About Just Communities of Arkansas

Just Communities of Arkansas (JCA) is a nonprofit culture-change facilitation organization based in Little Rock, with roots dating back more than 50 years. Its mission is to build communities where every person is valued, every voice is heard, and everyone has a fair chance to succeed.

JCA designs and delivers programs that develop human potential and relationships, connect diverse communities, and support inclusive systems change. The organization is preparing for its next phase of impact and is seeking a CEO to build on and expand its programs and community initiatives.

The Role

The CEO will lead JCA through its next phase of organizational development, working collaboratively with the Board, facilitators, community leaders, volunteers, staff, and organizational partners.

The role combines nonprofit leadership, fundraising, strategic planning, Board engagement, fiscal management, operations, communications, and program oversight. The CEO will also help refine systems and processes that strengthen inclusion, equity, engagement, transparency, and accountability.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising

• Collaborate with the Board to develop and execute a fundraising roadmap and goals.
• Seek funding through grants, fee-for-service workshops, philanthropic gifts, and bequests.
• Maintain accurate fundraising and donor records.
• Analyze fundraising performance and recommend improvements.
• Build relationships with donors and funders through meetings, community events, and other engagement activities.

Strategic Planning & Evaluation

• Collaborate with the Board to develop organizational strategic plans.
• Oversee implementation, evaluation, and refinement of the strategic plan.
• Evaluate organizational effectiveness against strategic objectives and critical success factors.

Board Development & Engagement

• Serve as the primary liaison between staff and the Board of Directors.
• Build and maintain a strong collaborative relationship with the Board.
• Co-create Board meeting agendas, goals, and expectations with staff and Board Chairs.
• Manage staff follow-up on Board meetings and priorities.

Communications & Community Partnerships

• Develop and oversee organizational communications and marketing plans.
• Manage newsletters, e-blasts, graphic standards, and marketing materials.
• Oversee communications and marketing interns, volunteers, and contractors.
• Build relationships with media and communicate program information to the public.
• Develop relationships with business, educational, religious, civic, and government organizations.
• Represent JCA in advocacy efforts, coalitions, and campaigns.

Operations & People

• Hire, develop, and manage staff, contractors, and volunteers.
• Ensure staff and contractors follow JCA HR policies and practices.
• Work with the Board to keep HR policies aligned with applicable laws and JCA's mission and values.

Fiscal Management

• Maintain oversight of organizational finances in collaboration with the Board.
• Prepare and manage the annual operating budget.
• Maintain financial records that meet internal audit standards.
• Lead day-to-day financial activities, including deposits, transactions, taxes, audits, and coordination with financial contractors.

Programming & Consulting

• Hire, oversee, and support staff and contractors delivering JCA programs.
• Work with program and consulting staff on proposals, program accomplishments, organizational needs, and new programming opportunities.

Qualifications

• Sincere commitment to JCA's mission and philosophy.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Experience collaborating with diverse and marginalized communities.
• High emotional intelligence and ability to build trusting relationships across different backgrounds.
• Willingness to recognize and address personal biases and prejudices.
• Ability to accept feedback, build self-awareness, and adapt with intentionality and humility.
• Critical-thinking skills and commitment to continuous learning.
• Previous leadership experience in a community agency or equivalent position; volunteer experience may be considered.
• Experience in organizational leadership and/or organizational change management.
• Knowledge of group dynamics, facilitation, and training.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Computer competency in a Windows/Microsoft Office environment.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Ability to participate in weekend and overnight programs.
• Minimum 3 years of fiscal management and/or budgeting experience.
• Minimum 3 years of fundraising, communications, and strategic planning or implementation experience.
• Minimum 5 years of capacity-building experience in organizational/program management or development, social work, social justice/human rights, education leadership, psychology, or related fields.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's, Master's, or other advanced degree in organizational/program management, public service/policy/administration, social work, social justice/human rights, education leadership, psychology, or a related field.
• Experience evaluating programs and communicating data to a broad range of audiences.

Compensation

• $37,500 annually
• $50/month travel and meeting stipend
• Compensation is based on a 20–25 hour per week part-time schedule.
• Full-time work may also be discussed.

Work Arrangement

• Remote position.
• Applicants must reside in Arkansas due to fundraising requirements.
• Part-time at 20–25 hours per week, with the option to discuss full-time work.

Application Process

Applicants should send a cover letter and resume to Hilary Trudell at htrudell@justcommunities.org with the subject line “CEO.”

Applicants requiring accommodations during the application process should indicate this in their email.

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