Executive Director

Delaware Opportunities, Inc.; Town of Colchester (NY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Life insurance

Employee assistance program

Job summary

Delaware Opportunities, Inc. is seeking an experienced Executive Director to lead our rural nonprofit and advance programs addressing poverty, housing, nutrition, and community well-being.

The successful candidate will work with the Board and staff to set strategy, secure funding, ensure financial health, and build partnerships that expand opportunity for neighbors we serve. This role requires a compassionate, collaborative leader who can balance big picture vision with day-to-day governance,

Qualifications

• Senior nonprofit leadership experience with executive responsibility.
• Experience securing and managing grants and contracts.
• Strong financial and organizational management skills.
• Ability to collaborate with a Board and diverse stakeholders.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.

Responsibilities

• Provide vision and leadership aligned with mission and strategic priorities.
• Oversee budgeting, financial reporting, audits, and fiscal controls.
• Develop partnerships and secure diverse funding sources.
• Lead staff development and foster inclusive workplace culture.
• Maintain strong Board relationships and governance practices.
• Ensure compliance with laws and grant requirements.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Nonprofit governance

Stakeholder communication

Financial management

Partnership development

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

Job description

Delaware Opportunities, Inc. (DO) is seeking an experienced, compassionate, and visionary Executive Director to lead our organization into its next chapter.

For more than five decades, Delaware Opportunities has worked alongside individuals, families, and communities throughout Delaware County to reduce poverty, increase self-sufficiency, strengthen families, and improve quality of life. As a federally recognized Community Action Agency, we provide a broad continuum of services addressing critical needs including housing, food and nutrition, energy assistance, employment, transportation, early childhood education, victim services, health insurance navigation, and other supportive services.

We are looking for a leader who understands that effective community action is about more than programs—it is about people, partnerships, advocacy, opportunity, and creating lasting community change.

The Opportunity:

The Executive Director serves as the organization's chief executive officer and is responsible for providing strategic, operational, financial, and organizational leadership.

Working closely with the Board of Directors, leadership team, staff, community partners, funders, government agencies, and the people we serve, the Executive Director will ensure that Delaware Opportunities remains financially strong, mission-driven, innovative, accountable, and responsive to changing community needs.

The successful candidate will be a visible and engaged community leader who can balance big-picture strategic thinking with the day-to-day realities of running a complex nonprofit organization.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic & Organizational Leadership

• Provide vision, direction, and leadership consistent with the mission, values, and strategic priorities of Delaware Opportunities.
• Work collaboratively with the Board of Directors to establish organizational goals, policies, priorities, and long-term strategies.
• Lead implementation of the organization's strategic plan and ensure that programs and resources are aligned with identified community needs.
• Build a culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation, inclusion, and continuous improvement.
• Anticipate emerging challenges and opportunities and position the organization for long-term sustainability.

Program & Community Leadership

• Ensure high-quality, effective, equitable, and accessible services across the organization's diverse program portfolio.
• Champion a person-centered, trauma-informed, strengths-based approach to working with individuals and families.
• Maintain strong relationships with community partners, government agencies, funders, elected officials, educational institutions, healthcare providers, human service organizations, and other stakeholders.
• Serve as a strong public voice and advocate for individuals and families experiencing poverty and other barriers to opportunity.
• Identify emerging community needs and develop partnerships, programs, and initiatives to address them.
• Oversee the financial health and sustainability of the organization, including budgeting, financial reporting, audits, and fiscal controls.
• Lead efforts to diversify revenue and strengthen long-term financial sustainability.
• Oversee federal, state, county, foundation, and other funding relationships.
• Ensure compliance with grant requirements, contracts, applicable laws, regulations, and Community Action Agency standards.
• Work with staff and the Board to identify new funding opportunities and strengthen resource development.

Staff & Organizational Culture

• Lead, support, and develop a diverse team of dedicated professionals.
• Recruit, retain, and develop strong leadership and staff at all levels of the organization.
• Foster a workplace culture characterized by respect, trust, communication, accountability, professional growth, and teamwork.
• Support leadership development and succession planning throughout the organization.
• Ensure effective human resource practices and compliance with employment laws and organizational policies.
• Recognize that staff are one of the organization's most important assets.

Board & Governance

• Maintain a strong, transparent, and collaborative relationship with the Board of Directors.
• Keep the Board informed regarding organizational performance, finances, risks, opportunities, community needs, and emerging issues.
• Support effective Board development, engagement, and governance.
• Ensure that Board policies and organizational practices reflect the mission and responsibilities of a Community Action Agency.

What We're Looking For:

The ideal candidate will be an accomplished nonprofit leader who combines strategic vision with humility, emotional intelligence, accountability, and a genuine commitment to community service.

We are seeking someone who:

• Has demonstrated senior-level leadership experience in a nonprofit, community-based, human services, government, healthcare, education, or related organization.
• Understands the challenges facing individuals and families experiencing poverty and other systemic barriers.
• Has experience managing a complex organization, multiple programs, budgets, contracts, and funding sources.
• Demonstrates strong financial and organizational management skills.
• Has experience working with a Board of Directors and understands the importance of effective governance.
• Is an exceptional communicator who can build trust with employees, Board members, funders, community partners, government officials, and the people we serve.
• Is comfortable representing an organization publicly and advocating for its mission.
• Has demonstrated success developing partnerships and working collaboratively across organizations and systems.
• Values diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and culturally responsive services.
• Leads with integrity, transparency, accountability, and compassion.
• Is comfortable making difficult decisions while maintaining respect for people.
• Can navigate change, uncertainty, and competing priorities while keeping the organization focused on its mission.
• Understands that effective leadership means listening first, building relationships, and meeting people where they are.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in nonprofit management, public administration, business, social services, human services, healthcare, education, or a related field.
• Master's degree or other advanced professional credentials preferred.
• Five or more years of progressively responsible leadership experience, preferably including executive or senior management experience.
• Experience with federal, state, or foundation grants and contracts.
• Experience with Community Action Agencies, human services, poverty reduction, or other community-based organizations is highly desirable.

Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered.

Why Delaware Opportunities?

Delaware Opportunities offers the opportunity to lead an organization with a deep history and strong reputation for serving the community.

Our work touches thousands of lives each year, and our programs respond to some of the most important challenges facing rural communities - including poverty, housing instability, food insecurity, transportation barriers, access to healthcare, family stability, and the needs of children and older adults.

The next Executive Director will inherit a dedicated team, committed Board, established community partnerships, and a strong foundation upon which to build.

This is an opportunity for a leader who wants to make a real and measurable difference in the lives of people and in the future of a rural community.

Delaware Opportunities offers a competitive executive compensation and benefits package commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Benefits may include:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off
• Paid holidays
• Life insurance
• Employee assistance resources

Location:

This position requires a visible presence within the organization and community, with regular interaction with staff, Board members, community partners, funders, and stakeholders throughout the service area.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Delaware Opportunities Inc. is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.