Current Job Opportunities

Executive Director

Now Hiring: Executive Director

A Week Away Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing Respite Weeks for families battling life-threatening illnesses, aiming to offer them hope and strength to continue their fight.

How A Week Away Foundation Started

The inspiration for the foundation traces back to a pivotal weekend trip to Ocean City, New Jersey. Our founder, Caleb Walker, was diagnosed with Stage III Anaplastic Ependymoma — a rare and aggressive form of cancer affecting the brain and spine. A friend gifted him a weekend getaway, which became one of the few times he felt “normal” since his diagnosis. This experience planted the seed for A Week Away Foundation, with the vision of providing families facing life-threatening illnesses a week of peace amidst their challenging journeys. Caleb underwent multiple brain surgeries, radiation treatments, and chemotherapy regimens over several years and throughout his ongoing battle he was determined to offer others the support he had received. Even though Caleb passed away in 2014, his legacy continues through the foundation which remains committed to its mission of providing respite for affected families.

What the A Week Away Foundation Does

Today, A Week Away Foundation coordinates and finances Respite Weeks for families dealing with life-threatening illnesses, ensuring they have the opportunity to create lasting memories and find renewed strength together. The foundation aims to offer families a chance to step away from the stress and challenges of their medical journeys, giving them time to relax, bond, and create lasting memories together by:

  1. Allowing families to recharge, connect, and take a break from hospital visits, treatments, and the daily stresses of illness
  2. Providing a sense of normalcy and peace for families in difficult times
  3. Giving hope, renewing energy, and helping families find strength to continue their fight against illness
  4. Helping families create positive, lasting memories during a difficult period
  5. Allowing families to reconnect and enjoy each other’s company in a relaxing setting

Overall, the A Week Away Foundation seeks to improve the quality of life for families dealing with life-threatening illnesses by offering them much-needed respite and support. After over ten years of starting and growing the A Week Away Foundation and serving more than 320 families, the Board of Directors is looking at creating continued growth and sustainability for the future. The Board is looking for an Executive Director to ensure this growth and sustainability.

Executive Director Job Description

The inaugural Executive Director will work closely with, and report to, the Board of Directors, currently five members, to ensure that the foundation’s mission is carried out effectively and efficiently while also developing and leading fundraising initiatives, managing staff and volunteers, and cultivating relationships with key stakeholders. The Executive Director will be responsible for:

Leadership & Management

  • Ensure ongoing local programmatic excellence, rigorous program evaluation
  • Actively engage and energize AWA Nonprofit volunteers, board members, event committees, partnering organizations, and funders
  • Ensure effective systems to track scaling progress and regularly evaluate program components to measure successes that can be effectively communicated to the board, funders, and other constituents
  • Develop and implement the foundation’s strategic goals and objectives in alignment with the mission
  • Lead the organization’s growth, ensuring that programs and services align with the foundation’s vision
  • Act as a primary spokesperson for the foundation, representing the organization to key stakeholders, including donors, community leaders, and partners
  • Provide regular updates to the Board of Directors on the foundation’s financial status, program performance, and key initiatives
  • Work with the Board to define and achieve long-term strategic objectives
  • Support the Board in its governance functions, including preparing materials for meetings and assisting with Board recruitment and development
  • Manage additional staff as needed

Fundraising & Communications

  • Deepen and refine all aspects of communications—from web presence to external relations with the goal of creating a stronger brand
  • Use external presence and relationships to garner new opportunities
  • Develop and execute the foundation’s fundraising strategy, including securing financial support through donations, grants, events, and partnerships
  • Manage the foundation’s budget, ensuring financial sustainability and effective use of resources
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with donors, corporate sponsors, and other funding sources
  • Serve as the face of the foundation in the community, working to build strong relationships with local partners, influencers, and stakeholders
  • Develop and maintain relationships with media outlets and work to raise the profile of the foundation’s work
  • Represent the foundation at public events, meetings, and conferences

Qualifications

  • Proven experience in leadership, management, or a similar role (nonprofit preferred)
  • Strong understanding of financials, including budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting (nonprofit preferred)
  • Demonstrated ability to lead fundraising and/or efforts and cultivate donor and/or customer relationships
  • Experience managing a team and fostering a positive, collaborative environment
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and inspire a wide range of stakeholders
  • Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
  • Knowledge of healthcare is a plus

A Week Away Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds.