Chief Growth Officer
Remote
Full Time
Senior Executive
Forum for Youth Investment
Position Announcement
Chief Growth Officer
Anticipated Start Date: January 19, 2025
Founded in 1998, The Forum for Youth Investment is a trusted national nonprofit
committed to improving outcomes for youth (ages 5–24) in education, work, and life.
The Forum is a national leader in youth development policy and practice, known for
turning research into action. We help leaders build systems that center youth voice,
advance equity, and support continuous quality improvement. The people at the Forum
are our heartbeat and our greatest resource. We are passionately rallied around our
mission to ensure all young people have what they need to thrive through stronger
programs, informed processes, and systems that work better for everyone. Join our
stellar team, leading the charge to deepen our impact and expand our service.
The Forum champions programs and federal and state policies that treat young people
as experts in their own lives, amplifying their voices and honoring their experiences. At
the same time, the Forum supports the adults and organizations who work with youth
by offering practical tools, training, coaching, and research to help them improve how
they show up for young people. Also, because real change takes collaboration, we bring
leaders together — from schools to nonprofits to government — to share ideas, solve
problems, inform policy, and build better systems that truly support youth and the
people who care about them.
For more information, visit www.forumfyi.org.
ABOUT THE CHIEF GROWTH OFFICER
The Forum is at a pivotal moment — balancing its legacy of thought leadership with a
need to diversify and grow its revenue to sustain, expand, and scale its impact. The
Forum is seeking a dynamic and visionary Chief Growth Officer (CGO) to drive our
growth strategy across fundraising, earned revenue, marketing, and partnerships. This
role integrates development, communications, and business development into one
growth engine — ensuring the Forum expands its influence, reach, and resources to
meet ambitious goals for impact. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, the
CGO serves on the executive team. This entrepreneurial leader will ensure we have the
resources necessary to execute our work, with the brand visibility to ensure growth is
sustainable and aligned with the Forum’s mission, priorities, and strategic plan.
The CGO is responsible for building deep relationships with philanthropy, government,
and corporate partners to secure multi-year, flexible funding. This individual will
reimagine the Forum’s earned revenue model and fee-for-service program to expand
our Weikart Center training, tools, and continuous quality improvement services, while
ensuring equitable access. The CGO will position the Forum as the go-to national
“action tank” for youth development policy and practice by strengthening brand
recognition and demand for services. This senior executive must be a highly strategic,
solutions-oriented leader with proven success in mobilizing resources, influencing
diverse audiences, and building coalitions that deliver measurable results. Also, this
collaborative leader will partner with the Chief Executive Officer to secure catalytic
philanthropic gifts, while shaping public perception about the Forum.
IDEAL CANDIDATE
The ideal candidate will have an insatiable passion for youth development, possess
strong management skills, and excel at relationship management with all stakeholders.
This leader deeply understands the Forum’s organizational priorities and how to build
an innovative earned revenue model. This person must take new tools and resources to
market, while marshalling the resources and external support necessary to help grow
and scale our work. This person possesses a high emotional intelligence and is
committed to prioritizing people, building strong relationships, and establishing an
environment of collaboration and learning. This individual will leverage their strong
relationship-building skills to directly impact staff and indirectly influence departments
across the organization to motivate stakeholders and produce results. Also, this person
embodies a deep commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in their daily
work and leadership.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Team Management and Leadership
• Lead the newly formed Growth team and provide overall fundraising,
communications and marketing, and public policy support for the organization.
• Coach department staff members to meet their goals and execute to results.
• Manage annual department goals and budget.
• Oversee and manage 4-6 fundraising, communications, and business
development staff, fostering a culture of accountability, creativity, and
continuous improvement.
• Ensure that the department’s staff have the skills, tools, and professional
development they need to deliver on ambitious impact goals.
Revenue Growth and Fundraising
• Lead a comprehensive revenue strategy encompassing philanthropy, corporate
partnerships, and government grants.
• Cultivate and steward major donors, institutional funders, and national partners.
• Develop, manage, and evaluate multiple strategies to raise funds from a broad
base of individuals, institutions, corporations, foundations, and government
entities across the youth development sector.
• Leverage the CEO, board members, staff, and key volunteers to expand the
Forum’s fundraising program, performance, and donor base.
• Work in tandem with the CEO to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a
portfolio of major gift donors and sponsors in support of annual operating,
capital, and special projects for the Forum.
• In collaboration with the CEO, prepare and deliver regular updates, reports, and
presentations to the Board of Directors on fundraising performance, growth
strategies, and revenue outcomes.
Earned Revenue and Fee-for-Service
• Develop pricing and growth strategies that balance financial sustainability with
equitable access for high-need communities.
• Identify new opportunities for new products, services, and partnerships that align
with the Forum’s expertise and mission.
• Establish demand our new, innovative fee-for-service offerings, including the
Forum’s Weikart Center tools, training, and coaching.
• Evaluate pricing models for trainings, licensing agreements, and field consultants
to ensure profitability and consistency.
• Work with the Chief Impact Officer to redesign the field consultant model to
ensure that faculty are providing consistent, high-quality training that brings
revenue to the Forum.
Marketing, Branding, and Communications
• Oversee brand strategy and marketing to elevate the Forum’s visibility as a
national leader in youth development.
• Ensure that messaging reflects the Forum’s values: youth-centered, equity driven, collaborative, and forward-thinking.
• Implement a communication plan that drives strong engagement with funders,
clients, policymakers, practitioners, and youth.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to the CEO regarding opportunities to enhance the
Forum’s thought leadership (e.g., panels, speaking engagements, etc.).
• Oversee the alignment of all communications, including social media, media
relations, and marketing efforts to present a unified, compelling message to
internal and external stakeholders.
Strategic Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement
• Forge cross-sector partnerships with corporations, philanthropy, national
nonprofits, and policymakers to expand the Forum’s reach.
• Represent the Forum at national convenings, panels, and events, positioning the
organization as a thought leader.
• Work with youth leaders and community partners to ensure growth strategies
authentically reflect youth voice and equity commitments.
• Cultivate high-value relationships with philanthropic partners, corporate
sponsors, government agencies, advocacy coalitions, and peer organizations.
• Identify and pursue strategic alliances that expand the Forum’s reach and
generate new funding opportunities.
LEADERSHIP PROFILE
We are seeking a leader who demonstrates:
• Mission-Driven Leader: Deep commitment to youth development, equity, and
systemic change.
• Fundraising & Business Development Expertise: Proven track record of
securing major gifts, philanthropic partnerships, and multi-year grants/contracts.
• Marketing & Communications Savvy: Experience elevating brand visibility
and building demand for services.
• Entrepreneurial Mindset: Ability to spot opportunities, innovate, and scale
programs or services sustainably.
• Collaborative Partner: Skilled at working across teams, sectors, and
communities; values co-creation and shared ownership.
• Equity-Centered: Ensures growth strategies prioritize access, inclusion, and
outcomes for young people of color and other historically marginalized groups.
QUALIFICATIONS
• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in external affairs,
strategic partnerships, business development, or fundraising.
• Demonstrated success in securing significant funding and building strategic
alliances at the national level.
• Deep understanding of nonprofit funding landscapes, including foundations,
corporations, and government.
• Experience leading through organizational change, preferably in a mission-driven
environment.
• Strong knowledge of branding, communications, and stakeholder engagement
strategies.
• Proven ability to work at the intersection of programs, policy, and partnerships.
• Bonus points if you have: a bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience or a
master’s degree in public policy, nonprofit management, social services,
education, or a related field.
TEAM CULTURE
Similar to the organization as a whole, the Growth is deeply committed to our mission.
We seek leaders who bring passion for improving the lives of young people, a strong
drive for measurable results, and a collaborative approach to achieving ambitious goals.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
The salary range for this position is $175,000-$190,000. Salary is
commensurate with experience and competitive within the nonprofit sector. This role is
a full-time remote position, with the option to work from one of the Forum’s
workstations in our Washington, DC office. Occasional travel will be required for
meetings, conferences, and events.
The Forum offers a robust and comprehensive benefits package, including:
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) and all federal holidays observed
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability coverage
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT
The Forum for Youth Investment is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate
diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All
qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race,
color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation),
national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other
protected characteristic as defined by applicable law.
HOW TO APPLY
Please submit a resume and cover letter. Applications will be received from November
10 through November 24 by 5:00 p.m. EST. If your application is selected for an
interview, you will be contacted directly.
Apply for this position
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