Executive Director, 82nd Street Academics
: Job Details :

Executive Director, 82nd Street Academics, Jackson Heights, NYDescription Who We Are82nd Street Academics is a long-serving community organization based in Jackson Heights that complements public education in the Western Queens area of New York. We opened our doors as a summer school program in 1974 before adding an after-school achievement program in 1997 and becoming incorporated as a nonprofit in 2003. 82nd Street has built a strong community presence and now serves over 1,000 students across multiple sites throughout Queens.We pride ourselves on being a complement to public education and are committed to ensuring that our students, regardless of home language or other societal barriers, have access to quality higher education.As we move into the next phase of leadership, we are looking to revitalize the organization through strong nonprofit management to set the stage for a clear roadmap for growth and leadership in the community.Primary Responsibilities – The “What”The 82nd Street Academics board is seeking a leader who can build on our strengths in advancing public education while collaborating with staff and the Board to set our future direction. The Executive Director (ED) will guide the turnaround and transformation of our organization, ensuring sustainability and continued superior academic results. This role will prioritize retaining top talent, growing and strengthening partnerships with our community, while addressing our strategic challenges and revitalizing the organization. The ED will report to the Board of Directors of 82nd Street Academics and will be charged with leading and working with our program leadership and all stakeholders to advance our commitment to preparing students in our community for their next steps beyond high school.Visionary LeadershipEnsure that the 82nd Street's mission and vision are clearly articulated and understood by staff, partners, and stakeholders.Ensure our students' academic success and social/emotional health; keep students at the center of all decision-making.Work with the board to move the organization forward and lead the development and implementation of 82nd Academics strategy, using research, data, and metrics of success.Creating and Managing Effective Systems & Operational StructuresAssess and develop strategies to strengthen the organization's model, structures, and policies.Create effective systems to hold self and others accountable for high standards of performance.Ensure maximum resource utilization, budget management, and maintenance of the organization.Lead and oversee budget and contract management, as well as fundraising and grant writing.Ensure compliance with fiscal management, funding sources, and reporting.Develop and implement creative and effective marketing strategies to promote the program, maintain competitiveness in the community, and meet enrollment targets.Build and Sustain Supportive Conditions for Strong Staff CultureFoster and support a collaborative learning culture based on trust, compassion, and mutual respect.Institute equitable practices that support staff and create conditions for high performance focused on academic rigor and high standards.Create an environment that supports staff in measuring student academic success and preparing students to succeed.Launch effective talent management strategies to attract, retain, and develop high-performing staff, fostering conditions for professional growth.Maintaining a Strong Community Presence and PartnershipsMaintain open, transparent, and ongoing communication with various stakeholder groups.Ensure effective decision-making processes that include stakeholder expertise and perspectives.Maintain visibility and foster trust with the Board, staff, and community.Manage a collaborative relationship with the Board, maintaining open communication and providing support as needed.Managing & Developing the Leadership TeamMentor, coach, and develop the existing senior leadership team, ensuring strong mission-aligned leadership.Ensure team members have the resources and independence to execute their roles effectively.Implement strategies to recruit, develop, and retain effective leaders, emphasizing diversity and equitable practices.Key Competencies for Success – The “How”The ideal candidate will demonstrate the following attributes:Systems Level Leadership and Effective ExecutionCreate, implement, and institutionalize effective policies, systems, and structures to optimize success.Identify opportunities for cross-functional collaboration to ensure a coherent strategy.Build an organizational culture that accelerates learning and raises expectations for every student.Leverage outcome data in decision-making and adopt proven programmatic models.Lead with student-centered decision-making, ensuring holistic student support.Demonstrate cultural fluency and sensitivity to meet diverse needs.Strategic Change LeadershipAssess the 82nd Street community to inform forward planning.Commit to continuous improvement through analysis and assessment of results.Lead innovative practice and secure buy-in for a clear vision and priorities.Balance individual program leaders' needs with the need for coherence across programs.Support the team in advancing the vision for academic programming and operational excellence.Assess skills, identify learning needs, and provide feedback to improve practice.Focus on goals, accountability, and results; set clear metrics for success.Facilitate collaboration with stakeholders, including parents and families.Extraordinary Influencer and ConnectorCommunicate effectively, tailoring messages for the audience and context.Listen with an open mind, seeking understanding of stakeholders' perspectives.Build positive relationships with staff, students, parents, community partners, and the Board.Navigate politically complex structures to enable thoughtful decisions for positive outcomes.Deliver high-energy and inspirational leadership with a focus on equity and access for all students.3-5 years of senior leadership experience leading large teams; experience in change/turnaround leadership preferred.Experience working with a Board of Directors to identify priorities and monitor progress.Proven skills in strategic planning and implementing action plans throughout an organization.Track record of building and managing competent teams.Demonstrated experience building consensus and trust within an organization.Knowledge of schools or education preferred, but not required.Experience in DYDC and DOE RFP processes and funding cycles for after-school and preschool programs strongly preferred.Salary is competitive and commensurate with prior experience within the range of $170,000 – $220,000. A comprehensive benefits package is included. We look forward to discussing details with you as the interview process progresses.#J-18808-Ljbffr