Executive Director

Executive Director

CFS seeks an Executive Director with a deep well of passion who is always motivated to rally for others, whether it is their staff or the community they serve. Capable of making decisions with long-term success in mind, the Executive Director is a problem solver with child welfare or nonprofit experience who guides agency strategy, operations, fundraising, financial management, community programs, and staff leadership. Reporting directly to the Board of Directors and working closely with a dedicated leadership team, the Executive Director listens before they speak in order to avoid reacting based on emotion.

This is a multi-faceted role responsible for overseeing CFS’ many impact programs and long-range direction. The Executive Director serves as the public face of CFS, collaborates with leadership and eight direct reports to find creative solutions, and understands that sometimes tough choices must be made to better serve our community now and in the future.

The ideal candidate will be comfortable challenging the status quo and be willing to make themselves uncomfortable in order to create the growth needed to fuel our mission. At its core, this role is about guiding others and helping them tap into the best versions of themselves.

You will be the conductor of our symphony; you don’t need to know how to play each instrument, but you must understand how the orchestra is supposed to sound and be able to help make adjustments when necessary.

Key Responsibilities: 

Operational Leadership and Program Oversight

• Ensures programs meet mission objectives and achieve measurable outcomes
• Promotes data-driven decision-making and continuous quality improvement
• Recruits, supervises, coaches, and evaluates senior staff and program teams
• Provides leadership training/development and succession planning for key positions
• Oversees program development, expansion, evaluation, and continuous quality improvement
• Supports high-quality programs aligned with best practices in human services
• Promotes evidence-based and trauma-informed approaches
• Oversees administrative systems, IT, facilities management, and organizational infrastructure
• Ensures that systems support efficient, ethical, and effective operations
• Fosters a culture of equity, collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement

Board Engagement

• Serves as the primary liaison to the Board of Directors
• Supports Board development, training, and recruitment
• Creates and executes annual operating and business plans aligned with strategic plan Fund Development and Marketing
• Develops and implements fundraising strategies
• Maintains strong relationships with donors, funders, and philanthropic partners
• Oversees branding, marketing, and communication strategies to raise awareness and support and ensure compelling storytelling and consistent, quality messaging across platforms

Financial Management and Compliance

• With program directors, develops, updates, and implements organizational policies and procedures
• With the Compliance Director, ensures compliance with federal, state, and local laws, as well as grant, contract, CARF accreditation, and all regulatory requirements
• Maintains oversight of risk management, data privacy, client rights, and organizational safety practices
• With program directors, ensures CFS compliance with the law and the best interests of CFS in legal matters, contracts, Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs), insurance, risk management, and organizational filings
• With Finance Director, oversees financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and reporting
• Ensures strong internal controls, proper accounting practices, and compliance with audit standards
• Ensures financial transparency and sustainability 

Community Engagement and Advocacy

• Represents the organization in advocacy efforts at the local, state, and national levels, fostering a collaborative approach to child welfare, human services, and cross-sector issues and challenges
• Builds and sustains relationships with policymakers, coalitions, and community partners
• Promotes the organization as a leader in human services to advance systemic change
• Actively participates in the Michigan Federation for Children and Families to help accomplish the above

Operational Leadership and Program Oversight

You embrace every aspect of leadership, willing to dig into the details whenever necessary but comfortable delegating to your tremendously competent staff when it’s time to pass the reins. In this role, you will own the long-term direction of CFS, partner with the Board on yearly plans, and be willing and able to adjust your strategies as our community’s needs shift. You will be responsible for program direction, policy development, compliance, and oversight of risk. Using our strategic plan as your main reference, you’ll work with our staff and stakeholders to deliver on our mission and achieve the organization’s ambitious objectives.

Board Engagement

You appreciate the insight and impact a strong Board of Directors can bring to an organization’s mission and you are excited to collaborate directly with the Board to advance CFS’ efforts. In this role, you will serve as the primary liaison to the Board of Directors, support Board development, training, and recruitment, and work closely with the Board to create and execute annual operating and business plans aligned with our strategic plan.

Fund Development and Marketing

You cannot wait to engage with our donors to share our impact and help them connect deeply to our mission. You understand the vital importance of fundraising to our financial stability and embrace the opportunity to secure gifts from new and longstanding donors one-on-one and at community events. In this role, you’ll work with our leadership team to develop and implement fundraising strategies for our many programs, and help identify, cultivate, and steward relationships with major donors, funders, and philanthropic partners. You’ll also work with our Director of Development & Marketing to oversee branding, marketing, and communication strategies to raise awareness and support, ensure compelling storytelling and consistent, quality messaging across platforms, and maintain friendly relationships with the media to strengthen CFS’ visibility and impact.

Financial Management and Compliance

You are passionate not just about the direct impact of our programs but the financial and compliance workings that make them possible. In this role, you will work with the Finance Director to build and forecast budgets, prepare audits and financial reports, and share updates on CFS’ financial health as part of a commitment to financial transparency. You will also handle oversight of the organization’s regulatory compliance and ensure our continued CARF accreditation, which reflects our commitment to excellence in both clinical and administrative practices and ensures the highest quality care for the families we serve.

Community Engagement and Advocacy

You are a total team player and want every member of our community to be part of your team. Enthusiastic and encouraging, you will be the welcoming face of CFS in advocacy efforts at the local, state, and national levels, fostering a collaborative approach to child welfare, human services, and cross-sector issues and challenges. In this role, you will build and sustain strong relationships with policymakers, coalitions, and community partners, actively participate in the Michigan Federation for Children and Families, and always promote CFS as a leader in human services to advance systemic change.

Living CFS’ Core Values

You understand that an organization is only as strong as the values it practices. You are mature and of the highest integrity, and align with CFS’ strong code of ethics. In this role, you must commit to serving our clients, volunteers, staff, referral sources, and all members of our community with our core values: respect, innovation, service, excellence, stability, and sustainability. You can learn more about our values and ethics at cfsnwmi.org/about.

Qualifications: 

Education – A master’s degree in Human Services, Nonprofit Management, Public Administration, or a related field is required.

Experience – At least seven years of leadership experience in child welfare, human services, nonprofit management, or a related sector is required. Proven success in organizational leadership, fundraising, budgeting, and staff management is highly desirable, as is experience working closely with Boards of Directors and governance structures. Demonstrated success in advocacy, coalition-building, and cross-sector collaboration is preferred.

Abilities and Skills – Must possess a strong understanding of trauma-informed practices, equity principles, and community-centered service delivery. Exceptional communication, relationship building, and strategic thinking skills are also a must. Experience with CARF accreditation or similar regulatory frameworks is preferred.

Note: This position description serves as a general overview of the role’s responsibilities and requirements. Duties and expectations may be adjusted to accommodate the organization’s evolving needs.

Compensation & Benefits: 

This position is based in Traverse City, Michigan. The salary range for this position is $125,000 to $150,000 – commensurate with experience – and includes a competitive benefits package.

How To Express Interest

To Apply: Please click here to apply (preferred) or send your cover letter and resume to

info@solventgrp.com with the subject line: CFS Executive Director Application.

How to Apply

To Apply: Please click here to apply (preferred) or send your cover letter and resume to info@solventgrp.com with the subject line: CFS Executive Director Application.