Executive Director at LINC (Literacy in Community)

LINC (Literacy in Community); New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

LINC (Literacy in Community) in New York City seeks an Executive Director to lead the organization through growth, innovation, and citywide impact. Reporting to the Board, you will set strategic direction, ensure financial sustainability, and guide a multidisciplinary team focused on early literacy and kindergarten readiness.

The ideal candidate has 15+ years in senior nonprofit leadership with a budget of at least $5M, proven fundraising success, and a deep commitment to equity.

Qualifications

• 15 years professional experience including at least 7+ years serving in a senior leadership role (e.g. CEO/ED level) at a non-profit or mission-driven organization of a similar scale (a budget of at least $5M).
• Successful fundraising or revenue generation experience, ideally with a demonstrated track record of growth leading fundraising in a nonprofit setting with gift sizes of at least six figures.
• Authentic commitment to LINC's mission to equip children with foundational literacy skills essential for academic achievement by empowering families and mobilizing their community.
• Ability to balance empathy and deep commitment to LINC's mission with strategic acumen and effective organizational management and decision-making.
• Strong public speaking and written communication skills, with the ability to serve as a compelling and credible external representative for the organization and the mission more generally
• Demonstrated success building relationships with and engaging multiple constituencies including board members, donors, community and government leaders, corporate, academic and other professional partners
• Outstanding organizational leadership skills, with an ability to articulate a clear and inspiring vision while supporting an engaged Board of Directors and managing, coaching, and developing a high-performing team
• Strong people management experience with a demonstrated track record of implementing team-focused systems and processes that drive impact and increase the team's connection to the organization and mission
• Experience overseeing the financial management and financial strategy of an organization; familiarity with nonprofit financials reporting and compliance
• Robust understanding of and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion; experience successfully leading with and successfully integrating these principles into practice

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership and Vision Setting: support continued implementation of current strategy and develop new strategic plan when needed.
• External Leadership: represent LINC at literacy conferences, promote the organization with educational press, and serve as thought leader.
• Fundraising: represent LINC to funders and cultivate new funding opportunities with the development team.
• Organizational Leadership and Management: oversee the $6M budget, coach senior leadership, and report to the Board of Directors.

Skills

Senior leadership experience

Non-profit governance

Fundraising / revenue growth

Strategic planning

Public speaking

Diversity & inclusion

Job description

LINC (Literacy in Community) is a high-impact, community-powered nonprofit leading the effort to ensure every child in New York City enters kindergarten ready to read and thrive.

About the Organization

Through our Two-Generation and Community Literacy Model, we equip parents, caregivers, educators, and community partners with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to support children's early literacy development from birth through age five.

Combining evidence-based practices with culturally responsive and joyful learning experiences, LINC strengthens families, builds community partnerships, and expands access to early literacy opportunities across New York City's five boroughs. LINC envisions a world where every community uses their collective power to make literacy a value and right of all children.

LINC is entering an exciting period of growth, innovation, and increased influence. Building on decades of community relationships and a proven approach to family literacy, the organization is expanding its reach through professional learning, partnerships with early childhood and healthcare systems, parent leadership, technology, and stronger approaches to measuring children's early literacy development.

Our strategic direction is guided by a commitment to deepen our impact in communities where relationships and sustained engagement matter most, while expanding our reach through institutions and systems serving young children and families across New York City.

As a convener, advocate, and partner in citywide literacy initiatives, LINC is also helping shape a more connected and equitable early childhood ecosystem.

The next Executive Director will have the opportunity to lead this exciting next chapter by reinforcing the organization's financial sustainability (the current budget is $6M), organizational capacity, partnerships, and influence, while ensuring that our growth remains grounded in families, communities, and measurable impact.

About the Role

What You'll Do

LINC seeks a visionary, strategic, and collaborative Executive Director to lead the organization through its next chapter of growth, innovation, and citywide impact. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director serves as LINC's chief executive officer, providing overall leadership for the organization's strategic direction, financial sustainability, organizational effectiveness, and external influence. Building on a strong foundation of community partnerships, evidence-based programming, and a talented multidisciplinary team, the Executive Director will guide LINC's continued evolution as a leading force for early literacy and kindergarten readiness across New York City.

The Executive Director will work closely with the Board and senior leadership team to advance LINC's strategic plan, strengthen and diversify revenue, cultivate a high-performing and inclusive organizational culture, and ensure that growth translates into meaningful, measurable outcomes for children and families. As LINC's principal ambassador, public advocate, and fundraiser, the Executive Director will deepen relationships with philanthropic, government, and community organizations, education and healthcare systems, and other partners while helping elevate early literacy as a shared public priority. The ideal candidate is an inspiring and grounded leader who combines strategic vision with sound judgment, financial discipline, exceptional relationship-building skills, and a deep belief in the power of families and communities. This leader will know how to empower a strong executive team, build organizational coherence, and turn ambitious goals into sustainable results.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Vision Setting

• In partnership with the Board of Directors and staff, support continued implementation of LINC's current strategic plan and develop a new strategic plan when needed.
• Foster and maintain a culture of empathy and excellence within the organization while identifying emerging needs and opportunities.
• Continue to evolve LINC's program model, building on the existing strategy and model, and positioning LINC for its next phase of scale and impact.
• Drive organization-wide results with inspirational leadership, effective and supportive management, and well-defined objectives with accountability mechanisms and key performance indicators to track progress.

External Leadership

• Represent LINC effectively at literacy conferences and events and in front of literacy and educational organizations and government groups.
• Promote LINC in general and with the educational press and serve as a thought leader and public intellectual about the mission.
• Establish relationships with academic, healthcare, child, and family services providers to promote greater dialogue and create partnerships.

Fundraising

• Represent LINC effectively, serving as a visible leader with funders, pro bono and community partners, and other key stakeholders and speaking convincingly about the organization's work and impact.
• Drive fundraising efforts, with a focus on increasing revenue by actively identifying and cultivating new funding opportunities in partnership with the development team.
• Maintain relationships with existing major donors, institutional funders, and government partners.

Organizational Leadership and Management

• Inspire staff, volunteers, and the broader community engaged in LINC's work, ensuring alignment with the organization's mission and core values.
• Ensure effective and responsible financial and operational management of the organization's $6M budget, working in partnership with key staff to oversee the fiscal operations of the organization.
• Serve as the primary liaison to the Board of Directors, providing timely updates to the Board on operations, finances, risk issues, and more.
• Lead, coach, manage, and support LINC's senior leadership team and other direct reports, ensuring best-in-class delivery of key programs and services.

Who You'll Work With

You will report to the Board of Directors.

You will directly supervise the following leaders:

• Deputy Executive Director for Programs and Impact: Leads program strategy, implementation, integration, impact, and strategic initiatives.
• Chief Finance & Administration Officer: Leads organizational finances, administration, and operations.
• Director of Development: Leads fundraising, revenue development, and communications.

The total team size is 50+ staff.

Required Skills and Experience

• 15 years professional experience including at least 7+ years serving in a senior leadership role (e.g. CEO/ED level) at a non-profit or mission-driven organization of a similar scale (a budget of at least $5M)
• Successful fundraising or revenue generation experience, ideally with a demonstrated track record of growth leading fundraising in a nonprofit setting with gift sizes of at least six figures
• Authentic commitment to LINC's mission to equip children with foundational literacy skills essential for academic achievement by empowering families and mobilizing their community
• Ability to balance empathy and deep commitment to LINC's mission with strategic acumen and effective organizational management and decision-making
• Strong public speaking and written communication skills, with the ability to serve as a compelling and credible external representative for the organization and the mission more generally
• Demonstrated success building relationships with and engaging multiple constituencies including board members, donors, community and government leaders, corporate, academic and other professional partners
• Outstanding organizational leadership skills, with an ability to articulate a clear and inspiring vision while supporting an engaged Board of Directors and managing, coaching, and developing a high-performing team
• Strong people management experience with a demonstrated track record of implementing team-focused systems and processes that drive impact and increase the team's connection to the organization and mission
• Experience overseeing the financial management and financial strategy of an organization; familiarity with nonprofit financials reporting and compliance
• Robust understanding of and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion; experience successfully leading with and successfully integrating these principles into practice

Additional Details

This position is based in New York City and requires an active, visible leadership presence. While occasional remote flexibility is supported, the Executive Director must be regularly present on site at the Inwood office and at funder cultivations, donor meetings, community member and organizer meetings, program site visits, and community stakeholder events throughout New York City.

Commitment to Diversity and Equal Employment Opportunities

Literacy in Community provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type on the basis of 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 applicable laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

LINC values diversity and actively seeks to build an inclusive applicant pool and pursue a thoughtful hiring process, including a diverse hiring committee, carefully designed interview questions, and mindfulness about unconscious biases.