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Job description
Opportunity: Lead a well-respected, award-winning nonprofit into its next stage of growth while expanding equitable access to hands‑on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics) education throughout Flagstaff.
Location: Flagstaff, Arizona; primarily on site
Reports to : Tynkertopia Board of Directors
Salary Range : $75,000-$90,000, commensurate with qualifications, education, and experience Application Deadline : Friday, October 2, 2026
Anticipated Start Date : November - December 2026; exact date negotiable
Position Overview: Tynkertopia, Inc. seeks an experienced, collaborative, and mission-driven Executive Director to provide day-today leadership and management of the organization. They are responsible for staff, programs, operations, finances, community partnerships, and public communications, translating the organization's mission and priorities into effective operations and long‑term sustainability.
This position is central to a planned leadership transition. Founder Dr. Alice Christie will remain Chief Executive Officer (CEO) while substantially reducing her day‑to‑day management role. The Executive Director will have clear authority and accountability for daily organizational management, working closely with the CEO and Board of Directors.
About Tynkertopia : Tynkertopia is a nonprofit STEAM community hub that empowers independent, lifelong learners through creativity, curiosity, inquiry, wonder, playfulness, and hands‑on exploration. Guided by our Think with Your Hands, Learn by Doing motto, Tynkertopia serves children and families through free drop‑in learning, classes, camps, workshops, field trips, special events, and community partnerships. TynkerSpace extends the mission to teens, young adults, and adults through advanced technologies, creative tools, workforce development, skill building, and hands‑on STEAM experiences. Together, the centers provide a continuum of learning opportunities across the lifespan. We are supported by a small team of employees, contractors, volunteers, and youth interns.
Primary Responsibilities
1. Executive Leadership & Organisational Strategy
2. Program & Educational Oversight
3. Financial Management & Budgeting
4. Board Governance & Relations
5. Operations, Facilities & Administration
6. Marketing, Communications & Public Relations
9. Community Partnerships & External Relations
10. Organisational Knowledge & Leadership Transition
Note: Visit to see a full description of Primary Responsibilities.
Required Qualifications
Demonstrated leadership experience in a nonprofit, educational, community‑based, or other mission‑driven organisation, including staff supervision and development and management of multiple programmes or functions.
Strong financial management skills, including budgets, financial reports, revenue and expense monitoring, and forecasting; commitment to accountability, transparency, and responsible stewardship.
Experience working with a nonprofit board or comparable governance structure.
Excellent written and verbal communication, organisation, and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and build effective relationships with staff, families, partners, educators, Board members, donors, and public officials.
Ability to lead change while respecting organisational history and culture, together with a strong commitment to Tynkertopia's mission and hands‑on approach to learning.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience in education, STEAM learning, youth development, museums, makerspaces, informal education, or community learning environments.
Experience guiding organisational growth, founder transition, or succession planning.
Familiarity with nonprofit fundraising, grants, restricted funding, and donor relations.
Experience in a small or midsized nonprofit where leaders combine strategic thinking with practical problem‑solving.
Experience developing community and institutional partnerships.
Leadership Characteristics
The successful Executive Director will be:
collaborative and relationship‑oriented
confident without being hierarchical
decisive and accountable
an excellent listener and communicator
financially thoughtful
organised yet flexible
supportive of staff development
creative and comfortable with innovation
skilled at distinguishing executive matters from work that should be delegated
comfortable in a dynamic, hands‑on environment
committed to diversity, accessibility, and educational opportunity
passionate about creativity, curiosity, lifelong learning, and community impact; and
able to honour Tynkertopia's founder‑led history while helping shape its future.
Relationship with the Founder/CEO
Dr. Christie will remain Founder and CEO, focusing on grants and reporting, funder and donor relationships, fundraising and major gifts, the Legacy Campaign, selected Board and community relationships, and preservation of Tynkertopia's history, mission, and educational philosophy.
The Executive Director will lead the daily management of staff, programmes, operations, finances, implementation of organisational priorities, and routine decisions. The successful candidate will respect what has been built, learn from the founder’s experience, and build trusted relationships with the CEO, staff, and Board while exercising independent judgement, accepting accountability, and developing a distinct leadership identity.
Compensation and Benefits
Salary Range: $75,000-$90,000, commensurate with qualifications, education, and experience.
Benefits Offered: Benefits include paid leave, holidays, and employer‑supported health insurance
Work Hours: 40‑hour work week. Regular evening and weekend availability is required for selected programmes, meetings, and community events. Additional hours may be required during seasonal activities or events. Some scheduling flexibility is available.
Tynkertopia, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other status protected by law.
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Worksite address
flagstaff, AZ, 86004, US
Who can apply
Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.