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Executive Director

Rutledge Cancer Foundation

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Company Overview

Based in Fort Worth, Texas, the Rutledge Cancer Foundation (RCF) was founded in 2011 as a 501(c)(3) public charity after 15-year-old Carley Rutledge was diagnosed with Stage 4 Ewing Sarcoma, an aggressive bone cancer. After a relapse in 2012, Carley participated in a cutting-edge vaccine trial that put her cancer in remission for eight years, allowing her to live life to the utmost. Tragically, her cancer returned in 2020, taking her young life at 27.

Family and friends alike were shocked to learn how little progress in treatment options and survival rates had been made in more than 40 years. Adolescents and young adults (AYA) with cancer have unique needs, often unmet in pediatric or adult treatment centers. A diagnosis can disrupt major life milestones, and treatment side effects—such as infertility, heart issues, and neurological problems—can lead to isolation, depression, and other mental health struggles as they adjust to a new normal.

Throughout Carley’s journey with cancer, she became more and more determined to bring a focus to the challenges and unmet needs of AYA cancer patients. It was her passion that shaped the RCF mission: to ease cancer’s impact on AYA lives, raise survival rates, and find a cure for sarcomas and other solid tumors. Carley’s commitment to making a difference has positively impacted over 18,000 young patients and will continue as her legacy of unrelenting positivity grows.

RCF remains focused on meeting the needs of AYA cancer patients and survivors while also focusing on raising funds for better, less toxic treatments so they can experience a healthier tomorrow. This is an exciting time of growth and transition and a wonderful opportunity for an Executive Director to lead this foundation into the future.

Position

Reporting to the Rutledge Cancer Foundation Board, the Executive Director (ED) serves as the passionate, visionary leader and chief integrator of the foundation’s mission and helps to raise awareness of the unique challenges of this population of patients, often caught between the worlds of pediatric and adult healthcare.

The Executive Director is the public face of the organization and shall be responsible for all internal and external operations, finances, fundraising, marketing, and community engagement.

This position will oversee the staff and volunteers. It will be responsible for the development and implementation of all programs, with a keen focus on the needs of patients and donors.

The ED provides counsel to the RCF Board of Directors on the vision, strategy, and operations of the organization. This role requires financial acumen, operational expertise, and a passionate connection to the mission.

The successful candidate is expected to partner with the RCF Board of Directors in implementing a comprehensive, long-term strategic plan to further increase and diversify philanthropic support.

Responsibilities

Strategic Vision and Leadership

  • Serve as a committed, visionary, and accessible leader, articulating a clear vision for the organization’s future that answers “Why do we exist?” and “Where are we going?”
  • Lead the implementation of a multi-year strategic plan.
  • Introduce innovative processes and approaches to address challenges and opportunities, leveraging data-driven decision-making and research to enhance impact.
  • Oversee all contracts with external parties, ensuring compliance and mission alignment.

Fundraising and Donor Stewardship

  • Lead all earned revenue generation and philanthropic fundraising, setting revenue goals with clear execution plans.
  • Serve as the primary spokesperson to a variety of audiences and key stakeholders, including the news media, public engagements, and donor development.
  • Partner with the Director of Development to execute a comprehensive development strategy, including a donor stewardship plan to boost retention and diversify funding.
  • Alongside the Marketing and Communications Manager, oversee the development of compelling donor and patient messaging that highlights vision, challenges, and solutions.

Team Leadership and Culture

  • Inspire, lead, and develop the staff, fostering a collaborative culture of empowerment and accountability.
  • Establish clear roles, goals, and performance enhancement processes to ensure individual and organizational growth, attracting and retaining top talent.
  • Lead succession planning to prepare for smooth leadership transitions.
  • Promote a culture of philanthropy where fundraising is a shared, mission-aligned responsibility across all roles.

Board Governance and Partnership

  • Build a strong, trust-based rapport with the RCF Board, leveraging their talent and input as a strategic body to guide governance and execute agreed-upon plans.
  • Ensure the board is fully informed about operations, finances, culture, talent, and strategic progress.
  • Support and assist in RCF Board recruitment and development, fostering a diverse, engaged group capable of securing resources and broadening networks.
  • Facilitate consensus-building and implement board policies.

Community Engagement and External Relations

  • Serve as the public face of the organization, promoting programs and goals at events, conferences, and media engagements to enhance visibility and goodwill.
  • In partnership with the Marketing and Communications Manager, work collaboratively to ensure consistency in all marketing, branding, and communications strategies.
  • Participate in local non-profit ED groups and other relevant organizations.
  • Expand networks and brand awareness.

Financial and Operational Management

  • Along with the RCF Board and Director of Finance, oversee all aspects of financial operations, including budgets, reporting, and forecasting, to maintain a strong financial position.
  • Working with the board and Director of Finance, developing long and short-term financial plans, monitoring budgets, and ensuring sound fiscal controls and compliance with legal, contractual, and donor requirements.
  • Oversee technology systems (e.g., CRM, website, communications tools), ensuring they are up-to-date and scalable for future needs.
  • Collaborate closely with the RCF Board research committee to facilitate ongoing investments and grants.
  • Act as a signer for organizational contracts, ensuring operational excellence.

Growth and Program Delivery

  • Grow and scale the organization by tailoring programs to meet patient needs and leveraging partnerships to fulfill the mission.
  • Build and maintain relationships with community and medical partners.
  • Oversee patient programs and research projects to ensure specified outcomes, while planning for growth and managing financial responsibility.
  • Utilize data analysis to measure program impact and guide strategic expansion.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree minimum; master’s degree in nonprofit management, business, or a related field a plus.
  • Experience in nonprofit leadership, business, communications, or a related field from a four-year college or university.
  • Minimum of seven to ten years of senior leadership experience; demonstrated ability to work effectively with various businesses, the medical community, public entities, volunteers, and other key stakeholders. Ability to forge coalitions.
  • Passion for advancing cancer care and improving outcomes in young adults and a commitment to advancing the organization’s mission.
  • Proven success in fundraising, including growing revenue and stewarding donors.
  • Solid business acumen with experience managing budgets, interpreting financial statements, and ensuring financial integrity.
  • Proficiency with donor databases and technology tools for fundraising and operations.
  • Proven skills and experience working with a Board of Directors.
  • Assured public presence and comfort level with business and community leaders; ability to communicate the case for support in lay terms to trustees and other stakeholders.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead teams and manage organizational transitions.
  • Experience in relevant healthcare cancer-related non-profits, particularly with missions serving adolescents and young adults a plus.
  • Established networks in the local North Texas community and national-level organizations.
  • High moral and ethical standards; strong integrity.

Interested in this role?

To apply for this position, please submit your resume to Ben Perryman via email.