About Princeton-Blairstown Center
The Princeton-Blairstown Center (PBC) is an outdoor education center that serves young people, primarily from historically marginalized communities, by nurturing their social-emotional skills through experiential, environmental, and adventure-based programming. Developing these skills enables our participants to engage in self-discovery and transform their communities to create a more just world.
What We Value At the Princeton-Blairstown Center, we believe that powerful experiences in the lives of young people, in an outdoor setting or otherwise away from the patterns and distractions of their everyday physical, emotional, and social environments, can be fundamentally transformative.
We SERVE students by offering a safe haven in which our highly trained facilitators provide myriad social, emotional, and physical growth opportunities.
We maintain that effective social-emotional education is best carried out through deep relationships, respectful COLLABORATION, and a shared vision and purpose that draw upon the experience, expertise, and wisdom of all involved.
We hold that connecting deeply with others and the natural environment promotes a deeper sense of responsibility for oneself, one’s community, and the world we inhabit. We share our deep commitment to SUSTAINABILITY through hands-on curriculum and operational choices that promote a healthy global future through equitable access to high-quality outdoor experiences.
We are committed to SOCIAL JUSTICE. We provide the tools for our participants and facilitators to create a world where all people share a common humanity. We support universal human rights and a fair allocation of community resources.
Learn more about PBC at https://princetonblairstown.org/.
The Opportunity
The Princeton-Blairstown Center (PBC) is seeking an impactful, mission-driven, and visionary President & CEO to lead the organization in its next chapter. The President & CEO will lead a multi-site youth development and outdoor education organization as well as communicate and expand the Princeton-Blairstown Center’s status as a leader within the industry. The President & CEO will be a multi-talented individual able to build on the successful history of PBC by working with the Board of Trustees to forge a future path focused on increasing impact. This is an incredible opportunity for a mission-driven leader to have a significant impact on the experience of marginalized children across the region.
Key responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- In conjunction with the Board and team, update PBC’s strategic and tactical plan and ensure that the budget, staff, and priorities are aligned with PBC’s core mission.
- Facilitate cross-departmental collaboration and strengthen internal communications with staff throughout the organization; create and promote a positive, multicultural work environment that supports consistency throughout the organization's strategy, operational methods, and data collection needs.
- Oversee the financial status of the organization including developing long and short-range financial plans, monitoring the budget, stewarding the endowment, and ensuring sound financial controls are in place; set financial priorities accurately to ensure the organization is operating in a manner that supports the needs of both clients and staff.
- Lead institutional advancement activities and ensure sufficient resources by solidifying ties with existing individual donors and funding agencies; develop new individual, corporate, and foundation donors; with a focus on brand-raising.
- Develop and execute strategies that position PBC as a premier leader in the outdoor education and youth development fields.
- Drive revenue growth by marketing PBC’s programs to community and youth organizations, public and private schools, educators, corporations, and scout groups while also growing the mission-centric programs like Summer Bridge, Venture Out, and Leader-in-Training.
- Provide strong leadership to Senior Leaders and Managers, including overseeing operations, developing and managing administrative and financial control policies, guiding professional development and performance review, and supervising and hiring of new staff.
- Ensure the delivery of high-quality, evidence-based programs designed to serve young people from historically marginalized communities while managing current and future growth.
- Assure the appropriate risk management policies and procedures are implemented and executed with the Senior Leadership Team.
- In conjunction with the Vice President of Facilities, ensure that PBC’s facilities continue to be best-in-class.
- Lead, coach, develop and inspire organizational staff by holding people accountable in a highly supportive way and regularly communicate both successes and opportunities for growth.
Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate will have the following professional and personal qualities, skills, and characteristics:
Passion for the Mission
The President & CEO will bring a true passion for the work of the Princeton-Blairstown Center and a deep desire to serve historically marginalized children in the region. Working in close collaboration with the staff and Board, the President & CEO will be motivated to achieve the greatest possible impact through the use of the Center’s resources. They will demonstrate a desire to get to know the clients and staff of the facility, a capacity to listen and a deep understanding of the challenges facing underserved communities. A true partner, the ideal candidate will believe strongly in the power of collaboration, both internally and externally, and will serve as a powerful advocate for the organization’s mission.
Strategic Vision
The President & CEO will be a big thinker with experience working alongside a Board to create a strategic vision. They will also be adept at turning that vision into a plan and executing on it. With high EQ and a penchant for listening, the ideal candidate will be comfortable holding to their convictions while remaining open to learning from others. The President & CEO will be entrepreneurial, forward-thinking, and driven to uncover new approaches and ideas for the organization to consider. With a creative mind and a willingness to think differently, this leader will bring an innovation mindset to the work and encourage the organization to think expansively about its next chapter.
Management and Business Acumen
The President & CEO will be a demonstrated leader with extensive experience in staff, operational, and financial management. This individual will have the capacity to clearly articulate the organization’s strategy and inspire an exceptional, mission-driven staff to bring that vision to life. Embracing a relationship-first mentality, the President & CEO will lead through listening, empathy, and respect, fostering a strong organizational culture. With well-defined priorities, effective communication, and strong delegation skills, the President & CEO will promote collaboration across functional areas and ensure that all staff understand their role in achieving the organization’s strategic goals. The ideal candidate will bring experience in building and collaborating with an engaged Board of Trustees, guiding them in fulfilling their governance responsibilities in a productive, efficient, and collaborative manner. Additionally, the President & CEO will bring a demonstrated ability to ensure the financial sustainability and growth of the organization through strategic budgeting, effective financial management, and sound investment policy.
External Relations and Fundraising
Collaborating closely with development staff, the President & CEO will be experienced at both the establishment and execution of fundraising plans that are designed to diversify and grow an organization. They will bring the keen ability to identify, engage and steward potential donors and funders in order to build a larger and more diverse base of supporters. The President & CEO will understand the critical role of refining and enhancing communication efforts to fortify the organization’s brand and enjoy serving as the external face of the organization. They will be an expert in developing and nurturing strong relationships with schools and community-based organizations in order to advance PBC’s mission.
Compensation & Benefits
Salary for the role is anticipated to range from $150,000 to $180,000 commensurate with experience. Princeton-Blairstown Center offers a generous health care/ dental/ vision package, 3% contribution to 401K plus opportunity for additional 2% match, potential bonus, and annual professional development funds. Hybrid work schedule, with in-person training, and meetings required at Princeton and Blairstown locations; as well as preference to live on Blairstown campus for the summer season.
Contact
Koya Partners l Diversified Search Group has been exclusively retained for this engagement, which is being led by Erin Reedy and Shannon O’Neill. Submit a compelling cover letter and resume by filling out our Talent Profile. All inquiries are strictly confidential.
Princeton-Blairstown Center is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ+ applicants.