Job Opportunity: Executive Director | Stride Adaptive Sports

Organization: STRIDE Adaptive Sports
Position: Executive Director
Job Type: Full Time Exempt
Location: New York State (Albany region) ideal, other regions considered for the right candidate
Salary Range: $80,000 – $100,000 pending experience and location plus benefits

About STRIDE:
One of the most highly respected non-profits in America, STRIDE is a volunteer-driven 501(c)3 focused on year-round adaptive recreational sports and activities. STRIDE’s sport, therapeutic recreational, educational, and social programs create opportunity for anyone of any age with any disability to enjoy year-round adaptive experiences such as skiing, snowboarding, biking, swimming, tennis, dance, archery, tent-camping. STRIDE Wounded Warrior Programs also offers integrated adaptive recreational activities to military veterans and their families.
With facilities in New York just outside of Albany and partner hosts in the Berkshires and surrounding Capital region, STRIDE lessons and events currently take place across 26 venues, providing 14,000 instructional adaptive sport lessons annually.
STRIDE is managed currently by 4 full-time staff and 7 part-time staff and interns. The annual budget is currently ~$600K+ $300K in-kind donations.
In year one, the new Executive Director will work with the Board of Directors, staff, and stakeholders to lead remaining activities of STRIDE’s strategic plan, to work with the current Executive Director to transition into a new ex-officio role, and to strengthen the team and infrastructure from which to expand STRIDE’s revenue streams and increase STRIDE’s ability to engage people with disability to sport and recreation.

Position Summary:
Since 1984, STRIDE’s Executive Director, Mary Ellen Whitney, has built a strong and far-reaching service through the Northeast U.S., for people with special needs to participate and engage in the activities they love.
Following the decision to focus on her passion for program development and in particular ski-coaching, Mary Ellen will be stepping down from the role of Executive Director at STRIDE in the spring of 2024.
STRIDE Adaptive Sports is actively recruiting the next Executive Director to steer the next phase of its journey. The current strategic plan runs from 2020 to 2025.

he new Executive Director role for STRIDE is an exceptional opportunity to engage with partners and stakeholders who are dedicated to making space for everyone in sport, establishing STRIDE’s vision and values through the fabric of sports organizations, supporters, and participants in the U.S.
Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director has a broad remit to build on current successes and expand the organization’s programs and reach, supporting STRIDE’s to live into its mission and vision.

Core to the role includes:

• Governance
• Fundraising and Development
• Staff and Volunteer Development
• Program Developement

Core Requirements

• Passion for the mission of STRIDE and building a world anchored in equity for people with disabilities.
• Inspirational leader with excellent organizational and team-building skills.
• Minimum of 7-10 years of management experience. Specific experience in working with people with disabilities is a plus—especially in the areas of adaptive recreation and outdoor education.
• Exceptional verbal and written communications as a persuasive leader in a fundraising and development environment.
• Demonstrated success in fundraising, including major gifts, capital campaigns, lead-generation marketing and grant-writing.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in a relevant field.

Non-Discrimination
STRIDE provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

How To Apply
Please provide a cover letter and resume to Careers@stride.org