Colorado Nonprofit Association

Executive Director

Job Summary:

Nature of Work:

Aurora Wellness Community (AWC) is seeking a dynamic and visionary Executive Director who is deeply passionate about our mission and prepared to lead through our next phase of growth and impact. This individual will be the driving force in accelerating AWC’s efforts to tackle pressing societal challenges, ensuring that the human experience remains at the heart of every solution. With a proven track record of strategic leadership and the ability to execute high-impact plans, the ideal candidate will demonstrate both agility in navigating complex environments and a relentless commitment to achieving measurable outcomes. AWC is poised for transformational change, and we are looking for a leader who thrives in shaping and scaling community-focused initiatives that create lasting impact.

Examples of Work Performed:

We are seeking an exceptional leader who has a proven track record of cultivating strong, strategic relationships with a wide range of diverse stakeholders, including community groups, faith-based organizations, corporations, foundations, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and public institutions. This individual is a master at building lasting partnerships and has a demonstrated ability to secure private contributions to fuel organizational growth.

The ideal candidate will bring robust financial acumen and business management expertise to AWC. With a deep understanding of business principles as applied to nonprofit organizations, this leader will have a history of scaling sustainable program growth, driving continuous improvement in program quality, and diversifying revenue streams to ensure long-term success. We are looking for someone who thrives in creating innovative solutions and has the strategic foresight to elevate AWC to its next level of impact.

More specifically, competitive candidates will bring the following skills, professional experience, and personal characteristics and qualifications:

• Champion of AWC’s Mission and Brand: A dynamic spokesperson who can elevate AWC’s mission, presence, and brand. Skilled in media relations and public speaking, engaging with a wide range of constituents and the broader community to expand AWC’s influence.
• Strategic Visionary: A forward-thinking strategist who develops and executes expansive plans to transform AWC into a sustained, community-centered organization. Demonstrates a proven ability to turn complex initiatives into successful, actionable outcomes.
• Financially Savvy and Results-Driven: A leader with strong business acumen and financial expertise, experienced in diversifying revenue streams to meet defined goals. Understands the systems and structures that drive success in a startup environment, ensuring fiscal sustainability and operational efficiency.
• Experienced in Nonprofit and Public Sector Integration or Private Sector: Deep understanding of business principles applied to both nonprofit organizations and public universities. Skilled at translating plans into execution while holding individuals accountable to achieve measurable results.
• Empowering Leader and Coach: An experienced leader and coach who excels in guiding, collaborating, and empowering a diverse, multidisciplinary team. Skilled in problem-solving, goal setting, and fostering a culture of accountability across the organization.
• Innovative Catalyst for Change: A passionate advocate for creating new, sustainable solutions that drive meaningful outcomes for the community, families, and individuals served by AWC. Brings a deep commitment to fostering innovation and continuous improvement.
• Collaborative Decision-Maker: A thoughtful listener who values input from diverse stakeholders before making decisions. Thrives in collaborative environments, demonstrating strong people-management skills while empowering, motivating, and mentoring individuals across all levels of the organization.
• Master Relationship Builder: Uses exceptional interpersonal communication skills to establish and maintain durable, productive relationships with a wide array of constituents, donors, and stakeholders. Builds trust and fosters lasting connections to support AWC’s long-term success.
• Proven Fundraiser and Relationship Builder: A skilled fundraiser who builds and sustains relationships that drive consistent revenue from individuals, corporations, foundations, and government sources. Leads the fundraising program with focus and strategic direction, ensuring the successful implementation of its goals.
• Governance Advocate and Strategic Partner: A strong advocate for nonprofit governance, with experience supporting and enhancing a strategic governing body. Skilled in framing issues for Board review, facilitating discussions, and ensuring Board development, evaluation, and performance align with organizational goals.

*We understand and appreciate that no one applicant will likely have proficiency or experience in each of the above areas – and strongly encourage those with interest and overlap – to apply.* 

This description is a summary only and only describes the general level of work being performed; it is not intended to be all-inclusive. The duties of this position may change from time to time and/or based on business needs. We reserve the right to add or delete duties and responsibilities at the discretion of the supervisor and/or hiring authority.

Work Location:

Hybrid – this role is eligible for a hybrid schedule of 2 days per week on campus and as needed for in-person meetings.

Why Join Us:

Aurora Wellness Community (AWC) is an aggregator enabling transformative partnerships between the CU School of Medicine and the vibrant Aurora community. Our mission is to drive health, wealth, and well-being for Colorado residents in zip codes 80010, 80011, and 80012, creating lasting change across these communities.

AWC is dedicated to shaping a healthier, more equitable future for Aurora by addressing the critical social determinants of health. Through collaboration and community-driven engagement, we empower residents to take charge of their own futures. By listening to their voices, understanding their aspirations, and fostering meaningful partnerships, we are building collective power to spark transformative change. Together, we are working to create a healthy, thriving, sustainable future for Aurora, where every resident has the opportunity to succeed and thrive.

AWC Values:

• Inclusive – Put people at the center and design for their well-being. 
• Mission-driven – every action that we take is focused on our mission.
• Authentic – we meet everyone where they are and respect their full personhood.
• Teamwork – embrace radical collaboration in support of our mission.  
• Trust – champion solutions designed with and by the community.
• Excellence – strive relentlessly toward operational excellence for multi-generational impact. 
• Resilience – create and deliver continuously improved and financially sustainable services.

Diversity and Equity:

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is committed to recruiting and supporting a diverse student body, faculty, and administrative staff. The university strives to promote a culture of inclusiveness, respect, communication, and understanding. We encourage applications from women, ethnically minoritized individuals, persons with disabilities, persons within the LGBTQ+ community, and all veterans. In addition, the Anschutz Campus has also been recognized as an Age-Friendly University. The University of Colorado is committed to diversity and equality in education and employment.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in business or healthcare, or a directly related field from an accredited institution and proven professional experience.
• (4) Four years of experience in a progressively responsible role, including experience in creating and implementing community wellness strategies.
• Experience in fundraising and securing grants.
• Experience in creating and standardizing metrics and analytics to assist in measuring the costs and impact of key initiatives, partnerships, communications strategies, and tactics.
• Experience in working with the intersecting complexities of a public university and a non-profit who are the major financial sponsors of the AWC and will continue to have fiduciary and operational oversight and governance responsibilities.

A combination of education and related technical/paraprofessional experience may be substituted for the bachelor’s degree on a year-for-year basis.

Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in healthcare or business administration or another closely related field.
• Five or more years of experience in a progressively responsible role, including experience in creating and implementing community wellness strategies.
• Experience working in data and data dashboard platforms.  

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to communicate effectively, both in writing and orally.
• Ability to write, edit, proofread, and finalize materials for submittal or publishing (ex-grants, annual reports, etc.)
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees and strategic partners at all levels throughout the institution and within the community.
• Demonstrated commitment and leadership ability to advance justice, equity diversity, and inclusion.
• Professional expertise in innovating, initiating, and completing effective and research-based communication, marketing, and branding strategies.
• Ability to use analytics to measure and evaluate strategies.
• Ability to manage a diverse workload with multiple priorities.
• Familiarity and competency with Microsoft Office.
• Skilled in framing issues for Board review, facilitating discussions, and ensuring Board development, evaluation, and performance align with organizational goals.
• Ability to build strong relationships within the Community and University.
• Demonstration of ability to increase engagement and awareness of programs and align strategic partnerships.