Summary
Description
Executive Director — Colorado Women’s Education Foundation (CWEF)
Location: Remote (Colorado-based; Front-Range preferred), with regular in-person meetings and events statewide
Reports to: Board of Trustees
About CWEF
Colorado Women’s Education Foundation (CWEF) advances educational opportunities for women across Colorado, supporting higher education, vocational training, and career advancement to unlock pathways to economic independence and community leadership.
As we approach our 50th anniversary in April 2026, CWEF is entering a transformative chapter: refining our vision, expanding our impact, and rebranding to reflect our legacy and future. With a generous multi-year grant secured, we are poised to deepen scholarship programs and partnerships statewide.
The Opportunity
We are seeking an experienced Executive Director to lead CWEF in this next phase by strengthening fundraising, partnerships, and organizational infrastructure while honoring and evolving a long-standing legacy of volunteer leadership.
The Executive Director is CWEF’s chief strategist, ambassador, and operational leader. This role is ideal for someone who thrives at the intersection of vision and execution while leading with steadiness, clarity, and strong relationship skills.
Team & structure – CWEF currently has a small team (one part-time consultant and one part-time program coordinator). The Board currently includes 10 members.
How We Work (Board + ED Partnership)
CWEF is evolving from a historically volunteer-led, working board to a strategic governance model. The Executive Director will partner with the Board to clarify roles, strengthen governance, and build a sustainable operating model so staff and volunteers can do their best work.
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What Success Looks Like (first 12–18 months)
The Executive Director’s early priorities include:
1. Fundraising & sustainability
● Build and execute an annual fundraising plan and pipeline (individuals, foundations, corporate, public funding).
● Strengthen donor systems (CRM discipline, stewardship cadence, reporting) and support endowment development.
2. Governance and operating model
● Establish clear decision-rights, committee scopes, and board/staff boundaries to support the governance transition.
3. Brand, visibility, and partnerships
● Lead the organization’s public presence across Colorado; grow partnerships that expand awareness and program reach.
4. Operational excellence
● Strengthen budgeting, financial reporting, grant compliance, and internal systems that enable scalable impact.
Core Responsibilities
Fundraising and Financial Stewardship
● Develop and execute annual and multi-year fundraising plans, including endowment development, in partnership with staff and the Board.
● Lead donor cultivation and solicitation, and ensure consistent stewardship and communications.
● Oversee budgeting, financial reporting, and grant compliance.
Strategy, Programs, and Impact
● Ensure scholarship/program delivery aligns with mission and meets agreed-upon performance metrics.
● Use data and learning to measure impact and guide decisions.
Partnerships, Communications, and Visibility
● Serve as the primary spokesperson and representative of CWEF across Colorado.
● Build partnerships with community organizations, funders, and stakeholders.
● Oversee external communications (website, newsletters, marketing collateral, social media) and fundraising events.
Operations, Compliance, and Team Leadership
● Oversee daily operations and ensure robust internal systems, workflows, and compliance.
● Lead a small team and coordinate effectively with consultants, volunteers, and board committees in a collaborative, accountable way.
Required Qualifications
● 5+ years in senior nonprofit leadership.
● Demonstrated fundraising success; comfortable as a public-facing leader.
● Experience partnering effectively with a board of directors.
● Strong financial acumen (budgets, reporting, compliance).
● Excellent written, verbal, and visual communication skills.
● Proficiency with CRM systems and modern tools for donor management and communications.
● Colorado-based with ability to travel regularly across the state (including evenings/weekends at times).
Education: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent lived/professional experience welcomed; CWEF
values diverse pathways to leadership including vocational training, community-based learning,
and non-traditional academic journeys
Benefits
Salary: $90,000–$100,000 (commensurate with experience)
Benefits: 3 weeks PTO + 11 paid holidays; flexible remote work with in-person engagements
How to Apply
How to Apply
Please submit a resume, cover letter, and three references to the Board Hiring Committee at ann@cwef.org.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
* Please note: As this role requires excellent verbal and written skills, all application materials will be screened using an AI-detection tool before review. We ask that all materials be written entirely by the applicant so we have a clear understanding of the quality of your communication skills.
Hiring timeline:
● Applications close: January 24, 2026
● First-round interviews begin: January 12, 2026
● Final interviews + exercise: January 31, 2026
● Offer date: February 6, 2026
● Target start date: February 21, 2026
