Job Description
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. 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 their dedicated team of 65. This CEO will be responsible for a $5.3M budget.
Key Responsibilities Strategic Leadership & Vision
- 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 engagement.
- Foster a culture of innovation, empathy, and excellence across the organization.
Relationship Building & Community Engagement
- 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.
Fundraising & Advocacy
- 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.
Operational Excellence
- 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.
Board Relations
- 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 partnerships.
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 services.
- 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 degree 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 Tags
Work at office, Afternoon shift,