Chief Executive Officer

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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, Virginia. CIS is currently serving 20,000 students / 2,400 case managed across 42 schools with a dedicated team of 65. This CEO will be responsible for a $5.3M budget.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation of CIS Richmond’s 2023–2028 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 engagements
• Foster a culture of innovation, empathy, and excellence across the organization
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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 partnership

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 service
• Demonstrated success in fundraising, advocacy, and stakeholder engagement
• Deep understanding of Richmond’s racial, political, and educational landscape—or 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 degrees 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-stone—committed to long-term impact
• While the CEO role demands high visibility and availability—including evenings and weekends—the organization prioritizes a healthy work‑life balance for staff and expects the CEO to lead with empathy and respect for those boundaries

*** Job is being posted now for review, but interviews will not officially begin until January 2026