Executive Director - US

Keep a Child Alive Seeks a Seasoned, Entrepreneurial Executive to Lead the Organizational and Strategic Leadership of a High-Impact Global Organization at a Critical Inflection Point 

 

Keep a Child Alive  

Keep a Child Alive (KCA) is a global organization, fighting for children to become all they can, no matter where they start in life.  Co-founded in 2003 by Alicia Keys, KCA exists to ensure that children facing the most challenging circumstances are healthy, safe, and able to access quality education. 

Rooted in solidarity rather than charity, KCA works alongside frontline activists and communities to deliver sustainable, locally led solutions that create lasting change for vulnerable children. 

KCA’s work is delivered through three interconnected pillars. First, it funds and strengthens grassroots partner organizations across Africa, Asia, and beyond, building their capacity to protect and support children. Second, it drives bold, system-level “game changer” initiatives — including a neonatal care expansion across Africa and a comprehensive violence prevention program in South Africa. Third, through KCA South Africa, its registered NPO, it delivers digital education and child safety programs that reach children directly. 

In early 2026, KCA opened its first Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Ngudu Hospital in Tanzania — a significant milestone in addressing preventable newborn deaths in underserved communities. Today, KCA supports approximately 200,000 children each year through 15 partner organizations, with a clear ambition to expand its reach to 500,000 children and 30 partners by 2028. 

For more information about KCA, please visit https://www.keepachildalive.org/ 

Position Overview 

KCA is seeking an Executive Director (ED) to serve as the senior operational and strategic leader of the organization. Reporting to the CEO, the ED will be responsible for professionalizing and strengthening KCA’s internal infrastructure, driving fundraising and philanthropy, ensuring full regulatory compliance as a registered US nonprofit, and managing the execution of complex international programs.  

This is an incredible opportunity for an accomplished, entrepreneurial executive with a proven record of building and scaling organizations, exceptional fundraising acumen, and the gravitas and resilience to lead at the highest level in a fast-moving, mission-driven environment. 

Responsibilities 

Organizational Leadership and Strategy  

• Serve as the CEO's principal strategic partner, holding full executive ownership for KCA's staff, programs, expansion, and mission execution.  

• Build, professionalize, and continuously improve KCA’s organizational infrastructure, internal systems, and operational processes 

• Translate the 2026–2028 Strategic Working Plan into clear annual and quarterly execution plans with measurable KPIs 

• Establish and maintain robust monitoring, evaluation, and reporting frameworks across all programs and partner relationships 

• Oversee monthly CEO reporting cycles, board meeting preparation, and governance documentation 
• Drive a high-performance team culture with clear accountability, regular feedback, and strong staff development 

Team Management  

• Support the recruitment, onboarding, and development of team members as the organization grows, and assist with future hiring and staffing needs 

• Provide clear, values-driven leadership to KCA’s staff and contractors, fostering a culture of accountability, ambition, and solidarity 
• Set and monitor individual and team KPIs in alignment with organizational goals 

Fundraising & Philanthropy  

• Lead and grow KCA’s US-based fundraising strategy, with a target of growing philanthropy significantly as the organization scales  

• Cultivate and steward relationships with major individual donors, high-net-worth individuals, and family foundations 

• Identify and pursue trust, foundation, and corporate funding opportunities aligned with KCA’s mission and programs 

• Build and manage a pipeline of corporate sponsorships and strategic revenue partnerships 

• Work closely with the CEO and board to activate ambassador networks and leverage high-profile relationships for fundraising and visibility 

 US Compliance & Governance  

• Ensure KCA fulfills all legal, regulatory, and fiduciary requirements as a US-registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization 

• Oversee annual audits, state filings, tax compliance, and all external verifications 

• Maintain and strengthen board governance practices, including scheduling and preparing for a minimum of four board meetings per year 

• Ensure organizational policies, including safeguarding, HR, and financial controls  meet best-practice standards 

 Program & Project Management  

• Oversee the management and delivery of KCA’s complex, multi-country international programs and partner grants 

• Maintain strong relationships with KCA’s partner organizations, ensuring timely grant disbursement, reporting, and organizational support 

• Lead strategic initiatives at the executive level, including the Tanzania NICU expansion and the South Africa violence prevention program 

• Travel internationally as required to support partner relationships, program launches, donor trips, and activation events 

Experience & Expertise 

• 15+ years senior leadership role within the US nonprofit, international development, or philanthropic sector, with prior experience as an Executive Director or equivalent title highly preferred 

• Demonstrated track record of building and professionalizing organizational systems and infrastructure at scale, ideally within a growing or entrepreneurial environment 

• Demonstrated track record of successful fundraising in the US philanthropic landscape, including cultivation and closing of major gifts from individuals, foundations, and corporations 

• Fluency in US nonprofit compliance, governance, financial management, and operations 

• Experience managing complex, large-scale international programs across multiple geographies 

• Deep operational and execution mindset, a builder who leads through action and delivers results 

• Exceptional detail orientation with the ability to hold self and others to high standards of accountability 

• Strong understanding of international development and the US philanthropic space   

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to represent KCA credibly with major donors, board members, government partners, and media 

• Comfort with ambiguity, rapid change, and competing priorities in a fast-paced environment 

• Resilience, fortitude, and the confidence to lead in a scrappy, mission-driven organization  

• Comfort working with an international team that operates in different time zones across the globe 

• Collaborative spirit and genuine commitment to KCA’s values of solidarity, activism, and child rights 
• Willingness and ability to travel extensively, both domestically and internationally 

While this position is fully remote, preference is given to candidates in the Greater New York City Area. Regardless of location, all interested and qualified candidates are encouraged to apply. 

Compensation & Benefits 

Compensation for this role ranges from $200,000–$250,000, including potential for a bonus and benefits package. 

KCA provides equal employment opportunity to all persons regardless of age, race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status or disability.  

Orr Group   

KCA has retained the Orr Group to conduct this search. Please direct all inquiries, interest, and nominations to the Orr Group search team.   

Jesse Bryan 

Vice President 

Orr Group 

jbryan@orrgroup.com 

About Orr Group 

Orr Group is a strategic partner to nonprofit organizations, offering comprehensive fundraising and executive recruitment support that advances mission, maximizes philanthropic potential, and builds long-term sustainability. We specialize in the business of philanthropy, helping our partners drive results through data-informed strategies, embedded team members, and hands-on implementation.