Executive Director, Dad Games
The Dad Games is seeking an entrepreneurial Executive Director to lead its next phase of growth by translating early momentum into scalable infrastructure, partnerships, and sustainable funding. Reporting directly to the founders, this hands-on leadership role oversees day-to-day operations, national program expansion (such as live events and wellness initiatives), strategic planning, and diversified revenue generation through sponsorships and grants. The ideal candidate will have 7–10 years of experience in early-stage nonprofit leadership or community engagement, strong project management skills, and a passion for supporting fathers and family well-being. This flexible-location role offers a salary of $75,000–$90,000 plus fundraising commission, with occasional travel required.
Description
About The Dad Games
The Dad Games is a growing fatherhood platform built to celebrate, support, and strengthen dads through community, competition, and connection. Through family-centered events, friendly competition, wellness conversations, and community experiences, we're helping build a new kind of fatherhood movement: one rooted in joy, presence, support, and belonging.
Now, The Dad Games is entering its next chapter. We have proof of concept, a powerful mission, a growing community, and strong early traction. What we need is a leader who can turn that momentum into infrastructure - the systems, partnerships, funding, and organizational discipline required to grow sustainably.
Position Summary
The Executive Director will serve as the day-to-day leader and primary builder of The Dad Games. This is not a maintenance role. It's a hands-on leadership position for a startup-minded nonprofit builder - someone entrepreneurial, highly organized, and mission-driven, who can see the big picture while building the practical infrastructure that makes growth possible.
Working closely with the founders and key advisors, the Executive Director will sharpen strategy, raise resources, manage programs, deepen partnerships, and expand The Dad Games' reach. This role requires someone who can both lead and do - build the plane while flying it - without losing sight of the dads and families at the center of the work.
The strongest candidates will bring many of the following:
7-10 years of relevant experience in nonprofit leadership, growth-stage organizations, community engagement, fundraising, events, or related fields
Demonstrated experience building programs, organizations, or systems from an early stage
Fundraising or revenue-generation experience, including sponsorships, grants, or corporate partnerships
Strong project management skills and experience developing organizational infrastructure
Excellent communication and relationship-building skills across a wide range of stakeholders
A deep commitment to fathers, families, and community wellbeing
Experience working with fathers of color, men's wellness initiatives, faith-based organizations, or fatherhood programming is strongly preferred
Build Organizational Infrastructure
Develop annual plans, budgets, workplans, reporting systems, and internal management tools
Establish the organization's operating rhythm: planning meetings, program calendars, fundraising updates, and accountability systems
Build templates, playbooks, and repeatable processes that allow the work to grow beyond founder-led execution
Lead Strategy and Growth
Work with founders and advisors to define the next phase of growth: priority markets, signature programs, fundraising goals, staffing, and impact measures
Translate big ideas into clear plans with timelines, owners, and deliverables
Shape a national expansion strategy that protects the culture and quality of The Dad Games as the model grows
Manage Programs and Events
Oversee planning and execution of core programs, including live competitions, family events, fishing trips, Dad 100, DadsGiving, and March Dadness
Turn existing programs into repeatable models that can be adapted and replicated in new cities
Track participation, outcomes, and stories so the organization can improve and communicate its impact
Drive Fundraising and Partnerships
Lead a diversified fundraising strategy spanning corporate sponsorships, grants, individual giving, and brand partnerships
Build and manage relationships with funders, sponsors, brands, churches, schools, and community organizations
Develop sponsorship decks, grant proposals, and donor materials, with a clear pipeline for outreach, follow-up, and stewardship
Strengthen Operations
Manage day-to-day operations: budgets, contracts, vendors, timelines, and administrative systems
Ensure events are executed with excellence, from staffing and logistics to post-event follow-up
Support nonprofit compliance, financial tracking, governance, and risk management
Manage contractors, volunteers, and eventually staff as the organization grows
Represent the Mission
Serve as a trusted ambassador with dads, families, partners, funders, and media
Support storytelling and communications that highlight the strength, joy, and complexity of fatherhood
Help maintain the tone and spirit of The Dad Games: joyful, affirming, culturally grounded, and welcoming
Support Wellness Initiatives
Help develop father-centered wellness and mental health programming in partnership with licensed professionals, with appropriate safeguards, referral protocols, and cultural competence
Compensation and Location
Salary range: $75,000 - $90,000 + fundraising commission, annually, depending on experience. This position may begin as a full-time or contract role, with the expectation that the role and team may grow as The Dad Games expands.
Location is flexible. Some travel will be required for events, partner meetings, and city-based expansion.
The Dad Games is committed to building a community that reflects the diversity, strength, and lived experiences of fathers and families. Candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
