DISTRICT DIRECTOR – TOPEKA
Junior Achievement of Kansas
Location: Topeka, Kansas | Hybrid
Reports to: President & CEO
Employment: Full-time
Anticipated Hiring Range: $55,000–$65,000
Big Impact. Local Leadership. No Two Days Alike.
Junior Achievement of Kansas is looking for a relationship-builder, opportunity-spotter, community champion, and get-it-done leader to guide our work in the Topeka area.
The District Director is the senior leader for JA’s Topeka market and is responsible for growing revenue, expanding community partnerships, strengthening program impact, engaging the Topeka Board of Directors, and leading memorable experiences that connect people to our mission.
This is not a behind-the-desk position. One day you may be meeting with a corporate partner; the next, working with a school leader, preparing for a fundraising event, presenting to the board, or representing JA in the community. You’ll have the support and statewide strategy of Junior Achievement of Kansas—but you’ll be trusted to own the work, relationships, and results in Topeka.
The ideal candidate will be comfortable working independently, taking initiative, and owning results while also collaborating closely with staff, board members, volunteers, and community partners. This person must see the big picture, make thoughtful decisions, communicate openly, and bring others along in moving the work forward.
What You’ll Own
Grow the Mission in Topeka
- Lead the development and execution of the Topeka district plan in alignment with Junior Achievement of Kansas priorities.
- Set and achieve measurable goals for revenue, partnerships, volunteer engagement, student impact, and community visibility.
- Identify opportunities to expand JA’s presence and relevance throughout Topeka and surrounding communities.
- Use data, feedback, and community insight to determine where JA can make the greatest impact.
Build Relationships That Move the Work Forward
- Develop meaningful relationships with businesses, donors, foundations, schools, civic organizations, and community leaders.
- Serve as a visible and enthusiastic ambassador for Junior Achievement throughout the Topeka area.
- Create partnerships that generate financial support, volunteers, program opportunities, sponsorships, and long-term engagement.
- Strengthen existing relationships through thoughtful communication, follow-through, and stewardship.
- Represent JA at meetings, presentations, networking opportunities, and community events.
Lead Fundraising and Revenue Growth
- Own the Topeka district’s revenue strategy and fundraising goals.
- Secure corporate sponsorships, individual gifts, foundation support, and other funding opportunities.
- Develop compelling sponsorship and partnership opportunities that connect businesses to JA’s mission.
- Maintain an active pipeline of prospects, sponsors, donors, and community partners.
- Work closely with the President & CEO and Topeka Board to open doors, cultivate relationships, and secure support.
- Ensure sponsors and donors receive strong recognition, communication, and stewardship.
Turn Fundraising into Mission-Fueled Experiences
Lead innovative fundraising events and engagement opportunities that generate revenue, strengthen relationships, and create meaningful experiences for donors, volunteers, and students.
- Lead the strategy, planning, sponsorship development, and execution of Topeka-area fundraising and student engagement events
- Develop fresh and exciting ways to raise funds while connecting every event to JA’s mission and the students we serve.
- Create memorable experiences that inspire donors, engage volunteers, showcase student learning, and build long-term community support.
- Manage event goals, budgets, timelines, committees, vendors, communications, and logistics from concept through completion.
- Partner with board members, sponsors, volunteers, and community leaders to expand participation and maximize impact.
- Evaluate financial results, participation, partner satisfaction, and mission impact to continually strengthen each experience.
Strengthen School and Program Partnerships
- Build trusted relationships with school districts, administrators, educators, and community partners.
- Work with JA program staff to align programming with student, school, and workforce needs.
- Support the recruitment and engagement of classroom volunteers and corporate volunteer partners.
- Identify opportunities for experiential learning, career exploration, financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship education.
- Ensure Topeka-area partners receive a high-quality, responsive JA experience.
- Collaborate with program staff to monitor outcomes and identify opportunities for sustainable growth.
Engage and Activate the Topeka Board
- Partner with the Topeka Board Chair and President & CEO to create a meaningful and productive board experience.
- Prepare board updates, progress reports, meeting content, and engagement opportunities.
- Help board members use their relationships, expertise, and influence to advance JA’s mission.
- Support board recruitment, onboarding, committee engagement, and leadership development.
- Create clear opportunities for board members to contribute through fundraising, sponsorship development, community introductions, events, and advocacy.
Manage the Business of the District
- Develop and manage the Topeka district budget in partnership with statewide leadership.
- Monitor revenue, expenses, forecasts, event performance, and progress toward annual goals.
- Maintain accurate relationship, sponsorship, donor, and activity records.
- Follow organizational policies, financial controls, grant requirements, and reporting expectations.
- Manage competing priorities, deadlines, and projects with strong attention to detail.
- Collaborate across districts and departments to strengthen Junior Achievement of Kansas as one statewide organization.
What You Bring
Your experience may come from nonprofit leadership, fundraising, business development, education, events, or community engagement. What matters most is your ability to build trust, lead with purpose, turn ideas into action, and bring others along in achieving meaningful results.
- Four or more years of progressive experience in nonprofit leadership, fundraising, business development, community relations, education, event leadership, sales, marketing, or a related field.
- Demonstrated success building partnerships and generating revenue or community support.
- Experience planning and executing events, campaigns, or complex projects.
- Strong communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
- The ability to confidently engage business leaders, donors, educators, volunteers, and board members.
- Strong organization and follow-through, including the ability to manage multiple priorities without losing sight of the details.
- Comfort working independently, making thoughtful decisions, and taking ownership of results.
- The ability to collaborate effectively, value different perspectives, and contribute to shared decision-making.
- Financial understanding, including budgeting, revenue tracking, expense management, and forecasting.
- Experience working with a board, advisory group, or volunteer committee is preferred.
- A bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.
You’ll Thrive Here If You Are…
- A connector who genuinely enjoys meeting people and bringing them together.
- A big-picture thinker who can turn vision into clear, achievable action.
- A confident leader who creates momentum by bringing people along—not simply telling them where to go.
- Comfortable making independent decisions while recognizing when collaboration, input, or alignment is needed.
- Able to take full ownership of responsibilities without working in isolation.
- A strong collaborator who values different perspectives and contributes thoughtfully to shared decision-making.
- Strategic enough to anticipate what is ahead and practical enough to manage what needs to happen today.
- Comfortable making the ask—for a meeting, sponsorship, donation, introduction, or commitment.
- Creative, resourceful, highly organized, and willing to try a new approach.
- Able to move from a boardroom to a school, fundraising lunch, or event venue without missing a beat.
- Someone who communicates clearly, follows through consistently, and brings good judgment and a sense of humor to the work.
What Success Looks Like
During the first year, the District Director will:
- Build strong working relationships with the Topeka Board, staff, schools, donors, sponsors, and community partners.
- Meet or exceed district fundraising and revenue goals.
- Strengthen the sponsor and donor pipeline.
- Deliver successful, mission-driven fundraising and student engagement experiences that achieve financial and impact goals.
- Increase board participation in fundraising, partnerships, events, and community outreach.
- Expand JA’s visibility and strengthen its reputation throughout the Topeka area.
- Maintain a clear, organized system for tracking relationships, commitments, revenue, and results.
- Identify sustainable opportunities to grow student impact without sacrificing program quality.
Location and Work Model
This is a hybrid position based in Topeka, Kansas. Candidates must live in or near the Topeka area and be readily available for regular in-person meetings, school visits, community engagement, board activities, and events.
The District Director will divide time among the Junior Achievement office, community and partner meetings, schools, events, and remote work. Some early mornings, evenings, and occasional weekends will be required, particularly during major event periods.
A valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and the ability to travel throughout Topeka and the surrounding service area are required.
Compensation, Benefits and Flexibility
Junior Achievement of Kansas offers a competitive compensation and benefits package designed to support employees professionally and personally:
- Starting salary: $55,000, with final compensation based on the selected candidate’s experience, qualifications, and demonstrated ability to meet the responsibilities of the position.
- 100% employer-paid medical and dental insurance for employees.
- 401(k) retirement plan with employer match.
- Generous paid time off and paid holidays.
- Paid winter break based on the organization’s annual calendar.
- Flexible, hybrid work schedule.
- Summer Fridays, with Friday afternoons off when responsibilities, meetings, and events allow.
- Professional development and opportunities for meaningful community involvement.
Why Junior Achievement?
At Junior Achievement, we help young people connect what they learn in school with what’s possible in life. Through financial literacy, work readiness, entrepreneurship, and career exploration, we give students the knowledge and confidence to build their futures.
You’ll join a mission-driven organization entering an exciting period of growth and transformation. You’ll have room to lead, create, build relationships, and make a visible difference in the community you call home.
Ready to Help Build What’s Next?
Junior Achievement of Kansas is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
Pay: From $55,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
Location:
- Topeka, KS 66611 (Preferred)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Topeka, KS 66611
