CREA Nicaraguan Education and Resource Center is seeking an Executive Director.

CREA elevates rural Nicaraguan youth and their communities through literacy, learning and technology.



Location: Central America (Resort Community with Proximity to Underserved Areas)

Are you a purpose-driven leader with a passion for changing lives at the root level? We are seeking an extraordinary Executive Director to lead a mission-driven organization dedicated to empowering underserved, rural children with the literacy and digital skills they need to thrive in the 21st-century world.

Our students live in homes with dirt floors, no plumbing, and tin roofs—but they dream big. With the right guidance and access, they can compete with peers around the world. As our Executive Director, you’ll help make that future a reality. You will have an in-country deputy who manages two department heads, a USA-based support staff and 35 extraordinary local staff, many of whom are success stories of our center.

The Executive Director will live in the southern Nicaragua area known as the Emerald Coast, recognized by Forbes, Travel & Leisure and other publications as one of the most sought after areas to live and retire in Central America.

International Living ranked the country as one of the top ten places to retire in the world. You can expect a resort level style of living but at a fraction of the expense. On average, a couple who owns their home in Nicaragua can have monthly expenses from $1,000 USD to $2,000 USD per month. A single person can expect to spend less than $1,000 USD per month. Your cost of living will be less than half that of Costa Rica and substantially less than the USA. Beach front homes, with pool, etc., in gated communities start for around $1500 a month to rent or $175k to own.

Compensation:

A once in a life time opportunity to experience the difference you are making in people’s lives. Tons of smiles of appreciation and love.

$60 to $90 K with potential bonus for donor development.

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Minimum 5 years top management experience preferably in non-profit or education-related work.
• Clear, convincing, professional level bilingual English and Spanish.
• Management level budgeting and accounting skills.
• Proven track record serving a Board of Directors.
• Understanding of the poverty challenges of the Global South.
• Proven fundraising track record (preferably $1M+ annually).
• Advanced degree in leadership, philanthropy or non-profit management and fundraising.
• Deep understanding of Latin American education system.

Key Competencies:

• Strategic Planning and Visioning.
• Bilingual communication and cultural literacy.
• Stakeholder engagement and fundraising.
• Change management and innovation.
• Strong stewardship-leadership skills and style.
• Inspires deep followership, respect, and long-term commitment among students, families, staff, donors, the Board and its committees, and the broader community we serve.
• Plans, organizes, and conducts donor development and donor networks. Sustain contact with current donors and develop new ones.
• Serves as the administrative link between the USA-based Board, donors and education networks and the Nicaraguan leadership team, supervising and supporting the work of the in-country Deputy Executive Director.

Why join CREA:

• Experience the satisfaction of shaping the future of education in the Global South; watch disadvantaged students gain world class equality through literacy and learning. Make a difference in people’s lives.

• Our students volunteer to come to CREA because they are excited about learning. They bring smiles and eagerness to learn. Some stay from pre-K to college.
• Children are supported from birth. Their families are partners in our achievements.
• Thirty-five highly motivated staff and management are drawn from the community.
• New classrooms, extensive library, STEM lab plus two community outreach mobile units
• Staff feels seen, valued, connected and included in decisions that impact them.
• Comprehensive support from USA fundraising and public relations staff.
• Supportive, appreciative, and enthusiastic Board of Directors.
• Deep donor base and substantial reserves.
• A workplace that encourages staff to share their ideas and expertise.
• Family friendly policies.
• Professional development opportunities.
• Dedicated and experienced department managers.
• The Emerald Coast of Southern Nicaragua is one of the most sought-after resort areas to live and retire in Central America.
  • Beautiful, green, warm, tropical environment.
  • Great roads.
  • Safe
  • Extremely low cost of living.
  • Best Surfing Beaches in all Central America.