Chief Executive Officer

Chief Executive Officer
Springfield Headquarters
Position to be filled in second quarter 2024

Apply immediately for consideration!

Girl Scouts of Central Illinois announces a search partnership with Evergreen Executive Source, LLC to identify candidates and advise on the selection of a new CEO. Evergreen is a retained search firm with depth of experience in nonprofit executive sourcing and selection, and has conducted searches nationwide for over a decade serving the interests of Girl Scout councils across the entire country. All information provided to Evergreen will be treated with the utmost courtesy and confidentiality.

THE ORGANIZATION
Girl Scouts of Central Illinois is the preeminent girl-focused leadership development organization serving 38 counties across Central Illinois. The Council offers every girl a chance to prepare for a lifetime of leadership, adventure, and success, with a membership of nearly 7,200 girls, more than 1,600 valued adult volunteers, and a staff of 54. The Council has an annual operating budget of $6.1 million, and operates a service center/Council Headquarters in Springfield, three additional service centers, a program center, and three camps. While participating in the Girl Scout Leadership Experience, Girl Scouts gain important skills in four areas: STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), the outdoors, life skills, and entrepreneurship. All Girl Scout programs and activities are designed to challenge and prepare girls for a future of leadership and achievement.

THE OPPORTUNITY
The CEO will act in partnership with the Board of Directors to enhance the outcomes of all council functions. The CEO will direct the organization’s strategic plan through the formulation and implementation of short to long-range strategic objectives and actions needed to achieve the Council’s goals. The new CEO will inspire, align, and lead a high performing team, ensuring that diversity is a core value within the Council’s activities and functions, promoting opportunities for participation in every aspect of Girl Scouting.

Responsible for stewardship of the Council’s human, material and fiscal assets, the CEO provides oversight for policies and practices that enhance the participation of members and leverage the roles of staff and volunteers to effectively engage girls, families, communities, and volunteers in the Council’s large service area. The CEO’s important outward-facing responsibilities are to expand the Council’s visibility and create opportunities for significant strategic partnerships and financial support by ensuring that investing in girls is a priority. The CEO will build relationships with corporate, nonprofit, government, and funding communities by representing the Council at strategic functions and influential speaking opportunities. The CEO also interacts with council members by traveling throughout the entire geographic area and attending events and programs, which may occur during evening and weekend hours.

CRITICAL GOALS
The CEO will provide visionary leadership to accomplish the following:
➢ Improve membership growth and retention (both girls and volunteers).
➢ Lead vision and progress for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.
➢ Increase community partnerships and engagement across our geographical region.
➢ Diversify revenue to be less reliant on annual cookie sales.
➢ Build, engage, and retain a talented team of staff.
➢ Lead the development of a new strategic plan and long-range property plan.

CEO QUALIFICATIONS
The ideal candidate will possess an outstanding dedication to the nonprofit sector, with an emphasis on youth-serving programs. In addition, this individual’s strengths will include broad-based business skills with a minimum of 10 years’ progressive experience in leadership and management. The new CEO will have demonstrated ability in fundraising and/or direct sales skills and experience, and fiscal management of significant budgets demonstrating the ability to manage the Council’s budget. The ability to model leadership skills in the management and development of paid staff and volunteer leaders is essential.

The CEO will be a person of strong ideals and integrity who has a combination of vision, strategic, and operational planning abilities to lead the Council. The CEO will possess a style of leadership that is transparent, embraces partnerships, is collaborative, and empowers stakeholders to achieve their highest potential, all the while satisfying accountability measures mutually agreed upon by the CEO and the Board. The CEO will be recognized as a community and business leader in the region, or have the personal and executive presence to achieve this quickly after appointment. It is essential that the CEO have a strong commitment to serving girls from all family, community, and economic backgrounds. We are seeking an individual who will bring optimism, collaboration, and solutions to the role of CEO.

Additional desired qualifications include nonprofit board relations, marketing, financial acumen, and volunteer relations leadership. The CEO is expected to possess a minimum of an earned bachelor’s degree, with advanced degree preferred.

Skilled executives from the world of Girl Scouting, corporate, nonprofit, or other professional backgrounds who are dedicated to providing world-class development opportunities for the young women and girls in Central Illinois are encouraged to apply. If this is your background, and you share a passion for advancing the lives of girls in this service area, we want to speak with you.

COMPENSATION/BENEFITS
The Council offers a competitive compensation and benefits plan with annual pay commensurate with experience. It provides a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, long-term disability, AD&D, and life insurance, as well as a 403 (b) Plan, a Health Savings Account, and a Dependent Care Flexible Savings Account. Other features include Pre-paid Legal Assistance and an Employee Assistance Program and attractive personal time off. Benefits are subject to change at the discretion of the Council. Relocation support will be considered.

COUNCIL WEBSITE: https://www.getyourgirlpower.org/

HOW TO APPLY
Girl Scouts of Central Illinois is an equal opportunity employer.

We encourage expressions of interest as early as possible to accommodate the Council’s need to fill this important position. For consideration, please e-mail your cover letter and resume to:
Bob Perodeau, Principal
Evergreen Executive Source, LLC
E-mail: evergreen.source@att.net
Voice (800) 286 4009 https://egreensource-exec.com/
Providing executive recruiting services to Girl Scouts of the USA since 2001