Chief Executive Officer
Listed on 2026-08-31
-
Management
General Management, Project & Program Management -
Non-Profit & Social Impact
Chief Executive Officer
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Lead a respected workforce institution into its next chapter. WRTP | BIG STEP is seeking an accomplished, strategic, collaborative, and mission-driven Chief Executive Officer to lead an organization with a fifty-year history of connecting employers, labor, education, government, philanthropy, and communities to expand access to family-supporting careers and strengthen Wisconsin's workforce. This is an opportunity for a leader who can build on a strong foundation while bringing clarity, alignment, and momentum to the organization's next chapter.
Reporting to an engaged Board of Directors, the CEO will provide overall leadership for:
- Organizational strategy and execution
- Staff leadership, culture, and performance
- Financial stewardship, budgeting, and sustainability
- Fundraising, grants, foundations, and revenue development
- Board partnership and governance
- Employer, labor, education, government, philanthropic, and community relationships
- Public representation and industry leadership
The CEO will be a highly visible ambassador for WRTP | BIG STEP, engaging regularly with staff, employers, labor leaders, funders, policymakers, government officials, community partners, and the public. The Leader The ideal candidate will bring:
- 5–7+ years of progressive executive leadership experience in a complex, mission-driven environment
- A record of leading people and organizations through change, growth, or transition
- Strong financial, budgeting, and organizational management skills
- Experience with fundraising, grants, foundations, government funding, or revenue development
- Experience working effectively with a Board of Directors
- Exceptional communication, public speaking, and relationship-building skills
- The ability to navigate diverse perspectives and build common ground across stakeholders
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and professional experience; advanced degree preferred
Experience in workforce development, economic development, education, labor-management partnerships, skilled trades, manufacturing, public-sector workforce initiatives, philanthropy, or nonprofit leadership is strongly preferred. Most importantly, WRTP | BIG STEP seeks a leader who combines strategic thinking with practical execution, executive presence with humility, and strong business judgment with a genuine passion for mission.
The CEO will help create:
- Clear strategic direction and organizational alignment
- A confident, engaged, and accountable team
- Strong financial sustainability and diversified revenue
- Expanded philanthropic, government, corporate, and strategic partnerships
- A strong Board/CEO partnership
- Measurable workforce and economic mobility impact
- Continued growth in WRTP | BIG STEP's statewide and national influence
Location & Travel Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Approximately 10–20% travel, primarily throughout Wisconsin, including Madison and other statewide locations, with periodic national travel, including Washington, D.C. Evening and occasional weekend commitments should be expected. Benefits:
Health, vision, dental, life, short-term and long-term disability insurance, paid time off, paid holidays, and retirement contribution. WRTP | BIG STEP is an equal opportunity and ADA-compliant employer.
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