Executive Director - Key Learning Center

The Key Learning Center (KLC) in Asheville, NC is a 501(c)3 independent nonprofit organization that serves as an internationally-accredited resource for educators, students, and parents in the field of multisensory methodology, structured language intervention, multisensory mathematics, and language-based learning differences. KLC has been training teachers in dyslexia education for 22 years. 

KLC is housed on the campus of Carolina Day School and serves Western North Carolina and beyond.

Position Overview

KLC is seeking an Executive Director to lead the organization in partnership with a supportive Advisory Working Committee, an engaged Board of Directors, and a dedicated staff. The Executive Director will provide vision and direction for the agency, while playing a lead role in fund development, strategy, and operations. The position will be a 32 hour/week position.

The KLC Executive Director reports to the Head of School.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:

  • Responsible for the fiscal, programmatic, and administrative operations of KLC and serves as one of its leading spokespersons.

  • Provide leadership for KLC strategy, staff, programs, administration, and finances to ensure the successful execution of the mission.

  • Lead and motivate staff to achieve their objectives by providing necessary resources, professional development opportunities, and performance management

  • Provide a work environment that is respectful, and positive while supporting excellence, inclusion, and cultural competency.

  • Perform the operational, clerical, and administrative tasks necessary to manage the organization and program accreditations.

  • Engage with members of the KLC Board, committees, and volunteers to leverage their talents to increase funding from individuals, corporations, and foundations, to raise visibility, and to improve messaging, while building public awareness of KLC.

  • Develop and implement a detailed annual budget with a matching fund development plan, while implementing a strategic plan.

  • Ensure KLC programs are achieving clear, measurable results and reporting those results to the KLC Board and the community of funders, as well as those who are supported and impacted.

  • When necessary, develop additional programs, outreach, and training that further support the mission.

Requirements and Qualifications

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required to perform the essential duties of this job.

  • Knowledge of dyslexia, the Science of Reading, and the Orton-Gillingham (O-G) approach.

  • O-G credentialing or a willingness to pursue a minimum of the Associate Level of Orton-Gillingham coursework. Follow through with highest levels of credentialing with OGA and ALTA preferred.

  • Possess the ability to speak with confidence and accuracy about the critical work of our organization.

  • Excellent management, communication, and public relations skills.

  • Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to establish respect, credibility and trust and maintain productive working relationships

  • Demonstrated ability to fundraise through individual donor and foundation cultivation.

  • Demonstrated ability to create and implement strategic plans.

  • Ability to manage a departmental budget.

  • Demonstrated ability to accomplish goals and objectives within established priority and timeframes

  • Knowledge of educational trends and expertise in the field of learning differences.

  • Familiarity working with nonprofit boards and using governance best practice or willingness to gain immediate training.

  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including digital strategies.

Americans with Disability Specifications:

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Working Conditions and Work Environment

Work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

How to Apply

To apply for positions listed here, please send a current resume and a cover letter explaining your interest in and qualifications to employment@carolinaday.org.

Please include the position title in the subject line.

Application for Employment


Carolina Day School has an institutional commitment to the principles of diversity. In that spirit, Carolina Day School does not discriminate in violation of the law on the basis of race, religion, creed, color, sexual orientation, age, physical challenge, nation of origin, gender, or any other characteristic.