PresidentCEO Junior Achievement of Wisconsin

Junior Achievement (JA) has 98 JA Areas across the nation and together is the nations largest organization dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success plan for their futures and make smart academic and economic choices. JAs programs in the core content areas of work readiness entrepreneurship and financial literacy ignite the spark in young people to experience and realize the opportunities and realities of work and life in the 21st century. JAs values include:

Belief in the boundless potential of young people
Commitment to the principles of market-based economics & entrepreneurship
Passion for what we do and honesty integrity & excellence in how we do it
Respect for the talents creativity perspectives & backgrounds of all individuals
Belief in the power of partnership & collaboration
Conviction in the educational and motivational impact of relevant hands-on learning

Junior Achievement of Wisconsin (JA Wisconsin) stands at a pivotal moment - one defined by bold vision strategic execution and transformative impact. JA Wisconsin is the regions premier business-connected educational provider. The organization catalyzes cross-sector partnerships to deliver innovative solutions that significantly improve educational attainment workforce readiness and access.

With operations throughout the state JA Wisconsin has built a reputation for innovation and results working with school districts to integrate and scale experiential learning. Today over 120000 students engage in a continuum of real-world applied learning experiences that shape their mindset behaviors and skills to envision and pursue opportunity-filled fact JA is also responding to emerging needs among a growing number of young adults (18) struggling financially with independent living after school. JA is excited to be part of this new opportunity to help support one student at a time for their last mile of academic learning.

This transformation has been fueled by partnerships with school districts colleges and major employers that are united by JAs programs to solve entrenched barriers to economic opportunity. Through these efforts JA Wisconsin has expanded its strategic partnerships and the reach of high-impact solutions across the state.

The organizations leadership works with the board of directors to maintain strategic alignment with national initiatives and regional imperatives. Conviction of vision clear communication and key strategic decisions will enable the organization to continue to address the evolving needs of Wisconsins youth.

POSITION OVERVIEW
JA Wisconsin is seeking a President/CEO to lead the statewide organization with bold vision strategic clarity and a deep commitment to economic mobility and close partnership with the Board of Directors this leader will drive systemic impact by scaling innovative experiential education initiatives that prepare young people for post-secondary pathways and high-demand careers.

The President/CEO will serve as a transformative relationship-driven leader who thrives at the intersection of strategy impact and operational excellence. This leader will set and execute a clear vision for JA Wisconsins next era of growth aligning programs and partnerships to deepen district and workforce alignment and expand long-term impact across the state.

The President/CEO will oversee all facets of the organization including financial performance Board relations and governance fundraising and resource generation human resources and talent development marketing and external relations and overall organizational leadership and strategy. The leader will be charged with building and strengthening cross-sector partnerships stewarding JAs brand and ensuring that JA Wisconsin delivers measurable outcomes for students educators employers and communities.

The ideal candidate will be passionate about JAs vision and values and bring the strategic foresight to position JA Wisconsin as a premier partner in career readiness financial literacy and entrepreneurship education. This leader will be an adept coalition builder who mobilizes corporate education philanthropic and civic partners and will demonstrate a relentless commitment to impact equity and opportunity for young people statewide.

JA Wisconsin is headquartered in Milwaukee and operates regional offices throughout the state including locations in Appleton De Pere Eau Claire La Crosse Madison Sheboygan and Wausau.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES AS PRESIDENT/CEO

Mission Advocate:
Advocate passionately for JAs mission within the community and serve as the primary spokesperson
Lead the recruitment and engagement of corporate community and education partners to support JAs programs

Strategic Planning and Execution:
Lead the execution of a bold data-informed strategic plan that aligns with regional needs and national priorities
Cultivate a culture of innovation accountability and continuous improvement across the organization

Talent & Culture
Build and lead a high-performing data-driven leadership team that aligns to the mission values and organizational priorities
Foster a culture of engagement collaboration and excellence that attracts and retains top talent
Accurately project talent and staffing needs to source develop and retain associates capable of meeting performance goals and organizational objectives

Board Governance and Relations:
Partner with the Board to ensure strong governance and alignment to mission fidelity as well as local and national regulatory requirements
Recruit engage and develop a high-performing Board that reflects the strategic partnerships and leadership attributes needed to scale and sustain regional impact and relevance
Prepare and lead highly effective board meetings to advance strategic discussion and decision-making
Operations and Program Management:
Oversee the management of JAs programs to meet the brand promise and established goals for impact and growth
Ensure compliance with JA USAs operating standards and maintain high standards for program delivery
Leverage data and insights to inform operations strategy scale innovation and ensure model fidelity

External Relations and Fundraising:
Serve as the face of JA in the community developing and implementing a public awareness plan to build JAs brand
Foster relationships with governmental civic and industry partners to advance JAs influence and impact
Lead the recruitment and engagement of corporate community and education partners to support JAs programs
Lead major funding initiatives capable of securing and retaining diverse revenue streams by focusing on establishing credibility trust and innovative leadership

Financial Oversight:
Develop manage and oversee the organizational budget; ensure and accurately report on financial sustainability through disciplined budgeting management forecasting and resource allocation
Drive diversified revenue strategies including a mix of public and private funding aligned to strategic priorities
Oversee funder reporting to ensure accurate messaging detailed tracking to goals and timely submission to meet requirements.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
Bachelors degree or equivalent professional experience
Minimum of ten years of relevant experience with a proven track record in nonprofit leadership
Demonstrated understanding of financial literacy and the free enterprise system

COMPETENCIES & PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES FOR SUCCESS

Passionate Advocate for the Mission and Innovation
oCommits to JAs mission; always acts in a way that projects and protects the JA brand
oConsiders the advancement of the mission and impact on the brand locally and nationally in making any decision or plan
oSeizes every opportunity to promote JA and the JA mission to external constituents and employees and Board
oThinks and plans with imagination and wisdom; open to new ideas
oBrings fresh ideas for programs and outreach as an innovative strategist

Strategic and Structural Leader
oSeeks information about the events and trends occurring with external landscape (locally and nationally) constituents (students volunteers donors) education and community leaders board members and employees
oConnects the dots to assimilate input from board staff the education community and other external sources and build consensus to create a plan that takes advantage of early trends and opportunities to advance the long-term mission of JA
oTranslates the vision into engagement through clear and compelling messaging
oLeads with a strategic mindset measures against goals and adjusts on the fly to overcome obstacles or changes in circumstances
oSystems-minded restructurer who designs a clear and lean organization
oDecisive prioritizer who determines the organizations focus and identifies high-impact programs/activities
Culture Building Change Management and People Leadership
oIntentional culture shaper who sets healthy performance norms and builds trust across locations
oPeople developer who invests in staff growth coaching and recognition to grow internal talent
oCommits to continuous learning and personal and professional development that engenders a similar commitment in others

External Relations and Fundraising
oApplies fundamental selling skills in prospecting connecting and developing relationships which result in support for JA
oArticulates the Value on Investment (VOI) explains the value that the prospect organization or individual and the community will receive as a result of an investment of time talent or treasure for JA
oSecures the resources that support and enable achievement of strategic and operational goals
oStewards the customer with an eye to a long-term relationship that is mutually beneficial
oCloser who can reengage long-term donors cultivate new investors and tell a compelling impact story with data

Manages with Financial and Business Acumen
oApplies fundamental business principles to manage organizational systems and processes assess organizational strengths and weaknesses and adjusts as needed
oManages work complexity exhibits an understanding of the interplay of finance economics and services to be delivered and engages across dimensions
oAssures stability and sustainability including both financial and human capital
oEffectively evaluates talent to recruit and retain the best individuals for the Board and staff
oApplies effective talent management techniques and processes to enhance the professional growth and performance of staff
oEffectively leverages technology to enable organizational success


COMPENSATION
A competitive compensation range of $230000 - $275000 is offered along with a competitive benefits package.

To be considered for this opportunity please submit a cover letter and resume to:
Lisa Maddox Executive Search Consultant


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Lindsey Kriete Practice Director