Job Description
SCHOLAR OPPORTUNITY Chief Executive Officer Remote (Home Office) Part-Time (~50%) Travel Required About Scholar Opportunity Scholar Opportunity is a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding access to higher education through innovative financing mechanisms. We are developing a recuperable grant structure , combining philanthropic capital with income-based repayment safety nets, to unlock college opportunities for students who are underserved by traditional financial aid models. We operate in partnership with ScholarBasis, a technology platform that provides origination, tracking, and reporting infrastructure for our pilot programs. Together, we aim to demonstrate a new model for education finance that is equitable, data-driven, and scalable. Position Summary Scholar Opportunity seeks a visionary and entrepreneurial Chief Executive Officer to launch and lead our organization through its founding chapter. This is a rare opportunity to shape an institution from the ground up: securing capital, designing the program, building donor relationships, and demonstrating impact. The CEO will serve on the Board of Directors and bear full responsibility for organizational strategy, capital formation, and program execution. The ideal candidate is a mission-aligned leader with deep roots in education, philanthropy, or public finance, and the credibility to mobilize resources around a bold idea. What Success Looks Like Within 12 months, a successful CEO will have achieved the following milestones: Capital Raised: $12M committed from donors and institutional partners. Pilot Cohort: 50100 students funded with repayment and reporting mechanisms fully operational. Institutional Partnerships: 35 higher education or community partners onboarded. Impact Report: A comprehensive report demonstrating outcomes and impact. Governance: An independent 501(c)(3) entity fully operational with a seated board of directors. Key Responsibilities Fundraising & Capital Formation Lead all philanthropic fundraising and efforts for the organization's inaugural funding round. Build and steward a network of donors, grantmakers, alumni, and institutional partners aligned with education finance reform. Develop compelling impact narratives that connect donor intent to measurable student outcomes. Secure $1-2M in committed capital within the first 12 months of operation. Establish multi-year donor relationships and institutional funding commitments. Program Design & Parameterization Finalize the parameters of Scholar Opportunity's pilot program, including: Target cohort size and student eligibility criteria Recuperation amounts and income-based repayment terms Scalars and conditions governing grant disbursement Ensure program design is aligned with legal, philanthropic, and institutional requirements. Collaborate with ScholarBasis to incorporate automation and predictive analytics into program delivery. Deliver a fully defined pilot program by Month 4, with board and partner approval. Institutional Operations & Technology Oversight Oversee the organization's use of ScholarBasis platform services across onboarding, origination, student tracking, and reporting. Provide strategic direction to ensure technology and operational workflows support program goals. Launch the first pilot program within 12 months of assuming the role. Impact Reporting & Expansion Strategy Translate ScholarBasis-generated reports into compelling narratives for donor engagement and program expansion. Develop evidence of program success, including repayment rates, student outcomes, institutional adoption, and donor impact. Prepare and deliver quarterly impact reports to donors and board members. Publish a comprehensive pilot impact report within the first year, and use findings to support a second fundraising round. Organizational Leadership & Governance Serve as a founding Board Member and provide strategic direction for organizational growth. Lead mission-setting, hiring, and organizational development as the team expands. Explore opportunities to extend Scholar Opportunity's model into new geographies, student populations, and institutional partnerships. Operate with integrity and independence within the financial constraints of the fund. Qualifications Required Demonstrated track record in fundraising, development, or philanthropic capital formation. Established network within education, finance, or social i