Wrtp | Big Step

Chief Executive Officer

WRTP | BIG STEP | Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Lead a respected workforce institution into its next chapter.

WRTP | BIG STEP is seeking an accomplished, strategic, collaborative, and mission-driven Chief Executive Officer to lead an organization with a fifty-year history of connecting employers, labor, education, government, philanthropy, and communities to expand access to family-supporting careers and strengthen Wisconsin's workforce.

This is an opportunity for a leader who can build on a strong foundation while bringing clarity, alignment, and momentum to the organization's next chapter.

The Opportunity

• Reporting to an engaged Board of Directors, the CEO will provide overall leadership for:

• Organizational strategy and execution

• Staff leadership, culture, and performance

• Financial stewardship, budgeting, and sustainability

• Fundraising, grants, foundations, and revenue development

• Board partnership and governance

• Employer, labor, education, government, philanthropic, and community relationships

• Public representation and industry leadership

The CEO will be a highly visible ambassador for WRTP | BIG STEP, engaging regularly with staff, employers, labor leaders, funders, policymakers, government officials, community partners, and the public.

The Leader

The ideal candidate will bring:

• 5–7+ years of progressive executive leadership experience in a complex, mission-driven environment

• A record of leading people and organizations through change, growth, or transition

• Strong financial, budgeting, and organizational management skills

• Experience with fundraising, grants, foundations, government funding, or revenue development

• Experience working effectively with a Board of Directors

• Exceptional communication, public speaking, and relationship-building skills

• The ability to navigate diverse perspectives and build common ground across stakeholders

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and professional experience; advanced degree preferred

Experience in workforce development, economic development, education, labor-management partnerships, skilled trades, manufacturing, public-sector workforce initiatives, philanthropy, or nonprofit leadership is strongly preferred.

Most importantly, WRTP | BIG STEP seeks a leader who combines strategic thinking with practical execution, executive presence with humility, and strong business judgment with a genuine passion for mission.

What Success Looks Like

The CEO will help create:

• Clear strategic direction and organizational alignment

• A confident, engaged, and accountable team

• Strong financial sustainability and diversified revenue

• Expanded philanthropic, government, corporate, and strategic partnerships

• A strong Board/CEO partnership

• Measurable workforce and economic mobility impact

• Continued growth in WRTP | BIG STEP's statewide and national influence

Location & Travel

Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Approximately 10–20% travel, primarily throughout Wisconsin, including Madison and other statewide locations, with periodic national travel, including Washington, D.C.

Evening and occasional weekend commitments should be expected.

Benefits:

Health, vision, dental, life, short-term and long-term disability insurance, paid time off, paid holidays, and retirement contribution.

WRTP | BIG STEP is an equal opportunity and ADA-compliant employer.