President & Chief Executive Officer, Greater Washington Urban League, Inc.

President & Chief Executive Officer

For more than 85 years, the Greater Washington Urban League (GWUL) has been a trusted anchor institution committed to advancing equity, economic mobility, and social justice for African Americans and other historically marginalized communities across Washington, DC, Prince George's County, and Montgomery County. As one of the founding Affiliates of the National Urban League, GWUL delivers direct services, policy advocacy, workforce development, housing assistance, and community empowerment programs that strengthen families and build pathways to opportunity.

GWUL is seeking an experienced, mission-centered leader to serve as its President & Chief Executive Officer. The CEO will provide steady leadership, ensure organizational continuity, support staff and stakeholders, and strengthen the organization's foundation as it moves into its next chapter. The CEO will be a strategic values-aligned leader, fundraiser, and relationship-builder who can quickly build and inspire trust among staff, Board, and external partners, ensuring that GWUL continues to expand its strong legacy of impact.

The ideal candidate will be a seasoned nonprofit leader with extensive fundraising experience, strong financial acumen, and deep emotional intelligence. GWUL is seeking a transformative, flexible, patient, and creative leader to help the organization grow strategically, maximize impact, and continue to operate with excellence. The CEO will bring clarity of vision, openness to continuous learning and feedback, and excitement for bringing staff along with change. Given GWUL's work at the community level, someone who brings existing relationships and a willingness to build new ones will thrive in this role.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Organizational Management

• Serve as the primary leader responsible for mission alignment and organizational performance.
• Provide executive oversight of daily operations and ensure continuity of services.
• Foster a collaborative, trusted, and supportive culture for staff and partners.
• Champion a high-performing, inclusive culture grounded in clarity of roles, shared accountability, and mutual trust.
• Develop and execute a clear, future-ready strategy aligned with GWUL's mission and community needs.
• Strengthen organizational alignment and cross-functional collaboration to support growth and mission impact.
• Build and develop a strong leadership team and talent pipeline aligned with strategic priorities.

Board & Governance Partnership

• Work closely with the Board Chair and Board of Directors to align strategy and execute organizational priorities.
• Provide timely and transparent updates on operations, financial health, and strategic priorities.
• Support effective governance partnership with a high-functioning Board focused on strategy, accountability, and mission advancement.

Program Oversight & Service Delivery

• Lead the effective implementation, evaluation, and compliance of all programs and initiatives.
• Ensure GWUL continues to meet the needs of the communities it serves.

Financial & Operational Stewardship

• Oversee fiscal management, budgeting, and resource allocation with transparency and accountability.
• Maintain compliance with grant and contract requirements.
• Partner with the Finance team and Board Finance Committee on financial monitoring and risk mitigation.

Fundraising

• Serve as a visible ambassador for GWUL with major funders and partners.
• Steward existing funder relationships and implement expanded funding strategies that diversify revenue streams across philanthropy, corporate, government, and individual giving.
• Work closely with the Board of Directors to leverage their networks and support fundraising efforts, including participation in donor meetings and events.
• Proactively secure creative and innovative funding opportunities and leverage external relationships to meet specific needs and budgetary constraints, as well as grow GWUL's reach, influence, and visibility.

Stakeholder & Community Engagement

• Serve as the principal spokesperson, convener, and relationship-builder for GWUL.
• Strengthen relationships and credibility with funders, government agencies, corporate partners, and community organizations.
• Represent the organization in local, regional, and national forums as a respected leader in the Urban League Movement.
• Operate effectively within a dynamic policy and funding landscape affecting workforce development and economic equity.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred (public administration, business, social work, nonprofit management, or related field).
• Minimum five years (10+ preferred) of senior leadership experience in nonprofit, government, or corporate settings.
• Demonstrated ability to manage operations, programs, staff, and budgets at scale.
• Experience working with or reporting to a volunteer Board of Directors.
• Strong communication, relationship-building, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Experience with fundraising, public partnerships, advocacy, or service delivery strongly preferred.
• Ability to lead effectively during periods of transition, ambiguity, and change.
• Knowledge of or experience with the National Urban League Movement is a plus.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal President and CEO is:

• A seasoned, values-driven leader
• Strategic and steady under pressure
• Skilled in managing teams and navigating complex environments
• An exceptional communicator and coalition builder
• Deeply committed to equity, justice, and community empowerment

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit the following:

• Professional resume
• Cover letter expressing interest and alignment with the Urban League mission

Please submit the above listed items to the President/CEO Search committee to our search partners at LeaderFit.