INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

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Reports To: IBAI Steering Committee

Term: Six-month engagement (may be extended based on need)

Status: Independent Contractor

Location: Chicago, IL with access to a physical working and meeting space as needed

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POSITION SUMMARY:

As IBAI enters a pivotal period of organizational transition, the Interim Executive Director will provide steady, strategic leadership to ensure financial and structural stability while reinforcing a healthy and thriving organizational culture. While the programmatic and external-facing work is well supported, the core thrust of this role will be to strengthen and build the organization’s internal infrastructure —including technology systems, governance practices, finance, and operations.

The Interim Executive Director’s primary charge will be to stabilize the organization, assess and strengthen its most critical internal systems, address immediate organizational risks and opportunities, and prepare IBAI for successful permanent executive leadership.

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Working closely with the Steering Committee and staff, the Interim Executive Director will assess organizational needs, fortify essential internal systems, and implement improvements that support long-term sustainability. At the same time, this leader will help position IBAI for its next chapter by supporting a successful search process and a smooth transition to a permanent Executive Director (ED). The IED may be considered as a candidate for the permanent ED position but would have to apply for the position like any other candidate.

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Organizational Development & Leadership

• Conduct an early assessment of IBAI’s organizational health, including governance, finances, staffing operations, technology, and management systems

• Identify immediate organizational risks, gaps, and priorities and develop a six-month work plan in partnership with the Steering Committee and staff.

• Establish clear supervisory decision-making and accountability practices, and ensure accountability to established organizational priorities and goals.

• Strengthen supervision and support for team leaders, and identify longer-term organizational development needs.

 

Board Governance

• Partner with the Steering Committee to strengthen operational practices and clarify stakeholder roles.

• Support the Steering Committee in developing and advancing a plan for Board development and expansion, including recruitment, onboarding, and training as appropriate during the interim period.

• Serve as primary staff liaison and establish effective practices for communication, reporting, accountability, and strategic decision-making between staff leadership and governing body.

 

Fund Development & Resource Generation

• Maintain continuity in existing funder and donor relationships and assess IBAI’s immediate and near-term funding needs.

• Partner with staff and the Steering Committee to ensure existing grants and donor relationships are effectively managed and cultivate priority funder relationships as necessary to maintain organizational stability.

• Identify near-term fundraising opportunities that can support IBAI during the transition.

• Develop a transitional fundraising plan identifying immediate needs, opportunities, and priorities for permanent leadership.

 

Fiscal Management & Risk Oversight

• Ensure fiscal integrity through sound financial oversight, transparent budgeting, and proactive financial planning.

• Monitor cash flow, expenditures, and receivables to maintain compliance with grant guidelines and funding requirements.

• Conduct risk assessments and develop contingency financial scenarios to safeguard the organization’s stability.

• Work with the fiscal sponsor to assess and advance IBAI’s readiness to transition financial and administrative oversight, including identifying outstanding needs, risks, responsibilities, and next steps.

 

People, Culture and Management

• Lead with a commitment to collaborative practices with staff and Steering Committee aligned with the mission and theory of change of IBAI.

• Assess existing staff practices and recommend human resource and team development improvements.

• Maintain compliance with legal guidelines on nonprofit advocacy requirements and practices.

• Strengthen priority protocols, policies, and practices for an effective hybrid work environment and identify longer-term people and culture needs for permanent leadership.

 

Community Engagement & External Leadership

• Serve as an appropriate public representative of IBAI and maintain critical relationships with funders, partners, policymakers, and community stakeholders.

• Support staff and contracted partners who lead IBAI’s policy, advocacy, communications, and external engagement work.

• Ensure continuity and alignment between IBAI’s internal operations and its programmatic and policy priorities.

 

Operations Oversight

• Assess and strengthen priority data-management technology systems necessary for organizational continuity, security, and effectiveness.

• Strengthen priority operational systems and document key processes to support organizational efficiency, compliance, and transition to permanent leadership.

 

Permanent Executive Director Readiness & Transition

• Partner with the Steering Committee to identify organizational and leadership considerations that should inform the permanent Executive Director search.

• Document key organizational systems, decisions, relationships, priorities, and outstanding issues.

• Develop a twelve-month organizational roadmap.

• Develop a transition and onboarding plan for the permanent Executive Director that includes the transfer of institutional knowledge, relationships, authority, and responsibilities.

 

CORE COMPETENCIES:

• Strong analytical capabilities with a proven ability to evaluate, integrate, and distill complex information into clear, actionable insights.

• Experience and passion for the mission, vision, values, programs, and communities we serve.

• Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team and with people who hold diverse perspectives.

• Highly developed emotional intelligence, self-reflection, and demonstrated ability to use interpersonal skills and political acumen in respectful and collaborative ways.

• An appropriate sense of humor.

• Flexibility and curiosity while collaborating directly with multiple stakeholders.

• High degree of professional ethics, trustworthiness, integrity, and confidentiality.

 

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in a field related to the position (e.g., organizational development, business, public policy, etc.)

• Minimum of five years of progressive management/leadership experience.

• Proven executive leadership in organizing, nonprofit management, board relations, and community development.

• Experience working with a strong, self-directed staff and steering committees/boards in need of development and expansion.

• Ability to create new operational systems, policies, and practices.

• Strong understanding of organizational development and change management.

• Financial competence, including risk assessment, fiscal scenario planning, and long-term financial forecasting.

• Proven experience in budget development and financial oversight, with ability to assess organizational fiscal health and sustainability.

• Experience in fund development and resource generation, including donor cultivation and grant acquisition.

• Collaborative problem-solver.

• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office and Zoom.

• Proven oral and written communication skills.

• Demonstrated experience building relationships and working directly with community partners/stakeholders/collaborators.

• Good judgment and discretion, as well as commitment to organizational reputation.

• Willingness to maintain a flexible work schedule in order to meet ongoing stakeholder needs, including availability evenings and weekends.

 

COMPENSATION:

This is a six-month contract position with compensation of $9,500 per month. As an independent contractor, the Interim Executive Director will not receive employee benefits and will be responsible for all applicable taxes and reporting requirements. The IED is expected to have access to a computer and high-speed internet service. IBAI will provide access to a Zoom account. Pre-approved travel expenses will be reimbursed upon submission of receipts.

 

CLICK HERE FOR FULL JOB DESCRIPTION AND INFORMATION ON HOW TO APPLY

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