Chief Executive Officer

Position Summary / Job Statement:

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is responsible for the overall leadership, strategy, and sustainability of Child Care Network (CCN). The CEO partners with the Board of Directors to ensure mission fulfillment, long-term financial strength, and organizational effectiveness.

The CEO provides leadership across multiple programs, geographic regions, and funding streams. The CEO ensures that CCN maintains strong financial stewardship, operational integrity, and a mission-centered culture while positioning the organization for continued growth and impact.

CCN operates across multiple counties and relies heavily on relationships. This position requires regular travel throughout CCN’s service area and periodic state-level travel.

Starting salary anticipated between $140,000 and $155,000, commensurate with qualifications and experience, including demonstrated leadership in fundraising, advocacy, and nonprofit management.

Performance Expectations:

This list is intended to represent job-related duties and should not be viewed as exhaustive.

Governance and Board Partnership

• Serve as the primary liaison to the Board of Directors.
• Support the Board in fulfilling its governance, fiduciary, and strategic responsibilities.
• Provide timely and accurate reporting on financial performance, program outcomes, risk factors, and organizational health.
• Partner with the Executive Committee in strategic planning, CEO evaluation, and succession planning.
• Ensure compliance with bylaws, corporate policies, and regulatory obligations.

Organizational Strategy and Growth

• Lead development and execution of CCN’s strategic direction.
• Assess emerging opportunities and risks in early childhood education and child care systems.
• Evaluate programs for sustainability, impact, and alignment with mission.
• Present recommendations to the Board regarding expansion, restructuring, or sunsetting of services.
• Guide leadership capacity planning to support organizational scale and complexity.

Financial Stewardship and Risk Oversight

• Ensure sound financial management and long-term sustainability.
• Partner with the Chief Financial Officer to develop and monitor annual budgets, forecasts, financial controls, and internal compliance systems.
• Oversee appropriate grant budgeting and reporting to ensure funds are used appropriately and in alignment with funder requirements.
• Monitor financial trends, funding changes, and regulatory developments that may affect the organization’s sustainability.
• Support strong financial practices, including implementation of audit recommendations and continuous improvement of internal processes.

Executive Leadership and Organizational Effectiveness

• Lead and develop the executive leadership team.
• Define decision rights and accountability across program and operational functions.
• Ensure consistent performance management practices and leadership development.
• Foster a culture that balances accountability with support, innovation with discipline, and mission with sustainability.
• Oversee leadership succession planning and talent pipeline development.

Fund Development and Resource Diversification

• Lead overall revenue strategy, including grants, contracts, and diversified fundraising efforts.
• Cultivate key funder and donor relationships.
• Partner with the Board on development strategy and engagement.
• Expand non-grant revenue streams as appropriate to support sustainability.

External Leadership and Advocacy

• Represent CCN at local, regional, and state levels.
• Serve as organizational spokesperson with funders, policymakers, media, and community partners.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with early childhood professionals, state agencies, foundations, and partner organizations.
• Advance the case for investment in high-quality child care and early education systems.

Operational Oversight

• Ensure effective execution of programs across multiple counties and funding streams.
• Maintain appropriate infrastructure, systems, and technology to support scale.
• Oversee implementation of strategic initiatives through delegated leadership.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.

Required Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

No candidate meets every qualification listed. We recognize that candidates bring a range of experiences and backgrounds. If you are interested in the role and feel you could contribute meaningfully, we encourage you to apply even if you do not meet every qualification listed.

• Bachelor’s degree (Master’s preferred) in nonprofit management, early childhood education, public administration, or related field.
• Seven or more years of progressive leadership experience with increasing organizational responsibility. Executive Director, CEO, COO, CFO, Program Director, or comparable senior leadership experience preferred.
• Experience managing budgets, teams, and organizational operations.
• Experience working with board, funders, community partners, and other key stakeholders.
• Experience in early child education, human services, workforce development, or related sectors preferred.
• Strong strategic thinking and decision-making skills.
• Proven ability to lead and develop senior leadership teams.
• Experience in fund development and revenue diversification. Demonstrated ability to cultivate donor, foundation, and strategic funding relationships.

Leadership Competencies

• Strategic and systems thinking
• Financial acumen
• Organizational design and change leadership
• Clear and effective communication
• High integrity and sound judgment
• Ability to balance mission-driven values with operational discipline
• Commitment to maintaining a supportive and engaging workplace culture
• Experience leading organizations through growth, transition, and change

Performance Indicators

• Financial stability and audit outcomes
• Progress toward strategic goals
• Leadership team effectiveness
• Staff retention and engagement
• Diversification of revenue sources
• Organizational reputation and partnerships

Desired Personal Characteristics:

• Trustworthy and reliable.
• Ability to build trusting relationships.
• Self-motivated, positive, and enjoys learning.
• Believes that “fun” is part of the work experience.

About Child Care Network:

Child Care Network is a regional nonprofit serving families, early care and education providers, employers, and communities. We currently operate in fourteen counties across southeast and eastern Michigan and have close to 40 employees. Our mission is to promote the success of children, families, and our community through quality child care education, advocacy, and family support. Through child care resource and referral, quality improvement, family support programs, professional development, workforce initiatives, and advocacy efforts, CCN works to strengthen the early childhood system and increase access to high-quality child care. We are an equal opportunity employer and we are committed to maintaining a respectful, supportive workplace for all employees.

In addition to the compensation listed above, Child Care Network offers the following benefits:

• Work-life balance
• Professional development opportunities
• Generous paid time off
• Health, vision, and pediatric dental insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Life and both short- and long-term disability insurance
• Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account

Interested applicants are invited to submit a cover letter and resume to:

careers@childcarenetwork.org

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

• Work-life balance
• Professional development opportunities
• Generous paid time off
• Health, vision, and pediatric dental insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Life and both short- and long-term disability insurance
• Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account