Chief Executive Officer

About the Organization

The Torch Foundation is a mission-driven nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering youth through social-emotional development programs rooted in responsibility, ownership, urgency, and self-awareness. Our organization operates on both the East and West Coasts, delivering life-changing programs that foster leadership, emotional growth, and transformational education for teens across diverse communities. The CEO is pivotal in guiding the organization through strategic development and operational alignment, leading with integrity, driving results with urgency, and fostering strong relationships across internal teams and external stakeholders.

Position Summary

The CEO serves as the strategic and operational leader of the organization, responsible for the execution of strategic goals, overseeing regional program quality, cultivating key partnerships, and serving as the organization’s public face. Reporting to the Board of Directors, this individual ensures all aspects of the organization are aligned to mission, values, and performance standards. This role requires an experienced executive with a strong presence, the ability to lead distributed teams, and a deep commitment to youth development and equity

Essential Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Board Relations

• Partner with the Board of Directors to develop, implement, and evaluate the organization’s long-range strategic goals and ensure effective governance.
• Serves as an ex-officio member of all committees unless otherwise directed.
• Prepare quarterly and annual reports addressing program impact, financial health, strategic progress, and organizational risks.
• Co-develop meeting agendas and appoint committee members in collaboration with the Chair of the Board.

Program Oversight & Organizational Performance

• Ensure safety, compliance, and fidelity to all organizational policies, procedures, and program models across all sites and functions
• Lead Implementation of social-emotional training programs' effectiveness and alignment with organizational values: Responsibility, Ownership, and Urgency.
• Monitor performance metrics standards and ensure program integrity through evaluation and reporting mechanisms.
• Supervise and hold accountable all employees, consultants, and volunteers.

Finance & Fundraising

• Prepare, oversee, and manage the organization’s operating annual budget in alignment with strategic goals.
• Lead fundraising efforts, including cultivating individual donor relationships, grant development, and fundraising campaigns.
• Manage day-to-day fiscal operations and provide monthly reports to the Board for approval.
• Maintain donor and grant tracking systems and ensure financial compliance and audit readiness

People & Culture

• Build, coach, and retain a high-performing, mission-aligned leadership team across regions.
• Conduct performance evaluations and support professional development for direct reports
• Promote a positive organizational culture centered around accountability, equity, inclusion, and excellence.
• Ensure compliance with labor laws and HR policies, whether through internal systems or vendor partnerships

Public Representation & Partnerships

• Serve as the organization's chief spokesperson for media, community events, and public engagements.
• Build strategic relationships with schools, government agencies, philanthropic partners, and community-based organizations.
• Approve and oversee all external organizational communications and brand representation.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree preferred; bachelor’s degree in social services, education, business, nonprofit leadership, or related field required.
• Minimum 5–6 years of senior executive leadership experience in a nonprofit or youth-serving organization.
• Demonstrated success in strategic planning, staff management, operational execution, fundraising, and program oversight.
• Strong executive presence with the ability to influence, communicate, and lead across diverse audiences
• Clear track record of effective fundraising, budgeting, and donor engagement
• Deep commitment to youth development, social impact, and working with multicultural communities
• Completion of at least two levels of a transformational leadership or personal development program (strongly preferred).
• Superior understanding of nonprofit practices certification in nonprofits (desired)