Executive Director

Executive Director
Reporting to the Board of Trustees
Remote

For more than 35 years, the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) has helped build the future workforce of the collision repair industry. Founded in 1991, CREF has evolved into a nationally recognized nonprofit supporting students, schools, educators, and employers across the United States. Through scholarships, grants, workforce development programs, equipment donations, career readiness initiatives, and industry partnerships, CREF helps students prepare for rewarding careers while addressing the industry's ongoing need for skilled, well-trained professionals.

CREF has distributed nearly $5.8 million through approximately 1,200 School Benchmark Awards and awarded more than $3.4 million in scholarships to over 1,100 students. CREF has also facilitated more than $130 million in in-kind donations, providing collision repair education programs with vehicles, tools, software, equipment, and other essential resources. Today, CREF operates with six full-time staff members, a 13-member Board of Trustees, and an annual operating budget of approximately $2.5 million. To learn more, please visit

The next Executive Director will join CREF at a pivotal moment in its history. With a respected national brand, strong industry relationships, and a newly adopted strategic plan, CREF is positioned to expand its reach and deepen its impact. The Board seeks a strategic and forward-looking leader who will translate CREF's vision into measurable results while strengthening fundraising capacity, organizational accountability, technology and systems, impact measurement, and industry visibility. Key opportunities include expanding awareness of collision repair careers, increasing donor and volunteer engagement, strengthening relationships with educational institutions, and maximizing the potential of the Donation Exchange platform.

Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the Executive Director will provide strategic, organizational, financial, and external leadership for CREF. This executive will work closely with the Board and staff to advance long-range goals, develop and implement fundraising strategies, oversee budgets and operations, strengthen donor and volunteer management systems, and ensure accountability to supporters and stakeholders. As CREF's chief ambassador, the Executive Director will cultivate relationships with employers, educational institutions, donors, industry leaders, and philanthropic partners while building awareness of CREF's mission and impact.

The ideal candidate will be a dynamic and visionary executive who combines strategic judgment with a genuine commitment to developing people and strengthening organizations. Strong candidates will bring executive-level leadership experience in nonprofit management, philanthropy, workforce development, education, associations, collision repair, or another relevant field. They will have demonstrated strengths in fundraising, financial oversight, board relations, team leadership, partnership development, and organizational change. Approachable, emotionally intelligent, and accountable, this leader will be an effective communicator and thoughtful listener who can align diverse stakeholders around a shared vision for growth and impact.

A bachelor's degree in business administration, nonprofit management, public policy, or a related field is required, and a master's degree is preferred. The successful candidate will have seven to ten years of progressive management experience. Continuing education or professional credentials, such as the Certified Fund Raising Executive designation, are highly desired.

CREF offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package. The salary range is $170,000 to $200,000, commensurate with experience, along with eligibility for a Board-designated performance-based bonus of up to 50 percent. Applications and nominations are being received by Kittleman & Associates, LLC. To apply, please send a current resume and letter of introduction to https://kittlemansearch.com/opportunities/executive-director-collision-repair-education-foundation. For best consideration, applicants should submit a current resume and cover letter by November 30, 2026.

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/672542aae6d3970ffc55612f/t/6ad235a5be4fc356a2760fd5/1792161190022/CREF+-+Executive+Director+Position+Guide.pdf

To apply, visit: https://www.kittlemansearch.com/opportunities/executive-director-collision-repair-education-foundation

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