A Chief Executive Officer provides overall direction for companies and private and public sector organizations. Develops and defines company policies. Plans and directs operational activities, with the help of management executives and staff managers.
President & CEO Muhammad Ali Center Louisville, KY Job Details Full-time 18 hours ago Benefits Health savings account Health insurance Dental insurance Paid time off Parental leave Employee assistance program Vision insurance Employee discount Flexible schedule Life insurance Retirement plan Qualifications Community partnership development Corporate partnership Strategic management Teamwork Expense management Collaboration with board members Team development Major gift prospect cultivation Managing budgets in a finance role Business development experience within non-profit sector Business alliance strategy Fundraising Nonprofit financial management experience Networking through strategic partnership building Strategic partnerships Non-profit experience Board relations Senior leadership Full Job Description
ABOUT THE MUHAMMAD ALI CENTER
The Muhammad Ali Center was created to honor the life of "The Greatest". Based in Louisville, KY, the Center is a multicultural organization, an award-winning museum, and a global beacon for social justice. We exist to mobilize Ali's legacy to foster respect, inspire generations of changemakers, and advance social justice, creating a world where all people can achieve their own greatness. From the Ali Center's inception, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion have been central to our core values. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer that believes diverse viewpoints are critical to our global impact, and we actively foster a culture where inclusion is everyone's responsibility.
POSITION OVERVIEW
The President & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) will provide the visionary leadership, strategic direction, and operational oversight required to champion the Ali Center's mission and drive its next phase of global growth. Reporting directly to the Board of Directors, the CEO holds full executive authority and accountability for all Center operations, including a $5M operating budget, a dedicated team of 30+ staff and volunteers, programming and the operations of our world-class facility. As a primary public face of the Center, the CEO will convert mission into measurable global results. A proven track record of high-level fundraising is paramount; the CEO will spearhead philanthropic growth across individual, corporate, foundational, and government sectors to ensure long-term financial sustainability.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic Leadership & Brand Advocacy •
Drive Vision & Growth :
Lead the execution of the strategic plan, aligning operational goals, revenue development, and programming with the Center's core values. •
Global Vision & Expansion :
Drive the strategy to elevate the Center's national and international profile. Collaborate closely with the senior leadership team to strategically cultivate relationships with major donors, community leaders, and global partners, positioning the Center for broad geographic and philanthropic growth. Revenue Generation & Sustainability •
Capital Cultivation :
Personally initiate and lead major fundraising campaigns, with a proven ability to close gifts at the 6-figure (required) and 7-figure (preferred) levels. •
Diversify Revenue :
Expand funding streams through corporate partnerships, licensing, institutional grants, and strategic monetization of the Center's assets. Operational Excellence & Culture •
People & Culture :
Inspire, mentor, and retain a high-performing, diverse team, fostering a collaborative, respectful, and mission-driven workplace culture. •
Impact Measurement :
Establish rigorous evaluation frameworks to assess programming efficacy, ensuring initiatives remain impactful, sustainable, and tied to the mission. •
Board Partnership :
Maintain transparent, regular, and strategic communications with the Board of Directors to optimize governance and organizational health.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS
The ideal candidate is a visionary, energetic, and collaborative leader who pair executive acumen with the empathy, kindness, and welcoming spirit modeled by Muhammad Ali.
REQUIRED EXPERIENCE
•
Executive Leadership :
A minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in high-profile nonprofits, NGOs, educational institutions, foundations, or corporate entities. •
Fundraising Excellence :
A documented history of securing major gifts and scaling philanthropic revenue from diverse donor networks. •
Business & Fiscal Acumen :
Proven experience managing multi-million dollar budgets, with a strong sensitivity to expense management and a track record of driving balance financial performance. •
Partnership & Alliance Building :
Skilled at building consensus among diverse stakeholders, including board members, elected officials, community leaders, and international partners. •
Governance :
Proven success collaborating with and leveraging a highly engaged Board of Directors.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
This role operates within a multi-level facility and requires the ability to navigate the space and assist with exhibit and display setup as needed. The Muhammad Ali Center is ADA compliant and provides reasonable accommodations in accordance with applicable laws. •All candidates must submit a Resume & Cover Letter for consideration•
Benefits:
Dental insurance Employee assistance program Employee discount Flexible schedule Health insurance Health savings account Life insurance Paid time off Parental leave Retirement plan Vision insurance
Experience:
Progressive Leadership:
10 years (Required)
Fundraising:
10 years (Required)
Business & Fiscal Acumen:
10 years (Required) Willingness to travel: 75% (Required)
