Ryan Ripperton and Associates
Greater Richmond, VA
Full-Time | Remote-First | 35-Hour Work Week
As a Consultant with Ryan Ripperton and Associates, you'll work directly with nonprofit clients to lead strategic planning and board performance projects from the project kick-off to the finished plan, and you'll continue advising leaders as they put that plan into action. If you've held a senior leadership role within a nonprofit or advised one, you know how much a clear strategy and an engaged board matter. In this role, you'll help many organizations achieve more through your guidance.
We serve clients all across the nonprofit sector, with a growing focus on organizations in youth development and education support.
The Role at a Glance
The work: Research, facilitation, and plan writing for nonprofit executives and boards.
Projects: Strategic planning (about 6 months) and board performance (about 12 months).
Growth: Initially serve as second chair on projects led by the CEO, with the goal of leading your own projects within six months.
Schedule: 35 hours per week.
Location: Remote-first, in a dedicated, private home workspace. Client meetings are primarily held on Zoom, with key meetings held in person.
Start date: January 2027 (anticipated).
How a Client Project Unfolds
Our projects follow four stages, each drawing on a different set of skills:
Discover. Every project begins with listening and learning. You’ll interview staff, board members, and others key stakeholders, run surveys, review finances, assess governance, and look at benchmark organizations for insightful comparisons.
Bring people together. This is where conversations begin turning into decisions. You’ll lead retreats, workshops, and board sessions, almost always in person, customizing our agendas to fit each group. You’ll guide executives and board members through difficult conversations and help them reach clear, shared decisions.
Build the plan. Next, you’ll turn everything you’ve learned into work clients can use: strategic plans, implementation roadmaps, and presentations that are clear, practical, and grounded in what the organization needs.
Put it to work. You’ll continue working with executive leaders as they implement their plans and strengthen their boards, offering steady support as momentum grows.
Throughout every project, you’ll build close working relationships with each client’s executive director, board chair, and planning committee, serving as their main contact. Behind the scenes, you’ll keep each project on schedule and work with associate consultants to deliver finished work that exceeds their expectations.
Beyond client work, you’ll represent the firm at conferences, professional networks, and community events. You’ll also share what you learn from each project to help sharpen the tools and methods we use and look for ways we can continue supporting the organizations we serve.
How We Work
We’re a tech-forward firm, and using technology including AI is a core part of this role. We use tools like generative AI, Microsoft 365, ClickUp, and time-tracking tools. We require that all AI-assisted work gets a thorough human edit before it reaches a client. When we add a new tool, you'll pick it up quickly and solve routine tech issues on your own.
We value clarity, trust, and mutual respect. You’ll be treated as a professional, with real ownership of your work and your client relationships, and the support you need to do it well.
What You Bring
At least 6 years of nonprofit experience as a senior leader (such as an executive director or C-suite role), as a consultant serving nonprofits, or a combination of both.
Proven experience in strategic planning, board governance, or organizational development.
Experience facilitating meetings, retreats, or workshops with executive teams and boards.
The ability to read and interpret nonprofit financial information, survey data, and comparison data.
Experience conducting research and presenting findings to executives and boards, in writing and in person.
Experience managing several complex projects at once while delivering high-quality work.
Clear, polished writing, including reports and plans that leaders can act on.
Regular, practical use of generative AI tools.
A bachelor's degree, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Preferred
Experience with youth development or education support nonprofits.
An advanced degree, such as an MPA, MBA, or a degree in nonprofit administration or a related field.
Familiarity with consulting methods and frameworks.
Don’t check every box? If you meet most of these qualifications, we’d still like to hear from you.
Pay, Benefits, and Details
Pay: $70,000–$80,000 per year, commensurate with qualifications, plus bonus.
Benefits: Paid time off, healthcare reimbursement account, retirement matching, home office setup stipend, company laptop, and phone/internet stipend.
Schedule: Full-time, 35 hours per week, with some evenings and weekends needed to support board meetings, retreats, and business travel.
Travel: Up to 10% overnight travel for client meetings and conferences.
Location: Must live within a reasonable commuting distance of Richmond, Virginia.
Requirements: A private, quiet home office suitable for video calls and confidential client work, a reliable high-speed internet connection, plus a valid driver’s license and state-required auto coverage.
Reports to: CEO
About Ryan Ripperton and Associates
Ryan Ripperton and Associates is a growing consulting practice that exclusively serves nonprofit organizations. Since 2021, we've partnered with nonprofit leaders to build strong executives, focused boards, and clear strategies that lead to lasting results. Our services include strategic planning, board development, and executive coaching.
Learn more at www.ryanripperton.com and connect with Ryan Ripperton, MBA, on LinkedIn.
How to Apply
Email your resume and cover letter to consultantapp@ryanripperton.com with the subject line "RRA Consultant application." Your cover letter is also your writing sample, so use it to tell us why this work matters to you.
We carefully review each submission and will contact candidates whose experience aligns with the role about next steps. To give every application our full attention, we kindly ask that candidates not call about their application status.
Ryan Ripperton and Associates is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applicants of all backgrounds.