The Guidance Center

Executive Director-Alliance

The Guidance Center  •  $45k/yr  •  Remote  •  22 days ago
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Job Description

Job Type
Part-time
Description

Executive Director

Part-Time, with Potential to Transition to Full-Time

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director (ED) provides strategic and operational leadership to advance the Alliance’s mission as a national hub for workforce development, partnership-building, and systems improvement in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH).

This position is structured as a part-time role, with a focused scope of priorities and a strong partnership with the Board and committees. The role is designed to grow over time, with the potential to transition to full-time as funding and organizational capacity expand.

Core Priorities (Part-Time Focus)

The part-time ED will focus on three primary areas:

  • Financial sustainability and resource development
  • Network engagement and visibility
  • Organizational coordination and governance support

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Board Partnership

  • Lead day-to-day organizational management within Board-approved strategy, policies, and budget, while supporting the Board in its governance and oversight role.
  • Partner with the Board to implement the strategic plan priorities.
  • Provide regular updates, analysis, and recommendations to support informed governance.
  • Support Board and committee alignment around organizational priorities.
  • Advance the Alliance’s commitment to community-centered, reflective practice across all areas of work.

Financial Sustainability & Resource Development (Primary Priority)

  • Lead fundraising efforts in partnership with the Board, including grant development and funder engagement.
  • Identify and pursue new revenue opportunities (grants, partnerships, earned income).
  • Work with the Treasurer and Finance Committee to monitor financial health.
  • Support the development of a sustainability plan that includes reserve growth over time.

Note: Fundraising is a shared responsibility between the ED and Board

Network Engagement & External Relations

  • Strengthen relationships with member associations and affiliates.
  • Serve as the Alliance's representative in key meetings, partnerships, and field initiatives.
  • Support communication strategies to maintain engagement and visibility.
  • Cultivate relationships with funders, partners, and peer organizations.
  • Support collaboration across national and global IECMH networks.

Operations & Organizational Coordination

  • Provide executive oversight of core organizational functions, contracts, and external support providers to ensure timely coordination, continuity, and accountability within the scope of a part-time leadership role.
  • Ensure compliance with grant and contractual requirements.
  • Coordinate with external vendors or consultants for administrative, financial, or operational support.
  • Maintain organizational systems and documentation to support continuity.
  • Support Board governance processes, including meeting preparation and follow-up.

Note: HR, accounting, and administrative functions may be supported through contracted services and/or Board support.

Phase-Based Expectations

First 6–12 Months

The Executive Director’s initial focus will be on stabilization, relationship management, and creating the foundation for sustainable growth. In the first 6–12 months, the Executive Director is expected to:

  • Re-establish and strengthen engagement with members, affiliates, and strategic partners through consistent communication and intentional relationship-building.
  • Evaluate the existing funding pipeline and work with the Board to advance a clear and actionable revenue development strategy.
  • Assess operational systems, administrative support, and contractor or volunteer capacity, and recommend priorities for improving organizational effectiveness.
  • Develop and communicate a realistic sustainability and growth roadmap that identifies near-term actions, resource needs, and opportunities for organizational strengthening.

12–24 Months

As the organization advances its strategic direction, the Executive Director will be expected to help expand revenue, strengthen infrastructure, and position the Alliance for future growth. In the 12–24-month period, the Executive Director is expected to:

  • Expand diversified revenue sources to reduce dependence on any single funding stream.
  • Advance and refine earned income opportunities that align with the Alliance’s mission and organizational capacity.
  • Strengthen financial resilience by supporting progress toward operational reserves and improved long-term sustainability.
  • Help position the organization for a potential transition to a full-time Executive Director role, contingent upon revenue growth, organizational readiness, and Board approval.


Requirements

Qualifications

  • Master’s degree in a relevant field preferred; comparable leadership experience in nonprofit, systems, or network environments will also be considered.
  • 5–7+ years of progressive leadership experience in nonprofit, systems, or network environments.
  • Experience in fundraising, grant development, or partnership cultivation.
  • Demonstrated experience in coalition-building and collaborative leadership.
  • Demonstrated ability to build responsive organizational systems and work effectively across varied communities, partners, and stakeholder groups.
  • Strong organizational and strategic prioritization skills.
  • Experience working with or supporting a Board of Directors.

Preferred Experience

  • Familiarity with IECMH systems and workforce development
  • Knowledge of Endorsement or competency-based workforce models
  • Experience with reflective supervision/consultation
  • Experience working with national networks, associations, or multi-state initiatives
  • Bilingual or multilingual skills are a plus

Compensation & Structure

  • Remote position (national applicants encouraged)
  • Part-time position (approximately 0.5–0.6 FTE)
  • Potential transition to full-time based on funding growth and organizational needs
  • Limited travel (approximately 10–15%)
  • Salary range: $45,000–$55,000, commensurate with experience

Growth Opportunity

This position is intentionally designed as a part-time entry point, with a clear path toward full-time engagement as the organization’s funding base and operational capacity grow. The incoming ED will have the opportunity to shape the Alliance’s next chapter — building relationships, expanding revenue, and establishing the infrastructure for long-term sustainability. This role is especially well-suited for candidates who are energized by building and strengthening infrastructure and helping shape an organization’s next stage of growth.

How to Apply:

All applicants must apply here: https://bit.ly/alliance-ed-apply

Application Deadline: 11:59 PM ET, April 15, 2026. Applications received after this deadline will not be considered.

Questions about the search may be directed to connect@greyandassoc.com

The Guidance Center

About The Guidance Center

Since 1958 The Guidance Center has been committed to its mission to: Nurture development. Foster resilience. Cultivate well-being.

Throughout the last six decades the agency has maintained a collaborative relationship with its local communities and schools to support adults and children experiencing mental health difficulties and other challenges. A group of concerned residents and educators recognized the need for mental health services in our area and joined forces in 1958 to help form The Guidance Center. Since then we have worked as a team to respond to the needs of children, adults and families in southeast Michigan.

The agency operates a wide range of programs and services at 23 locations. Our expertise in mental health and wellness, early childhood education, free preschool for low-income families, developmental disabilities services and support, mentoring, substance use disorder, workforce development, Kids-TALK Children's Advocacy Center (CAC), Champions of Wayne, the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC), and research and evaluation helps more than 15,000 members of our community annually work on their own personal triumphs in life.

Industry
Healthcare & Social Services
Company Size
501-1,000 employees
Headquarters
Southgate, Michigan
Year Founded
1958
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