Executive Director

The Wily Network

On-site, Work must be performed in or near Newton, MA

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Details

Job Type:

Full Time

Education:

Other Education Requirement

Experience Level:

Executive

Description

Executive DirectorAbout The Wily NetworkThe Wily Network (Wily) provides a critical safety net for college students in the Greater Boston area who are working towards their degrees without emotional or material support from family. Wily Scholars bring unique experiences, challenges, strengths and goals to the college journey. Some have experienced homelessness or foster care, some have been denied family support due to their sexual orientation or gender identity, some have lost their parents, and some have family members dealing with addiction, major mental illness, or incarceration. All are talented and motivated, and all are navigating life on their own.The high-touch, flexible, and adaptive program works to ensure Wily Scholars have the tools and networks necessary to fully participate in four-year residential colleges and transition successfully into post-college life. Wily offers weekly clinical coaching, financial assistance, community-building support, and networking opportunities to help Scholars move from surviving to thriving.When The Wily Network was founded in 2015, comprehensive support programs for college students had been around for over two decades. But it was clear that there was a gap to be filled: all of the existing programs were tied to specific universities and were available only to former foster youth, and none were filling the need in the Greater Boston area. The Wily Network was the first program of its kind in the United States to accept any qualifying student at a four-year college, regardless of which school they attend. Wily started working with its first six Wily Scholars in 2016. Today, Wily works with more than 100 Scholars, has celebrated almost 100 graduations, and is eager to continue growing toward its goal of serving 210 Scholars annually in 2032.The Wily Network is powered by a talented and passionate team of 18 staff who put Wily Scholars' needs at the center of their decision-making. The team is guided by core values that include a focus on building long-term, reciprocal, and transformational relationships; relying on the strength of a pack that supports and celebrates one another and creates a community of belonging; and operating as a listening and learning organization committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Wily is supported by a highly engaged Board of Directors. Fully funded by private philanthropy, Wily's $3M budget includes support from a range of individual, foundation, and corporate donors, with plans to increase to $5M by 2032 to support program growth.You can learn more about The Wily Network at its website.The OpportunityCelebrating its 10th anniversary in 2025, Wily is seeking a skilled leader to succeed its founder as the next Executive Director. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will hold overall strategic and operational responsibility for The Wily Network's programs, fundraising, staff, expansion, and delivery of its mission and will uphold its commitment to keeping Scholars at the heart of its work. This role offers an exciting opportunity for an individual with strong organizational leadership and relationship-building skills, demonstrated success raising funds from a variety of philanthropic sources, an empowering team leadership style, and experience integrating diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging practices into organizational culture and structure.Wily seeks a mission-motivated and multifaceted leader. As the lead champion and advocate for The Wily Network to external audiences, the next Executive Director will act as an inspiring, compelling storyteller who is able to build awareness of and excitement around its work with donors and higher education partners. The successful Executive Director candidate will leverage prior experience leading and managing teams through growth or change to guide Wily as it continues to grow its program without compromising the quality of its Scholar services and relationships. Building on Wily's existing culture and values, as well as the broad diversity of its team, the next Executive Director will share a commitment to anti-racist practices and deepen the way these values inform the organization's internal and external practices.ContactKoya Partners l Diversified Search Group has been exclusively retained for this engagement, which is being led by Cassie Scarano. Interested candidates should submit a compelling cover letter and resume by filling out our Talent Profile. All inquiries are strictly confidential.Koya Partners l Diversified Search Group is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals living with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual living with a disability and need assistance expressing interest online, please email NonprofitSearchOps@divsearch.com. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.The Wily Network is committed to recruiting candidates from historically marginalized backgrounds and identities as well as those whose leadership style fosters diversity, equity and inclusion. The successful candidate will possess the authenticity and cultural humility necessary to be an effective representative of Wily and the Wily Scholars.To view the full job description, please visit https://www.dsgco.com/search/22058-wily-executive-director/ jeid-13642788f0004a90853278f6fe87b118