Executive Director

ProSearch is partnering with Educate Maine to identify its next Executive Director in Portland, Maine, a high-impact nonprofit leadership opportunity. We are seeking an accomplished executive with experience in education, workforce development, public policy, advocacy, stakeholder engagement, fundraising, organizational leadership, strategic planning, and nonprofit management.Educate Maine is a business-led education advocacy organization whose mission is to champion career readiness by increasing the educational attainment of Maine people, enabling all students to succeed in post-secondary education and in the workplace. As Executive Director, you will serve as the chief executive and strategic leader of the organization, advancing education advocacy, workforce development initiatives, public policy priorities, stakeholder engagement, fundraising, nonprofit operations, board relations, organizational leadership, and program management across the state.This highly visible executive leadership role offers the opportunity to work at the intersection of education, workforce development, economic development, public policy, and community impact. You will collaborate with business, education, government, nonprofit, and philanthropic leaders throughout Maine to strengthen the education-to-workforce pipeline and help create greater opportunities for students, workers, and employers.WHY THIS ROLE STANDSThis is an opportunity to lead meaningful change across Maine's education and workforce landscape. You'll have the opportunity to:Lead a respected statewide education advocacy and workforce development organizationAdvance initiatives that strengthen career readiness, workforce readiness, and educational attainment across MaineInfluence education policy and workforce development strategies that impact students, educators, workers, and employersBuild partnerships across education, business, government, nonprofit, and philanthropic sectorsHelp address Maine's workforce challenges through innovative collaboration and strategic leadershipGuide a mission-driven organization with a strong reputation, engaged Board of Directors, and dedicated staffShape long-term organizational strategy while remaining closely connected to programs and community impactKEY RESPONSIBILITIESExecutive Leadership & Organizational ManagementServe as the chief executive and strategic leader of Educate MaineProvide overall leadership and direction for organizational strategy, nonprofit management, operations, and growthPartner with the Board of Directors to establish priorities, strategic goals, and annual workplansLead, mentor, and support a high-performing team while fostering a collaborative and inclusive cultureOversee organizational systems, policies, technology, human resources, compliance, and operational effectivenessManage organizational budgeting, financial planning, reporting, and fiscal stewardshipFundraising & Resource DevelopmentLead fundraising efforts and revenue development strategies across corporate, educational, nonprofit, and philanthropic sectorsCultivate and maintain strong donor, sponsor, and funder relationshipsIdentify and secure new funding opportunities that support organizational growth and impactPartner with staff and board members on fundraising strategy, grant development, donor stewardship, and resource developmentEnsure the long-term financial sustainability of the organizationAdvocacy, Public Policy & External RelationsServe as a leading voice on education, workforce development, career readiness, and public policy issues affecting MaineBuild relationships with elected officials, policymakers, business leaders, educators, funders, and community stakeholdersAdvance policy priorities aligned with Educate Maine's mission and strategic planRepresent the organization at statewide meetings, conferences, public events, and leadership forumsCommunicate effectively with diverse audiences through public speaking, presentations, written communications, and media engagementStrategic Partnerships & Stakeholder EngagementBuild and strengthen partnerships with employers, educational institutions, community organizations, government agencies, and coalitionsConvene stakeholders to address education and workforce development challenges through collaboration and innovationExpand Educate Maine's visibility, influence, and statewide impactAdvance initiatives that strengthen connections between education, postsecondary attainment, workforce development, and employment opportunitiesProgram Leadership & Organizational ImpactCollaborate with staff to support successful program management, implementation, and executionEstablish measurable goals, performance indicators, and organizational prioritiesUtilize data, research, and stakeholder feedback to inform decision-making and evaluate impactEnsure programs align with organizational goals and deliver meaningful outcomes for Maine students, educators, workers, and employersBoard Relations & GovernanceSupport the Board of Directors and board committees in fulfilling governance responsibilitiesPartner with board leadership on strategic planning, board development, recruitment, engagement, and retentionMaintain transparent communication and strong working relationships with board membersEnsure effective governance practices that support organizational accountability and long-term successWHO WE'RE LOOKING FORYou are a collaborative and strategic leader who is equally comfortable engaging with educators, policymakers, nonprofit leaders, business executives, employers, funders, and community stakeholders. You bring:Significant leadership experience within a nonprofit, education, workforce development, advocacy, public policy, government, economic development, or related organizationA passion for career readiness, workforce development, educational attainment, and economic opportunityStrong expertise in organizational leadership, strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and partnership developmentExceptional communication, relationship-building, and public speaking skillsExperience leading organizational strategy and managing complex initiativesFinancial management, budgeting, and operational leadership experienceFundraising, donor relations, grant development, sponsorship, or business development experienceThe ability to balance visionary leadership with hands-on executionA demonstrated commitment to expanding opportunity and improving outcomes for Maine peopleQUALIFICATIONSBachelor's degree requiredAdvanced degree in Education, Public Policy, Nonprofit Management, Business Administration, Workforce Development, Communications, or a related field preferredSignificant executive leadership, nonprofit leadership, organizational leadership, or management experienceExperience managing teams, budgets, operations, and strategic initiatives.Proven success in fundraising, donor cultivation, grant development, resource development, or revenue generationExperience working with Boards of Directors and governance structuresStrong stakeholder engagement and partnership-building experienceKnowledge of Maine's education, workforce development, economic development, nonprofit, or public policy landscape preferredDemonstrated success balancing strategy, advocacy, relationship management, and operational leadershipTHE KIND OF LEADER WHO THRIVES HEREAt Educate Maine, mission and leadership go hand in hand.Successful candidates are:Mission-Driven – Passionate about improving educational attainment, career readiness, and workforce outcomesCollaborative – Skilled at bringing diverse stakeholders together around common goals.Strategic – Able to balance long-term vision with practical executionRelationship-Oriented – Builds trust across education, business, government, and nonprofit communitiesAdaptive – Comfortable navigating change, complexity, and evolving prioritiesResults-Focused – Motivated by measurable impact and continuous improvementWHY APPLYJoin a respected statewide organization dedicated to strengthening education, workforce development, and economic opportunity throughout Maine.This opportunity offers:The chance to lead one of Maine's most influential education and workforce development organizationsMeaningful statewide impact on students, workers, educators, and employersStrong partnerships across education, business, government, nonprofit, and philanthropic sectorsAn engaged and supportive Board of DirectorsOpportunities to influence public policy, educational attainment, workforce development, and career readiness initiativesA collaborative and mission-driven team environmentCompetitive compensation and benefits, including health insurance, retirement benefits, paid time off, and professional development opportunitiesThe opportunity to shape the future of education and workforce development in MaineCOMPENSATIONThe salary range for this position is $140-145k.The salary range for this role reflects the minimum and maximum compensation for the role. Offers are typically made between the range minimum and the range midpoint. Actual compensation will be determined based on job-related skills, experience, and expertise, as evaluated during the interview process. Compensation may also vary based on where a role is performed.READY TO MAKE AN IMPACT?If you're a mission-driven leader who is passionate about education, workforce development, career readiness, educational attainment, nonprofit leadership, public policy, stakeholder engagement, and creating opportunities for Maine people to succeed in postsecondary education and the workplace, we'd love to hear from you.