Chief Executive Officer (CEO) - United Way of Sumner County

About us:

At the United Way of Sumner County, we are driven by a powerful mission: to mobilize the caring power of our community to enhance the quality of life in Sumner County. We envision a place where people can grow up, raise families, pursue meaningful careers, achieve their dreams, and enjoy life at every stage. If you share our passion for creating a thriving, supportive community, we invite you to join us in making a lasting impact.

About the position:

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is appointed and employed by the Board of Directors. The CEO provides strategic, collaborative, and innovative leadership to advance United Way of Sumner County’s mission, vision, and community impact. This role is responsible for the overall direction, management, and effectiveness of the organization, focusing on maximizing resource development, strengthening community impact, building visibility, and maintaining fiscal and operational integrity. The CEO partners with the Board, staff, and community stakeholders to unite resources, engage volunteers, and build long-term solutions to Sumner County’s most pressing challenges.

Where we are:

Sumner County, TN, is one of the fastest-growing and most desirable areas in Middle Tennessee, offering a high quality of life, strong sense of place, diverse communities, and easy access to the Nashville metropolitan region. From thriving business districts to scenic parks, lakes, and family-friendly neighborhoods, Sumner County blends small-town charm with big-city convenience.

While United Way of Sumner County’s office is located at 635 E Main Street, #1, Hendersonville, TN 37075, the organization proudly serves and collaborates with partners, schools, nonprofits, and residents across all of Sumner County’s cities and communities.

Essential Functions/Job Duties:

• Guides all UWSC work with its mission, vision, and strategic goals; ensures planning, resource allocation, and implementation are tied to measurable outcomes.
• Serves as the chief mission officer, articulating a clear vision and inspiring staff, volunteers, donors, and community partners.
• Recruits, supervises, and evaluates staff, ensuring accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning.
• Provides clear direction while empowering staff to manage daily operations.

The successful President & CEO will focus on the following areas of impact and responsibility:

Resource Development:

• Cultivates and stewards top-level donors, corporate partners, and community leaders.
• Diversifies revenue streams through workplace campaigns, individual giving, major gifts, grants, sponsorships, and planned giving.
• Promotes a culture of philanthropy across staff and Board.

Financial & Operational Leadership:

• Ensures fiscal integrity in partnership with the CFO and Finance Committee.
• Approves and monitors the annual budget, financial forecasts, and risk management strategies.
• Ensures compliance with GAAP standards, audit requirements, United Way Worldwide membership, and all legal/regulatory obligations.

Community Impact & Advocacy:

• Serves as public ambassador; builds relationships with top leaders; advocates for issues; convenes cross-sector partners.
• Champions cross-sector collaborations to address health, education, financial stability, and ALICE/poverty-related needs.
• Serves as a visible spokesperson, engaging in public speaking, media, and community forums.

Board Relations:

• Serves as the primary liaison to the Board of Directors; provides timely reports, strategic insights, and recommendations.
• Ensures Board committees and task forces align with organizational priorities.
• Supports strong governance practices, including recruitment, orientation, and ongoing development of Board members.

Staff Leadership & Culture:

• Recruits, supervises, and evaluates staff, ensuring accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning.
• Fosters an inclusive, diverse, and high-performing culture.
• Provides clear direction, while empowering staff leaders to manage daily operations.
• Models servant leadership, adaptability, and innovation.

The Ideal Candidate Profile:

1. We seek a leader who can raise community awareness and clearly communicate an innovative vision for United Way of Sumner County.
2. The ideal candidate is a self-starter who builds authentic donor and stakeholder relationships with professionalism and has a proven fundraising record.
3. The candidate should have significant nonprofit or comparable leadership experience, with the ability to work effectively with volunteers, boards, and government entities.
4. The leader must command stakeholder confidence, promote diversity, and build community collaborations.
5. The President & CEO will provide innovative, collaborative leadership to grow resources, address community priorities, and ensure operational and fiscal integrity.
6. The candidate must be intellectually curious, innovative, business-savvy, and politically astute.
7. The leader should embody integrity, accountability, good judgment, flexibility, strong communication skills, and a high energy level with a sense of humor.
8. The role requires significant executive leadership experience, strong management skills, and expertise in finance, HR, grants, and strategic planning.
9. The candidate must excel in planning, communication, and relationship-building with community stakeholders, business executives, foundation officials, donors, high-level government officials, and the media.

Required Qualifications and Experiences:

• Bachelor’s Degree. An advanced degree is a plus.
• Demonstrated leadership ability in working with volunteers and boards.
• 5+ years of personnel management experience.
• 10-15 years of executive experience in a related field, preferably in a non-profit organization.
• Proven fundraising experience securing significant philanthropic, corporate, and institutional financial support.
• Experience with strategic planning and implementation
• Demonstrated successful experience in fiscal management and budget oversight, and compliance functions.
• Proficiency in data analytics and impact measurement in the nonprofit sector.
• Public advocacy experience at local, state, and federal levels
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
• The candidate must work on-site with flexibility to work early mornings, evenings, and occasional weekends as needed.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint) with experience using donor database systems. Familiarity with Canva, Adobe, and AI tools is a plus.)

Work Environment:

This job is performed in a generally clean and healthy environment. The usual and customary methods of performing the job’s functions require the following physical demands: occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling up to 25 pounds; some climbing and balancing; some stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling; and significant fine finger and motor dexterity. Employee must have the ability to transport necessary equipment and supplies and set up for meetings, etc. The employee must have a current driver’s license and have the ability to travel to various sites, appointments, and seminars.

Compensation & Benefits:

United Way of Sumner County offers a competitive annual salary range of $60,000-$80,000, with the final offer determined by education, training, experience, and proven performance. In addition, the comprehensive benefits package includes health insurance, retirement plan, paid time off, and professional development.

Application Process:
To be considered for this position, applicants must submit a complete application package—including a cover letter, resume, and statement of salary preference. Only candidates selected for further consideration will be contacted. No inquiry calls to the United Way of Sumner County will be accepted during the application process. You are invited to continue to review our vacancy listing for other career opportunities. The position will remain open until it is filled.

Projected Timeline for Recruitment (Flexible and Subject to Change)

Application period: November-December

Prescreening Interviews: November-December, Rolling basis

Panel Interviews: December

Start Date: January 2026

United Way of Sumner County is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage all applicants who are passionate about nonprofit work and community development to apply. The ideal candidate will bring experience in leadership, fundraising, financial management, and community engagement.