Chief Executive Officer

Role and Responsibilities

The Chief Executive Officer serves as the visionary leader and chief steward of the Boys & Girls Club of Central Illinois’ Central Unit and 10 school-based sites. Reporting directly to the Board of Directors, the CEO will lead the development and execution of a compelling strategic vision that advances program excellence, expands community impact, and ensures the organization’s long-term relevance and sustainability.

• Serve as the primary strategic partner to the Board of Directors, guiding governance, policy development, long-range planning, and organizational priorities in alignment with the mission and values of Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Illinois.
• Provide executive oversight of all organizational operations, ensuring high-quality programs, effective systems, and performance accountability that drive measurable mission outcomes.
• Act as the organization’s chief ambassador and public representative, cultivating strong relationships with individual givers, partners, business leaders, government officials, and community stakeholders to elevate visibility, influence, and financial support.
• Provide strategic leadership for all fundraising and revenue-generation efforts, setting a bold resource development vision that aligns with organizational priorities and supports sustainable growth.
• Oversee the financial health and asset stewardship of the organization, ensuring fiscal integrity, regulatory compliance, and the effective deployment of resources to support strategic objectives.
• Champion a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement, ensuring adherence to Boys & Girls Clubs of America standards, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices, with safety embedded as a core organizational value.
• Build, lead, and inspire a high-performing executive and management team by setting clear expectations, fostering professional development, and aligning talent with strategic priorities in alignment with the Board of Directors and committees.
• Support the ongoing development and effectiveness of the Board of Directors through leadership, guidance, and collaboration, including board recruitment, engagement, and governance best practices.
• Provide regular reporting to the Board on organizational performance, strategic progress, financial position, fundraising outcomes, and emerging risks and opportunities.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Passion for youth development, equity, and community impact, with the ability to embed mission, safety, and accountability into all aspects of organizational leadership.
• Demonstrated and tenured executive leadership experience with the ability to set vision, align strategy, and drive organizational performance within a complex, multi-site or multi-program environment.
• Proven ability to partner effectively with a governing board, including experience supporting strong governance practices, strategic decision-making, and shared accountability for organizational outcomes.
• Strategic and financial acumen, with a strong understanding of nonprofit finance, asset stewardship, and risk management, and the ability to ensure long-term fiscal sustainability.
• A track record of leading successful fundraising and resource development efforts, including major gifts, institutional funding, corporate partnerships, and innovative revenue strategies.
• Ability to serve as the organization’s chief relationship builder and external ambassador, engaging donors, community leaders, public officials, and partners with credibility and influence.
• Experience leading organizational growth and transformation, including the ability to manage change, foster innovation, and guide teams through periods of evolution and expansion.
• Operational excellence, with the capacity to design and oversee systems, structures, and performance metrics that support high-quality programming and organizational effectiveness.
• Strong people leadership and talent development skills, including the ability to recruit, develop, and retain high-performing senior leaders, board members and build a values-driven organizational culture with clear succession plans.
• Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to articulate vision, inspire action, and build trust with diverse audiences.