Description

Oklahoma Association of Community Action Agencies

Executive Director: Job Announcement

Would you like to make a lasting difference in the fight against poverty in Oklahoma? OACAA is seeking its next Executive Director - someone who wants to build relationships that matter, steward serious public resources with care, and help a statewide network of local leaders do their best work for their communities.

What Is Community Action?
Community Action Agencies (CAAs) are local nonprofit organizations, created through the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 as part of the national War on Poverty, that design and deliver locally tailored programs - from Head Start and housing assistance to home weatherization, transportation, and emergency services - to help people move toward self-sufficiency. Oklahoma's 17 Community Action Agencies are part of a national network of nearly 1,000 agencies, each independently governed but united by a shared mission.

About OACAA
OACAA supports Oklahoma's 17 Community Action Agencies through training, technical assistance, state and federal advocacy, and by managing the Head Start Collaboration Office and the Oklahoma Weatherization Training Center. We are a staff of six, governed by a board made up of the executive directors of our member agencies.

What You'll Do

• Serve as the trusted liaison between Oklahoma's 17 Community Action Agencies, national partners, and the federal and state agencies that fund and regulate them. 
• Manage and ensure compliance across roughly ten concurrent federal grants and an annual federal audit.
• Oversee the Oklahoma Weatherization Training Center, a specialized statewide and national training program. 
• Build relationships with the Oklahoma Legislature, Congressional delegation, and state and federal agencies to advocate for Community Action priorities.
• Plan and run OACAA's training calendar and events, including its annual conference and Day at the Capitol.
• Lead a small, dedicated staff team and partner closely with a Board composed of member agency executive directors.

Who We're Looking For
This role suits a self-motivated, entrepreneurial leader who is as comfortable building relationships with legislators as they are digging into a grant budget. You'll need:

• Five or more years of progressively responsible management experience; nonprofit, government, or Community Action experience strongly preferred.
• A strong aptitude for, or direct experience with, federal grants management and compliance.
• Excellent relationship-building, communication, and public speaking skills.
• Comfort with ambiguity, autonomy, and wearing many hats in a small organization.
• A bachelor's degree in public administration, nonprofit management, human relations, or a related field (master's preferred), or equivalent experience.

Requirements

Position Summary
The Executive Director leads OACAA's day-to-day operations and serves as the primary spokesperson and strategist for Community Action in Oklahoma. Working in close partnership with the Board, the Executive Director helps set direction for the Association, builds relationships with the federal and state partners who fund and support Community Action work, and oversees OACAA's programs and staff, including the Head Start Collaboration Office and Oklahoma Weatherization Training Center. 

Essential Functions

Strategic Leadership & Board Partnership

• Partners with the Board of Directors to set strategy and organizational priorities.
• Liaises between Oklahoma's Community Action network and federal agencies / state regulatory partners.
• Serves as the primary spokesperson for OACAA and, when appropriate, for Community Action in Oklahoma.

Member Services, Training & Event Planning

• Plans and executes the Association's training calendar and events, including the annual conference, regular member trainings, and Day at the Capitol, which involves substantial event logistics (venues, speakers, materials, budgets, and on-site coordination).
• Provides technical assistance to member agencies and develops training content that helps local CAA staff and boards do their jobs well.
• Represents OACAA with partners, collaboratives, and coalitions on statewide public policy issues, and with Community Action associations at the regional and national level.

Grants Management 

• Manages a portfolio of concurrent federal and state grants, tracking spend-down, staff time allocation, and  deliverables so that funds are fully and appropriately used.
• Oversees both fiscal and programmatic compliance and reporting across all funding streams. 

Legislative & Public Policy

• Builds and maintains relationships with the Oklahoma Legislature, the Congressional delegation, and federal and state agency personnel.
• Tracks state and federal legislation, identifying opportunities and risks to Community Action priorities and advising the Board and member agencies accordingly.
• Develops and disseminates the Association's advocacy positions, public comments, and messaging on behalf of the statewide network.

Oklahoma Weatherization Training Center

• Ensures the Center meets its specific accreditation, curriculum, and compliance requirements. 
• Markets the Center, building its student pipeline and bringing in quality trainers and industry experts from across the country to keep the Center’s offerings strong. 
• Identifies and develops new and innovative funding opportunities in collaboration with state and national partners. 

Financial & Operational Management

• Develops and manages the Association's overall operating budget and recommends budget and program priorities to the Board.
• Supervises and supports Association staff (currently five positions) in accomplishing the Association's mission and grant obligations.
• Identifies and pursues new funding opportunities, including grant writing, to diversify and grow revenue for the Association and, where appropriate, for local agencies.
• Ensures Association operations comply with all applicable federal and state laws, including procurement, contracting, and personnel practices.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Working knowledge of federal grants management and compliance. 
• Skilled in relationship-building and diplomacy across a wide range of audiences (legislators, regulators, coalition partners). 
• Strong financial acumen: budgeting, multi-grant fiscal tracking, and audit readiness.
• Event and project planning skills sufficient to run a statewide conference and a regular training calendar.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, including public speaking and legislative advocacy.
• Ability to manage and support a staff team and specialized programs.  
• Ability to prioritize across simultaneous demands without losing sight of the big picture.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and general office/database systems; willingness to learn grants management and reporting software as needed.

Qualifications

• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible management experience; nonprofit, government, or Community Action experience strongly preferred.
• Experience with federal grants management and compliance strongly preferred; experience with CSBG or DOE Weatherization funding is a significant plus but not required.
• Demonstrated experience managing and developing a team.
• Bachelor's degree in public administration, nonprofit management, human resources, or a related field (Master's preferred), or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Familiarity with the Oklahoma policy environment - the Legislature, state agencies, and relevant interest groups - is a strong plus.

Working Conditions / Additional Details

• Full-time, exempt position with health insurance, matching retirement savings plan, and vacation/sick/personal leave.
• Fast-paced environment with shifting priorities, regulatory deadlines, and frequent interruptions.
• Regular statewide travel and periodic national travel.
• Must hold a valid Oklahoma driver's license, maintain required insurance, and have reliable personal transportation.
• Based at the Association office in Edmond, OK.
• Anticipated start date: November 16, 2026 
• Salary range: $125,000+ commensurate with experience