Executive Director

Effingham, IL
Full Time
Midland Institute for Entrepreneurship
Executive
 
Executive Director

Midland Institute for Entrepreneurship

Effingham, Illinois (hybrid)


The Moran Company is pleased to partner with the Midland Institute for Entrepreneurship to recruit the organization’s Executive Director.

Organizational Background

Founded in 2010, the Midland Institute for Entrepreneurship (MIE) partners with communities throughout the United States to establish and maintain quality CEO (Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities) programs. Headquartered in Effingham, Illinois, MIE grew out of a movement that began in Effingham County in 2008, when educator Craig Lindvahl — now known as the "Architect of CEO" — facilitated the very first CEO class with 20 high school students. What that class created proved so powerful that neighboring communities quickly took notice, and in 2010 the Midland Institute was formed to support the national expansion of CEO's proven model.

Today, MIE provides tools, training, and technological support to roughly 82 CEO programs across ten states — Alabama, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and Utah. The CEO Program partners with business and community leaders to equip high school students with real-world entrepreneurial skills. Rather than learning in a classroom, participants spend each day immersed in local businesses, guided by community mentors as they create and run real ventures. MIE's vision is to be the standard for entrepreneurship education in the United States, delivered through world-class customer service, guidance, and content to its CEO communities.

MIE supports its communities through a proven launch process, ongoing facilitator and board support, regional support teams, the proprietary CEO+ technology platform, and national opportunities for students and alumni. The Executive Director serves as the chief executive of the Institute, leading a dedicated staff and reporting to a volunteer Board of Directors.

Position Summary

The Midland Institute for Entrepreneurship seeks a seasoned executive leader to drive strategy, operational performance, and organizational growth for a nationally respected program that shapes the next generation of entrepreneurial talent. This is an ideal role for a corporate executive, business unit leader, or proven second-in-command ready to step into the top leadership position of a well-established, mission-driven organization. The Executive Director will ensure the CEO Program continues to scale, innovate, and deliver measurable impact across a growing national footprint. Reporting to and partnering with the Board of Directors, the Executive Director sets organizational strategy, leads a capable and cohesive staff, stewards the Institute's finances, and serves as the primary external ambassador to donors, corporate partners, community leaders, and the media. This role offers an executive the chance to:
  • Lead a multi-state organization with strong brand recognition and long-standing community partnerships.
  • Apply business discipline, operational rigor, and strategic insight to a mission with outsized societal impact. 
  • Build relationships with donors, investors, government entities, and industry leaders who support the program.
  • Shape the future workforce by embedding entrepreneurial thinking into communities nationwide.
Key Responsibilities

Strategic & Organizational Leadership
  • Set and execute organizational strategy in partnership with the Board, with a focus on sustainable growth and operational excellence.
  • Expand the CEO Program into new communities by partnering with community organizations and local leaders.
  • Drive alignment across the organization, ensuring clarity of priorities, processes, and performance expectations.
Operational Management
  • Oversee enterprise-wide operations, ensuring the program maintains high standards across all locations.
  • Lead and develop a capable, cohesive staff while building a strong team culture defined by great communication and continuous improvement.
  • Implement and monitor KPIs to evaluate program effectiveness.
Business Development & External Relations
  • Act as the external-facing executive representative of the Institute with corporate partners, donors, community leaders, and media.
  • Strengthen partnerships with business and industry leaders to expand reach, influence, and funding.
  • Serve as a visible ambassador at key business, education, and community events.
Fundraising & Financial Oversight
  • Lead revenue strategy, including donor development, major gifts, corporate partnerships, and grants.
  • Manage organizational budgets with fiscal discipline, ensuring efficient and responsible use of resources.
  • Achieve annual revenue and sustainability goals in collaboration with the Board.
Professional Qualifications

Required
  • 5+ years in executive or senior leadership roles (corporate, business unit, nonprofit, or a related environment).
  • Track record of setting strategy, leading teams, and managing complex operations.
  • Exceptional relationship-building skills with the internal team, executives, investors, and community leaders.
  • Executive presence, polished communication skills, and comfort representing the organization publicly.
  • Ability to travel 30% to 50%.
  • A commitment to improving the lives of young people and contributing to stronger local business communities.
Preferred
  • Experience leading revenue development, fundraising, or major corporate and donor partnerships.
  • Familiarity with multi-site or franchise-style program models and the operational discipline they require.
  • Experience partnering with a volunteer board of directors in a nonprofit governance structure.
Compensation

The Midland Institute offers a competitive compensation package commensurate with experience and qualifications. The salary for the Executive Director position is $115,000 annually.

MIE offers a benefits package designed to support employees’ health, financial well-being, and work-life balance. Eligibility may vary based on employment classification and plan requirements.

Statement of Non-Discrimination

MIE is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy and practice of the Organization to provide and promote equal employment opportunities for all applicants and employees regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, work authorization status, sex (including gender identity and transgender status), gender, sexual orientation, marital status, arrest record, order of protection status, or any other protected class under state, local, or federal law. Further, all applicable laws relating to age, pregnancy, military (including unfavorable discharge) and/or veteran status, genetic information, conviction record (as defined by applicable law and unless otherwise authorized by applicable law), and mental and physical disability discrimination will be strictly adhered to. This policy of equal employment opportunities applies to all aspects of the employment relationship including hiring, promotion, training, transfer, compensation and benefits, termination, and all other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment.

Application Process

The search for the Midland Institute Executive Director is being conducted by The Moran Company. Questions about the position can be directed to John Gravley, The Moran Company; john (at) morancompany.com.

To apply for this position, submit cover letter and resume to John Gravley, The Moran Company, via the secure online portal. Resume should include all professional education and experience, dates of employment (month and year), and position/title and organization names. Cover letter should articulate relevant experience and fit with the stated preferences of the position.

PLEASE NOTE: All email correspondence from The Moran Company will originate from our official @morancompany.com domain or using our applicant tracking system domain @applytojob.com.

Share

Apply for this position

Required*
We've received your resume. Click here to update it.
Attach resume or Paste resume
Attach resume as .pdf, .doc, .docx, .odt, .txt, or .rtf (limit 5MB) or Paste resume

Paste your resume here or Attach resume file

To comply with government Equal Employment Opportunity and/or Affirmative Action reporting regulations, we are requesting (but NOT requiring) that you enter this personal data. This information will not be used in connection with any employment decisions, and will be used solely as permitted by state and federal law. Your voluntary cooperation would be appreciated. Learn more.
Invitation for Job Applicants to Self-Identify as a U.S. Veteran
  • A “disabled veteran” is one of the following:
    • a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or
    • a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.
  • A “recently separated veteran” means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.
  • An “active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran” means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.
  • An “Armed forces service medal veteran” means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.
Veteran status


Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability
Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability Form CC-305
OMB Control Number 1250-0005
Expires 05/31/2026
Why are you being asked to complete this form?

We are a federal contractor or subcontractor. The law requires us to provide equal employment opportunity to qualified people with disabilities. We have a goal of having at least 7% of our workers as people with disabilities. The law says we must measure our progress towards this goal. To do this, we must ask applicants and employees if they have a disability or have ever had one. People can become disabled, so we need to ask this question at least every five years.

Completing this form is voluntary, and we hope that you will choose to do so. Your answer is confidential. No one who makes hiring decisions will see it. Your decision to complete the form and your answer will not harm you in any way. If you want to learn more about the law or this form, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) website at www.dol.gov/ofccp.

How do you know if you have a disability?

A disability is a condition that substantially limits one or more of your “major life activities.” If you have or have ever had such a condition, you are a person with a disability. Disabilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Alcohol or other substance use disorder (not currently using drugs illegally)
  • Autoimmune disorder, for example, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS
  • Blind or low vision
  • Cancer (past or present)
  • Cardiovascular or heart disease
  • Celiac disease
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Deaf or serious difficulty hearing
  • Diabetes
  • Disfigurement, for example, disfigurement caused by burns, wounds, accidents, or congenital disorders
  • Epilepsy or other seizure disorder
  • Gastrointestinal disorders, for example, Crohn's Disease, irritable bowel syndrome
  • Intellectual or developmental disability
  • Mental health conditions, for example, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD
  • Missing limbs or partially missing limbs
  • Mobility impairment, benefiting from the use of a wheelchair, scooter, walker, leg brace(s) and/or other supports
  • Nervous system condition, for example, migraine headaches, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS)
  • Neurodivergence, for example, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, other learning disabilities
  • Partial or complete paralysis (any cause)
  • Pulmonary or respiratory conditions, for example, tuberculosis, asthma, emphysema
  • Short stature (dwarfism)
  • Traumatic brain injury
Please check one of the boxes below:

PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. This survey should take about 5 minutes to complete.

You must enter your name and date
Human Check*