Executive Director

Are you an experienced Nonprofit Executive?

Do you have a passion for higher education?

Organization Type: Higher Education Nonprofit

LOCATION: East Lansing, MI (Monthly on‑site presence preferred; travel expenses covered)

POSITION TITLE: Interim Executive Director

SCHEDULE: Part‑time, 20–30 hours/week

DURATION: Temporary/Interim (~4 months)

HOURLY RATE: $100.00/hour

Is This Your Dream Job? The Interim Executive Director will guide the organization through a period of transition, providing steady leadership, strong project management, and collaborative partnership with elected officers, faculty leadership, and staff. This seasoned leader will ensure continuity of operations, strengthen organizational processes, and help set the stage for the next permanent Executive Director.

This role is ideal for someone who excels at stepping into organizations during moments of change, building trust quickly, assessing needs, making informed decisions, and driving progress with clarity and confidence.

Our Ideal Candidate

• Experienced Interim Executive Director or senior nonprofit/education leader
• Experience in education, higher education, or academic consortia
• Skilled at leading organizations through transition and change
• Exceptional project manager with the ability to prioritize, delegate, and execute
• Strong communicator and collaborator who builds relationships quickly
• Comfortable partnering with elected leaders, faculty, and staff
• Confident decision‑maker who can take action and maintain momentum
• Able to spend time in East Lansing (travel covered)

How You Will Spend Your Time

Governance & Organizational Leadership

• Partner with the Executive Committee to refine and advance the organization’s vision, goals, and mission‑aligned activities
• Lead, support, and manage governance functions and recurring organizational processes, including:
• Executive Committee
• Plenum
• Membership applications
• Sabbatical reviews
• Hosting contracts
• Policy and procedure review

Program Oversight & Event Leadership

• Lead, plan, and manage major programmatic initiatives, including:
• Annual Convention
• National Seminar
• Additional programmatic and publication initiatives

Awards & Recognition Programs

• Oversee and execute the organization’s awards portfolio:

Publications Management

• Lead and negotiate publication initiatives and contracts
• Provide editorial oversight where needed

External Relations & Visibility

• Serve as a national representative for the organization
• Build and maintain relationships with partner organizations, leaders, and stakeholders
• Attend regional and national meetings as needed

Fiscal & Operational Management

• Oversee fiscal and legal operations, including:
• Budget and investments
• Corporate and tax status
• Audit, insurance, and bonding
• Capital expenditures
• Dues collection
• External funding

Staff & Office Leadership

• Manage and support staff located at headquarters at Michigan State University
• Partner closely with a designated faculty leader who provides content expertise
• Ensure office resources (human and material) are aligned with organizational goals
• Carry out additional duties aligned with the mission as assigned by the Executive Committee

We’d love to hear from you.

If this sounds like the job for you, we would love to help make that happen. Please apply using the link below.

For more information about Careers In Nonprofits and our other available opportunities and workshops, please visit our website at www.careersinnonprofits.com.

Careers In Nonprofits is an equal opportunity employer. Empowered by the #ILoveMyJob mission, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive work environment within the nonprofit sector.

Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we regretfully can only respond to those candidates who best meet the requirements of a specific position or whose backgrounds are generally applicable to our client base. Please rest assured that we retain all candidate information for possible future matches, even if you do not hear from us in regard to your application in response to this ad.