CEO

Fahrenheit Advisors is proud to be leading the search for the next CEO of Communities in Schools in Richmond VA. This is an incredibly high-impact role leading a well-respected and highly functioning organization doing critical work in Richmond and Henrico public school systems.

Position Summary

Communities In Schools of Richmond (CIS Richmond) seeks a visionary community-rooted and equity-driven leader to serve as its next President & CEO. The CEO will lead a trusted high-impact organization that partners with Richmond and Henrico public schools to surround students with a community of support empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. The CEO will be responsible for executing a bold five-year strategic plan focused on deepening student-centered services expanding regional reach and strengthening organizational sustainability. This position reports to the Board of Directors and is based on-site in a beautiful office in Richmond position reports to the Board of Directors and is based on-site in a beautiful office in Richmond Virginia. CIS is currently serving 20000 students / 2400 case managed across 42 schools with their dedicated team of 65. This CEO will be responsible for a $5.3M budget.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Vision

• Lead the implementation of CIS Richmonds Strategic Plan ensuring alignment with mission values and measurable outcomes.
• Champion a student-centered service delivery model that integrates social-emotional development data-informed practices and long-term engagement.
• Foster a culture of innovation empathy and excellence across the organization.

Relationship Building & Community Engagement

• Build and sustain trust-based relationships with school district leadership principals families donors city and county officials and community partners.
• Serve as a connector across sectors to broker resources and drive collective impact.
• Represent CIS Richmond as a credible visible and respected voice in education and youth development.

Fundraising & Advocacy

• Lead fundraising strategy in partnership with the development team maintaining and growing relationships with public and private funders.
• Advocate for CIS Richmond with city council school boards and other government entities to secure appropriations and policy support.
• Leverage board relationships and networks to expand philanthropic and strategic partnerships.

Operational Excellence

• Oversee day-to-day operations ensuring program fidelity financial health and staff well-being.
• Build and maintain a high-performing mission-driven team with a strong culture of trust recognition and accountability.
• Ensure compliance with all regulatory financial and data reporting requirements.

Board Relations

• Partner with the Board of Directors to set strategic direction monitor progress and cultivate a culture of philanthropy and governance.
• Engage board members in meaningful ways including potential reactivation of school-based partnerships.

Candidate Profile

Required Experience & Skills

• Proven leadership experience in education nonprofit management or a related field ideally with urban school systems or trauma-informed youth services.
• Demonstrated success in fundraising advocacy and stakeholder engagement.
• Deep understanding of Richmonds racial political and educational landscapeor similar urban contexts
• Politically savvy and comfortable navigating government systems and community dynamics.
• Strong operational and financial management skills including HR oversight and data-informed decision-making.

Preferred Qualifications

• Undergraduate and graduate degree required
• Minimum of 7 years of executive leadership experience.
• Experience working with public schools especially in Virginia.
• Commitment to diversity equity and inclusion in all aspects of leadership.
• Empathetic accessible and hands-off management style that empowers staff and honors their lived experiences.

Personal Attributes

• Passionate about youth and education.
• Bold optimistic and resilient.
• Excellent communicator and relationship builder.
• Not seeking a stepping-stonecommitted to long-term impact.
• While the CEO role demands high visibility and availabilityincluding evenings and weekendsthe organization prioritizes a healthy work-life balance for staff and expects the CEO to lead with empathy and respect for those boundaries

Required Experience:

Chief