Executive Director

HOW TO APPLY

Submit the following materials to admin@scholarsequity.org with the subject line "Executive

Director Application — [Your Name]":

• A cover letter (no more than two pages) describing your interest in SEN, relevant

experience, and what you would bring to this role.

• A current resume or CV .

• Two to three professional references (references will not be contacted without advance

notice).

ABOUT SCHOLARS EQUITY NETWORK

Scholars Equity Network (SEN) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 2020 by

alumni of the Bill & Melinda Gates Millennium Scholars (GMS) program. The Gates

Millennium Scholars program, one of the largest scholarship programs in U.S. history, has

supported more than 20,000 students from underrepresented backgrounds across two decades.

SEN was established to activate and invest in the unprecedented network of GMS Alumni (and

Friends) who make up this extraordinary network.

SEN's mission is to provide professional and personal development, civic engagement, and

economic empowerment opportunities to scholars from underserved communities to be

personally, professionally, and financially positioned to give back to the communities they come

from. SEN’s core belief is that when talented people from underrepresented communities are

connected to each other and equipped with resources and knowledge, a better future can be built.

SEN programs center on scholar-to-scholar connection, community-led problem solving, and

direct investment in the people closest to the challenges they are working to solve.

SEN'S CORE PROGRAMS

Pay It Forward Accelerator

The Pay It Forward Accelerator (PIFA) is SEN's main program. The program is built on the

principle that scholars closest to a problem are best positioned to solve it. PIFA is a way for

scholars to Pay It Forward. Scholars participate in one of two ways: by leading a changemaker

project that addresses a real need in their community, or by donating (voting) to support a fellow

scholar's work. Projects are voted on by the broader public (including scholars), and the top

vote-getters receive funding. In its inaugural year (2025), PIFA awarded around $68,000 across

six projects. Awardees receive direct grant funding to conduct their projects.Pay It Forward Summit

The 2026 Pay It Forward Summit will be SEN’s first conference. This upcoming full-day event

will bring together Gates Millennium Scholars alumni and Friends for connection, programming,

and celebration. The 2026 Summit will be held in August 2026 and represents a major milestone

in SEN's organizational growth. The Summit will feature a morning plenary session, afternoon

workshops and a celebration dinner.

Network Activation & Scholar Engagement

With over 20,000 Gates Millennium Scholars spread across every sector of American life

(medicine, law, technology, education, policy, and the arts), SEN is uniquely positioned to

connect a generation of leaders. Network activation programming includes events, digital

community spaces, mentorship pipelines, and alumni engagement initiatives designed to move

scholars from passive network membership to active participation in SEN's community.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

This is a hands-on leadership role in a growing organization, requiring both strategic leadership

and direct execution across key functions. Some travel will be required across the country to

attend events.

Organizational Leadership & Strategy

● Serve as SEN's primary organizational leader, accountable to the Board of Directors for

mission execution, financial health, and long-term sustainability.

● Develop and implement SEN's annual operating plan in partnership with the Board,

including programmatic priorities, and financial targets.

● Build and lead a small but growing team of staff and contractors, establishing clear roles,

performance expectations, and a collaborative organizational culture.

● Represent SEN externally with donors, partners, peer organizations, and the broader

GMS alumni community.

Fundraising & Development

● Fundraising is a core function of this role. The Executive Director is expected to

prioritize development and external relationship building as a major focus of their

leadership.

● Serve as the primary driver of SEN’s fundraising strategy and execution, including

individual donor cultivation, foundation grant seeking, corporate sponsorship, and other

development.

● Build and steward relationships with institutional funders, corporate sponsors, and alumni

sponsors.

● Work with the Board to identify, cultivate, and close major gift prospects from within and

beyond the GMS alumni community.

Programs & Events

● Provide strategic oversight of the Pay It Forward Accelerator, including funder reporting,

program design evolution, and grantee support.

● Lead planning and execution of the annual Pay It Forward Summit, managing venue,

vendors, sponsors, speakers, and logistics in coordination with an event planner and

volunteers.

● Develop and launch new network activation programs designed to deepen scholar

engagement and expand SEN's reach across the 20,000+ GMS alumni community.

● Evaluate program effectiveness, track outcomes, and communicate impact to donors and

stakeholders through regular reporting.

Finance & Operations

● Manage SEN's annual budget in coordination with the Board Treasurer and external

bookkeeper, ensuring financial controls and reporting are in place.

● Oversee SEN's compliance obligations including state charitable registrations, IRS Form

990, payroll, and applicable employment law requirements with support from external

vendors (e.g, bookkeeper)

● Establish and oversee employee benefit programs, including a SEP IRA retirement plan

and Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangement (QSEHRA), as

applicable.

● Maintain and improve SEN's operational infrastructure including HR, vendor

management, and technology systems.

Communications & Network Engagement

● Oversee SEN's external communications including newsletter, website, social media, and

donor communications.

● Serve as a primary voice and representative of SEN to the GMS alumni community, peer

organizations, and the public.

● Develop messaging and storytelling that reflects the diversity, achievement, and

community values of the GMS network.

● Build strategic partnerships with peer nonprofit organizations, universities, and

mission-aligned institutions to expand SEN's reach and programming.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

● Three to seven years of leadership experience,

● Experience managing budgets, financial reporting, or organizational finances

● Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to communicate clearly and

compellingly across audiences.

● Deep commitment to equity, community-centered approaches, and the mission of

investing in underrepresented scholars.

● Deep commitment to equity, community-centered approaches, and the mission of

investing in underrepresented scholars.

Preferred

● Experience in non-profit leadership

● Demonstrated fundraising experience, including individual donor development, grant

writing, or corporate sponsorship management.

● Experience leading small-staff nonprofits or serving in a founding/early-stage

organizational leadership role.

● Familiarity with HR and benefits administration, including QSEHRA, SEP IRA, payroll,

or multi-state employment compliance.

●Experience with event planning and management, or professional convenings.

●Familiarity with Salesforce, QuickBooks, or similar nonprofit CRM and accounting

platforms.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

SEN will offer a total compensation package valued between $90,000- $130,000 annually, which

includes base salary, employer retirement contributions, and healthcare reimbursement. The

exact allocation across salary, SEP IRA retirement contributions, and QSEHRA healthcare

reimbursement will be finalized with the incoming ED based on professional experience and

personal circumstances.

Compensation for this role includes opportunity for future salary increases based on performance, organizational growth, and fundraising success.

Base Salary Commensurate with experience; target range $80,000–$118,000 (salary will vary based on total package allocation)

Anticipated SEP IRA Retirement Plan Target employer contributions at 10% of

compensation;

Anticipated QSEHRA (Health Reimbursement) Tax-free reimbursement for individual health insurance premiums up to IRS annual limits; to be established by the incoming ED

Flexibility Remote-flexible schedule

PTO Paid time off, including federal holidays

The incoming ED will play a key role in establishing and overseeing these benefit programs, as

they may not be fully in place at time of hire.

HOW TO APPLY

Submit the following materials to admin@scholarsequity.org with the subject line "Executive

Director Application — [Your Name]":

• A cover letter (no more than two pages) describing your interest in SEN, relevant

experience, and what you would bring to this role.

• A current resume or CV .

• Two to three professional references (references will not be contacted without advance

notice).