administering, and managing the organization’s budget and forecasting future finances to ensure long-term viability.
• Collaborate with Director of Development and Community Engagement (DDCE) and Board to expand and develop our fundraising strategy.
• In partnership with the Director of Development and Community Engagement and the board, identifying, cultivating, and soliciting fundraising with current and new and diverse revenue sources; including grants, community partnerships, philanthropy, and private donors, as well as planning and executing fundraising events such as our signature Gala.
• Ensuring organizational financial sustainability by developing a robust fundraising and development strategy. Actively participate in identifying, cultivating, maintaining, and soliciting donor prospects. Identifies and develops other funding sources to support the organization financially.
• Ensuring maximum resource utilization within budget guidelines for optimal organizational financial position.
• Collaborate with staff to develop annual budget, secure funding, approve expenditures, monitor cash flow, ensure compliance with tax and accounting regulations, regularly report financial status to Board.

Programming, External Relations, and Communications

• Drive excellent programs through SMART goals, innovation, evaluation, and empowering a high-performing staff.
• Support UA alumni and students, attend events, communicate a vision for the alumni, oversee the activities of the Alumni Council, and incorporate alumni feedback into all programming.
•  
• Monitor program implementation and evaluate program effectiveness based on measurable results. Implements quality improvement as needed.
• Facilitate a collaborative relationship with UA through regular communication with the Superintendent, the Upper School Principal, the UA Board Chair and involvement with staff, students, and families across all grade levels.
• Oversee alumni data tracking (school/job status, contact info)
• Serve the external face and voice of UAF to community partners, media outlets, and funders at conferences, events, and public gatherings.
• Ensuring high visibility to funders, partners, and the public to build interest in engaged philanthropy.
• Listens to and solicits feedback from staff, board members, community leaders, donors and University Academy.
• Reviewing programmatic goals and setting growth and expansion targets.
• Identifying media, business, and community and corporate partnerships that strengthen the organization’s visibility and impact.
• Network in the Kansas City area in various industries to build pathways for UA alumni to access professionals for educational opportunities, informational and job interviews, internships, mentoring, etc.
• Build and steward strategic partnerships across education, business, philanthropy, and the Kansas City community to expand UAF’s visibility, resources, and opportunities for students and alumni.
• Stay informed of the educational and charter school landscape.

Desired Experience, Education, Skills and Knowledge
Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, nonprofit management, human services, social work, or related field; master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum 10 years progressively responsible, future-focused leadership experience that will translate effectively to leadership of a high relationship-centric, impact-driven nonprofit; education experience is preferred.
• Results-oriented leader with a proven ability to strengthen operations and drive organizational excellence.
• Excellent writing and presentation skills
• Collaborative and empathetic leader with strong emotional and cultural intelligence. Has ability to coach employees and teams to higher levels of performance and professional development.
• Ability to connect and develop relationships across a diversity group of stakeholders.
• Knowledge and capability in strategic public relations, communications, and brand-building/marketing

Compensation & Benefits
The projected compensation range for this opportunity will include a base salary between $100,000 and $130,000 in accordance with the background and experience of the selected candidate. Compensation is supplemented by a benefits package that includes PTO, paid holidays, healthcare and 401(k) plan (when eligible) etc.

How to Apply
CBIZ Talent Solutions is partnering with University Academy Foundation on this important and exciting search. All calls and inquiries regarding this search should be made directly to the search firm. Nominations and applications will be held in confidence. Consideration will be given to materials received by the submission deadline of October 2, 2026. Interested candidates should email a current résumé or CV to:

Jessica Galbraith – Executive Search Consultant, Senior Recruiter - CBIZ Talent Solutions; View email address on us.fitly.work

Job Type: Full Time

Salary Range: $100,000 and over