Executive Director

Are you an innovative, creative leader ready to make a statewide impact on maternal-child health? The Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition (KBC) is seeking an experienced Executive Director to lead our mission, elevate breastfeeding support, and advance equity for families across Kansas.

Why KBC?

This is your opportunity to lead a respected organization, think big, dream boldly, exercise autonomy, and make a lasting difference for families across Kansas. Work remotely in Kansas, travel, and help transform maternal-child health outcomes working with a financially sound organization and an experienced team.

What You’ll Do:

• Lead KBC’s strategic vision, operations, and programs with creativity and innovation.
• Build collaborative partnerships with community, state, and national stakeholders.
• Advocate for breastfeeding integration and policy change into public health and early childhood initiatives during the first 1,000 days.
• Drive fundraising, grant writing, and sustainable financial growth.
• Serve as KBC’s spokesperson at conferences, events, and public forums.

What We’re Looking For:

• Lactation certification (IBCLC, CLC, CBS, etc.) by start date
• 7–10 years of leadership experience (3–5 years in an executive role)
• Proven success in nonprofit management, fundraising, and strategic planning
• Passion for maternal-child health and supporting breastfeeding families

Bonus Points For:

• Bachelor’s degree
• Experience building coalitions and statewide partnerships

Salary: Up to $95,000, depending on qualifications

Financial Support for those moving from out of state to select communities in Kansas – MakeMyMove

Apply Now: Complete the application and upload your resume & cover letter.

Job Description

Title: Executive Director

Direct Supervisor: Chair of Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition, Inc.

The Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition (KBC) Executive Director provides overall direction and policy strategy for the KBC, working closely with the Board of Directors, staff, and other constituencies. The Executive Director manages day-to-day operations for the KBC, building the organization’s position as a leader in the breastfeeding and human milk feeding field in Kansas.

Responsibilities will include, but not be limited to, the following:

Serves as the principal administrative officer of the KBC. Responsible to the Board of Directors in effectively administering a well-planned and coordinated effort in accordance with the administrative requirements reflected in stated goals, bylaws, and policies of the KBC.

Administers the initiatives conducted by the KBC, including the First 1,000 Days Kansas initiative, within the limits of Board policies, budgetary, and legal requirements in such a manner as to exercise commensurate authority, except as specified, for the following:

A. COLLABORATION

1. 1. Develops, promotes, and maintains effective working relationships with public officials, community and state agencies, and others involved directly or indirectly in the breastfeeding field.
   2. Provides breastfeeding resources and organizes cross-sector partners to create synergy across sectors and improve outcomes.
   3. Forges state and national-level advocacy partnerships among existing coalitions, organizations, and agencies with similar goals and interests.
   4. Brings breastfeeding into the conversation of other public health issues, including but not limited to infant mortality, racial health equity, maternal and child mental health, and oral health.

B. ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGEMENT

1. 1. Administers and coordinates all KBC initiatives.
   2. Ensures the development, implementation, and monitoring of a strategic plan that sets priorities and goals for the KBC, aligning with its overall objectives.
   3. Organizes and develops KBC initiatives, involving community leaders, representatives of partner organizations, and other groups and individuals.
   4. Institutes proper and appropriate management and fiscal controls.
   5. Oversees the management of the membership and contact database and all efforts to grow KBC membership.
   6. Plans and coordinates Board and Member meetings in collaboration with the KBC Chair and others, as appropriate.

C. FISCAL MANAGEMENT

1. 1. Actively seeks diverse funding for the KBC and its collaborative partners.
   2. Disseminates information about funding opportunities to the entire breastfeeding field in Kansas.
   3. Prepares progress reports, budgets, and various other financial, statistical, and recordkeeping materials as may be required, necessary, or desired.
   4. Ensures the KBC meets all federal and state reporting requirements of a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
   5. Develops and manages funding sources to maintain staff salaries and keeps the Board apprised of current staff salary funding calculations.

D. RELATIONSHIP WITH THE BOARD

1. 1. Works closely with the Board to develop sound organizational policies.
   2. Participates in the orientation of new Board members.
   3. Provides the Board with the appropriate information to ensure it addresses matters requiring policy decisions, clarification, and review.
   4. Assists the Board in developing effective procedures used within the KBC.
   5. Supports Board committees.
   6. Assists with the recruitment of Board members

E. RELATIONSHIP WITH STAFF AND CONTRACTORS

1. 1. Hires, supervises, evaluates, and performs personnel activities related to KBC staff.
   2. Directs, supervises, evaluates, and coordinates contract services, making certain responsibilities, authorities, and relationships are understood and accepted in accordance with Board-approved policies.

F. PUBLIC RELATIONS

1. Serves as the official spokesperson for the KBC, representing KBC programs effectively at the state, regional, and national levels, speaking/exhibiting at conferences, trainings, and partner organization meetings to integrate breastfeeding support into the larger public health and economic conversation.
2. Oversees the KBC marketing plan and appropriate messaging platforms so that members, partners, policymakers, and the public are well-informed.
3. Assumes leadership in increasing public awareness and understanding of the KBC and issues affecting breastfeeding families in Kansas.

G. GRANT AND CONTRACT MANAGEMENT

1. 1. Ensure the KBC fulfills all deliverables and commitments of grants and/or contracts entered into by the KBC.
   2. Oversees the financial management of grant and contract funding.
   3. Ensure the KBC meets all grant and/or contract reporting requirements, both financial and otherwise.
   4. Keeps the Board informed of grant and/or contract activities and financial status at least once every six (6) months.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required:

• Lactation certification (i.e., IBCLC, CLC, CBS, etc.) – by start date
• High School Diploma/Equivalent.
• Minimum 7–10 years of progressive leadership experience, with at least 3–5 years in a senior management or executive-level role
• Proven track record in grant writing and securing diverse funding sources.
• Experience managing budgets, operations, and program evaluation in a mission-driven organization.
• Demonstrated success in nonprofit management, including strategic planning, fundraising, board relations, and staff leadership.

Preferred:

• Bachelor’s degree in Nonprofit Management, Public Health, Social Work, Business Administration, Public Administration, Nursing, or a related field preferred.
• Additional certification in nonprofit leadership or fundraising is a plus.
• Experience in maternal-child health, public health, women’s health, or social services strongly preferred.
• Experience building partnerships and effective coalitions.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES:

• Strong commitment to the mission of supporting breastfeeding mothers and advancing maternal-child health during the first 1,000 days (period from conception to the child’s second birthday).
• Exceptional leadership and people management skills, with the ability to inspire and develop staff, volunteers, and partners.
• Excellent communication and public speaking skills for advocacy, stakeholder engagement, and media relations.
• Financial acumen, including budgeting, financial reporting, and resource allocation, inclusive of nonprofit regulations.
• Fundraising expertise, with the ability to build donor relationships and secure major gifts, sponsorships, and grants.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to translate vision into measurable goals and actionable plans.
• Cultural competence and the ability to work effectively with diverse populations, including underserved communities.
• Advocacy and policy knowledge related to breastfeeding, maternal and infant health, and family support during the first 1,000 days.
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• High level of integrity, transparency, and accountability in leadership.
• Able to effectively plan, schedule, coordinate, and conduct training workshops, conferences, and meetings.

Work Location & Physical Requirements

This is a remote, work-from-home position; however, the employee must be physically located and maintain residence in the state of Kansas. Meetings, events, and in-state travel are required for this role to support statewide partnerships and organizational activities.

This position requires the ability to remain in a stationary position for extended periods, operate a computer and standard office equipment, and communicate clearly in virtual and in-person settings. The employee must also be able to travel throughout Kansas, attend meetings and events, and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds.

Organizational Structure

The KBC Executive Director serves under the general direction of the Board of Directors. Under the policies established by the BOD, the Executive Director is responsible for the coalition’s operations. The Executive Director is delegated full authority necessary for the effective performance of all assigned responsibilities, subject to applicable local, state, and federal laws and the dictates of sound business judgment and ethical conduct. The Executive Director is fully accountable for their performance, which will be measured against the foregoing standards.

Language Disclaimer:

The Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition (KBC) recognizes and respects that pregnant, birthing, postpartum, and parenting people have a range of gender identities and do not always identify as “women” or “mothers.” In recognition of the diversity of identities, the KBC uses both gendered and gender-neutral terms, such as “people,” “pregnant people,” “parent,” and “birthing persons.” When referencing studies, the KBC will use the authors’ typically gendered language. We also use “chestfeeding,” a gender-neutral term, alongside “breastfeeding,” but most references to this biological process use “breastfeeding” study results.

Complete application to upload resume & cover letter.