Aya Foundation

AYA FOUNDATION

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

COLORADO

Chief Executive Officer

Denver, Colorado

Compensation: $155,000

Diverse Talent is working with the Aya Foundation to place their next Chief Executive Officer to lead their organization to new heights. The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience in fundraising and economic development, with a proven ability to cultivate and sustain key relationships. This individual will excel at engaging with individual donors, national and institutional funders, and fostering strategic private-public partnerships to drive the organization’s mission forward.

The organization is transitioning from a start-up phase to a growth phase, with the goal of expanding its regional impact. The CEO will be instrumental in guiding the scaling process, increasing revenue streams, and ensuring operational efficiency to meet the organization’s vision of becoming a regional leader in supporting Black entrepreneurs.

Responsibilities

Strategic Vision and Planning

Develop and implement a strategic plan aligned with the organization's mission, goals, and resources.
Knowledge of nonprofit management principles and best practices.

Fundraising and Resource Development

Take the lead in diversifying revenue streams to achieve financial sustainability, including cultivating relationships with institutional funders, corporate sponsors, individual donors, and government entities. Oversee the development of a long-term financial strategy that ensures the foundation’s growth while maintaining fiscal responsibility.
Strong fundraising experience and a proven track record of securing a diversity of funding (grants, major donors, sponsorships, private-public partnerships, and more).
Build and sustain strategic partnerships with a diverse range of stakeholders, including government entities, private foundations, corporations, and community organizations. Represent the foundation in key external forums, advocating for policies and initiatives that support Black entrepreneurs.
Serve as the primary person responsible for securing funding, building relationships with donors, and managing the organization's finances and $1.5M budget.
Prepares accurate and timely analyses that capture and communicate fundraising results, variances, and performance trends.
Ensures that services and funding relationships are robust enough to meet or exceed strategic goals and objectives.

Financial Management and Budgetary Oversight

Oversee budget growth from $1.5M to $3M, ensuring that financial planning supports the scaling of operations and that resources are allocated efficiently to maximize impact.
Responsible for managing the organization's finances, ensuring responsible spending, and adhering to budgetary constraints.
Financial acumen and understanding of budgeting and financial reporting.
Develops and implements consistent inventory and cost accounting policies, procedures, and operational reporting/metrics.
Supervises the development of operations-based financial modeling.
Coordinates and leads annual budget reviews, monthly and quarterly reviews, and periodic forecast updates with operational and senior management for all locations.

Leadership & Management

Lead a dynamic team by fostering a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement. The CEO will be responsible for building and maintaining high-performing teams, ensuring that staff and volunteers are aligned with the organization’s evolving mission and growth strategy.
Strong leadership skills and the ability to inspire and motivate staff and volunteers.
Responsible for leading the organization's staff and volunteers, fostering a positive work environment, and ensuring effective operations.
Understanding of the plight and mindset of entrepreneurship.
Retains a diverse, highly qualified staff and volunteers by providing career coaching, growth, and personal development for workers.
Works independently and autonomously while never losing sight on the mission and vision of the organization.
Enthusiastic, dynamic leader to be the main spokesperson for the organization, community, and media friendly.

Board Relations and Governance

Collaborate closely with the board of directors to ensure effective governance and strategic direction. The CEO will guide the board in making key decisions related to scaling operations, fundraising, and long-term sustainability.
Collaborate with team, committees, volunteers, vendors, entrepreneurs, and board members.

External Relations and Communications

Build and sustain strategic partnerships with a diverse range of stakeholders, including government entities, private foundations, corporations, and community organizations.
Represent the foundation in key external forums, advocating for policies and initiatives that support Black entrepreneurs

Integrate Strategic Focus on Diversity and Inclusion

Ensure that Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) principles are embedded in all organizational practices, from staff recruitment and retention to program development, ensuring the foundation remains a champion for Black entrepreneurs, and philanthropy clients.

Program Development and Evaluation

Oversee the development and implementation of programs that align with the organization's mission and goals. A full-time COO executes and co-authors the strategic programmatic plan.

Philanthropic Services

Responsible for building the philanthropic services of the institution. This includes Donor-Advised-Funds, and special funds and other philanthropic services.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree Business Management, Non-Profit Management or Economics.
Non-profit management experience in an operational environment.
Experience working with and advocating for Black entrepreneurs is highly desired.
Proven track record in scaling a nonprofit organization from start-up to growth phase, particularly in economic development, community building, and fundraising for entrepreneurial initiatives, is preferred.
Management or supervisory experience.
Prior active minority community involvement.
Government relations experience a plus.
Accomplished and comfortable public speaking skills.
Public relations/media relations experience.
Ability to successfully engage in fundraising/sales activities.
Strong relationships with community and business leaders, highly desirable.
Experience with staff recruitment, retention, and coaching staff to achieve goals.
Understanding of nonprofit operations and regulations including basic legal and compliance issues.
Connections to and experience within the Colorado community and BIPOC communities
strongly preferred.
Connections to and experience with national funders in the economic opportunity, entrepreneurship space.