Chief Executive Officer

The New Hanover Community Endowment
(NHCE) is committed to addressing social and health equity,
education, community safety, and community development needs in New
Hanover County. With a significant $1.3 billion fund, NHCE is in
search of a visionary Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead its
ambitious mission of making transformational changes that improve
the lives of all people living in the community. The NHCE is
searching for a CEO to lead a team currently consisting of nine and
growing up to double that who are committed to fulfilling the
organization’s mission. The ideal candidate will be a proven leader
with a track record of navigating complex challenges in a visible,
public environment. Reporting directly to the NHCE Board of
Directors, the CEO will spearhead strategic initiatives in our
grantmaking function, manage a growing organization, and cultivate
a powerful team of existing and additional future staff dedicated
to transforming outcomes for the community.
Objectives of this
Role

1. Strategic Leadership: Working closely with the
   NHCE Board of Directors and committees, the CEO will lead all
   operational aspects of the Endowment with emphasis on strategically
   guiding the grants process. Through innovative thinking and a
   strategic mindset, the CEO will develop and execute plans to
   advance NHCE’s mission, driving progress on bold ambitions that
   advance the goals of the Endowment and benefit the community.
2. Effective Communication and Collaboration: As
   the primary liaison with NHCE Board of Directors, staff, the
   Community Advisory Council, grantees, and other stakeholders, the
   CEO will foster strong relationships and effective communication
   channels. With exceptional communication skills, the CEO will serve
   as the main spokesperson for the organization, increasing awareness
   and engagement within the community. The ideal candidate will
   possess a deep understanding of the unique attributes of New
   Hanover County, its residents, and business owners, leveraging this
   knowledge to inform strategic decision-making and foster community
   partnerships.
3. Financial Management: The CEO will oversee an
   operating budget of up to $5M and manage a team of up to 20
   employees responsible for distributing grants totaling up to $65M
   annually. With a focus on financial management and strategic
   planning, the CEO will ensure the efficient allocation of resources
   to maximize impact and sustainability.

Responsibilities

• Develop strategic operational plans in collaboration with the
  staff and board of directors to achieve organizational goals.
  Collaborate closely with NHC leaders, potential grantees, and the
  Community Advisory Council to ensure effective communication and
  alignment of objectives.
• Oversee all external communications, including website,
  marketing collateral, newsletters, and social media, and press
  releases to enhance visibility and credibility.
• Represent the organization at external events to increase
  visibility, credibility, and market brand, fostering strategic
  partnerships to expand community awareness and programs.
• Utilizing existing staff as well as recruiting new additions to
  staff, develop, and lead a high-performing team dedicated to
  fulfilling the organization’s mission, emphasizing community
  engagement and successful grantmaking efforts.
• Manage staff members and clients from diverse backgrounds,
  reflecting the community served by the organization.

 
Required skills and
qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) with a strong preference for
  a Master of Business Administration.
• A record of successful leadership and accomplishment in prior
  experiences preferably with endowments and business
  organizations
• Strong experience in public relations and communications
• Proven success working with a board of directors
• Entrepreneurial mindset, with an innovative approach to
  managing an endowment
• Dynamic and charismatic team player who enjoys being the public
  face of an organization
• Able to build a team that has high morale and is eager to work
  for the CEO

 
Other skills and
characteristics that would be preferred

• Experience in the non-profit sector, preferably with a
  demonstrated understanding of transformational philanthropy.
• Familiarity with New Hanover County and North Carolina
  preferred.

 
About New Hanover Community
Endowment
The New Hanover Community Endowment
was established from the sale of the County-owned New Hanover
Regional Medical Center to Novant Health in 2020. From its sale,
the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners invested nearly $1.3
billion to form the endowment to benefit the community.
The mission of New Hanover Community
Endowment is to improve the health, education, safety, and economic
opportunity of every person in the New Hanover County community.
The organization seeks to identify and address the root challenges
in these areas, aiming for long-lasting and deeply impactful
solutions.