About the Boys & Girls Club of the Colorado River

https://www.clubriver.org/

Founded in 1988 after receiving its official charter, the Boys & Girls Club of the Colorado River (BGCCR) now operates three Clubhouses and three thrift stores, reaches nearly 1,600 members annually, and employs up to 90 full and part‑time staff. Programs span after‑school enrichment, teen workforce readiness, athletics, and summer day camps, all aligned with the national Boys & Girls Club mission: “To enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.” With recent facility upgrades—including a 10,000‑sq‑ft gym, dedicated teen center, and a growing thrift operation—BGCCR is financially positioned to amplify its positive impact across the Colorado River Valley.

About the Area

Located on the east bank of the Colorado River where Arizona, Nevada, and California converge, Bullhead City is best known for affordable riverfront living, 300+ days of sunshine, and year‑round outdoor recreation. Residents enjoy boating, fishing, and swimming on nearby Lake Mohave; hiking and biking in desert canyons, pristine golf courses, trails, parks, rivers and lakes; and quick access to the resorts and entertainment of Laughlin, Nevada—just across the water. The city serves as the retail and healthcare hub for western Mohave County, yet retains the friendliness of a small town and a cost of living below many Southwest metros. Las Vegas is under a two hour commute, and Phoenix and Southern California are just a two hour stretch further, making Bullhead City an attractive base for professionals seeking an active lifestyle and close‑knit community and is one of the best places in the West to live, work and invest.

About the Position

BGCCR stands at an exciting inflection point. After nearly four decades of life‑changing service, the organization is financially stable, programmatically strong, and hungry to deepen its impact.  Reporting to the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, in partnership with the Board, is responsible for the success of the Club. Together, the Board and CEO assure the Club’s relevance to the community, the accomplishment of the Club’s mission and vision, and the accountability of the Club to its diverse constituents. The CEO provides visionary leadership, strategic direction, and operational excellence for the organization.

The CEO has responsibility for management and day-to-day operations in accordance with the direction and policies established by the Board.  The CEO will oversee three Club locations and three Thrift Store locations, driving the organization’s mission to deliver a safe, engaging, and impactful experience for youth in the tri-state area of Bullhead City, AZ, Fort Mohave, AZ, and Laughlin, NV.  The CEO has purview over and is “hands on” in many facets including but not limited to human services, finance and personnel, oral and written communications (external and internal), planning and evaluation, contract negotiations, and governance.  The CEO must be comfortable with diversity and respectful of a wide range of faiths, beliefs and experiences.

The next Chief Executive Officer will set the course for the Club’s next chapter—pairing entrepreneurial resource development with community‑centric leadership to ensure every young person from Bullhead City to Laughlin has a safe space to learn, grow, and thrive.

Key Responsibilities

• Vision & Strategy – Partner with the Board to develop and execute a multi‑year strategic plan that expands Club reach and deepens program impact.
• Operational Leadership – Oversee day‑to‑day operations of three Clubs and three thrift stores, ensuring a culture of safety, inclusion, and fun while meeting all Boys & Girls Clubs of America standards.
• Financial Stewardship – Lead budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis; ensure sound fiscal controls and sustainable revenue diversification.
• Resource Development – Design and implement comprehensive fundraising strategies, including major gifts, special events, annual appeals, and grants; personally cultivate and steward key donors and partners.
• Community Engagement – Serve as the primary ambassador for BGCCR, building collaborative relationships with municipalities, school districts, businesses, tribal partners, and civic organizations.
• Talent & Culture – Recruit, develop, and retain a high‑performing team; model servant leadership and foster an environment where staff and volunteers can excel.
• Governance – Provide the Board of Directors with timely, transparent information and partner on policy development, performance metrics, and risk management.

Opportunities and Challenges

Resource Development
BGCCR relies on a loyal but concentrated donor base and has pursued grant funding aggressively, with a combination of federal, state, foundation and corporate grants, resulting in a large portion of grant awards. The next CEO can broaden and expand revenues with activities such as continuing the grant pipeline, cultivating national BGCA funding streams, launching signature events, and developing a corporate sponsorship program that engages the region’s healthcare, hospitality, and outdoor‑recreation sectors.

Culture & Talent
It is important to honor the work already done and the existing team and build on the club’s history of utilizing creative ways to meet the needs of the communities it serves. Building relationships of trust with the various communities and constituencies that often comprise and influence the club’s work while effectively navigating a complex political landscape is important.  A CEO who deepens professional‑development pathways, champions work–life supports such as expanded programming, and celebrates BGCCR’s humor‑filled, mission‑driven spirit will strengthen retention and performance.

Community Partnerships
Although Bullhead City is repositioning itself beyond a retirement community, lingering perceptions remain. By forging stronger alliances with K‑12 districts, healthcare systems, tribal nations, municipalities, and local businesses, the CEO can rally a cradle‑to‑career ecosystem that keeps talent local and positions BGCCR as the hub for youth development across the valley.

Growth & Impact
The Club currently reaches fewer than 1,600 youth—only a slice of the ~5,000 K‑8 students in the service area. Strategically looking at growing the club with existing programs & services, and evaluating new programs along with expanding with satellite sites, mobile programming, and outdoor experiences can dramatically boost access and relevance. Concurrently, the Club’s thrift stores present an untapped opportunity to serve as workforce‑readiness laboratories for teens seeking retail and entrepreneurial skills.

Communication

Communication is not only critical but can be challenging to connect all stakeholders and groups within all areas; legislative, community, employees, organizations and agencies.  The CEO works closely with the Board, staff, and other stakeholders for coordination, implementation and monitoring to ensure desired outcomes are achieved.  Compelling communication will support dealing effectively with demanding situations to design and implement effective and fulfilling programming.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business, nonprofit management, education, or a related field 
• Progressively responsible senior leadership experience, including oversight of operations, finances, and personnel, including supervisory responsibility over staff of at least two years
• Proven success in fundraising and revenue generation (e.g., major gifts, grants, campaigns)
• Demonstrated strong communication, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills.
• Authentic passion for youth development—demonstrated by prior work or volunteer experience that fosters safe, positive environments for children and teens. 
• Successful experience in strategic partnership development and community engagement.
• Demonstrated poise and flexibility when navigating demanding or high-stress situations

Desired Qualifications

• Prior experience with Boys & Girls Clubs or a comparable youth‑serving organization.
• Proven experience leading multi-site operations
• Demonstrated ability to drive organizational growth and impact.
• Experience working with/for Boards 
• Knowledge in philanthropy/non-profit/government environments
• Experience with financial management
• Experience designing programs/services to serve a broad community
• Entrepreneurial spirit able to excel in a regulated environment
• Demonstrated commitment to service excellence, innovation, integrity, developing people and diversity in the workplace
• Inspirational leadership qualities – visionary, communicative, inclusive, transparent, empowering team builder, engenders trust, good sense of humor
• Success leading multi‑site operations and retail social enterprises (e.g., thrift stores).
• Demonstrated commitment to rural or tri‑state communities; bilingual (English/Spanish) a plus.

Application and Nomination Process

The Boys & Girls Club of the Colorado River and the Search Committee invite applications for the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Cizek Associates, Inc. is assisting BGCCR with this search. All inquiries, nominations and expressions of interest are confidential. To be considered, please submit a resume and letter of interest to bgccr.ceo@cizekassociates.com.  Please use the same email for inquiries or nominations. The soft application deadline for review of applications is June 30th, 2025. 

Search Consultant:

Sheila Lehker, President

Cizek Associates, Inc.

bgccr.ceo@cizekassociates.com

602-553-1066

Cizek Associates, Inc. | National Retained Executive Search & Leadership Development