The Executive Director serves as the strategic, operational, and community leader of North Light Community Center, advancing the organization’s mission, strengthening its long-term sustainability, and ensuring high-quality programs and services for children, teens, families, and neighbors in Manayunk and the surrounding Philadelphia communities. Reporting directly to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director oversees organizational strategy, programs, fundraising, finance, operations, facilities, staff leadership, compliance, and external partnerships. The Executive Director also serves as North Light’s primary spokesperson and advocate, building relationships with community members, funders, public agencies, schools, businesses, civic partners, and other stakeholders to deepen the organization’s impact.

Organizational Overview

Founded in 1936 as a drop-in center to divert community youth from delinquency and petty crime, North Light Community Center has continually evolved in response to changing community needs. NLCC seeks to empower people of all ages and abilities in our communities, especially those most in need, to reach their fullest potential as productive and responsible citizens through initiatives that support and enrich children, teens, and families.
Today, NLCC is a place where children learn and play in a safe and nurturing environment, teens learn life and career skills to realize their full potential, and families receive critical assistance. Programs include a state-licensed childcare facility with year-round school-age programs, emergency and family supports, college and career readiness for teens, workforce development training for young adults, arts and recreation, and access to technology. NL’s mission is to empower people of all ages and abilities in our communities, especially those most in need, to reach their full potential as productive and responsible citizens through initiatives that support and enrich children, teens, and families.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Organizational Sustainability

• Partner with the Board of Directors and senior staff to establish and advance North Light’s strategic priorities, long-term vision, and organizational goals
• Lead implementation of strategic and annual operating plans, ensuring that programs, staffing, facilities, finances, and partnerships are aligned with mission and community need
• Use data, evaluation, and community input to guide decision-making, assess impact, and support continuous improvement
• Ensure North Light’s long-term sustainability through sound planning, responsible resource management, strong partnerships, and diversified revenue

Program Leadership & Impact

• Ensure that programs and activities are mission-aligned, effectively managed, and responsive to goals established in partnership with the Board of Directors
• Align agency programs and services with evolving community needs, participant feedback, funding requirements, and best practices in youth, family, and community services
• Oversee ongoing program evaluation, quality improvement, outcomes tracking, and reporting to strengthen impact and accountability
• Willingness to maintain personal requirements for leadership in a licensed DHS childcare facility (i.e. training, clearances, health forms, etc.)

Staff Leadership, Culture & Human Resources

• Recruit, select and retain qualified staff
• Supervise and coordinate department heads
• Provide executive leadership, coaching, supervision, accountability, and support to staff and department leaders
• Provide appropriate and relevant staff training and development opportunities
• Develop and maintain personnel policies, procedures, and practices in partnership with staff and the Board to support an equitable, inclusive, accountable, and mission-driven workplace culture

Development, Fundraising & External Relations

• Serve as a lead fundraiser for North Light, working closely with development staff and the Development Committee to create and implement a comprehensive development plan that supports short- and long-term organizational goals
• Cultivate, solicit, and steward individual donors, foundations, corporations, government partners, and other public and private funding sources, including through grant proposals and relationship-based fundraising
• Build and maintain strong relationships with community, business, government, school, civic, philanthropic, and media partners to enhance North Light’s visibility, reputation, partnerships, and funding base
• Work with staff and consultants to ensure strong communications across all program areas; maintain brand consistency and clear and effective communication to strengthen the
  organization’s overall effectiveness.
• Oversee ongoing fundraising campaigns, donor engagement activities, special events, and new revenue initiatives that strengthen North Light’s financial sustainability

Financial Management, Compliance & Risk Oversight

• Develop the annual operating budget for Board approval and maintain program and grant budgets for funding agencies
• Monitor financial performance, budget variance, cash flow, forecasting, and resource allocation to ensure fiscal discipline, operational stability, and informed decision-making
• Administer and manage all contracts with government and other funding agencies to ensure all guidelines are met and accurate and timely reporting is provided
• Work with the Treasurer, Finance Committee, auditors, and external financial professionals to maintain strong internal controls, accurate reporting, and compliance with applicable nonprofit, contractual, licensing, and regulatory requirements
• Provide executive oversight of investment funds, reserves, insurance coverage, and organizational risk management
• Oversee the retirement plan for staff ensuring compliance of regular reporting requirements

Operations, Facilities & Technology

• Manage employee benefits including annual renewals
• Support the work of volunteers who contribute extensively to the operations and improvement of North Light
• Oversee the organization’s physical plant, safety practices, assets, maintenance needs, and compliance with government regulations and licensing standards
• Work with IT provider to ensure the technology infrastructure and systems are maintained and kept in working order for both administrative and programmatic needs

Board Partnership & Governance

• Partner with the Board of Directors to advance North Light’s mission, strategy, governance,
• fiduciary oversight, and organizational sustainability
• Attend all Board meetings and provide timely, accurate, and transparent reports on programs, finances, operations, fundraising, risks, opportunities, and organizational performance
• Serve as the primary staff liaison to Board committees, including Finance, Board Development, Personnel, Property, Education & Program, Development, Marketing & Communications, and event committees as appropriate
• Support Board development, including recruitment, onboarding, training, engagement, and
  effective use of Board members’ expertise and networks
• Assist in maintaining organizational bylaws and Board policies and procedures in partnership with the Board Development Committee

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required; advanced degree preferred
• Minimum of 5-7 years of progressive nonprofit leadership experience, including staff supervision, program oversight, budget responsibility, and external relationship management; experience in human/social services, childcare, education, youth development, or community-based services preferred
• Demonstrated success in fundraising, donor cultivation, grant development, government or institutional funding, and revenue diversification
• Strong financial acumen, including experience with budgeting, financial reporting, cash-flow management, internal controls, contracts, and compliance
• Experience with strategic planning, organizational change, program evaluation, and effective allocation of budget, staff, facility, and technology resources
• Understanding of and commitment to North Light’s mission and role in the community
• Excellent verbal, written, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills
• Thorough, organized and detail-oriented approach to work. Ability to manage and coordinate multiple projects and pay close attention to deadlines
• Ability to make decisions and solve problems independently, as effectively and creatively as appropriate
• Excellent interpersonal, relationship-building, and partnership-development skills to work effectively with diverse individuals, families, staff, Board members, volunteers, funders, public officials, and community partners
• Ability to be flexible & creative in responding to new challenges
• Willingness to work with a team to accomplish overarching organizational goals
• Strong computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and electronic management systems (i.e. Neon for fundraising, Brightwheel for childcare management, etc.)
• Ability to lift 25 pounds and stand or walk for extended periods of time

Location & Community Engagement

North Light values leaders who are actively engaged in the communities it serves. Candidates who reside within approximately 30 minutes of the Community Center, or who are willing to relocate to the area, are strongly preferred to support visibility, responsiveness, and relationship-building with participants, families, partners, and stakeholders.

Salary & Benefits

North Light Community Center offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package, including paid time off, holidays, retirement benefits, professional development opportunities, and health insurance.

• Starting salary of $85,000 and commensurate with experience.
• Medical and Dental Insurance is available to employees on a 40% co-pay basis (North Light covers 60% of premium.)
• North Light Community Center pays 100% of the cost of Long-Term Disability & Group Life Insurance Policies and makes a quarterly employer contribution to a Defined Contribution Retirement Plan (403(b).
• Professional development opportunities, including training, conferences, and relevant membership opportunities.

How to Apply

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and salary requirements to the Executive Director Search Committee.
In your cover letter, please describe your interest in North Light Community Center, how your experience aligns with the position, and why you are interested in serving the Manayunk and greater Philadelphia community.
North Light Community Center appreciates the interest of all applicants; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Equal Opportunity Employer

North Light Community Center is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, religious creed, color, sex, age, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, disability, or any other legally protected status.