Executive Director

ORGANIZATION: Degree Forward POSITION: Executive Director LOCATION: Michigan REPORTS TO: Chief Executive Officer Background TRIO New College Network is a growing, multi-site organization dedicated to helping working adults earn college degrees and access greater economic opportunity. In partnership with Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), TRIO offers an affordable, accelerated model that combines flexible, competency-based degree pathways with high-touch coaching, community-based support, and career-focused guidance. Designed to address the barriers that prevent millions of adults from completing college, TRIO meets learners where they are and helps them navigate the path to a degree. Through personalized support and strong local partnerships, TRIO expands access to higher education and creates pathways to greater social and economic mobility. Degree Forward is TRIO’s Michigan-based program, established in 2021 to bring this model to working adults across the state. Through enrollment hubs in Detroit and Michigan’s Thumb region, Degree Forward provides one-on-one academic guidance, financial aid navigation, career services, and other supports designed to help students successfully complete their degrees. As part of the broader TRIO network, Degree Forward benefits from the infrastructure, resources, and strategic support of a national organization while maintaining a strong local presence in Michigan. Opportunity Degree Forward is seeking an Executive Director (ED) to serve as the senior leader of its work across Michigan. Reporting to the CEO of TRIO New College Network, the ED will lead Degree Forward’s strategy, external leadership, fundraising, and growth, with responsibility for strengthening the organization’s impact and long-term sustainability across the state. The ED will hold overall responsibility for Degree Forward’s performance, including program execution, student success, financial management, and organizational health, while partnering closely with the Managing Director, who leads day-to-day operations and program execution. The ED will manage and develop the Degree Forward team and ensure the organization has the systems, capacity, and accountability necessary to support continued growth. A central focus of the role will be serving as Degree Forward’s external leader in Michigan, expanding Degree Forward’s reach through regional partnerships and community-based enrollment hubs while building the external relationships and resources necessary to support continued growth. As Degree Forward’s primary external leader in Michigan, the ED will cultivate relationships with employers, colleges, workforce organizations, civic leaders, foundations, donors, and corporate partners. Working closely with TRIO’s national leadership and Degree Forward’s local advisory board, the ED will ensure Michigan priorities remain aligned with broader network objectives while building a strong and sustainable organization locally.

Key Priorities for the Executive Director:

During their first year, the ED will be expected to:

• Develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy that strengthens relationships with major donors, foundations, and corporate partners and diversifies revenue to support long-term financial sustainability.
• Define and execute a strategy for Degree Forward’s continued growth across Michigan, including expansion through regional partnerships and community-based enrollment hubs.
• Strengthen program execution and student support systems to drive measurable student outcomes as Degree Forward grows.
• Build, develop, and support a high-performing team while strengthening organizational capacity and accountability.
• Deepen Degree Forward’s relationships with employers, colleges, workforce organizations, civic leaders, and other partners while strengthening its visibility and presence across Michigan.
• Ensure Degree Forward’s priorities, operations, and growth remain aligned with TRIO’s national strategic objectives while effectively partnering with national leadership and the local advisory board.

Responsibilities

Fundraising & Financial Sustainability

• Develop and execute a comprehensive institutional fundraising strategy.
• Build and maintain relationships with major donors, foundations, and corporate partners.
• Diversify revenue streams to support Degree Forward’s long-term financial sustainability.
• Collaborate with the local advisory board and TRIO’s national fundraising team.
• Monitor development metrics and donor engagement.

Organizational Leadership

• Define the vision and strategy for Degree Forward’s statewide and regional growth.
• Drive expansion through regional partnerships and community-based enrollment hubs.
• Align annual priorities with TRIO’s national strategic objectives.
• Manage organizational budgets and maintain high standards of excellence.

Team Leadership & Talent Development

• Recruit and develop a mission-aligned, high-performing team.
• Foster a culture of accountability and continuous growth.
• Mentor internal leaders to strengthen overall management capacity.

Program Operations & Management

• Maintain overall accountability for program execution, student success, and operational integrity, in close partnership with the Managing Director.
• Ensure compliance and strong student support systems.
• Partner with TRIO’s national team on fiscal management and site budgets.

Community Partnerships & External Leadership

• Serve as the primary spokesperson for Degree Forward in Michigan.
• Build relationships with employers, colleges, workforce organizations, and civic leaders.
• Strengthen Degree Forward’s statewide visibility and public engagement.
• Steward Degree Forward’s local advisory board.

Qualifications

The ideal Executive Director candidate will bring the following experiences, skills, and mindsets: Required Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.
• Seven or more years of senior leadership experience in the education or nonprofit sector.
• Demonstrated success in fundraising and partner development.
• Experience managing teams and organizational budgets.
• Deep knowledge of Michigan’s workforce and education landscape.

Skills

• Strong operational leadership skills with an entrepreneurial approach.
• Excellent communication and strategic relationship-building skills.
• Ability to use data and measurable outcomes to inform strategy, assess performance, and drive continuous improvement.
• Demonstrated ability to build trust, credibility, and strategic relationships across diverse stakeholder groups.

Mindsets & Values

• Deep alignment with TRIO’s mission and commitment to adult learners.
• Belief in the power of higher education to drive social and economic mobility.
• Builder-minded, collaborative leader with a passion for scaling organizations, developing systems, and building strong relationships.
• Commitment to accountability, clarity, and operational excellence.

Compensation & Benefits $150,000 – $170,000 annually, depending on experience. Comprehensive health, retirement, and PTO benefits are included with this full-time role.