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Executive Director
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Building Strong Communities
Remote
$137,500 Salary, Full-Time
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Job Description
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Building Strong Communities (BSC)ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW
The mission of Building Strong Communities is to recruit, prepare, and support the next generation of Minnesota's construction workforce. We achieve this through a comprehensive suite of programs that create clear, equitable pathways to family-sustaining careers in the skilled trades. BSC's initiatives include a 12-week Apprenticeship Readiness Program, delivered in partnership with community-based organizations and built on the Multi-Craft Core Curriculum (MC3) developed by North America's Building Trades Unions. Additional programs include Helmets to Hardhats, a national initiative connecting transitioning service members, veterans, and members of the National Guard and Reserve to quality construction careers; the Apprenticeship Navigator Program—funded by the City of Minneapolis Employment and Training program— which partners with Minnesota's CareerForce system and the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry's Apprenticeship Division to equip job counselors with apprenticeship expertise and connect job seekers to opportunities; and partnerships with Construct Tomorrow, an affiliated nonprofit that provides hands-on, interactive career exploration events for K-12 students, exposing thousands of young people each year to the wide range of opportunities in the skilled trades and construction industry. BSC also serves as fiscal host for the Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council's Beyond the Yellow Ribbon program, a partnership with the Minnesota National Guard that provides support to military veterans and their families. The program raises funds for this work through activities such as the annual Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Ribfest.POSITION SUMMARY
The Executive Director (ED) serves as the chief executive and administrative leader of Building Strong Communities (BSC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to preparing individuals for successful careers in union construction through apprenticeship readiness programming, workforce development initiatives, and statewide partnerships. The ED provides strategic leadership, operational oversight, financial management, and external representation across all BSC programs, including the Apprenticeship Readiness Program (ARP), Helmets to Hardhats, Minneapolis Apprenticeship Outreach Office, and Beyond the Yellow Ribbon (BYR) initiatives. The ED also provides strategic oversight of Construct Tomorrow, an affiliated nonprofit. Conversations are ongoing regarding the potential integration of Construct Tomorrow into BSC, and this role will play a key leadership function in guiding that transition, ensuring alignment of mission, governance, and long-term sustainability. Reporting to the BSC Board of Directors, the ED ensures strong governance, organizational performance, and long-term sustainability while leading staff, coordinating contractors, and advancing partnerships across Minnesota's construction and workforce ecosystem.- The position includes a planned transition period during which the incoming Executive Director will work closely with the current Executive Director.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES 1.
Strategic Leadership & Organizational Management Lead organizational vision, strategic planning, and program alignment across all BSC initiatives Provide leadership in evaluating and potentially executing the integration of Construct Tomorrow into BSC Ensure coordination across programs including ARP, Construct Tomorrow events, Helmets to Hardhats, Apprenticeship Outreach, and BYR Supervise staff and coordinate contractors and program partners Establish performance goals, staffing plans, and organizational priorities 2. Board Engagement & Governance Serve as primary liaison to the BSC Board of Directors Prepare monthly reports, strategic updates, and decision-ready materials Support the BSC Finance Committee in financial oversight and recommendations Maintain coordination with the Construct Tomorrow Board Ensure compliance with nonprofit governance, bylaws, and reporting requirements 3. Financial Oversight & Compliance Develop and manage BSC's annual operating budget (~$1.9M) Oversee financial coordination with Construct Tomorrow Ensure compliance with audits, Form 990 filings, and regulatory requirements Manage grant compliance across state, federal, and private funding sources Lead long-term financial sustainability and revenue diversification strategies 4. Program Oversight & Performance Oversee delivery and performance of all BSC programs statewide Establish program metrics, evaluation systems, and continuous improvement practices Support innovation in workforce development, curriculum, and engagement strategies 5. Partnerships & External Engagement Represent BSC at industry events, union meetings, and workforce initiatives Maintain relationships with unions, apprenticeship programs, employers, state agencies, and community partners Advance organizational visibility and stakeholder engagement statewide 6. Fund Development Lead fundraising strategy, grant writing, and donor engagement Maintain diversified funding streams and ensure accountability to funders 7. Administrative & Operational Leadership Oversee HR functions, policies, and organizational systems Ensure data integrity, reporting, and compliance documentation Lead risk management and organizational policy developmentQUALIFICATIONS
Required- Bachelor's degree in a related field, or equivalent experience through leadership in workforce development, union construction, or apprenticeship systems
- 5-7 years of leadership experience in nonprofit management, workforce development, or related field
- Experience managing budgets and nonprofit compliance
- Proven ability to work with Boards of Directors and multiple stakeholders
- Strong leadership, communication, and strategic planning skills Preferred
- Experience with union construction or apprenticeship systems
- Experience overseeing multiple programs or affiliated organizations
- Fundraising and grant-writing experience
- Experience working with or supporting veterans, service members, or military connected populations, including familiarity with programs such as Beyond the Yellow Ribbon.
- BSC is committed to veteran employment and will apply applicable Minnesota veterans' preference laws in its hiring process.
- Experience managing statewide or multi-location initiatives
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
Salary Range:
$125,000.00- $150,000.00 annually (commensurate with experience)
Benefits Include:
o 100% employer-paid family healthcare including ▪ Prescription Drug benefits ▪ Dental ▪ Vision ▪ Hearing ▪ Employee Assistance Program ▪ Fitness Program o Retirement benefits o 12 paid holidays o 2 weeks paid Vacation o $100 monthly phone allowance o MN State Required Earned Safe and Sick Time and Paid Family Medical LeaveWORK ENVIRONMENT & STRUCTURE
- Full-time, exempt position
- Reports to the BSC Board of Directors
- Provides regular reporting to the Finance Committee
- Maintains collaborative relationship with Construct Tomorrow leadership
Work Location:
- Flexible / hybrid work environment
- Office space available in SE Minneapolis
- The Executive Director is expected to actively manage and determine an appropriate balance of in-office and remote work to meet the operational, staffing, and partnership needs of the organization.
Supervision:
- Currently supervises 4 staff members
- Anticipated to supervise an additional staff member as organizational structure evolves
- Coordinates additional contractors, program partners, and affiliated entities
Travel:
- Monthly in state travel required
- Occasional out of state travel
ANTICIPATED HIRING TIMELINE & TRANSITION PROCESS BSC
anticipates a leadership transition in advance of the current Executive Director's planned retirement on May 28, 2027. To support organizational continuity and a successful transfer of responsibilities, the organization anticipates a structured onboarding and transition period during which the incoming Executive Director will work closely with the current Executive Director. This transition period is intended to support continuity of operations, relationship development, grant and financial oversight transfer, and onboarding into BSC's programs, partnerships, governance structure, and affiliated initiatives. A comprehensive onboarding and transition plan is being developed to assist the incoming Executive Director in understanding organizational operations, funding structures, external partnerships, and leadership responsibilities. Proposed Timeline- July 13
- September 25, 2026: Position posted and recruitment process conducted
- September 28
- October 2, 2026: Application and resume review process
- October 5
- October 16, 2026: Initial interviews conducted
- October 19
- November 13, 2026: Finalist interviews and second-round interview process
- November 16
- November 30, 2026: Final candidate selection, employment agreement finalized, and transition/start date established
- December 2026
- May 2027: Executive Director onboarding and transition period BSC reserves the right to modify or accelerate this timeline if an outstanding candidate is identified earlier in the process.