FUSE Executive Fellowship | Spring 2025 General Application

ABOUT THE FUSE EXECUTIVE FELLOWSHIP

FUSE is a national nonprofit that increases the effectiveness of local governments to build more equitable communities. We embed private sector executives in city and county agencies to lead projects that narrow racial disparities, improve public services, and accelerate systems change. Since 2012, FUSE has led over 400 projects in 58 governments across 26 states, impacting a total population equivalent to 1 in 10 Americans.

When designing each fellowship project, FUSE works closely with government partners and local stakeholders to define a scope of work that will achieve substantive progress toward regional priorities. FUSE then conducts an individualized search for each project to ensure that the selected candidate has at least 15 years of professional experience, the required competencies for the role, and deep connections to the communities being served. They are data-driven and results-oriented and able to effectively manage complex projects by developing actionable roadmaps and monitoring progress to completion.

Executive Fellows are hired as FUSE employees and embedded in government agencies for at least one year of full-time work. Throughout their fellowships, they receive training, coaching, and professional support from FUSE to help achieve their project goals. FUSE Executive Fellows bring diverse perspectives and new approaches to their projects. They build strong relationships with diverse arrays of stakeholders, foster alignment within and across various layers of government, and build partnerships between governments and communities.

The FUSE Executive Fellowship is an opportunity to develop and implement unique solutions to a community’s most pressing challenges. For 12 months, FUSE Executive Fellows work within local government to bring innovative approaches to a specific project. Each fellowship is designed to leverage private-sector experience to deliver results that have a lasting impact.

Multiple fellowships exist in cities and counties across the United States

Fellowship Dates: April 21, 2025 – April 20, 2026

Salary: Executive Fellows are FUSE employees and receive an annual salary of $80,000. Fellows can also access various health, dental, and vision insurance benefits. This amount is not representative of market-rate salaries for the experienced professionals in our program but is intended as compensation for a year of public service.

ABOUT THE PROJECTS

Working with cities throughout the country, FUSE Executive Fellows work particularly on structural and system changes that will reduce disparities and accelerate economic recovery by focusing on issues that will have the greatest long-term impact for local residents. Our work focuses on issues such as affordable housing and homelessness; workforce training and living-wage jobs; pandemic response and health equity; education reform and digital access; public safety and justice reform; climate resilience and green infrastructure; and more.

FUSE Executive Fellows are placed at the executive level of local government working with senior leaders of departments and agencies. Prospective responsibilities may include thorough data analytics and research, developing enhanced operations and financial models, building change management and strategic planning processes, and/or building broad coalitions to support project implementation efforts.

Previous FUSE Executive Fellows have tackled a range of community challenges. Examples of their work include expanding affordable housing and home ownership in Kansas City, KS, community and economic development supporting small businesses in Ft. Worth, TX, and equitable coordination of County services in Los Angeles County, CA.

FUSE Executive Fellows receive ample learning opportunities throughout their fellowship drawing from the best practices of leading for-profit, public, and social sector organizations. They also receive hands-on support from a host champion within the local government, an executive coach, and the larger FUSE community of staff, alumni, and advisors.

QUALIFICATIONS

• 15+ years of professional experience, particularly in the private sector
• Progressive success in challenging roles with substantial management responsibilities
• Track record of collaboration, team-building, and facilitative leadership
• Excellent stakeholder management skills
• Superior critical thinking and analytical skills
• Ability to synthesize information into clear and concise recommendations
• Entrepreneurial spirit and demonstrated success in creating novel solutions to complex problems
• Flexibility, adaptability, and persistence
• Inclusivity and sensitivity to cultural differences
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with ease in making public presentations
• Demonstrated passion for public service, civic innovation, and/or cross-sector collaboration

FUSE is an equal-opportunity employer with core values of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply for this position.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.