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