Executive Director

Organization Overview

Literacy Works’ mission is to advance equity by promoting literacy education and the use of clear language. Founded on principles of popular education, nonprofit Literacy Works supports adult literacy education and communication equity through our Community Literacy and Clear Language Lab programs.

We stand as a key resource to community-based literacy programs, providing low-cost, high quality educational guidance and support. Literacy Works serves as a central source of professional development, networking, and peer learning for programs in Illinois and across the country.

As educators, we believe that access to information is essential for a just society. Our Clear Language Lab offers training, consulting, and coaching services to nonprofit and governmental organizations in a variety of sectors. We work with organizations across the country to make their communications more clear, accessible, and equitable.

To learn more, visit: litworks.org

Role Summary

Literacy Works is seeking a strategic leader who will build on the strong reputation and success of the organization to date and continue to grow its impact. With an annual budget of $500K+, the new executive director will lead a talented team of staff and volunteers in a remote environment based in and around the Chicagoland area. While fundraising and team leadership experience is a must, prior organizational leadership experience is not required.

Required Experience

• Experience in or exposure to nonprofit
• 5+ years’ experience of strategic team management (must include some direct supervisory experience)
• Proven experience leading teams using equity-based frameworks, including experience with or openness to collaborative leadership and decision-making approaches
• Demonstrated success leading comprehensive fundraising efforts that center authentic relationship building and long-term donor partnerships
• Bachelor’s degree (advanced degree is a plus)
• Experience successfully navigating technology (including shared drives, virtual meetings, and other collaborative tools) and building organizational culture in a hybrid or remote setting

The following are a plus, but not required:

• Experience in or exposure to adult education, literacy, or plain language fields
• Advocacy and/or coalition building experience
• Direct service experience
• Understanding of member-based organizations

Competencies

Mission-focused - you have an authentic commitment to the mission and values of Literacy Works and the people and organizations that it serves. Literacy Works values:

• We center humans over systems
• We cultivate joy
• We are all teachers and learners
• We prioritize access to education and information
• We challenge oppression
• We respond to the needs of our community

Values-oriented builder - you have the desire to build and grow Literacy Works programming, including the fee-for-service offerings, while maintaining our organizational integrity, identity, and values.

Internal communication and relationship building - you lead with collaboration and trust, supporting staff to leverage their impressive skills and strengths as a team, providing guidance without micromanaging

External communication and relationship building - you have the skills to be a formidable spokesperson for Literacy Works, elevating the profile of the organization, raising and diversifying funding, while also building partnerships supporting adult education and plain language issues.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Organizational Leadership and Strategy

• Articulate Literacy Works’ vision and unique value proposition, working with staff and board to develop long-and short-term goals and strategies to achieve aligned outcomes benefitting clients and membership organizations
• Support staff in implementing goals, responding to the needs of clients and member organizations, and designing and implementing high-quality programs, trainings, and deliverables within the Community Literacy and Clear Language Lab programs
• Monitor, evaluate, and guide the adjustment of strategies as needed

Fundraising

• Serve as the lead fundraiser for Literacy Works, which currently has an annual goal of $500K+ and a desire to grow and diversify revenue (in addition to frontline fundraising, this includes collaborating with the Development Manager on grant writing, communications tasks, and special events)
• Personally cultivate, solicit, and steward donors, building and growing long term and authentic partnerships with existing and new potential donors
• Attract funding from new foundation sources including those that have not previously funded adult education or communication equity work

External Relations and Business Development

• Identify and develop partnerships with new member organizations for the Community Literacy program
• Identify and develop partnerships with new fee-for-service clients for the Clear Language Labs and Community Literacy Programs
• Collaborate with Directors to explore various pricing strategies for fee-for-service program offerings
• Serve as an advocate and coalition leader for adult education and plain language issues

Operational Oversight

• Oversee a team of seven full-time (four direct reports) plus additional part-time staff and volunteers
• Build on Literacy Works’ collaborative and trust-based culture, where leadership has traditionally been distributed and decisions made collaboratively with the strong and experienced staff members leading the program and operations functions.
• Develop and implement staff professional development and performance management processes that align with organizational culture
• Supported by the Director of Operations, build, execute, and monitor Literacy Works’ budget with fiscal prudence
• Collaborate with the Director of Operations to create multi-year budgets and revenue strategies and projections
• Support the Director of Operations in executing and monitoring contracts, overseeing expenditures, preparing financial reports and narratives, and coordinating the collection and interpretation of program and financial data
• Build and oversee other operational processes as needed

Board Management

• Serve as the liaison to the board of directors, supporting board governance and related activities including meetings, committees, and compliance
• Engage board members in fundraising and strategy, making full and effective use of their time, talent, and treasure
• Report to the board on key updates including progress to goals
• Serve as the bridge between board and staff so that the board understands the on-the-ground work and staff understands the governance role of the board
• With staff and board together, create a 3-5 year strategic plan
• Support the recruitment of additional board members

Compensation and Benefits

This is a remote role with regular in-person commitments at various locations across Chicago. The annual salary range is $100,000-$117,000 with bonus potential.

Benefits include:

• Literacy Work has 13 paid holidays and gives employees the opportunity to take time off at their discretion, as long as they fulfill the responsibilities of their role
• An employer-funded Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) of up to $6,000 annually to cover the cost of health insurance premiums and other medical expenses
• A company sponsored Simple IRA retirement plan with 3% salary match

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit their resume and targeted cover letter here or at literacyworks dot applytojob dot com. The best consideration date is March 12 2026. This search is being supported by recruitment firm Civic Search and any questions should be emailed to Search at Mbtcivic dot com (no phone calls please).