Nonprofit Executive Director

Executive Director

Body Empowerment Project (BEP)

Location: Philadelphia/Camden Metro Area (Remote with weekly required local presence/travel)

Compensation: $70,000 - $75,000 annual salary plus benefits, with opportunity for a performance-based

bonus.

Application Link: https://thv8hhkj.forms.app/bepexecdirector

About Body Empowerment Project

Body Empowerment Project (BEP) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to transforming the way youth define their self-worth and approach health and wellness. Our mission is to decrease eating disorder risk in adolescents and equip them with the skills to live peacefully and healthfully in their bodies through meaningful, near-peer interactions. As a place to work, we offer a deeply rewarding experience, contributing to a program that is addressing the most fatal mental illnesses for teenagers and young adults in the U.S., with 56% of participants showing a clinically significant reduction in eating disorder risk.

The Opportunity

We are seeking an Executive Director (ED) to serve as a visionary leader, setting the organization up for long-term success. This is a high-impact, strategic role that will manage the overall functions of the organization, drive financial sustainability, and grow our presence in the Philadelphia community and nationally. The ideal candidate is a relationship-builder and public advocate ready to take the reins and elevate our profile and impact for years to come.

This is an unparalleled opportunity for a visionary, hands-on leader with deep roots in the Philadelphia community who is ready to build something lasting, unique, and essential in the youth mental health space. You will inherit a proven program model and a strong foundation, but you will be the architect of the next phase of strategic growth, including launching a formal earned revenue model, securing intellectual property for our proprietary curriculum, and defining the organization’s future. The role offers the best of both worlds, giving you unrivaled autonomy to lead the big picture—fundraising and strategy—while remaining deeply connected to the day-to-day, high-impact work of championing essential mental health and youth development programs.

What Success Looks Like

In the first 12–18 months, the Executive Director will focus on stabilizing and strengthening BEP’s fundraising engine—deepening relationships with existing funders, expanding individual giving, and laying the groundwork for earned revenue and curriculum licensing. Long-term national expansion and scaled earned revenue are strategic priorities, not immediate deliverables.

Core Responsibilities

The new ED will be responsible for setting strategy and managing the high-level functions of the organization, with a primary focus on growth and fundraising. The organization has three full-time employees altogether, with the Executive Director managing both the Program Manager and Development and Sustainability Director.

Leadership and People Management

• Act as the internal and external face of BEP to all stakeholders, including volunteers, school partners, donors, and other nonprofit/educational organizations
• Collaborate with the Board of Directors to develop a strategic direction for the overall organization and execute against that plan
• In collaboration with the Co-Presidents, speak with community members and act as a liaison between BEP and external stakeholders.
• Cultivate a broad professional network that can be leveraged to support BEP’s success
• Inspire and lead volunteers and staff to set yearly goals and carry out the day-to-day operations of the organization
• Develop and execute strategic plans to expand program reach and grow the organization's infrastructure and employee base

Fundraising & Financial Health

• Lead all fundraising activities in partnership with the Board with primary responsibility for meeting annual and multi-year revenue goals
• Diversify funding sources beyond private foundation grants to include individual donors, private school "pay-for-service" partnerships, treatment center donations, and fee-for-service professional development
• Partner with the Board of Directors in brainstorming and executing plans for financial success and growth
• Represent BEP effectively with donors, partners and other stakeholders
• Take a leadership role in managing donor stewardship and engagement in conjunction with the BEP Board
• Serve as a grant writer and communicator to secure new grants
• Lead a team in conducting research for foundational and governmental grants, identifying good prospects of funding for BEP, and ensuring that grants are written and submitted in the most effective and timely fashion
• Manage organization budget with the finance chair (actuals vs expected)

Program Management

• Work with Program staff and volunteers to maintain and expand our programs in schools
• Be a known, active presence in schools and the community, representing the organization and advocating for our philosophy
• Identify, develop, and retain new and dynamic community partnerships, for the purposes of expanding opportunities for the organization
• Oversee program impact as measured by the consistent application and measurement of key metrics of program quality and student outcomes
• Manage social media and marketing materials (temporarily, until fall 2026 hire)
• Engage with donors, participating schools, volunteers, and Colleges, and represent the organization’s strategic priorities and achievements
• Connect to treatment centers or potential partnering organizations for strategic opportunities

Nonprofit Management & Operations

• Implement and evaluate organizational processes to streamline operations
• Oversee the day-to-day operations of BEP, including but not limited to program, financial and legal requirements, and vendor relationships
• Be an effective steward of resources via disciplined, mission-driven, results-oriented budgeting and planning
• Develop staffing plans for growth and stability, including the resources needed to sustain additional staff and other resources
• Manage the Program Manager and work closely with the Board, including the Board Chair and Board members

Qualifications

We recognize that great candidates may not meet every single requirement listed below. If you're excited about this role and believe you can contribute meaningfully to our team, we encourage you to apply — even if your experience looks a little different.

Note: A background check, fingerprinting and a reference check will also be a part of the process.

• Minimum 3-5 years experience in roles that require high-level management, relationship building, program management, fundraising or strategic oversight at a non-profit.
• Proven ability to build, nurture, and leverage relationships with media, donors, partners, and community stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience working with and sensitivity to individuals from varying socio-demographic backgrounds.
• In-depth knowledge of non-profit fundraising strategies, particularly grant-writing as well as individual donor and major gifts strategies.
• Demonstrated success overseeing volunteer teams and/or nonprofit programs.
• Experience balancing or managing a budget and forecast models.
• Strong project management, problem-solving, and organizational skills, with a focus on both strategic planning and the detailed execution of programs.
• Highly organized, self-starting professional who thrives in a flexible, fast-paced environment and is comfortable managing ambiguity and building new systems and structures.
• Genuinely believe in and advocate for the organization's core philosophy including Health at Every Size and Body Empowerment.
• Excellent communication skills, both written (grants, email, marketing materials) and verbal (facilitation, presentation, 1-on-1 communication).
• Proven ability to coach and lead through influence, managing without formal authority, and demonstrating strong relationship management skills for effective pipeline oversight of students, mentors, and volunteers.
• Flexible, collaborative team member who is willing to pitch in and “wear multiple hats” when needed.
• Understanding of and experience in the Philadelphia nonprofit or education landscape
• Proficient and adaptable with essential technology tools including Canva, Quickbooks, Excel, PowerPoint, Zoom, and Google Suite.
• Bachelor’s degree required

Nice-to-Haves

• Experience working with youth (educators, teachers, admins) is a plus.
• Experience working in the eating disorder or mental health space is a plus.
• Existing relationships within the relevant non-profit or school space.
• Prior hands-on fundraising experience (we can train for this, but a head start is helpful).
• Relatability to the student/youth population we serve.

Salary and Benefits

• $70,000 - $75,000 annual salary, with opportunity for a performance-based bonus.
• Health insurance, flexible time off and other benefits

Location and Work Arrangements

This role offers significant autonomy and flexibility to manage your own schedule and work hours. While this is not a clean-cut 9-to-5 position and will require a flexible approach to accommodate evening or weekend events, you will be empowered to determine the best working structure to achieve your goals. Success in this role depends on meeting organizational objectives, not punching a clock.

• The position will include a mix of in-person and virtual/remote work, with 2-3 days a week attending in-person meetings in Philadelphia and surrounding areas.
• When not attending in-person meetings, employees work from home.
• This role requires some attendance at events and meetings that happen in the evenings or on the weekends. BEP is committed to sustainability and supports staff in taking time off to balance evening and weekend hours.

Apply

Applications must be submitted to THIS LINK. Applications submitted through any other medium will not be considered. The Application deadline is February 20, 2026. The search process will encompass three rounds of interviews and a thought exercise with various members of the organization.

Equal Opportunity

Body Empowerment Project is an equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and volunteers. Individuals from historically underrepresented backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.

Health insurance, flexible time off and other benefits

Working proficiency in English required.