Chief Executive Officer

Towards Employment is a nationally respected, Cleveland, OH-based workforce development nonprofit with a 50-year track record of helping people overcome barriers to employment and advance toward family-sustaining careers. Grounded in equity, partnership, and accountability, Towards Employment combines hands‑on training, wrap‑around support, and employer engagement to open doors to careers that transform lives and strengthen communities. TE serves over 2,000 people annually and has steadily increased job placements, earned credentials, starting wages and career advancements year over year.

The organization is seeking its next President and CEO to replace its long‑tenured retiring leader.

A Strong Foundation and a Bright Future

The President and CEO provides strategic and operational leadership for all aspects of Towards Employment’s mission — championing equitable access to quality employment and economic mobility. The role encompasses stewardship of resources, storytelling and advocacy designed to change narratives, partnerships with public and private sectors, and leadership of a talented, mission‑driven team. This is a rare leadership opportunity. The organization operates with fiscal strength and a strong government funding base, even during pandemic‑era volatility and public funding shifts.

With a staff of 70 and an $8 million budget, Towards Employment (TE) is widely viewed as a trusted and impactful partner across Cleveland’s workforce ecosystem. Culturally, Towards Employment “walks the walk.” Staff at all levels are encouraged to participate, and TE hires from the communities it serves. The board is highly engaged and collegial and is deeply committed to supporting the next President and CEO.

With only three chief executives across its 50‑year history — the current one serving 20 years — stability, integrity, and mission focus combined with embrace of innovation are at TE’s core. The next President and CEO will join at an exciting moment: the board has deliberately postponed launching a new strategic plan until the new leader is on board, signaling genuine partnership in shaping Towards Employment’s future.

The board is also highly invested in providing the next leader with a map and the time they need to successfully integrate into the community and team‑build with the staff senior leadership team. A planned large‑format event celebrating TE’s 50th anniversary in the fall of 2026 creates a perfect springboard for the new leader to build relationships and jumpstart their work.

For more information, please visit towards employment.org

• Strategic Leadership and Vision. Shape and implement a bold multi‑year strategic plan that builds on TE position as an innovative force in equitable workforce development.
• Board Partnership and Governance. Partner closely with a highly engaged board to drive strategic decisions, governance excellence, and shared organizational success.
• Program and Impact Oversight. Ensure delivery of high‑impact programs that connect participants facing barriers to training, support services, and quality career pathways.
• Financial Stewardship and Funding Model. Maintain financial health through government contracts, grants, and earned income while optimizing resources for maximum mission impact.
• Revenue Development. Grow and diversify funding through individual philanthropy, corporate partnerships, and mission‑aligned revenue opportunities.
• Policy, Advocacy and External Relations. Serve as the organization's chief ambassador, building bridges with employers, funders, policymakers, and community partners and advocating for policies and investments that strengthen the region’s workforce system and support TE’s participants and employer…