Chief Executive Officer

Overview:
ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW

Special Olympics Alabama (SOAL) is a dynamic, mission-driven 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to empowering children and adults with intellectual disabilities, of all ages and abilities, through the power of year-round sports training and competition, complementary non-sports programming, and community engagement, all at no cost to the athlete.

As the Alabama affiliate of the global Special Olympics movement, which serves 4.7 million athletes in 207 countries and jurisdictions, SOAL leverages the transformative power of sport to empower participants to build physical fitness, courage, confidence, and skills that serve them on and off the playing field. The Special Olympics movement champions inclusion and respect, ensuring that athletes of all abilities are welcomed, supported, and celebrated.

Founded in 1970, Special Olympics Alabama has grown into a statewide Program offering a broad range of Olympic‑type individual and team sports, as well as Special Olympics Unified Sports, which brings together athletes with and without intellectual disabilities as teammates. Through local competitions, state championships, volunteer programs, and community partnerships, SOAL creates life‑enhancing experiences that extend beyond the playing field, fostering confidence, leadership, and inclusion for more than 11,000 registered athletes and thousands of volunteers across Alabama.

At the core of its impact is a dedicated network of coaches, Unified partners, families, and supporters who contribute time, expertise, and passion to enrich the lives of Special Olympics athletes. Volunteers serve in roles from coaching and event leadership to advocacy and fundraising, underscoring the collaborative spirit that drives the organization’s success. SOAL’s next CEO will be critical in continuing to increase the organization’s reach, quality, operations, and sustainability.

Experienced, strong, and visionary leadership is essential to advancing SOAL’s mission and building an even more inclusive future for Alabamans.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Special Olympics Alabama (SOAL) serves as the organization’s chief executive, lead fundraiser, and public ambassador, providing trusted leadership during a pivotal period of organizational strengthening and growth. Reporting directly to the Board of Directors, the CEO is responsible for overseeing all operational, administrative, financial, and programmatic aspects of the organization while advancing quality, scale, and long‑term sustainability.

In close partnership with the Board, the CEO sets strategic direction, supports effective governance, and ensures SOAL’s mission is conducted with integrity, accountability, and measurable statewide impact.

This role calls for an experienced, resilient, and values‑driven leader who is energized by the challenge of comprehensive organizational advancement. The CEO will be expected to thoughtfully assess, rebuild, and realign core systems, structures, and practices, bringing clarity, discipline, and momentum to an organization that requires sustained, hands‑on leadership. Success in this role demands endurance, follow‑through, and a willingness to engage in the deliberate work of building strong foundations over time, while leading with transparency, authenticity, and ethical stewardship.

As SOAL’s primary relationship builder and most visible representative, the CEO leads all fundraising and resource development efforts, cultivating and stewarding meaningful relationships with donors, sponsors, foundations, government entities, and community partners across Alabama. Operating within a lean staffing model, the CEO provides day‑to‑day leadership of operations, fiscal management, compliance, and infrastructure, while building the capacity, systems, culture, and partnerships needed to support future growth.

The CEO also ensures the quality, consistency, and expansion of SOAL’s sports and non‑sports programming statewide, serving as a trusted advocate for athletes, families, volunteers, schools, and community leaders. This role is ideally suited for a relational, mission‑driven executive with…