The Oasis Center – Chief Executive Officer Position Available In Davidson, Tennessee

Job Description:

The Oasis Center – Chief Executive Officer

ABOUT OASIS

OasisCenter was founded in 1969 when a group of young lawyers cametogether to establish the “Rap House,” a simple community centerfor runaway teens and youth struggling with addictions. Fifty-sixyears later, the “Rap House” has evolved into Oasis Center, anationally recognized organization, where nearly 3,500 youth andfamilies turn for help and direct support every year. Oasis Centerprovides a wide range of opportunities that reflect the diverseneeds of youth and their families, from crisis intervention toyouth leadership and community engagement to college and careeraccess. Our 20+ programs and services are based on the foundationof four areas for youth success: Safety, Belonging, Empowerment,and Generosity.

Our Mission:

Building relationships that advanceyouth well-being, amplify youth voice, and inspire action toward ajust community.

Our Vision:

To live in a world where all youngpeople are safe, valued, connected to caring adults, and preparedfor productive and fulfilling lives. We believe that progress ismade toward this goal when we develop and encourage perspectivesbased on hope, a vision of what is possible, and the courage toact. We cultivate this change through caring relationships,meaningful action, and thoughtful reflection.

OPPORTUNITY

This isan exceptional opportunity for a visionary leader to guide a highlyrespected and mission-driven organization. The CEO of Oasis Centerwill step into a role that offers the ability to shape the futureof youth services in Middle Tennessee while spearheading innovativegrowth strategies, strengthening financial sustainability, andenhancing organizational impact.

Oasis Center’s mission is deeplycompelling, rooted in the belief that every young person deservesto feel valued, supported, and empowered to shape their future.

With a 56-year legacy of impact, the organization has built anunparalleled reputation as a leader in youth services, offering aholistic range of programs from housing support to educational andleadership initiatives. The CEO will have the extraordinaryprivilege of leading a team that transforms lives daily, providingessential services to marginalized and at-risk youth. OasisCenter’s commitment to equity, justice, and innovation ensures thatyoung people receive the tools, resources, and community they needto thrive. For a leader who seeks purpose-driven work with real,measurable impact, this role represents a rare and meaningfulopportunity to drive lasting change in the lives of Nashville’syouth and beyond.

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting to the Board ofDirectors, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) will oversee keyagency operations: fundraising, programs, advocacy efforts,finance, and public relations. The CEO will ensure that the agencyoperates under its mission and within the parameters of thelong-range goals set by the Board while optimizing the investmentof agency resources.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Staff and ProgramManagement Provide vision, leadership, and mentorship to key staff,including direct supervision of the Chief Operating Officer, SeniorDirector of Development, and Controller. Provide leadership in securing and maintaining adequatefinancial resources for current and new programs. Maintain full compliance with all applicable laws, regulations,standards, and best practices governing agency and programoperations, including those specific to youth services andnonprofit management. Develop and implement policies to ensure the effective andeconomical operation of Oasis Center’s programs and services. Ensure evaluation of agency services and implementmodifications as appropriate. Ensure preparation of annual budgets related to physical,financial, and human resources for approval by the Board. In partnership with the COO, provide oversight and directionfor the personnel functions of the agency, including approval ofpersonnel actions. Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, andaccountability across the organization, and cultivate opencommunication between leadership and staff to ensure transparencyand a shared sense of mission. Oversee strategic planning efforts to guide programmatic growthand organizational impact. Support and enhance cross-program integration to maximizeholistic impact for youth. Ensure a trauma-informed, culturally competent approach acrossall staff and services. Identify, recruit, train, and develop a talented team ofemployees who can lead critical departments and manage strategicorganizational functions. Act as a visible and engaged leader, frequently visitingprograms and connecting with frontline staff and youth.

FundDevelopment & Marketing Lead and expand a comprehensive fund development strategy,including government contracts, foundations, individual donors,corporate partnerships, congregations, civic groups, and specialevents, to sustain and grow the Oasis Center’s financial health andmeet the budget requirements. Guide the members of the Board of Directors in soliciting andmaintaining effective relationships with Nashville’s leadingdonors. Implement creative strategies to raise the visibility of theOasis Center’s work, strengthen its presence in the community, andelevate its brand to increase public awareness. Cultivate and maintain relationships with individual and majordonors, foundations, and corporate and community partners to securephilanthropic support. Partner with the Board and Senior Director of Development toexpand donor engagement and cultivation strategies. Serve as a key spokesperson, effectively articulating OasisCenter’s impact to donors, funders, and the broader community. Oversee grant strategy with Senior Director of Development andensure compliance with grant requirements.

Advocacy Provide vision and strategic direction for the board and staffregarding Oasis Center’s advocacy efforts and the future of youthservices and how the agency can best respond to emergingneeds. Build and maintain strong partnerships and effectivecommunication with elected officials, government agencies, andadvocacy organizations to advance systemic change for youngpeople. Serve as the primary spokesperson for the agency on criticaland sensitive issues. Strengthen Oasis Center’s role in coalitions, policydiscussions, and community initiatives by actively representing theorganization in public forums, government meetings, and mediaopportunities to ensure it remains a trusted and influential voicewithin the youth services sector. Promote and support collaborative efforts with peerorganizations to enhance the agency’s ability to serve youth andfamilies. Engage youth in leadership opportunities and ensure theirvoices are central to Oasis Center’s advocacy efforts. Serve as a strong and credible advocate for youth, equity, andcommunity-based services at the local, state, and nationallevels. Maintain up-to-date knowledge of policies and issues in thefield of youth services.

Board Relations Serve as chief liaison to the Board of Directors, keeping theminformed of issues and overall operations of the agency in a mannerand on a frequency to be determined by the Board. In cooperation with the Board of Directors, ensure adequateresources for agency programs. Assist the Board in fulfilling its fiduciary responsibilities,including financial oversight and compliance. Work with the Board President to establish, support, andmaintain effective Board committees. Collaborate with the Board President to enhance Board memberdevelopment and implement strategies that strengthen theirinvolvement in fundraising, advocacy, and community engagement tosupport agency programs. Meet with the Board representative for annual evaluation ofagency accomplishments and the CEO’s effectiveness. Identify and cultivate new Board members to ensure diversity,expertise, and commitment to Oasis Center’s mission.

ESSENTIALQUALIFICATIONS

Five years minimum of senior level administrativeexperience. Proven leadership experience in a nonprofit, philanthropic, ormission-driven organization, with experience overseeing complexoperations and diverse teams. Strong emotional intelligence and ability to lead with empathyand resilience. Knowledge and ability to apply skills of organizationalmanagement, including personnel management, team building,financial management, strategic planning, fundraising, programevaluation, etc. Demonstrated track record in fundraising, donor cultivation,and revenue generation. Strong financial management skills, including budgeting,financial analysis, and resource allocation. Strong skills in networking and relationship building with avariety of constituents (Board, staff, clients, funding sources,community leaders, etc.). Ability to foster trust among staff, funders, communitypartners, and government entities. Excellent public speaking and advocacy skills. Strategic thinker with a results-driven mindset. Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, with aleadership style that prioritizes collaboration andtransparency. A passion for serving young people and the ability to inspireothers to support Oasis Center’s mission. Ability to effectively communicate with others in oral andwritten form. Proven crisis management experience. Ability to travel locally.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Deep understanding of issues impacting youth, marginalizedcommunities, and the nonprofit sector. Experience working with a Board of Directors and strengtheninggovernance structures. Experience working in or knowledge of the Nashvillecommunity.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Bachelor’s degree in socialwork or other human service-related fields.

BENEFITS &COMPENSATION

The position of CEO is a 40-hours-a-week, full-timeposition. A full benefits package is offered, including medical,dental, vision plans, and agency-paid group life and long-termdisability. A 401K plan is available to employees with an employermatch of up to 3% starting the first of the quarter following sixmonths of employment. Employees receive a generous time-off packagewith paid holidays.

Salary Range:

$155,000 – $170,000 per yearannual salary, commensurate with experience.

LOCATION

Nashville,TNTO APPLY:

Oasis Center has retained the services of ThinkingAheadExecutive Search. Please submit your resume and expression ofinterest to: Chris Spagnola at cspagnola@thinkingahead.com andHeather Campbell at hcampbell@thinkingahead.com.

To learn more aboutOasis Center, visit .

EEO Statement:

Oasis Center is an equalopportunity/affirmative action employer and is operated inaccordance with a policy which does not permit discriminationbecause of race, color, sex, age, ability, national origin, sexualorientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

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