Job Description

Overview

Chief Executive Officer - Cornerstones at Good Insight

This range is provided by Good Insight. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

$210,000.00/yr - $230,000.00/yr

Executive Recruiter for Nonprofits, Philanthropy, & Associations

Cornerstones seeks a Chief Executive Officer to lead one of Northern Virginia's preeminent human services nonprofits.

About Cornerstones

Together with the community, Cornerstones promotes stability, empowerment, and hope through support, advocacy, and community-building for individuals and families in need. For 55 years, the organization has supported Fairfax and Loudoun Counties, serving those in need of food, shelter, affordable housing, and quality childcare. With deep partnerships across sectors, Cornerstones delivers programs and services while also working toward long-term systems change. Local governments and faith communities count on Cornerstones as an anchor human services organization and trusted community voice.

Position Summary

The CEO works with the Board of Directors and the staff to provide leadership, vision, and strategic direction. They are responsible for the successful management of the organization, implementing policies, managing the organizations programs and operations, and representing the organization in the region. A consensus-oriented and collaborative leader, the CEO models an inclusive and positive organizational culture that extends across the staff, board, and volunteers. Specific areas of responsibility include:

Strategy, Vision, and Leadership

• Lead a forward-looking organizational strategy that aligns with Cornerstones mission, values, evolving community needs, and fiscal priorities.
• Oversee the design and outcomes of programs and services that support Cornerstones mission and maintain its identity as a leading human services organization in the region.
• Partner with the Board of Directors and executive team to set strategic priorities, monitor progress toward goals, and adapt plans in response to internal and external challenges.
• Set annual financial goals in partnership with the staff and Board. Oversee Cornerstones financial health, including monitoring revenue and expenses, and forecasting multi-year projections that provide a foundation for programmatic strategy.
• Connect fundraising strategy and donor requests to Cornerstones long-term vision, ensuring that revenue generation supports strategic priorities and mission impact.
• Provide inspirational leadership that galvanizes staff, board members, partners, and community stakeholders around a shared vision for Cornerstones future.

Advocacy and External Affairs

• Serve as Cornerstones primary spokesperson, articulating the human service needs of the region and advancing Cornerstones corresponding philosophy, policies, and programs.
• Publicize the activities and goals of the organization; represent the programs and mission of the agency to agencies, elected officials, nonprofits, faith communities, and the public.
• Cultivate positive relationships with leaders at other key organizations in the business, public, and nonprofit sectors in the region.
• Represent Cornerstones by participating in key associations and organizations, serving on committees and advisory groups, and speaking in public settings.

Financial Sustainability and Resource Development

• Direct long-range financial analysis, review trends, and engage the Board in discussions about financial planning, including the replenishment of operating reserves.
• With the Development team and Board, advance annual and long-term donor stewardship plans that cultivate support from major donors, individuals, foundations, and corporate sponsors. Steward and solicit major gifts.
• Guide the budgeting process, monitor income and expenditures, integrate departmental leaders input into budgetary assumptions, support long-range budget planning and analysis, and ensure grant awards are administered following funders regulations.
• Develop policies that ensure the capital and financial assets of the organization are protected, adequately maintained, and not subject to unnecessary risk.

Organizational Development

• Lead and support a high-performing executive team, ensuring clear roles, accountability, collaboration, and professional development.
• Champion a culture of inclusion, integrity, and accountability throughout the organization.
• Align program design and delivery with strategic goals and community priorities.
• Strengthen internal systems and processes to support effective service delivery, team cohesion, and continuous learning.
• Cultivate an ambitious and high-caliber staff by supporting overall talent management and development efforts, including internal professional pathways.
• Enhance internal communications to promote transparency, alignment, and effective information sharing across all levels of the organization.
• Ensure Cornerstones maintains policies, procedures, and technology to facilitate effective workflow, decision-making, and communication across departments.

Experience, Skills, and Qualities

The Board seeks a skilled executive who brings a record of successful senior leadership experience to this role. We encourage applications from a wide range of candidates, and recognize that the most competitive applicants will have many, but likely not all, of the following personal and professional experiences, skills, and qualities:

• 10+ years of leadership roles within nonprofit, public sector, or small business settings.
• A mission-driven mindset, with passion for working with individuals and families in need.
• Management skills of fostering a culture of accountability, successful delegation, high performance, effective internal communication, and change management.
• Excellent organizational management acumen, including experience with budgeting, financial management, human resources, contracts, and legal compliance.
• A significant supervisory record, including leading an executive team, coaching leaders, developing high-performing teams, and setting an inclusive, positive workplace culture.
• Experience with fundraising, particularly the ability to cultivate and steward mutually-rewarding and long-term relationships.
• Demonstrated success in mobilizing coalitions, as well as strategizing and securing support for new projects, partnerships, and funding relationships.
• Record stewarding community relationships: aptitude and appetite for active participation in civic organizations.
• Polished and persuasive written and verbal communication skills. Comfort engaging with a wide variety of stakeholders in many different settings with confidence, integrity, cultural awareness, and curiosity.
• Track record of building authentic relationships among a broad range of external audiences (e.g., elected officials, agency leaders, residents, community partners, funders).

Considered desirable:

• Experience with affordable housing development and management.
• A history of working on programs that serve low-income populations.
• Familiarity with grants management, data-driven program evaluation, and quality assurance.
• Demonstrated experience working effectively with a Board of Directors, including engaging them in fundraising opportunities, participating in recruitment, and orienting members to organizational culture, programs, and communities.

Location and Travel

Cornerstones headquarters is located in Reston, Virginia. Staff work a variety of schedules, with flexibility for hybrid and remote work. The CEO role will require regular in-person presence at Cornerstones office and program locations in Fairfax and Loudoun County, as well as meetings with partners and funders across the region.

Compensation

The budgeted salary is $210,000 to $230,000 with a competitive benefits package that includes employer-matched retirement savings, health, dental, and vision insurance, and paid time off.

Application Process

Cornerstones is conducting this search in partnership with Good Insight, a national executive search firm serving the nonprofit sector. Interested applicants should upload a resume and a detailed cover letter to Resume reviews begin immediately. For best consideration, please apply by mid October.

Cornerstones is an equal opportunity employer.

Seniority level

Executive

Employment type

Full-time

Job function

Management and Strategy/Planning

Industries: Non-profit Organizations and Housing and Community Development

Job Tags

Similar Jobs