Chief Executive Officer

June 26, 2025

UNITED THROUGH READING CEO
REPORTS TO: Executive Chairman of the Board of Trustees
APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED TO: CEO.Search@UTR.org
CLOSING DATE: July 18, 2025

MISSION STATEMENT: United Through Reading (www.unitedthroughreading.org) envisions a nation of resilient families with a shared love for reading. Founded in 1989, UTR strengthens military families’ literacy, emotional bonds, and well-being through the power of reading together at every age, no matter the distance.

Reading aloud instills the joy of reading and allows meaningful communication that enhances self-esteem and relationships. Since its inception, United Through Reading has served almost 4 million beneficiaries.

POSITION DESCRIPTION: The CEO is the face of the organization and serves as the chief communicator of the vision and mission of UTR (promoting and protecting the mission). Grounded and connected in the community at large, the CEO is responsible for building and sustaining relationships with key stakeholders and partners on behalf of UTR. The CEO is also responsible for the daily administration and sound and strategic organizational management of United Through Reading which includes but is not limited to overall program development and management, supervision of the staff, resource development, public relations and marketing, sound management of all fiscal resources, and business operations in accordance with standard business practices. The CEO will liaise effectively with national and local organizations for partnerships and collaborations, and oversee the contributions of diverse groups of trustees, donors, staff, volunteers, and community groups. The CEO works with and supports the Executive Chairman and the Board of Trustees to define priorities to build the organization as described in the Strategic Plan, build and develop teamwork among Trustees and other volunteer leaders, and ensure program and fiscal accountability in order to carry out the organization’s mission. The CEO will partner with senior staff leadership, the Executive Chairman, and Trustees to achieve fundraising and program delivery objectives.

The CEO will assume responsibilities detailed below.

EDUCATION:
Bachelor’s Degree required and advanced degree preferred or equivalent experience.

EXPERIENCE:

• S/he has unquestioned integrity; a long-term perspective; a strong sense of accountability; a practical ability to get things done; wisdom and good judgement; a fair and thoughtful approach to management combined with the flexibility and courage to shift direction and experiment with new initiatives; excellent verbal and written communication skills; a high energy level and sense of humor.
• Minimum of ten years’ experience in senior-level administrative management.
• Executive director, CEO, or Senior Vice President experience preferred.
• Veteran or military spouse preferred.
• Intermediate to advanced experience with the Google Suite, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Solutions (e.g., Salesforce), and project management software (e.g., Asana).
• Demonstrated experience in soliciting and securing major gifts.
• Demonstrated experience in driving organizational growth.
• Demonstrated experience in building and managing national organizations with geographically dispersed staff and Board of Trustees.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Organizational Functioning
• Work with the Board of Trustees through the Executive Chairman and the Governance Committee to fully implement the strategic plan and move the organization to its next level of development, assuring program adherence to and high program standards for the UTR mission.

Stakeholder/Constituency Development and External Affairs

• Be the primary spokesperson and ambassador of the organization, providing strong leadership in promoting and protecting the mission.
• Identify prospective stakeholder groups or individuals to further the mission and strategic plan of UTR.
• Lead the organizational effort in developing and sustaining partnerships and collaborations with organizations which includes program collaboration and funding partnerships.
• Ensure that risk management processes are in place.

Management and Administration

• Assure that UTR has a strategic plan developed and approved by the Board, and implement the plan in a timely way with the Board as it relates to national relevance, marketing and branding, fundraising, board development, and program execution.
• Ensure sound operations management and program quality control.
• Ensure legal compliance and program and fiscal accountability.
• Provide leadership in developing organizational and financial plans with the Executive Chairman, the Board of Trustees, and staff, and carry out plans and policies as authorized by the Board.
• Maintain fiscal responsibility for the annual budget and report to the Board regularly.
• Translate UTR’s Strategic Plan into an annual Business Plan with clear Key Performance Indicators for all staff.

Program Development and Management

• Oversee the expansion and quality assurance of the United Through Reading program and, working with staff, develop and implement strategies to achieve objectives of UTR’s strategic plan.
• Identify and cultivate partner organizations locally, regionally, and nationally for mutual program benefit and achievement of the UTR mission.
• Maintain a working knowledge of significant developments and trends in philanthropy, education, child development, literacy, and military family support issues.

Fundraising

• Work with the Executive Chairman, the Board, and the VP of Advancement to develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy to meet financial goals.
• Oversee event management, guidance and direction, follow up, and analysis for continued improvement as needed.

Board Relations and Communications

• Assist the Executive Chairman and the Board in promoting, maintaining, and protecting the mission and vision of UTR and in achieving goals and objectives of the strategic plan.
• Initiate and assist in recommending and developing policies and setting priorities, keeping policies updated and relevant.
• Keep the Executive Chairman and the Board of Trustees fully informed on the condition of the organization and important factors affecting the health of the organization.
• Working in partnership with the Executive Chairman involves each Trustee at an optimum level. Stimulate each to reach the highest potential as a Trustee.
• Work with the Executive Chairman to ensure effective and efficient Board committee structure and operation.
• Communicate regularly with the Executive Chairman, the Governance Committee, and key committee leaders, including the Senior Leadership Council and the Literacy Advisory Council.
• Serve as staff liaison to the Executive Chairman and Board committees as appropriate.
• Assist in the recruitment, selection, and orientation of new Trustees and officers.
• Assist the Lead Trustee in planning the agenda and materials for the Board meetings and Board strategic planning sessions.

Public Relations and Communications

• Oversee development and implementation of marketing and communications strategies.
• Establish and strengthen working relationships with partners at the local, regional, and national levels in the education and military fields.
• Identify and develop new partnerships with business and community leaders.
• Ensure appropriate representation of UTR goals and objectives to the community, corporate groups, and other stakeholders.

Personnel

• Develop and administer Board-approved personnel policies.
• Ensure proper hiring and termination procedures as required by law.
• Oversee all disciplinary actions.
• Provide for adequate supervision and evaluation of all staff and volunteers.
• Grow and diversify the volunteer base and delegate management to staff.
• Encourage staff and volunteer development and education.

Characteristics, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Passion for the mission, including literacy and military families.
• Demonstration of leadership presence, vision, and ability to motivate others and balance of team and individual responsibilities.
• Demonstration of ability to develop and sustain individual and organizational relationships to further the mission.
• Ability to maintain awareness of current social, economic, and technological changes relevant to the UTR mission.
• Highly organized.
• Ability to prioritize big picture ideas and execute into tangible actions.
• Strong interpersonal skills and a professional demeanor and presence.
• Exceptional oral and written communication and listening skills.
• Proficiency in public speaking with demonstrated ability to present effective and compelling messages to individuals, groups, and the public.
• Integrity and the ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Experience and expertise to effectively work with the Executive Chairman and the Board of Trustees.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse constituencies of community and corporate leaders, volunteers, military representatives, and families.
• Extensive knowledge of non-profit finance and budgeting.
• Knowledge and experience in grant writing with measurable results.
• Demonstration of an entrepreneurial spirit.
• Demonstration of initiative, creativity, and follow-through.
• Ability to multitask.
• High level of energy, enthusiasm, and humor.
• Must be flexible and able to work evenings and weekends and travel as needed.

Work Environment:

• United Through Reading is a virtual organization; most daily tasks are performed from home or personal office space, utilizing online services and video and audio conferencing.
• Home or personal office space must have stable broadband Internet access, as well as some storage space for supplies.
• Travel to local and national events is required.
• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands:

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that an employee must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, and walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms, and talk or hear.

Position: Full-time/Salaried
Location: Virtual

Preference for candidates who will make a three-year commitment to the position. Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. United Through Reading offers medical, dental, vision, and other benefits through its PEO, TriNet.

Please note: United Through Reading requires a signed criminal record statement, background and education check, DMV check, and exclusion and debarment checks prior to hire, and periodically throughout employment.

Please submit your resume and cover letter by July 18 to the email address listed above.