Association Executive Director - Lockport, NY

Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) of Niagara County, located in Lockport, NY seeks a dynamic chief executive to provide strategic leadership and operational oversight to advance the organization’s mission in alignment with Cornell Cooperative Extension and the Land Grant system. This role ensures the integration of vision, strategy, and community needs into impactful programs and sustainable organizational practices. The Executive Director works in close partnership with the Board of Directors to support effective governance, policy development, and long-term strategic planning, while ensuring compliance with regulatory and system requirements. As the organization’s primary public representative and relationship builder, the Executive Director cultivates and maintains strong partnerships with a wide range of stakeholders—including staff, volunteers, board members, Cornell University partners, donors, grantors, elected officials, community leaders, and the public—to enhance visibility, trust, and support for the organization’s work. Key responsibilities include: • Leading strategic planning, change management, and organizational performance • Overseeing program development, evaluation, and alignment with community needs • Ensuring financial sustainability through budgeting, fundraising, grants, and county support • Managing organizational operations, including facilities, risk, compliance, and information systems • Directing human resources and volunteer engagement, fostering an inclusive and high-performing culture • Serving as a brand ambassador, effectively communicating impact and maintaining a strong public image The Executive Director also strengthens connections with Cornell faculty, Extension networks, and system partners to leverage resources, innovation, and collaborative opportunities. Overall, the role requires a balance of leadership, relationship management, financial stewardship, and operational excellence to sustain and grow organizational impact. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS • Master’s Degree in a relevant field such as public administration, nonprofit management, education, agriculture, human ecology, or a related discipline. • Minimum of six (6) years of related experience. Five (5) or more years of progressively responsible leadership experience in nonprofit, public sector, educational, community based organizations, or other comparable setting including experience with organizational planning, staff supervision, and partnership development. • Meet the travel requirements of the position, including travel within the county, region, and state as needed. • Ability to work flexible hours, which may include evenings and/or weekends, as appropriate. • Maintain an approved driver’s license that meets insurance eligibility standards. • Meet acceptable background check requirements. • Ability to clearly communicate (speak, read, and write proficiently) in English. • Ability to work on-site with significant presence at the Lockport NY office as well other locations for business purposes. • Proficiency with windows-based software including use of the internet and Microsoft Office Suite including Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. • Proven ability to navigate challenging and ambiguous situations in a constantly changing environment through strategic thinking, sound judgment, and change management. • Demonstrated experience in fiscal management, including developing and managing budgets, basic understanding of financial statements, and experience with finance policies, audits, and internal controls. • Knowledge and awareness of, and experience in, human resources practices, including recruitment, performance management, and experience with employment law and organizational policies compliance. • Demonstrated experience and success in managing people. • Demonstrated ability in building and maintaining partnerships with boards, government officials, community leaders, funders, and other stakeholders. • Experience in resource development, such as grants, contracts, fund development strategies, and/or public funding advocacy. • Ability to work in a typical office environment which may include lifting, moving, and/or transporting office supplies, work related materials, and equipment with or without accommodation. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS • Experience within Cornell Cooperative Extension, public (governmental), or nonprofit leadership. • Knowledge or understanding of one or more Cornell Cooperative Extension key priority areas including: agriculture and food systems; community and economic vitality; environment & natural resources sustainable energy and climate change; nutrition, food safety and security and obesity prevention; 4-H youth development and strengthening families. • Demonstrated knowledge of fund development, grants, and revenue enhancement. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS Vision, Mission, and Strategies • CCE Mission: Deep understanding and application of Land Grant and CCE mission/history. • CCE Resources: Familiarity with and effective utilization of system initiatives and resources. • Local Context: Effective management of community needs, resources, and stakeholder perceptions. • Strategic Planning: Leads collaborative strategic planning and implementation with board and staff to meet ongoing challenges. • Change Leadership & Goal Attainment: Leads change; achieves strategic goals. Governance & Board Relations Board Governance & Partnership Cultivates a positive, collaborative relationship with the Board and actively supports the Board’s effective governance and leadership responsibilities. Policy Development & Compliance: • Identify policy and operational needs. • Works in concert with Board for review and approval, ensuring compliance with applicable laws and system regulations. Marketing and Public Image: Act as primary brand ambassador and public face of the organization, responsible for driving public perception to align with the mission. • Public Relations: Represent the organization at various functions, meetings, and events. • Communicating Value: Lead Association efforts to articulate program impact and organizational effectiveness with a variety of stakeholders. • Relationship Management: Cultivate key partnerships and relationships with grantors, donors, elected officials, community members, and the media to enhance the organization’s reputation. • Marketing/Social Media: Oversees digital communication platforms, to include, but not limited to, website, social media sites, or blogs; monitors content and use for appropriateness and alignment with mission and goals. • Brand compliance with University/CCE standards: Adhere to brand standards as outlined by Cornell University and Cornell Cooperative Extension. Fund Development Responsible for setting fundraising strategy, cultivating supporters, and ensuring financial sustainability. • County Support: Responsible for managing county appropriation and resources processes • Fund Development: Aligns fund development efforts with strategic goals and board priorities. • Grants and Contracts: Secures revenue sources aligned with board priorities. • Donor/Grantor Relationships: Manage relationships with donors, grantors, and contributors. Fiscal Management • Budgeting: Develop and utilize budgets to support priorities. • Accounting & Financial Oversight: Ensure compliance with financial policies, practices and internal controls. Communicate financial reports and information to appropriate stakeholders. • Monitoring & Grant Management: Manage financial requirements of all funders. • Compliance: Ensure compliance with audits and internal reviews. Program Direction & Oversight • Ensure all program areas are aligned with the mission, values, and goals of the Association and the Cornell Cooperative Extension system (CCE) utilizing resources from Cornell University and the land grant system. • Translates organizational priorities into clear program objectives, outcomes, and activities that address identified community needs utilizing the Extension logic model and annual plans of work. • Implement systems for program evaluation and stakeholder feedback to drive continuous program improvement and innovation. • Utilize subject-matter experts to support program development and delivery. • Ensure required reporting of accurate program outcomes and program participation in the Federal Reporting System. Management Oversight and Utilization of Facilities including Asset Management • Facilities Management: Provides oversight and appropriate utilization of rented and/or owned facilities that supports the Associations mission and program work plans. • Asset Management: Ensure proper stewardship of physical assets including managing necessary upkeep, repairs and replacement as needed. Maintain physical assets that promote a safe programming and workplace environment. • Risk Management & Emergency Preparedness: Implements comprehensive risk policies; ensures insurance and legal compliance. Takes primary responsibility for Association Emergency Response plan. • Records Management: Ensures adequate records and systems are maintained that support daily functions of the Association and comply with state, federal other applicable laws and contractual requirements. Information Systems • Ensures compliance with Cornell Cooperative Extension, Cornell University, and applicable legal, regulatory, and funder requirements for information technology, cybersecurity, data stewardship, records management, and protection of university and association information assets, including participation in required governance, policies, procedures, compliance, continuity, training, and risk management activities. • Collaborates with Cornell Cooperative Extension Administration, CALS and Cornell IT partners, SBN IT staff, and local association staff to lead and support secure, sustainable, and modern technology systems and improvement initiatives that enhance service delivery, organizational effectiveness, and stewardship of association and university resources. Human Resources Oversees, directly or indirectly, all human resources operations of the Association. • Workforce Planning and Recruitment: Strategically attracts quality staff; proactively ensures the association has the workforce to meet business objectives. Ensures compliance with classification standards. • Staff Performance & Supervision: Leads staff development and supervision; ensures annual performance evaluation process is conducted. • Continuous Learning: Develop and uphold a culture of continuous learning. Develop professional development initiatives to ensure staff have the knowledge, skills and resources to effectively carry out their jobs. • Policy: Implement and manage human resource policies established by the Board of Directors, by Cornell Cooperative Extension, or by state or federal law. • Ensure non-exempt staff timecards are reviewed and approved in a timely fashion. • Ensure staff leave time records are accurate and reconciled in a timely fashion. • Supervise direct reports; provide direct feedback on performance through formal and informal channels. Volunteer Engagement Cultivates a culture of connection and collaboration between the organization and its volunteers, fostering mutual respect, belonging, and shared purpose. Provides strategic oversight of the association’s volunteer management system and operations. • Volunteer Involvement Policies & Procedures (VIPP): Ensures compliance with policies and practices that reflect organizational values, meet CCE Administration and risk management guidelines (VIPP), and strengthen volunteer engagement. • Volunteer Relationships & Community Building: Champions a culture that attracts and retains volunteers through authentic relationship-building. Supports staff who lead recruitment, onboarding, and performance feedback, and when necessary, transition processes for volunteers whose conduct or contributions are not aligned with organizational values — ensuring all actions are handled with fairness, transparency, and respect. • Volunteer Experience & Support: Guides and supports staff in ensuring volunteers have the resources, guidance, and encouragement they need to make meaningful contributions. Cornell Connections • Campus Engagement: Builds collaborative relationships with Cornell faculty and staff; connects community needs with Cornell resources; and actively participates in extension system gatherings, including Executive Leadership Conferences, professional development opportunities, and regional extension system meetings. General Responsibilities • Perform day-to-day management including compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and ensure risk management protocols are met. • Regional Operations – Actively pursue opportunities to expand program capacity, improve administrative efficiency, and reduce operation expenses with other CCE Associations. • Actively participate as an active member in the Western NY Shared Business Network Administrative Management (AMG) meetings and other duties as specified in MOU with CCE Administration and the approved Plan of Work. • Actively participate in CCE Executive Leadership Conferences (ELC) and in regional meetings as scheduled; provide liaison and linkages between the Association and the CCE system. • Implement and administer policies established by Board of Directors. • Participate in all required orientation, training, and/or in-service meetings and events as scheduled/required. • Work flexible hours, which includes evenings and/or weekends to meet organizational and community needs. • Maintain a strong visible presence in the association and the county to build connections with staff, constituencies, local organizations and community leaders, as outlined by the board of directors. • Prepare and submit accurate expense reports, mileage reports, receipts/supporting documentation, and/or vouchers in a timely manner per established policy and procedures. • Ensure strict confidentiality of all information and data collected, accessed, and/or maintained. • Transport self and/or program materials/resources necessary for performing position responsibilities. Professional Improvement • In cooperation with Board President, jointly develop and pursue a professional development plan to increase competencies relative to position accountabilities and to address changes and Association priorities. • Collaborate in activities that are in general support of Cornell Cooperative Extension and perform other duties as assigned. Health and Safety • Lead the Association’s efforts to maintain a safe working environment. • Be familiar with and strive to follow any applicable federal, state, local regulations, Association health and safety policy/procedure/requirement and standard. • Act proactively to prevent accidents/injuries and communicate hazards when identified. Policy and Other Duties as Assigned • Ensure all programming and activities are conducted in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations. • Embrace and support overall CCE efforts to ensure that the staff, volunteers and CCE program participants are representative of the population of New York State. • Represent Cornell Cooperative Extension to the public, community leaders, colleagues, volunteers, members of Cornell University faculty and staff, government officials and the general public in a professional manner. • Aware of, and adheres to, established Cornell Cooperative Extension Association policies, procedures, processes and Skills for Success. • Contribute to the overall success of the organization by performing all assigned duties in a professional, timely, and accurate manner.