Variety – the Children’s Charity of Wisconsin works to enrich the lives of children with physical or developmental special needs and their families. We believe every child, regardless of ability, should have the opportunity to participate in their community and experience the joys of being a kid. Through professional stewardship, thoughtful partnerships, and practical support, Variety seeks to create a lasting positive impact for children, families, and communities across Wisconsin.
Variety of Wisconsin is seeking a mission-driven, relationship-centered Executive Director to lead the organization through its next chapter. The Executive Director is Variety’s senior staff leader and serves as the principal partner to the Board of Directors in carrying out the organization’s mission, strategic direction, and Board-approved policies.
The Executive Director reports directly to and is accountable to the Board of Directors. The Board appoints the Executive Director and determines the position’s salary and benefits. The Executive Director is responsible for translating Board direction into effective operations; advancing program impact; leading fundraising and community relationships; building a strong staff and volunteer culture; and ensuring sound financial, operational, and organizational stewardship.
This is an opportunity for a capable nonprofit leader to make a direct difference in the lives of children and families while strengthening an established Wisconsin charity with a proud history of community service.
Essential responsibilities include the following:
Mission, Strategy, and Program Leadership
The Executive Director will develop a deep understanding of Variety’s mission, the children and families it serves, its programs, and the community needs to which it responds. In partnership with the Board, the Executive Director will help translate mission and strategy into measurable priorities, align programs and the annual budget with those priorities, evaluate program effectiveness, and recommend adjustments as community needs and organizational resources evolve.
The Executive Director will ensure that Variety’s programs and family services are accessible, respectful, inclusive, responsive, and administered with a consistent focus on mission impact.
Fundraising, Revenue Development, and Donor Stewardship
The Executive Director will serve as Variety’s senior fundraising leader and an energetic ambassador for the mission. The Executive Director will develop and execute a diversified revenue strategy that may include individual giving, major gifts, grants, corporate sponsorships, special events, community partnerships, and other appropriate sources of support.
Individual donor development will be a central priority. The Executive Director will build and steward a strong individual-donor pipeline, identify and cultivate new donor relationships, and work with the Board to address the current need for stronger individual giving.
The Executive Director will cultivate and steward relationships with donors, sponsors, funders, volunteers, and partners; equip Board members to participate effectively in resource development; maintain strong gift-management and reporting practices; and evaluate fundraising activity for effectiveness and mission alignment. The Executive Director will lead staff and volunteers in the planning and execution of Variety’s fundraising events and campaigns.
Board Partnership and Governance Support
The Executive Director will build a productive, transparent working relationship with the Board of Directors and its committees. The Executive Director will provide timely, accurate, and useful information so that the Board can make informed decisions; identify significant opportunities and risks; recommend policy and strategic actions; and carry out Board-approved direction with discipline and follow-through.
The Executive Director will support Board and committee meetings, maintain appropriate organizational correspondence and records, and serve ex officio on the Executive Committee as provided in Variety’s bylaws. The Executive Director will help preserve a healthy distinction between Board governance and staff management.
Financial, Operational, and Compliance Stewardship
The Executive Director will manage Variety’s operations within Board-approved budgets, policies, and controls. This leader will oversee budget development, financial reporting, audit coordination, cash-flow awareness, resource allocation, and responsible operational decision-making. The Executive Director will keep the Board informed about financial performance, material risks, and actions needed to protect Variety’s financial health.
The Executive Director will promote efficient and effective day-to-day operations, maintain appropriate systems and procedures, ensure timely required filings and compliance obligations, and enforce rules and regulations adopted by or under the authority of the Board.
Staff, Volunteer, and Organizational Leadership
The Executive Director will recruit, develop, support, and evaluate staff and will build a culture of accountability, collaboration, respect, and service. This includes maintaining appropriate human-resource practices; recommending staffing and professional-service needs to the Board; clarifying responsibilities and performance expectations; and developing the systems needed for an effective, stable organization.
The Executive Director will foster a positive culture built on trust and a collaborative approach among staff, volunteers, and the Board across the Variety tent.
The Executive Director will actively engage volunteers, alumni, community partners, and funders in ways that strengthen Variety’s mission and capacity. The successful candidate will lead with integrity, good judgment, and a calm, practical approach to change.
Community Visibility, Communications, and External Relationships
The Executive Director will serve as a principal spokesperson for Variety and will strengthen its public presence across Wisconsin. The Executive Director will communicate the mission clearly, engage community partners, build productive relationships with professional, civic, public, and private organizations, and enhance confidence among children and families, donors, sponsors, volunteers, and the public.
The Executive Director will maintain a productive relationship with Variety International and other Variety tents, including required reporting, voting, and participation obligations.
Candidate Profile
The Board seeks a leader who is mission-centered, financially responsible, resourceful, and comfortable working with a volunteer Board. The successful candidate will possess the experience and skills to build strong donor relationships; lead staff in making sound decisions; review the budget and offer thoughtful recommendations; speak to community audiences; and help the Board understand both the opportunities and risks facing the organization.
What success looks like
Mission-Centered Leadership Keeps the needs of children and families at the center of decisions and translates values into practical action.
Fundraising and Relationship Building Builds durable relationships that strengthen philanthropy, sponsorship, grants, partnerships, and community support.
Financial and Operational Judgment Uses resources carefully, understands budgets and financial reports, and communicates risk and opportunity clearly.
People Leadership Builds a capable, supported, and accountable staff and volunteer culture.
Board Partnership Provides the Board with clear information, constructive recommendations, and reliable follow-through while respecting governance boundaries.
Communication and Presence Speaks and writes persuasively, listens well, and represents Variety with warmth, credibility, and professionalism.
Integrity and Discretion Handles confidential information appropriately, demonstrates sound judgment, and earns trust.
Required Qualifications
Candidates should bring a demonstrated record of senior leadership in a nonprofit, charitable, community, human-services, healthcare, education, philanthropic, or comparably mission-driven organization. The Board welcomes candidates whose combination of education, professional experience, and community leadership demonstrates readiness for this role.
Leadership Experience Five or more years of progressively responsible leadership experience, including responsibility for operations, staff or team leadership, strategy, and budget management.
Fundraising Experience Demonstrated success in resource development, including donor cultivation, grant development, sponsorships, events, or other nonprofit revenue strategies.
Financial and Operational Capability Working knowledge of budgeting, financial reports, controls, planning, and sound operational management.
Board and Stakeholder Partnership Ability to work productively with a volunteer Board and to engage staff, volunteers, donors, families, partners, and community stakeholders.
Communication Skills Strong written, verbal, presentation, and listening skills; ability to serve as an effective public representative of Variety.
Inclusive Leadership Demonstrated respect for people of diverse racial, cultural, socioeconomic, and ability backgrounds, and a commitment to accessible, inclusive services.
Education Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education, demonstrated senior leadership experience, and relevant professional accomplishment.
Preferred candidates will bring five to ten years of leadership experience, preferably in a nonprofit or comparable mission-driven setting, and will be prepared to share specific examples of operational excellence and relationship building.
Preferred qualifications
Experience serving children, families, or people with disabilities. Value to Variety Deepens mission understanding and strengthens program leadership.
Major-gifts, corporate-partnership, grant, or event-fundraising success. Value to Variety Expands Variety’s capacity to diversify and grow revenue.
Proven individual-donor development and grant-funding success. Value to Variety Demonstrates the ability to strengthen individual giving and secure grant funding for the organization.
Demonstrated operational excellence and relationship-building results. Value to Variety Shows the ability to build effective systems while earning the trust of donors, staff, volunteers, and partners.
Experience leading through organizational transition or growth. Value to Variety Supports a thoughtful transition and long-term organizational strength.
Nonprofit executive, senior-management, or comparable mission-driven leadership experience. Value to Variety Provides direct preparation for the breadth of the Executive Director role.
Wisconsin community, philanthropic, healthcare, education, disability, or family-service relationships. Value to Variety Supports community credibility and partnership development.
Familiarity with Variety International or affiliated Variety organizations. Value to Variety Supports effective participation in the wider Variety network.
The Board will offer a competitive compensation and benefits package commensurate with the selected candidate’s experience, qualifications, and the responsibilities of the role.
Interested candidates should submit the following in one email or through the designated application portal:
- A cover letter describing interest in the position and the candidate’s alignment with Variety’s mission and leadership needs.
- A current résumé or curriculum vitae with relevant employment dates.
- The names, titles, telephone numbers, and email addresses of three professional references. References will not be contacted without the candidate’s prior permission.
Please submit application materials to Interim Executive Director, Kim Lueck at klueck@varietywi.org by Wednesday, September 30, 2026.
Variety – the Children’s Charity of Wisconsin is committed to building an inclusive workplace and welcomes qualified candidates who share its commitment to children, families, accessibility, respect, and community service.