Executive Director

West Side Community Services; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 95,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

West Side Community Services in Buffalo seeks an Executive Director to provide strategic leadership while remaining deeply involved in people, programs, and daily operations.

You will partner with the Board to set priorities, guide program delivery, and ensure strong financial stewardship, fundraising, and community impact while preserving the organization’s culture and trusted community presence.

Qualifications

• Proven nonprofit leadership experience.
• Experience overseeing multiple programs and staff.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide approachable, visible, collaborative leadership to staff, program managers, and stakeholders.
• Foster an inclusive, accountable workplace culture aligned with mission and values.
• Lead, mentor, and develop staff; promote cross-functional collaboration.
• Oversee staffing, performance management, engagement, and workforce planning.
• Balance strategic leadership with hands-on involvement in daily operations and community activities.
• Work with the Board to set priorities, evaluate progress, and support governance.
• Provide leadership across youth development, family services, and community programming.
• Assess program effectiveness, strengthen service delivery, and ensure responsiveness to community needs.
• Establish measurable goals and evaluate outcomes to demonstrate impact.
• Identify opportunities to diversify revenue and expand community participation.
• Represent the organization in donor meetings and community engagement opportunities.
• Communicate organizational needs and achievements to stakeholders.

Skills

Organizational leadership

Fundraising & donor relations

Budgeting & financial oversight

Strategic planning

Community engagement

Staff development

Education

Bachelor's degree in nonprofit management or related field

Job description

TalentRise, an Aleron Company, is excited to support the West Side Community Services is seeking a collaborative, community-minded Executive Director to provide strategic leadership while remaining actively engaged in the organization’s people, programs, and daily operations.

This is an opportunity for a relationship-driven nonprofit leader who is equally comfortable supporting staff, engaging community members, strengthening program delivery, and managing organizational resources.

The ideal candidate will bring a people-first leadership approach, demonstrated experience overseeing community-focused programs, and the financial acumen necessary to manage budgets, evaluate organizational performance, and support long-term sustainability.

Working closely with the Board of Directors, staff, funders, and community partners, the Executive Director will guide WSCS’s continued development while preserving the culture, accessibility, and community trust that define the organization.

Position Responsibilities

Organizational Leadership & People Development

• Provide approachable, visible, and collaborative leadership to staff, program managers, and organizational stakeholders.
• Foster a positive, inclusive, and accountable workplace culture grounded in WSCS’s mission and values.
• Lead, mentor, and develop staff, establishing clear expectations, encouraging professional growth, and promoting cross-functional collaboration.
• Oversee organizational staffing, performance management, employee engagement, and workforce planning.
• Balance strategic leadership responsibilities with hands‑on involvement in daily operations, programs, and community activities.
• Work with the Board of Directors to establish organizational priorities, evaluate progress, and support effective governance.

Program Leadership & Community Impact

• Provide leadership and oversight across WSCS’s youth development, family services, older adult engagement, food access, and community-based programming.
• Partner with program leaders to assess effectiveness, strengthen service delivery, and ensure programming remains responsive to community needs.
• Establish measurable program goals and evaluate outcomes to demonstrate organizational impact.
• Identify opportunities to improve existing services, develop new initiatives, and expand community participation.
• Promote collaboration among program teams to strengthen coordination, resource utilization, and the participant experience.
• Maintain an active presence in the community, building relationships with residents and understanding the evolving needs of those served.

Financial Management & Operational Oversight

• Maintain executive-level accountability for organizational financial health, annual budgeting, operational expenditures, and responsible resource allocation.
• Lead the development and monitoring of annual operating and program budgets in partnership with internal staff, accounting resources, and the Board.
• Review financial statements, budget-to-actual performance, cash flow, and financial forecasts to support informed decision-making.
• Ensure appropriate financial controls, fiscal accountability, and compliance with nonprofit reporting and grant requirements.
• Work collaboratively with accounting professionals and the Board Treasurer to support accurate financial reporting, audits, and financial planning.
• Evaluate program costs, funding allocations, and operational priorities to ensure resources are aligned with mission and organizational goals.
• Oversee general operations, facilities, administrative processes, and organizational infrastructure to promote effective and sustainable service delivery.

Fundraising, Grants & Financial Sustainability

• Partner with the Board of Directors and organizational stakeholders to develop and execute strategies that support financial sustainability.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with foundations, individual donors, corporate partners, government agencies, and other funding sources.
• Provide leadership and accountability for grant‑funded initiatives, including financial stewardship, reporting requirements, and program outcomes.
• Identify opportunities to diversify revenue and strengthen long‑term funding stability.
• Represent the organization in donor meetings, fundraising initiatives, and community engagement opportunities.
• Collaborate with staff and external partners to communicate organizational needs, accomplishments, and opportunities for investment.

Board Relations & Strategic Planning

• Serve as the primary liaison to the Board of Directors, providing transparent communication regarding organizational performance, opportunities, and challenges.
• Collaborate with the Board to establish and advance strategic priorities aligned with WSCS’s mission.
• Provide regular reporting on program performance, financial results, staffing, fundraising, and organizational initiatives.
• Translate strategic objectives into actionable operational plans with measurable outcomes.
• Identify organizational risks and proactively recommend solutions that support continuity, accountability, and sustainable growth.

Community Engagement & External Partnerships

• Serve as a visible and trusted representative of West Side Community Services throughout Buffalo and Western New York.
• Build and maintain relationships with neighborhood residents, community organizations, educational institutions, government agencies, and nonprofit partners.
• Strengthen WSCS’s reputation as an accessible, inclusive, and responsive community resource.
• Identify collaborative opportunities that expand programming, improve service accessibility, and enhance organizational impact.
• Demonstrate cultural awareness, empathy, and a genuine commitment to serving individuals and families from diverse backgrounds.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The successful candidate will be a mission-driven, approachable, and operationally capable leader who brings a combination of strong people management, program oversight, community engagement, and financial stewardship.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• Progressive leadership experience within nonprofit organizations, community services, human services, education, or similarly mission-driven environments.
• A proven ability to lead, develop, and support multidisciplinary teams while fostering an inclusive, collaborative workplace culture.
• Experience overseeing multiple programs or service lines, evaluating outcomes, and continuously improving service delivery.
• Strong financial literacy, including experience developing and managing operating budgets, monitoring expenditures, reviewing financial reports, and making resource allocation decisions.
• Experience working with external accounting professionals, finance committees, or Board leadership to maintain sound fiscal practices.
• Familiarity with nonprofit funding models, grant management, donor relationships, and financial sustainability strategies.
• The ability to develop trusted relationships with community stakeholders, funding partners, staff, and Board members.
• A balance of strategic thinking and hands‑on execution, with a willingness to remain engaged in the day‑to‑day realities of a community‑based organization.
• Excellent communication, organizational, problem‑solving, and interpersonal skills.
• A demonstrated commitment to diversity, accessibility, inclusion, and community‑centered service.
• Experience working with Buffalo’s nonprofit and philanthropic community, particularly with historically underserved or culturally diverse populations, is highly valued.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, business administration, social services, public administration, education, or a related field preferred; equivalent professional experience will be considered.
• Demonstrated leadership experience involving staff management, program oversight, organizational operations, and budget accountability.
• Experience working with nonprofit Boards, grant‑funded programs, or community-based service organizations strongly preferred.
• A record of successfully balancing organizational priorities, financial resources, and people leadership in a complex, service-oriented environment.

Compensation & Benefits

West Side Community Services offers a competitive annual base salary of $95,000–$105,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications. The organization provides an opportunity to lead a respected, mission‑driven nonprofit with deep roots in the Buffalo community and to make a meaningful impact through its programs, staff, and community partnerships.

Additional benefits information will be shared during the interview process.

Equal Opportunity Employer

West Side Community Services is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming environment. Qualified candidates from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.