Job Title: Executive Director
Location: Chicago
Reports to: Chief Executive OfficerMember of: Senior Leadership Team (SLT)
About Us:
We are a 25-year-old nonprofit workforce development organization dedicated to preparing individuals from underserved communities for rewarding careers in technology. With a passionate team of 35+ professionals, we’re committed to bridging the gap between diverse talent and the tech industry. We find talent, train talent, and place talent in rewarding careers that end cycles of generational poverty and yield long-term success. At our core, we believe that innovation thrives when people are empowered, supported, and allowed to grow.
If you’re someone who is energized by people-first leadership and is passionate about making a lasting impact, you may want to be a part of our journey as we continue to shape the future of tech professionals.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

The Executive Director (ED) will lead the i.c.stars Chicago program, ensuring its effectiveness throughout the program participant journey—starting with recruitment, through program delivery, graduate placement, and career retention. The ED manages a team of 5–7 full-time staff, leverages a local advisory board, and collaborates with the national team to align local efforts with organizational goals.
Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the ED will oversee all aspects of the program in addition to corporate engagement and funding strategies to sustain impact. The role requires a leader with high emotional intelligence who can cultivate long-term relationships, drive program excellence, and steward financial and external engagement—activating key stakeholders as doers, donors, and door openers to strengthen i.c.stars’ position as a leader in workforce development with a mission to transform people, businesses, and communities.