Executive Director, North Carolina

POSITION TITLE: Executive Director, North Carolina

What Success Looks Like

• $3–5M raised annually through a diversified portfolio of workforce and education foundations, public funding, corporate partners, and major donors, with a strong multi-year pipeline.
• Per Scholas is recognized as a leading workforce partner in North Carolina, with the Executive Director serving as a visible, trusted voice among funders, employers, and public leaders.
• A clear regional strategy is created and executed, strengthening employer partnerships, advancing equity, and driving strong job attainment outcomes.
• Managing Directors are aligned, empowered, and accountable, resulting in consistent campus performance and a high-quality learner experience.
• Regional goals for enrollment, completion, job placement, funder satisfaction, and financial sustainability are met or exceeded through disciplined execution and data-driven leadership.
  
  

  LOCATION:  Charlotte; Raleigh (in 2027)  

  REPORTS TO:  Senior Vice President, Eastern Region

  Position Overview

  The Executive Director (ED), North Carolina is a regional leader responsible for advancing Per Scholas’ mission, growth, and sustainability across one of its most strategic markets, serving 1,000+ adult learners annually by 2030 in North Carolina (Charlotte, Raleigh, and rural Western/Eastern NC). With a campus presently based in the Charlotte metro area, and an active footprint throughout Western North Carolina, this role is externally focused and fundraising-led, with accountability for securing $3–5 million annually from a diversified portfolio of workforce foundations, public funding, corporate partners, and major donors.

  As the senior executive and public face of Per Scholas in the region, the ED will cultivate high-level relationships across the workforce development ecosystem, including funders, employers, government agencies, and community partners, to drive long-term impact and job attainment outcomes. Internally, the ED provides executive oversight of regional operations, ensuring strong alignment across campuses while partnering with Managing Directors, National Teams, and the Regional Senior Vice President to deliver excellence in training, performance, and learner success.

  This role requires an executive leader with the stature, confidence, and strategic influence to lead in a complex, high-visibility market, supported by deep regional workforce and funder expertise and a proven track record of leading complex teams and securing significant, sustainable funding.

  Key Responsibilities

  Fundraising, External Relations & Strategic Growth (70%)

  Fundraising Leadership

  • Lead regional fundraising efforts with direct accountability for securing $3–5 million annually, including workforce and education foundations, major individual gifts, corporate partnerships, public funding, and competitive grants.
    
    
  • Serve as the senior regional fundraising leader, partnering closely with the National Development team on prospect strategy, proposal development, stewardship, and impact reporting.
    
    
  • Develop and execute a multi-year regional growth and revenue strategy that expands Per Scholas’ impact throughout North Carolina through diversified, sustainable funding streams.
    
    

  External Engagement & Representation

  • Serve as the senior external representative for Per Scholas in North Carolina elevating the organization’s visibility and influence through public speaking, media engagement, thought leadership, and participation in key civic and industry forums.
    
    
  • Build, steward, and expand high-value relationships with philanthropic leaders, employers, policymakers, and community partners across the region.
    
    

  Regional Strategy & Policy Alignment

  • Lead the development and execution of a North Carolina regional strategy, ensuring alignment with Per Scholas’ mission, growth priorities, and evolving workforce policy landscape.
    
    
  • Establish and deepen partnerships with workforce boards, government agencies, and industry leaders to drive innovation, equity, and employer-aligned outcomes.
    
    
  • Ensure regional compliance with applicable regulations, accreditation standards, and workforce development best practices.
    
    

  Internal Leadership & Campus Oversight (30%)

  Team Leadership & Collaboration

  • Provide executive oversight and leadership to two Managing Directors, ensuring strong campus performance, operational excellence, and learner success.
    
    
  • Build and lead a high-performing regional leadership team that models accountability, inclusion, and continuous improvement.
    
    
  • Partner closely with National Teams (e.g., Development, Talent Solutions, Training, Operations) to ensure regional strategies are aligned with enterprise goals and standards.
    
    

  Performance & Accountability

  • Define and monitor regional KPIs, including enrollment, completion, job attainment, employer engagement, funder satisfaction, and financial performance.
    
    
  • Use data, outcomes, and stakeholder feedback to inform strategic decisions and continuous improvement.
    
    
  • Ensure long-term financial sustainability through disciplined budget management aligned to revenue growth and fundraising performance.

   

  Qualifications

  • 10+ years of senior executive experience in fundraising, external affairs, market leadership, or strategy, preferably within workforce development, education, economic mobility, or mission-driven organizations.
  • Demonstrated success personally leading and closing $3–5M+ annually through a diversified portfolio that includes workforce and education foundations, public funding, major individual donors, and corporate partners.
  • Proven ability to operate as the senior regional leader, building influence and credibility across philanthropic, public, and private-sector stakeholders.
  • Proven ability to operate as the senior regional leader, building influence and credibility across philanthropic, public, and private-sector stakeholders.
  • Deep, established knowledge of the North Carolina urban and rural workforce, philanthropic, and economic development ecosystems, including funder priorities and public-sector funding structures.
  • Exceptional communicator and relationship-builder with the presence, judgment, and influence to represent the organization at the highest levels.
  • Demonstrated commitment to advancing economic mobility, workforce equity, and racial equity outcomes.
    
    

  Core Competencies

  • Executive-Level Fundraising & Revenue Strategy
  • Foundation, Public, and Institutional Funding Expertise
  • Regional Market Leadership & External Partnerships
  • Senior Team Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Performance Management & Outcomes Accountability
  • Financial Stewardship & Revenue-Aligned Budgeting
  • Executive Communication, Public Speaking & Thought Leadership
  • Equity-Centered Leadership & Workforce Inclusion

  What Success Looks Like

  • $3–5M raised annually through a diversified portfolio of workforce and education foundations, public funding, corporate partners, and major donors, with a strong multi-year pipeline.
  • Per Scholas is recognized as a leading workforce partner in North Carolina, with the Executive Director serving as a visible, trusted voice among funders, employers, and public leaders.
  • A clear regional strategy is created and executed, strengthening employer partnerships, advancing equity, and driving strong job attainment outcomes.
  • Managing Directors are aligned, empowered, and accountable, resulting in consistent campus performance and a high-quality learner experience.
  • Regional goals for enrollment, completion, job placement, funder satisfaction, and financial sustainability are met or exceeded through disciplined execution and data-driven leadership.

  LI# Onsite

  The anticipated base salary range for this role is $150-160k plus eligibility for an annual bonus  Final salary offers are determined by a variety of factors, including the candidate’s geographic location, specialized experience, and alignment with the role’s senior-level requirements.