Chief Executive Officer

Chief Executive Officer

Rochester, NY

JK Executive Strategies is proud to partner with The Center for Youth in search of a Chief Executive Officer to join its executive leadership team.

For more than 50 years, The Center for Youth has empowered vulnerable youth and young adults to become successful, productive members of the community through a comprehensive continuum of prevention, intervention, education, counseling, workforce development, housing, and crisis services. The organization serves thousands of young people and families each year through innovative, community-based programs that create pathways to stability, opportunity, and long-term success.

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer will provide strategic vision, executive leadership, and operational oversight across all facets of the organization. The CEO will champion the organization's mission while leading operations, finance, human resources, fundraising, compliance, community engagement, and organizational development.

As chief executive and public representative, the CEO will work closely with the Board, leadership team, employees, funders, government partners, and community stakeholders to advance the mission, strengthen impact, ensure financial sustainability, and guide The Center for Youth’s continued growth.

Responsibilities

• Provide visionary leadership and execute The Center for Youth's strategic plan in alignment with its mission, vision, and values.
• Partner with the Board of Directors to establish organizational priorities, support effective governance, and provide regular updates on organizational performance, emerging opportunities, and organizational risks.
• Oversee all organizational operations, including youth and family programs, finance, human resources, information technology, fundraising, facilities, communications, and administration.
• Scale leadership capacity and foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure the organization operates in compliance with all applicable federal, state, local, contractual, accreditation, and regulatory requirements.
• Provide strategic financial leadership, including oversight of budgeting, forecasting, fiscal management, public and private funding, and long-term financial sustainability.
• Champion fundraising and resource development efforts, including major gifts, planned giving, endowment, foundation and government grants, corporate partnerships, special events, and donor engagement.
• Evaluate, strengthen, and scale programs, services, and organizational capacity to meet the evolving needs of youth, young adults, and families throughout the Greater Rochester community.
• Serve as the organization's primary spokesperson and ambassador, cultivating strong relationships with funders, government agencies, elected officials, school districts, community organizations, business leaders, and other key stakeholders.
• Advance collaborative partnerships and community initiatives that strengthen outcomes for youth and families while increasing The Center for Youth's visibility and impact.
• Ensure effective policies, procedures, and internal controls that support operational excellence, fiscal accountability, quality outcomes, and organizational integrity.
• Represent The Center for Youth on community boards, coalitions, committees, and regional initiatives, serving as a visible advocate for youth and the organization's mission.
• Provide executive oversight for affiliated entities, organizational assets, and strategic initiatives, as applicable.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required. (Do we want to mention in what fields to add clarity?)
• Master's degree preferred; equivalent education and executive leadership experience will be considered.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive executive leadership experience, preferably within a nonprofit, human services, behavioral health, healthcare, education, government, or related mission-driven organization.
• Demonstrated success leading a complex organization with responsibility for strategic planning, operations, finance, and organizational performance.
• Proven experience partnering with a Board of Directors and supporting effective governance.
• Strong financial acumen with experience overseeing complex budgets, public and private funding sources, forecasting, and long-term financial sustainability.
• Demonstrated success in fundraising, grant development, donor stewardship, and diversified revenue generation.
• Experience building strategic partnerships and serving as the public face of an organization.
• Knowledge of nonprofit governance, human services, public funding, regulatory compliance, and community-based service delivery.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, relationship-building, and public speaking skills.
• Proven ability to build, inspire, and retain high-performing leadership teams.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and fostering a collaborative, mission-driven culture.

Salary Range

• $165-175k

JK Executive Strategies is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of JK Executive Strategies to provide equal opportunity in employment and conditions of employment to all individuals regardless of age, race, color, religious beliefs, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, veteran or military status, disability, pregnancy-related condition, predisposing genetic characteristics, genetic information, marital status, familial status, prior arrest, domestic violence victim status, non-job related convictions, participation in lawful activities outside of our workplace, or any other status protected by law.