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Blue Star Families · 9 hours ago

Executive Director, Columbus Chapter

Columbus, OH

Full-time

Hybrid

Director/Executive

$106K/yr - $146K/yr

7+ years exp

Blue Star Families is the largest nonprofit dedicated to making military life better for families. The Executive Director (ED) is the senior-most leader of the Chapter, responsible for local strategy, sustainable revenue, community impact, and team performance, while overseeing staff, volunteers, budget, fundraising, program execution, and community engagement.

Communities

Responsibilities

Develop and execute a Chapter Sustainability Plan tied to annual revenue, long-term growth, and metropolitan-market opportunity

Secure major gifts from corporations, philanthropies, foundations, and high-net-worth individuals (HNWI)

Partner with the Development Team and National team on joint fundraising strategy and pipeline development

Lead stewardship and storytelling efforts that reinforce BSF’s virtuous circle: deliver → measure → communicate → fund → scale

Expand diversified revenue streams: corporate sponsorships, foundations, workplace giving, government opportunities, and community campaigns

Own annual fundraising goals; oversee stewardship that increases renewal rates and multi-year commitments

Lead the Chapter’s full operational portfolio, including staff, volunteers, programs, budget, and community partnerships

Serve as the senior BSF representative in the metropolitan region—driving a high standard of professionalism, visibility, and community trust

Manage, coach, and develop the Program Director/Manager and volunteer corps; ensure satellite program delivery (Clarksville) is aligned, supported, and resourced

Manage and facilitate excellence in national program execution (Welcome Week, MFLS, NTS/Nourish the Service, etc.)

Implement BSF’s data-driven evaluation model in partnership with National Programs & Applied Research teams

Ensure compliance with BSF operational policies, fiscal management, KPIs, and risk mitigation practices

Recruit, develop, and steward a high-performing, strategic local Advisory Board that supports fundraising, visibility, and community leadership

Cultivate and maintain relationships with VIPs, elected officials, military installation leaders, philanthropic champions, and corporate executives

Leverage senior-level relationships to open doors, advance BSF’s strategic priorities, and elevate the Chapter’s regional presence

Represent BSF at community events, convenings, coalitions, and multi-sector partnership tables

Become recognized as a ‘Thought Leader’ in the local community, solving problems for military families with systemic solutions

Build a robust ecosystem of civic, military, corporate, nonprofit, and philanthropic partners that strengthens military family belonging

Serve as the Chapter’s chief ambassador to advocate for military-connected families using MFLS insights and BSF research

Work closely with the Program Director/Manager to connect families with relevant resources and community supports

Identify strategic opportunities for regional expansion, innovative programming, and alignment with partnerships

Deepen BSF’s local presence through compelling storytelling, brand-consistent communications, and partnership visibility

Collaborate with Marketing/Comms to amplify Chapter impact through digital content, media, and thought leadership

Serve as a strong, articulate voice for military families in public forums and local media (as appropriate)

Perform other duties as assigned

Qualification

Nonprofit leadershipFundraisingStrategic partnershipsCommunity developmentExecutive communicationOrganizational managementTeam developmentStakeholder engagementCultural competencyCRM systemsMilitary culture knowledgeEmotional intelligence