Application Guide

How to Apply for Director, Chapter Relationship Leader (CRL)

at Makeawishamerica

🏢 About Makeawishamerica

Make-A-Wish America is a globally recognized nonprofit that grants life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Its federated model, with 59 chapters nationwide, offers a unique opportunity to drive impact at scale while collaborating with passionate teams. Working here means contributing to a mission that transforms lives, with a strong emphasis on innovation and community engagement.

About This Role

As a Director, Chapter Relationship Leader, you will be the bridge between the National Office and local chapters, conducting deep-dive assessments to identify performance gaps and co-creating improvement plans. This role is impactful because you directly enhance the operational health of chapters, ensuring more wishes are granted efficiently and effectively, ultimately strengthening the entire organization.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with a virtual check-in with a chapter leadership team to review their monthly KPIs, followed by analyzing performance trends in Power BI to identify a chapter needing support. Afternoon could involve facilitating a cross-functional call to align on an improvement plan, then drafting a summary report for the National Office.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Makeawishamerica Is Looking For

  • 10+ years of experience with at least 7 in a federated nonprofit, understanding the unique dynamics between national and local entities.
  • Proven track record in performance management or strategic consulting, with ability to translate data into actionable recommendations.
  • Expert in Microsoft Office, especially Excel and Power BI, to analyze KPIs and present insights to diverse stakeholders.
  • Exceptional interpersonal skills to serve as a trusted liaison, navigating complex relationships and driving consensus.

📝 Tips for Applying to Makeawishamerica

1

Highlight your experience with federated nonprofits specifically; use terms like 'chapter relations' or 'affiliate support' in your resume.

2

Quantify your impact in previous roles, e.g., 'Improved chapter performance by 20% through targeted coaching'.

3

Tailor your cover letter to mention Make-A-Wish's mission and how your skills align with their strategic goals.

4

Showcase your analytical skills by including examples of dashboards or reports you've created in Power BI or Excel.

5

Research the current challenges Make-A-Wish chapters face (e.g., volunteer retention, fundraising) and address them in your application.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your deep understanding of federated nonprofit structures and how to balance national standards with local autonomy.', "Specific examples of how you've driven performance improvements in a multi-site organization.", 'Your ability to build trust and communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders, from executive directors to board members.', "Passion for the mission and how your personal values align with Make-A-Wish's vision."]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review Make-A-Wish's latest annual report to understand their strategic priorities and current chapter performance metrics.
  • → Explore the 'Chapter Support' section of their website to see how the National Office currently interacts with chapters.
  • → Read recent news about Make-A-Wish, especially any initiatives or challenges related to chapter operations (e.g., post-COVID recovery).
  • → Look up the profiles of current Chapter Relationship Leaders or similar roles on LinkedIn to understand career paths and key projects.

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe a time you conducted a comprehensive assessment of a chapter/affiliate and implemented improvements. What was the outcome?
2 How do you handle resistance from chapter leaders who are hesitant to adopt national recommendations?
3 Walk us through how you use data (KPIs) to diagnose performance issues and prioritize actions.
4 How do you manage multiple relationships simultaneously while ensuring consistent communication and follow-through?
5 What experience do you have with Power BI? Can you share a dashboard you built that drove decision-making?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Don't focus solely on wish-granting; this role is about operational performance, not direct wish delivery.
  • Avoid generic statements like 'I love helping people' without concrete examples of performance improvement.
  • Don't underestimate the importance of data skills; failing to mention Excel or Power BI can hurt your candidacy.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Makeawishamerica!

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