Location and Job Title:

Executive Director, 14th Street Y, an Educational Alliance Community Center
Educational Alliance
197 E Broadway
New York, NY 10002

Principal Responsibilities:

The 14^th St Y (14Y) is seeking a visionary, entrepreneurial, and community-centric Executive Director (ED) who is motivated to lead its continued transformation into a premier destination for downtown Jewish arts and culture, community health and wellness, and education. The new ED will be an inspiring leader who is guided by Jewish values and brings a vibrant leadership style reflective of downtown New York City at its best: dynamic, inclusive, and innovative.

This is a unique opportunity to guide 14Y through a critical period of growth, including planning and implementing a capital campaign to create a cutting-edge new building that will house existing and new programming. The ED must be eager to dive into a complex real estate and construction project that requires both high-level vision and fundraising, as well as attention to detail and execution.

Further, 14Y seeks a collaborative and strategic leader who can build trusting relationships; delegate and manage effectively; and mobilize diverse communities of donors, Board members, and community partners to achieve ambitious goals. These goals include dynamic, robust programming as well as the increased revenue and participation that supports it.

As the site director of one of the largest community centers in the Educational Alliance (EA) network, the ED will serve as a key leader and partner across the broader organization. The ED will report to both EA's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Program Officer and will work closely with fellow executive leaders. With support from EA's administrative teams, the ED will be responsible for all aspects of developing and managing 14Y's total staff of approximately 400 year-round and seasonal staff and approximately $13M budget, including program design, implementation, and evaluation; staff management; Board relations; fundraising and external engagement; and finances and daily operations.

Minimum Qualifications:

Key responsibilities include:

Strategic Vision and Leadership

• Develop and communicate an inspirational vision for a new downtown cultural hub that continues to serve the community and innovate through Jewish values and a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Serve as a key leader across EA at large, modeling executive-level leadership and collaboration with all internal partners.
• Inspire staff and stakeholders, including Board members and funders, to support and work together to achieve 14Y's mission and vision.
• Oversee and ensure excellence in the delivery of varied programs, including arts and culture, early childhood education, summer camps, fitness and aquatics, and older adult services.
• Drive continued programmatic efficacy and growth, applying an entrepreneurial approach to manage each program as a business with unique opportunies for innovation and community impact.
• Motivate teams to set ambitious goals, take appropriate risks, and develop metrics to track and measure progress so that the organization can learn and improve over time.
• Collaborate with EA's development team on strategy and fundraising, and personally solicit funds, including major gifts, from individuals and foundations.
• Build strategic partnerships with existing and new funders, Board members, local elected officials, community organizations, and residents that help advance 14Y's mission and grow membership.
• Serve as the chief spokesperson and champion for 14Y, working with the marketing team to ensure effective reach and impact across the community.
• Oversee, evaluate, and improve structures and processes to ensure 14Y recruits, retains, and develops high-quality talent at all levels.
• Manage a high-performing leadership team in areas including operations and programs, and closely collaborate with EA's marketing team.
• Drive a highly inclusive, productive, and supportive organizational culture that motivates and empowers all team members to achieve ambitious goals through collaboration and creativity.
• With support from EA's finance department and in consultation with 14Y's leadership team, develop and manage all aspects of the 14Y's approximately $13.M annual budget.
• Work closely with EA's leadership team to ensure efficient and effective day-to-day operations of 14Y facilities, purchasing, compliance, and health and safety.

Programmatic Management and Entrepreneurship

Fundraising and External Engagement:

Team Management and Talent Development:

Operations and Administration:

ABOUT THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE:

The successful candidate will bring:

• 10+ years of successful program, operations, and team management in a complex nonprofit organization and/or government department, preferably in an urban setting.
• A deep commitment to Jewish culture, education, and community building and passion for the work and legacy of 14Y and Educational Alliance.
• A demonstrated ability to integrate multiple business models with the core values of a mission-driven nonprofit.
• Fundraising and/or funder engagement experience, ideally with some experience with a capital campaign or similar project; experience with membership organizations a plus.
• Experience managing teams, developing talent, and inspiring collaboration.
• Experience developing new programs and scaling existing programs that serve a wide range of community needs and interests.
• Operational and financial know-how with the skills and experience needed to run facilities.

The successful candidate will be:

• A forward-thinking and values-driven leader -- you are guided by the Jewish values that the 14Y promotes and are excited to lead a diverse and inclusive community.
• A high-energy fundraiser and community ambassador -- you enjoy engaging and inspiring community members and stakeholders to support key programs and projects.
• A solutions-oriented program manager -- you have a track record of sucessfully translating entrepreneurial instincts into progam innovation and growth.
• A collaborative team player-coach -- you know how to activate and nurture the unique skillsets of your direct reports and colleagues across all levels to achieve shared goals.

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION:

Located in the heart of the East Village, 14Y is a thriving and dynamic cultural and community center guided by the belief that contemporary Jewish sensibilities can be a source of inspiration, connection, and learning. As the city continues to reemerge and reinvent itself post-pandemic, 14Y is too - working toward serving and engaging nearly tens of thousands of New Yorkers through its theater offerings, LABA: A Laboratory for Jewish Culture, preschool, after-school programs, summer camps, fitness and aquatics programs, and older adult programming at the Sirovich Center for Balanced Living.

14Y is an integral part of Educational Alliance's network of 4 community centers and community-based programs across Lower Manhattan. EA aims to promote a vibrant and democratic society where all people have the community support they need to thrive. For 130 years, EA has expertly served the evolving needs of the community, offering access to quality education, health and wellness services, arts and culture, and civic engagement opportunities.

EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree required. Master's degree in a relevant field is strongly preferred.

COMPENSATION: Salary range is $190,000 - $210,000. Salary and benefits are competitive and commensurate with experience.

Salary:

$190,000-$210,000

Agency Information:

A nonprofit beacon of hope for over 130 years, as a historically Jewish organization Educational Alliance believes in the power of communities to lift up people of all ages and turn strangers into neighbors. We offer high-quality, affordable education programs, health services, and diverse cultural enrichment right where New Yorkers live and raise their families. We make the city a brighter, friendlier and more supportive place. Our community centers offer multi-generational programs that push boundaries and break barriers, sharing critical tools to foster relationships and advance the well-being of people in New York City.

Our pioneering educational programs--like 2Generation Head Start, and courses ranging from art to fitness, career readiness to citizenship--are carefully curated and developed with our city's residents in mind. We offer dozens of options and we never stop innovating to help people of all ages grow, connect, and engage.

Guided by Jewish values, Educational Alliance celebrates the differences and individuality every person brings when they walk through our doors because we know that there is more that connects us than keeps us divided. Today, our reach extends beyond the city as our innovative programs serve as models for other organizations to adopt and implement in their communities. We invite you to join us as we partner with our neighbors, strengthen our city, and pave the way for more generations of New Yorkers to live enriched and fulfilling lives - because you belong here.