Executive Director

Each year, over 5.2 million American families experience the trauma of a child being hospitalized, many of whom have a life-changing illness or injury. The whole family is impacted as routines shift, priorities change, and life becomes centered around caring for the ill/injured child. In addition to managing the child’s care and treatments, caregivers are worried about how the rest of their family will cope – all while juggling daily life. The fear, grief and stress can be overwhelming. Yet there are few resources or services that help the entire family cope.

Case for Smiles exists to support each member of the family and help surround them with a community of care. Our supports range from whimsical pillowcases that make a hospital stay less scary to trauma-informed resources for parents, siblings, and health professionals. Our sibling and patient services are designed to improve children’s mental health, while caregiver resources help parents manage their own stress so they can provide the support their children need. Healthcare professionals, the community and school personnel are educated and equipped to provide further care so that every member of the family can not only survive but thrive long after this difficult time.

RCFS is proud to have volunteers serving children 91 chapters across the US and Canada delivering over 175,000 pillowcases to children in 348 hospitals. Ryan’s Case for Smiles has a dedicated team of 5 full-time employees, 98 coordinators, and thousands of other volunteers. Its annual budget is approximately $1M with total assets exceeding $2M.

Role: The Executive Director (ED) serves as the driving force behind Ryan’s Case for Smiles (RCFS), mission of helping children and their families navigate the trauma of life-changing illnesses or injuries. As the leader of RCFS, the ED provides a clear vision and sets a high standard for excellence, innovation, and service across North America. In collaboration with the Board, the ED plays a pivotal role in developing and executing RCFS’s strategic plan, ensuring that the organization remains vibrant, relevant, and sustainable for the future.

The ED holds responsibility for meeting fundraising targets, maximizing RCFS’s impact both today and long term, and ensuring the continued sustainability of the mission. Additionally, the ED is tasked with cultivating a strong, dedicated team of staff members who share a common purpose and commitment to the children, families, hospitals, and volunteers we serve. Above all, the ED partners with the Board to maintain the highest levels of integrity, transparency, and trustworthiness in all RCFS operations.

Mission, Vision, and Strategy

• Champions Ryan’s Case for Smiles (RCFS) commitment to helping children heal better to feel better.
• Collaborates with the Board to establish a clear vision, setting high standards for excellence, innovation, and service across North America.
• Partners with the Board to develop and implement RCFS’s strategic plan, ensuring the mission remains vibrant, relevant, and sustainable.
• Leads fundraising efforts alongside the Board and staff to ensure the long-term sustainability of the mission.
• Guides the organization in defining success metrics and reporting progress to the Board, chapters, donors, and the broader community.

Fundraising, Marketing, and Brand Building

• Sets annual marketing and fundraising goals, developing the strategies needed to achieve them.
• Develops an annual development plan that identifies key opportunities for donor prospecting, cultivation, retention, upgrades, acknowledgment, and recognition.
• Enhances RCFS’s brand awareness through digital media, public relations, events, speeches, and other channels that share our story.
• Leads national fundraising initiatives, including individual donor development, fundraising events, corporate sponsorships, grant writing, and online fundraising efforts.
• Supports and empowers local chapters in raising funds to advance their specific missions and engage volunteers.
• Ensures RCFS maintains strong donor stewardship practices, keeping donors engaged with our mission, and updating them on the impact of their contributions.

Volunteer and Staff Development and Support

• Cultivates a dedicated, cohesive staff with shared goals and a common commitment to supporting children, their families, volunteers, and the hospitals we serve.
• Acts as a catalyst for identifying, recruiting, training, developing, and retaining volunteer leadership across all levels of chapter operations to drive strategic initiatives.
• Ensures RCFS operates with the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and trustworthiness, and upholds compliance with all federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

Program Development

• Continuously seeks opportunities to improve RCFS programs and services that support children, families, and professional staff, including pillowcase development and delivery, in-hospital sewing days, CopingSpace.org, Siblings, and other pediatric traumatic stress programs.
• Ensures that RCFS’s infrastructure effectively and efficiently supports the mission, chapters, and volunteers.
• Builds and nurtures partnerships with other organizations to expand RCFS’s capabilities, enhance its mission, and optimize costs.

Financial Stewardship and Sustainability

• Collaborates with the Board and staff to develop both short- and long-term sustainability plans, budgets, and financial reports.
• Safeguards the integrity of RCFS’s financial management, accounting, and reporting systems.
• Ensures all chapter and national financial activities align with best practices and supports the annual audit to ensure RCFS’s processes remain consistent, compliant, and efficient.
• Oversees the approval process for contracts, purchases, and banking activities in line with RCFS operational policies and procedures.

Requirements and Qualifications: The following attributes and qualifications will be critical to success in the Executive Director role.

Key Attributes

• Deep empathy and commitment to supporting sick children and their families
• Unwavering integrity and honesty as a collaborator in the mission.
• High level of emotional intelligence and a positive, solutions-focused attitude.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a drive to create opportunities and innovate.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Proven leadership, supervisory, and team-building skills- brings a “whatever it takes” attitude to support the team and the mission (within reasonable limits).
• Extensive knowledge and experience in nonprofit and volunteer management.
• Proven fundraiser with a successful track record in securing funds.
• Skilled in developing and managing relationships, as well as building strategic partnerships.
• Strong planning and organizational abilities, with a keen aptitude for critical thinking and analysis.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Strong proficiency in fiscal management and excellent analytical skills.
• Demonstrated expertise in leveraging digital, social media, and emerging online channels.
• Training and/or experience in community development and strategic planning.
• Strong ability to recruit and develop volunteers.
• Willingness to travel up to 20% of the time.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; experience with Donor Perfect preferred.
• Bachelor's Degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years of progressively responsible experience, with a minimum of 4 years in management.

Case For Smiles Key Statistics:

• 91 Chapters across the US and Canada delivering over 175,000 pillowcases to children in 348 hospitals
• Thousands of volunteers
• Total Employees 5
• Total Coordinators 98
• Total Assets Over $2M

Additional Information about Ryan’s Case for Smiles

https://caseforsmiles.org/

https://copingspace.org/

https://justsibs.org

https://caseforsmiles.org/capacity-building-campaign/