Organization: Ignite College and Career Academy
Location: Americus, Georgia
Category: Education
Job Type: Full time

Education Required: Bachelor's
Experience: 3–5 years

Salary: Salary and commensurate with experience listed.benefits

Application Deadline: 7/1/2026

Contact:
Rusty Warner
📧 rustywarner@msn.com
📞 678-943-3164

Chief Executive Officer of Ignite CCA

Job Title: Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ignite CCA
Work Schedule: Full Time/At Will
Organization: Ignite College and Career Academy (a Georgia Nonprofit Corporation operating a public school program as a business/K-12/higher education partnership)
Reports to: Ignite Board of Directors/Superintendent
FLSA Status: Exempt

Primary Function

The CEO ensures the continuous improvement of the community partnership and programs at the college and career academy. Additional responsibilities include but are not limited to directing the administrative, curricular and instructional services at the college and career academy, securing additional public and private assets of the nonprofit organization in support of the CCA's mission, and working well with the chief executives of the respective partners.

A vital priority of this role is the development, cultivation, and stewardship of financial resources, including public and private funding streams. The CEO is expected to lead strategic fundraising efforts to expand Ignite’s impact and ensure long-term sustainability.

Essential Duties

Visionary, Innovative Leadership and Management

• Serves as Chief Executive Officer of Ignite College and Career Academy, setting the tone for a high-performing, innovative organizational culture
• Serve as the strategic and operational leader responsible for advancing the mission, sustainability, and growth of the organization.
• Creates annual operating plans that support strategic goals and objectives set by the Ignite Board of Directors
• Demonstrates prior experience in vision and strategy development in a partnership environment
• Builds, modifies and maintains effective teams through focused leadership and the resolution of conflicts, barriers and differences among all partners, encouraging all partners to give primacy in spirit of the partnership and the mission of Ignite
• Recommends personnel actions to the superintendent, Board of Directors and higher education partners
• Provides leadership seamlessly connecting secondary education and post-secondary education to real jobs
• Develops Ignite’s Annual Budget blending public and private investment

Workforce Development with Stakeholders and Implementers

• Collaborate with educational and industry partners to design and implement programs aligned with workforce needs
• Builds workforce culture by promoting positive working environments and exercising consistent values that reflect the organization’s mission
• Works with principal(s), CTAE Director and faculty to ensure the integrity, innovation and compliance with applicable standards of each program
• Oversee planning for facilities, program expansion and modernization
• Monitor and evaluate program effectiveness, phasing out initiatives that no longer meet workforce demands
• Coordinates the Industry Program Accreditation/Certification effort
• Researches, tracks and informs partners about legislation and policy which impacts secondary and post-secondary environments

Strategic Partnerships, Fundraising & Resource Development

• Serve as the primary fundraiser and revenue strategist for Ignite CCA, leading efforts to secure diverse funding streams including grants, corporate partnerships, sponsorships, and philanthropic investments
• Cultivate and manage relationships with business leaders, foundations, government entities, and private donors to support Ignite’s mission
• Identify, pursue, and secure new funding opportunities to expand programming and regional impact
• Oversee the development and growth of a Board-approved endowment and related funding initiatives
• Ensure proper stewardship, reporting, and compliance for all funds received
• Collaborate with public and private fiscal agents to effectively manage and allocate resources
• Utilize data-driven decision-making to align funding strategies with measurable outcomes

External Relations & Advocacy

• Serve as the primary spokesperson and ambassador for Ignite CCA
• Promote a strong, positive image of the organization to all stakeholders
• Provide regular updates and reports to the Board of Directors, partners, and community
• Strengthen regional partnerships across an expanding multi-county service area

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s Degree or higher in business-related field or education required. Master’s Degree or higher in business-related field or education preferred.

Experience: Required - Leadership experience in business, management and/or secondary or higher education.
Preferred - Progressive leadership experience in a corporate environment; business experience combined with middle-Secondary School (grades 6-12) instructional and leadership experience is a plus.

Certification/Licensure: Leadership Certification if an educator, and/or equivalent training if in the private sector. Must be or commit to become a Georgia Certified Economic Developer within five years.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities: Superior written and verbal communication skills
knowledge of local, state, federal and/or private employment programs and grants preferred

Additional Information

Salary and benefits will be commensurate with experience. Healthcare and other benefits offered through public fiscal agent (Sumter County Schools). Teachers Retirement System of Georgia pension plan is offered through same fiscal agent, but candidate is free to suggest and/or negotiate an alternative solution with the Ignite Board of Directors. CEO will be evaluated primarily by the Board of Directors, who will work in conjunction with the Superintendent of Sumter County Schools. CEO will be the only employee of the nonprofit; all other faculty and staff connected with Ignite will continue to be employed and evaluated by their respective public education institutions.