Chief Executive Officer

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Pittsburgh Three Rivers Marathon, Inc. (P3R)

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

About the Organization

Our client, Pittsburgh Three Rivers Marathon, Inc. (P3R), is seeking an inspiring and visionary Chief Executive Officer to lead one of the region's most recognized nonprofit organizations. P3R's mission is to inspire any and all to MOVE by creating meaningful experiences that promote health, wellness, community engagement, tourism, and economic impact throughout the Pittsburgh region.

The CEO will serve as the organization's chief executive, strategic leader, and public ambassador, working closely with the Board of Directors, corporate partners, community leaders, sponsors, donors, and staff to advance P3R's mission and long-term success. This individual will be responsible for guiding organizational strategy, fostering financial sustainability, strengthening community relationships, and enhancing P3R's role as a premier civic organization that contributes significantly to the vitality and economic development of the region.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer will provide visionary leadership and strategic direction for the organization while ensuring operational excellence, financial sustainability, and continued community impact. The CEO will cultivate meaningful partnerships, elevate organizational visibility, inspire high-performing teams, and oversee the successful execution of world-class events and programs that engage participants and strengthen the Pittsburgh community.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Vision

• Provide visionary leadership that advances P3R's mission, strategic priorities, and long-term organizational goals.
• Partner closely with the Board of Directors to establish strategic direction, performance objectives, and organizational priorities.
• Develop and execute strategic initiatives that strengthen the organization's impact, visibility, and long-term sustainability.
• Position P3R as a leading force for community engagement, health and wellness, tourism, and economic impact throughout the Pittsburgh region.
• Identify emerging opportunities, trends, and innovations within sports, wellness, tourism, and community engagement that enhance organizational relevance and effectiveness.
• Collaborate with civic, tourism, and business leaders to maximize the organization's contribution to regional growth and visibility.
• Champion innovation, creativity, and continuous improvement across all areas of the organization.

Community & Stakeholder Engagement

• Serve as the primary spokesperson and public face of the organization.
• Cultivate and strengthen relationships with corporate executives, community leaders, elected officials, foundation representatives, sponsors, donors, and strategic partners.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with business, tourism, government, and community leaders to advance the organization's mission and regional influence.
• Represent P3R through media appearances, public speaking engagements, community events, and stakeholder meetings.
• Serve as an advocate for the positive economic and community impact generated through P3R's events and initiatives.
• Build partnerships that expand organizational reach, resources, and community impact.

Organizational Leadership

• Lead, inspire, and develop a high-performing, collaborative, and mission-driven team.
• Foster a culture of accountability, engagement, professional growth, and operational excellence.
• Recruit, mentor, and retain talented team members while supporting leadership development throughout the organization.
• Ensure effective organizational structure, resource allocation, succession planning, and performance management.
• Promote collaboration, transparency, and shared ownership of organizational goals.

Financial Stewardship & Sustainability

• Ensure the financial health and long-term sustainability of the organization.
• Expand and strengthen sponsorships, philanthropic support, grants, strategic partnerships, and other mission-aligned funding opportunities.
• Oversee budgeting, financial planning, forecasting, and resource management.
• Partner with the Board and leadership team to establish financial goals and monitor organizational performance.
• Ensure sound fiscal management practices and responsible stewardship of organizational resources.

Program & Event Excellence

• Provide strategic oversight of P3R's events, programs, and participant experiences.
• Ensure the successful planning and execution of large-scale events that reflect the organization's mission, brand, and commitment to excellence.
• Drive initiatives that increase participation, community engagement, and organizational visibility.
• Ensure events and programs deliver exceptional experiences while contributing to regional tourism, community engagement, and economic activity.
• Partner with public and private stakeholders to maximize the visibility and impact of P3R events throughout the region.
• Promote operational excellence while maintaining exceptional participant, volunteer, sponsor, and stakeholder experiences.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• Progressive leadership experience with significant responsibility for organizational strategy, operations, stakeholder engagement, and team leadership.
• Demonstrated success leading teams and managing complex organizations, initiatives, or programs.
• Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, financial oversight, and resource management.
• Experience working effectively with boards, executive leadership teams, community partners, and external stakeholders.
• Outstanding communication, presentation, relationship-building, and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to build consensus and influence diverse stakeholder groups around a shared vision.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ten (10)+ years of progressive executive leadership experience, including service in a CEO, Executive Director, President, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Development Officer, or comparable senior leadership role.
• Experience in leading for-profit and nonprofit, sports, event management, tourism, health and wellness, community development, or other mission-driven organizations.
• Proven success securing sponsorships, philanthropic support, grants, strategic partnerships, and other funding sources.
• Experience leading an organization with a budget exceeding $5 million and managing multiple revenue streams preferred.
• Experience serving as the public face of an organization and engaging effectively with media, government officials, corporate leaders, and community stakeholders.
• Familiarity with large-scale event operations, participant engagement, and community-centered programming.
• Demonstrated experience leveraging major events and nonprofit initiatives to advance economic development, tourism, and regional brand enhancement.

Leadership Characteristics

The successful candidate will be:

• An exceptional relationship-builder with the ability to engage CEOs, civic leaders, elected officials, nonprofit leaders, donors, sponsors, and community stakeholders.
• A visionary and strategic thinker who consistently identifies new opportunities for growth, impact, and innovation.
• An outstanding communicator, storyteller, and public speaker capable of inspiring diverse audiences.
• A collaborative leader who brings together staff, board members, volunteers, sponsors, and partners around a shared vision.
• An entrepreneurial executive who balances creativity, strategy, and disciplined execution.
• A skilled marketer and brand ambassador with the ability to elevate organizational visibility, reputation, and influence.
• A proven leader who motivates teams and successfully navigates periods of growth, change, and opportunity.
• Financially astute with a strong understanding of organizational sustainability and responsible stewardship.
• A community builder who understands how mission-driven organizations can positively influence economic development, tourism, quality of life, and regional visibility.
• Possesses the executive presence and credibility to represent the organization among business leaders, government officials, sponsors, foundations, media representatives, and community stakeholders.
• Passionate about health, wellness, sports, community engagement, and creating meaningful experiences that inspire people to MOVE.

Why Join P3R?

This is a unique opportunity to lead one of Pittsburgh's most visible and impactful nonprofit organizations. The CEO will have the ability to shape the future of an organization that promotes healthy lifestyles, creates memorable experiences, drives significant economic impact, and strengthens the vibrancy of the Pittsburgh region. The successful candidate will inherit a strong foundation and have the opportunity to expand P3R's reach, influence, and impact for years to come.

Pittsburgh Three Rivers Marathon, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating and inclusive environment for all employees. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, or genetic information.