Position: Executive Director
Elizabethtown Social Center, Inc.
Elizabethtown, NY
Salary Range: $65,000 - $80,000
In-Person
www.elizabethtownsocialcenter.org
Deadline: November 30th, 2026
To Apply: Please send a cover letter and resume to edsocialcenter@gmail.com
About the Elizabethtown Social Center
Founded in 1939, the Elizabethtown Social Center (ESC) is a vibrant community center serving Elizabethtown and the surrounding region. ESC provides cultural, recreational and educational programs for people of all ages.
At the heart of ESC's work is its free Teen Recreation afterschool program, which enrolls approximately 85% of local teens, with up to 70 attending on busy days. The program provides a safe and welcoming place for young people to gather, participate in arts and recreational activities and explore the region through field trips.
ESC has experienced significant, planned growth in recent years, with overall attendance nearly doubling since 2024. The organization is seeking an Executive Director who can build on this momentum while strengthening the systems, resources and relationships necessary for long-term sustainability.
About Elizabethtown and the Adirondack Region
Elizabethtown is a small, close-knit community in the heart of New York's Adirondack Park and serves as the county seat of Essex County. Surrounded by mountains, lakes and extensive public lands, the region offers exceptional opportunities for hiking, skiing, paddling, cycling and other outdoor recreation. Elizabethtown is part of a network of vibrant Adirondack communities with a strong tradition of arts, culture, civic engagement and community life. The area combines the character of a small town with access to urban destinations including Lake Placid, Burlington (VT) and Montreal.
Position Overview
The Executive Director serves as the chief executive of the Elizabethtown Social Center and reports to the Board of Directors. Working in partnership with the Board and staff, the Executive Director provides overall leadership for the organization and is responsible for advancing ESC's mission, strategic priorities and continued growth.
The Executive Director oversees fundraising, programs, financial management, personnel, facilities, community partnerships and day-to-day operations.
The Executive Director oversees an annual operating budget of approximately $490,000, directly supervises approximately four staff members and has overall responsibility for a team of 9-10 staff.
The successful candidate will be a collaborative and community-minded leader who enjoys working with people of all ages and can balance organizational leadership with the hands-on nature of leading a small, active nonprofit.
Leadership and Strategy
● Work with the Board and staff to establish and implement ESC's strategic priorities.
● Translate organizational goals into annual plans, budgets and measurable objectives.
● Identify emerging community needs, organizational opportunities and potential challenges and develop appropriate responses.
● Strengthen ESC's organizational capacity, infrastructure and financial sustainability as the organization continues to grow.
● Foster a collaborative, inclusive and supportive organizational culture for staff and community members.
Fundraising and Development
● Serve as a visible and active leader in cultivating relationships with donors, funders, sponsors and community partners.
● Develop and implement fundraising strategies in partnership with the Board, staff and fundraising committee.
● Strengthen and diversify contributed revenue through individual giving, grants, sponsorships and other fundraising strategies.
● Lead fundraising for both annual operations and capital projects.
Grants
● Identify funding needs related to programs, staffing, operations and capital projects.
● Research and pursue appropriate government, foundation and corporate grant opportunities.
● Work closely with ESC's freelance grant writer while preparing selected proposals directly.
● Oversee grant administration and reporting.
Programs and Community Engagement
● Work with program staff to assess community interests and needs and develop responsive cultural, arts, recreational and educational programming.
● Support the continued development of ESC's Teen Recreation program in partnership with the Teen Recreation Program Lead.
● Maintain an active and visible presence in the Teen Recreation program and assist with participant support and discipline when appropriate.
Community Relations
● Serve as a visible representative and spokesperson for ESC within the community.
● Build and maintain productive relationships with community members, donors, public agencies, nonprofit organizations, businesses and other partners.
● Identify opportunities for collaboration that expand ESC's reach and impact.
● Maintain relationships with nonprofit support and professional organizations and identify resources that strengthen ESC's operations and staff.
Financial Management
● Develop the annual operating budget in collaboration with staff and appropriate Board representatives and present it to the Board for approval.
● Monitor revenue, expenses, cash flow and budget performance throughout the year.
● Generate financial reports regularly in collaboration with ESC's bookkeeping firm and ensure the accuracy and integrity of financial information.
● Provide clear financial information and analysis to the Board to support sound decision-making.
● Ensure appropriate financial controls, policies and procedures are maintained.
● Review tax filings and other financial and regulatory documents prepared by outside professionals.
Staff Leadership and Human Resources
● Recruit, hire, supervise, support and evaluate ESC employees within the parameters of the Board-approved budget.
● Directly supervise approximately four staff members, including Teen-Recreation/Community Program Coordinator, Arts and Outreach Coordinator, Office Manager and Facilities Manager.
● Work with the Teen Recreation Program Lead on hiring and supervision needs for the Teen Recreation program.
● Establish clear responsibilities, expectations and accountability for staff.
● Conduct regular staff meetings, periodic individual meetings with direct reports, and annual performance reviews and support ongoing staff development.
● Recommend significant changes to organizational staffing structure to the Board as appropriate.
● Oversee employee benefits and required personnel administration with support from the Office Manager.
Facilities and Operations
● Oversee ESC's facilities and property in collaboration with facilities staff.
● Develop and maintain schedules for preventive maintenance, repairs and capital needs.
● Regularly assess the facility and operations for safety, maintenance and repair needs.
● Hire and oversee independent contractors as needed and ensure appropriate contracts, insurance documentation and tax forms are maintained.
Board Relations and Governance
● Serve as the staff liaison to the Board of Directors.
● Attend and participate in Board meetings, including preparation of agendas, financial reports and other materials necessary for effective governance and decision-making.
● Keep the Board informed about organizational performance, finances, significant opportunities, emerging risks requiring Board attention.
● Implement Board-approved policies and strategic priorities while maintaining responsibility for the day-to-day management of the organization.
Qualifications
Candidates should demonstrate the knowledge and abilities necessary to lead a growing community-based organization. ESC recognizes that strong nonprofit leaders bring varied combinations of education, professional experience and community involvement.
Required qualifications include:
● Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.
● At least two to three years of progressively responsible experience in nonprofit management, organizational leadership or a related field.
● Demonstrated experience supervising and developing staff.
● Experience with budgeting, financial management and organizational planning.
● Experience with fundraising, donor relations or revenue development.
● Strong written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
● Ability to establish productive relationships with staff, Board members, donors, community partners and the public.
● Ability to work effectively with both adults and young people.
● Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities.
Preferred qualifications include:
● Experience with grant writing and grant administration.
● Experience with arts, cultural, recreational or youth programming.
● Experience working with or serving on a nonprofit Board.
● Experience with strategic planning and community development.
● Knowledge of nonprofit human resources and regulatory requirements.
● Experience with project management, communications or marketing.
Employment Requirements
Employment is contingent upon successful completion of required background checks and other screenings appropriate for employees working with youth.
The Executive Director must be able to work on site at the Elizabethtown Social Center and attend programs, meetings and community events throughout the region.
Work Schedule
This is a full-time, exempt position. The Executive Director generally works approximately 40 hours per week, with regular evening and occasional weekend or holiday work required for events and meetings.
Compensation and Benefits
Salary range is $65,000 to $80,000, commensurate with education, experience and qualifications. Benefits include paid holidays, vacation, sick leave, and health insurance.
