Executive Director

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for an Executive Director based in United States.

This is a senior executive leadership opportunity for an experienced association or nonprofit professional ready to shape strategy, operations, and long-term organizational performance. As the organization’s top staff executive, you will work closely with the Board and volunteer leaders to translate strategic priorities into measurable results. You will lead an eleven-person team while strengthening member value, financial sustainability, education, certification, and professional engagement. The role combines internal leadership with extensive external relationship-building across the fire investigation community and allied organizations. You will also guide organizational growth, innovation, technology adoption, and continuous improvement. Predominantly remote, the position includes domestic and international travel to conferences, events, and key organizational meetings.

• Serve as the principal staff advisor to the Board, Executive Committee, and President, implementing approved policies and strategy while maintaining clear boundaries between governance and management.
• Translate the strategic plan into measurable objectives, performance indicators, initiatives, and organizational priorities, while leading change and continuous improvement.
• Lead, develop, and support an eleven-person staff team by establishing clear expectations, accountability, collaboration, and performance standards.
• Oversee financial stewardship for an organization with an approximately $3 million annual operating budget, including budgeting, financial monitoring, internal controls, audits, resource allocation, and opportunities for revenue growth.
• Strengthen membership engagement, retention, and overall member value through effective organizational strategies and services.
• Provide executive and operational oversight for education, training, certification, conferences, and publications, while supporting volunteer subject-matter experts.
• Lead government relations and advocacy initiatives while maintaining appropriate nonprofit governance and compliance requirements.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with government relations professionals, partners, allied organizations, chapters, international members, and other stakeholders.
• Serve as a senior spokesperson and representative, strengthening awareness, reputation, credibility, and the integrity of the organization’s credentials.
• Develop professional, transparent, and ethical communication strategies that support the organization’s public image and mission.
• Strengthen chapter relationships and identify opportunities to expand international engagement and global presence.
• Oversee legal, ethical, cybersecurity, insurance, operational compliance, risk management, and crisis preparedness.
• Evaluate and implement emerging technologies, including responsible applications of artificial intelligence, to improve organizational efficiency and effectiveness.
• Establish appropriate performance measures, regularly evaluate organizational results, and lead initiatives that improve effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability, and member value.

Requirements:

• 7–10 years of progressively responsible leadership experience, preferably within an association, nonprofit, membership organization, or comparable environment.
• Demonstrated experience working effectively with volunteer Boards, committees, and organizational leaders.
• Strong understanding of nonprofit governance and the distinction between Board oversight and staff management.
• Experience with budgeting, financial analysis, resource allocation, and organizational financial stewardship; direct accounting experience is not required.
• Proven ability to develop and execute strategic plans, establish measurable goals, and lead staff through organizational priorities and change.
• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and public-speaking skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with executives, volunteers, members, partners, and external stakeholders.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, decision-making, organizational, and prioritization skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, navigate complex situations, and respond effectively to organizational challenges and crises.
• Demonstrated success developing partnerships and pursuing grants or other funding opportunities.
• Ability and willingness to travel domestically and internationally for conferences, events, and organizational activities.
• Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and executive leadership experience is preferred.
• Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential is preferred.
• Experience leading an organization through significant strategic growth, transformation, or change is preferred.
• Experience in a technical or professional organization involving education, credentialing, certification, and subject-matter-expert volunteers is an advantage.

Benefits:

• Compensation of $140,000–$150,000, commensurate with experience.
• Predominantly telecommuting work environment.
• Paid vacation and sick days.
• Health insurance, with the employer paying the majority of the premium for individual coverage.
• Dental and vision insurance.
• Life insurance.
• Retirement plan with employer matching.
• Additional voluntary benefits.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Professional development support.
• Opportunities to work with a collaborative, autonomous, and largely remote team.
• Domestic and international travel opportunities connected to professional events and conferences.