Nonprofit Managing Director

SCHOLAR OPPORTUNITY
Chief Executive Officer
Remote (Home Office) Part-Time (~50%) Travel Required

About Scholar Opportunity
Scholar Opportunity is a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding access to higher education through innovative financing mechanisms. We are developing a recuperable grant structure , combining philanthropic capital with income-based repayment safety nets, to unlock college opportunities for students who are underserved by traditional financial aid models.
We operate in partnership with Scholar Basis, a technology platform that provides origination, tracking,  and reporting infrastructure for our pilot programs. Together, we aim to demonstrate a new model for education finance that is equitable, data-driven, and scalable.

Position Summary
Scholar Opportunity seeks a visionary and entrepreneurial Chief Executive Officer to launch and lead our organization through its founding chapter. This is a rare opportunity to shape an institution from the ground up: securing capital, designing the program, building donor relationships, and demonstrating impact.
The CEO will serve on the Board of Directors and bear full responsibility for organizational strategy, capital formation, and program execution. The ideal candidate is a mission-aligned leader with deep roots in education, philanthropy, or public finance, and the credibility to mobilize resources around a bold idea.

What Success Looks Like

• Within 12 months, a successful CEO will have achieved the following milestones:
• Capital Raised: $12M committed from donors and institutional partners.
• Pilot Cohort: 50100 students funded with repayment and reporting mechanisms fully operational.
• Institutional Partnerships: 35 higher education or community partners onboarded.
• Impact Report: A comprehensive report demonstrating outcomes and impact.
• Governance: An independent 501(c)(3) entity fully operational with a seated board of directors.

Key Responsibilities
1. Fundraising & Capital Formation
Lead all philanthropic fundraising and efforts for the organization's inaugural funding round.
Build and steward a network of donors, grantmakers, alumni, and institutional partners aligned with education finance reform.
Develop compelling impact narratives that connect donor intent to measurable student outcomes.
Secure $1-2M in committed capital within the first 12 months of operation.
Establish multi-year donor relationships and institutional funding commitments.
2. Program Design & Parameterization
Finalize the parameters of Scholar Opportunity's pilot program, including:
Target cohort size and student eligibility criteria
Recuperation amounts and income-based repayment terms
Scalars and conditions governing grant disbursement
Ensure program design is aligned with legal, philanthropic, and institutional requirements.
Collaborate with Scholar Basis to incorporate automation and predictive analytics into program delivery.
Deliver a fully defined pilot program by Month 4, with board and partner approval.
3. Institutional Operations & Technology Oversight
Oversee the organization's use of Scholar Basis platform services across onboarding, origination, student tracking, and reporting.
Provide strategic direction to ensure technology and operational workflows support program goals.
Launch the first pilot program within 12 months of assuming the role.
4. Impact Reporting & Expansion Strategy
Translate Scholar Basis-generated reports into compelling narratives for donor engagement and program expansion.
Develop evidence of program success, including repayment rates, student outcomes, institutional adoption, and donor impact.
Prepare and deliver quarterly impact reports to donors and board members.
Publish a comprehensive pilot impact report within the first year, and use findings to support a second fundraising round.
5. Organizational Leadership & Governance
Serve as a founding Board Member and provide strategic direction for organizational growth.
Lead mission-setting, hiring, and organizational development as the team expands.
Explore opportunities to extend Scholar Opportunity's model into new geographies, student populations, and institutional partnerships.
Operate with integrity and independence within the financial constraints of the fund.

Qualifications
Required

• Demonstrated track record in fundraising, development, or philanthropic capital formation.
• Established network within education, finance, or social impact philanthropy.
• Deep personal commitment to education finance reform and expanding college access.
• Experience operating within the financial and governance constraints of an independent nonprofit.
• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to inspire donors, partners, and board members.
• Comfort working with fractional and cross-functional teams in a startup environment.
   

Preferred

• Prior experience in a higher education institution including former deans, enrollment officers, financial aid directors, or institutional leadership is strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with income-share agreements, recuperable grants, or other alternative education finance instruments.
• Demonstrated ability to translate data and program analytics into donor-facing narratives and expansion strategies.
• Experience building or launching a nonprofit organization.

Working Environment & Team Context
Scholar Opportunity operates in close partnership with Scholar Basis, which provides all economic modeling, statistical analysis, and technology infrastructure. The CEO is not expected to perform this work independently. Instead, the ideal candidate will bring strengths that complement our team's technical depth:
Human-centered design and stakeholder outreach
Interpreting and marketing data-driven results to non-technical audiences
Organizational maturity and experienced judgment to complement a passionate, early-stage team
Our team brings significant analytical rigor, new ideas, and mission-driven energy. We are looking for a leader who shares that passion and adds the experience and gravitas to translate it into lasting institutional impact.

Position Details
Location:  Remote / Home Office
Time Commitment:  Part-time (~50% FTE)
Travel:  As required to meet donors, partners, and institutions (travel expenses reimbursed)
Team Structure:  Fractional and collaborative; works closely with Scholar Basis and organizational board
Employment Type:  Contract or part-time employee; commensurate with experience and organizational stage
Compensation Details: Available upon request

Scholar Opportunity is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building a diverse, inclusive organization that reflects the students we serve.
To express interest, please send a brief letter of introduction and relevant background to the founding team.

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