Executive Director, South Region - Oklahoma City - Generation Citizen

Description

GENERATION CITIZEN

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, SOUTH

LOCATION: South Region (OK, KY, and NC) (Hybrid)

ABOUT US

Generation Citizen offers tools for the rising generation to build civic skills and make America the inclusive, multi-racial democracy that we need. We are transforming how civics is taught by providing equity-rooted, real-world civic education, which helps students understand how governments function and how they can make a difference in the system. Through hands‑on civic education, legislative advocacy, coalition building, and youth leadership development, we teach young people how to have a voice and become active citizens in their communities.

JOB DESCRIPTION

We are looking for a skilled and passionate Executive Director of the South region to join our diverse and inclusive team. As an equal‑opportunity employer, we foster a culture where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to be themselves at work. For this position, we are seeking an experienced leader overseeing the continued impact of Generation Citizen's South region. Currently, the South team works with school and policy partners in various states in the South, with a strong footprint in Kentucky and Oklahoma. We have recently partnered with several districts in North Carolina and are focused on further growth there. We also maintain a limited, stabilised engagement in Texas. The ED will serve as the face of GC throughout the region by building and intentionally developing and shepherding key relationships with community partners, school districts, elected officials, the philanthropic community, and the media. They will lead and empower a local team, serving as the spokesperson and face of Generation Citizen across the region. In addition to leading the Local Advisory Board, they will steer program and policy strategy, collaborating closely with stakeholders like the Board, school and district partners, coalition partners, and policymakers to achieve ambitious goals across the South region.

The South Executive Director thrives in managing collaborative teams in rapidly changing environments. The right candidate is a self‑starter and a constant and collaborative learner who follows and is excited to build on local civics policy legislation and the rapid scaling of community‑based civics throughout the region. The Executive Director manages a programmatic team and reports directly to the Chief Development & Growth Officer.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Fundraising & Local Advisory Board (40%)

• Build strong relationships with existing donors and continue to expand a diversified funding strategy to meet annual fundraising goals and enable sustained growth over time, in alignment with the strategic plan.
• Engage with GC's National Development team on institutional and individual giving as well as small regional events, both virtual and in person.
• Strategically engage new individual, foundation, and corporate funding sources.
• Partner with board chairs to effectively engage the Local Advisory Board in supporting regional priorities, including program expansion, fundraising, and local advocacy efforts.
• Provide fiscal oversight and manage the site's budget.

Policy, Advocacy, & Thought Leadership (25%)

• Strategically develop and participate in coalitions and partnerships with various individuals, groups, and organisations to elevate the importance, presence, and quality of community‑based civics in states throughout the South.
• With support from the national Civic Voice & Policy team, engage in advocacy and policy work, including local and state task forces and commissions, to support the continued development of standards and implementation of civics legislation, including advocating for continued funding for districts for civics projects in the region.
• Articulate the importance and impact of community‑based civics education through public, equity‑focused messaging in op‑eds, interviews, conference presentations, panel participation, and other relevant communication mediums.

Team Organization & Leadership (20%)

• Develop the South region's team goals in alignment with the organisational strategic plan across domains, including programme, policy, youth leadership, and development.
• Motivate, inspire, and manage the South region team to meet quarterly and annual goals and drive impact.
• Build an equitable team culture centring practices rooted in inclusion and belonging.
• Serve as a member of GC's Leadership Team, guiding overall organisational decision‑making, strategy, and culture.

Program Management & Partnership Development (15%)

• Oversee programme‑based strategy set in the strategic plan with the South Programme Director and the Programme & Impact Team.
• Support school and district partnership development goals, including recruitment and securing Fee‑For‑Service district contracts, in partnership with the South Programme Director, and guided by National expansion efforts.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS:

• 7+ years of non‑profit fundraising experience for education, democracy, or youth service organisation, showing progressive responsibility and a successful track record in cultivating major donors and meeting fundraising goals.
• Experience supervising, developing, and coaching others, with strong leadership and management skills.
• Demonstrated capacity to build or effectively participate in coalitions with a clear, policy objective.
• Strong knowledge of the philanthropic, educational, and policy landscape in the South with an established network of relationships with local philanthropists, elected officials, and educators.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to maintain professionalism with diverse stakeholders, and provide and receive direct, supportive feedback for personal and team growth.
• Capable of thriving in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment with strong project‑management skills and the ability to deliver results both individually and with others.
• An empathetic listener, inspiring leader, and strong relationship‑builder with a collaborative spirit and a high degree of ownership over personal and team outcomes.
• Skilled in strengths‑based storytelling, focusing on elevating youth voices and inspiring others.
• A deep commitment to and passion for Generation Citizen's mission, with a personal and professional track record of advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in policy, advocacy, and fundraising.
• The ability to attend various funder meetings and events across the South region.

NOTE

This position works primarily remotely but will be expected to travel no more than 30% of the time to attend monthly in‑person team days, organisational retreats, special events, external partner meetings, board meetings, conferences, lobbying, and other potential in‑person activities. Required in‑person opportunities include, but are not limited to, annual staff retreats, funder meetings, school visits, and region‑based Civics Day events. This role may include a limited amount of overnight travel.

HOW TO APPLY

Complete the application and be sure to attach a resume and cover letter. A recruiter will reach out to qualified candidates to schedule a phone screen. While the hiring timeline is subject to change, the GC team hopes to have the Executive Director, South role in the South Team filled by or before May 18, 2026.

Thank you for your interest in joining our team at Generation Citizen. We look forward to reviewing your application We encourage applicants to submit their applications early.

SALARY

Generation Citizen is committed to maintaining a compensation and total rewards package that supports our ability to recruit and retain a diverse and talented team. As we make compensation decisions, we are guided by the following values: clarity, consistency, and internal pay equity. Roles on the National team extend throughout the country, causing a wider salary range due to geographical variation versus regional roles that have a set salary.

The salary for this role is $100,561.

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are values that Generation Citizen is committed to upholding across our business operations. To accomplish our purpose of Generation Citizen, we think it takes a diverse and inclusive team. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply for this position, and we welcome their applications.

GC'S CORE VALUES

Our best benefit of all? The opportunity to work alongside smart, passionate colleagues who are working to rebuild our democracy in alignment with our core values of grassroots change, systemic impact, collaboration and diversity, action, and open‑mindedness.

VACATION TIME, PTO & PAID HOLIDAYS

Generation Citizen offers unlimited PTO, a set of paid holidays, and a fully‑paid winter break that happens from December 24th through January 1st of each year.

MEDICAL, DENTAL & VISION BENEFITS

GC offers all full‑time employees medical, dental, and vision benefits through a co‑employment relationship with Emplova, a professional employer organisation (PEO). Emplova provides five competitive Cigna medical plans for employees to choose from, as well as vision and dental plans with MetLife. All medical, dental, and vision benefits are effective on the 1st day of the month after an employee's start date. GC subsidises up to 80% for employees and 65% for their dependants, based on the selected plan.

ANCILLARY BENEFITS & PERKS

• Laptop computer
• Monthly $100 Work‑from‑Home stipend
• $150 Work‑from‑Home set‑up reimbursement
• Flexible Spending Account
• Health Savings Account
• 401(k) with a 3% employer match (capped at $1,000 annually)
• Pre‑tax commuter benefits
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through Emplova Health Advocate
• Tickets at Work
• Pet Insurance