Executive Director
Role Overview
The Sylvia Center is seeking an Executive Director to lead the organization into its next chapter of growth and impact. Building on a strong foundation of programmatic excellence and financial stability, the next Executive Director will help shape the organization's long-term strategy, deepen fundraising relationships, and expand its influence at the intersection of food, health, and social justice.
The incoming Executive Director will inherit a stable organization with strong programs, an engaged Board, and a healthy balance sheet, while partnering with the Board to define the organization's long-term vision, strengthen its fundraising infrastructure, and position The Sylvia Center for sustained growth and impact.
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
The Sylvia Center is looking for a leader who combines organizational depth with genuine passion for food, community, and the mission of the organization. The ideal candidate will bring an authentic connection to The Sylvia Center's mission and see food as a powerful tool for health, education, and community.
New York Nonprofit Fluency: Deep familiarity with New York’s nonprofit and philanthropic landscape is essential. The next ED should bring meaningful experience navigating New York's nonprofit and philanthropic landscape, with established relationships that will help accelerate their success.
Genuine Food Affinity: Food is not incidental to this role. The next ED should love food, understand its connection to health, justice, and community, and be able to speak credibly and passionately in the organization’s culinary and food world circles.
Fundraising Leadership: A track record of leading or substantially contributing to fundraising success in a nonprofit setting. Comfort with major donor relationships, event oversight, and foundation stewardship. Experience working at the level of individual giving at meaningful scale.
Organizational Leadership: Experience leading a small-to-mid-size nonprofit organization, with responsibility for staff, budget, and board. Someone who is as comfortable in the operational details as they are in the external-facing work.
Strategic Thinking: Ability to partner with a board to ask the right questions about organizational direction and growth and help the institution answer them. TSC is healthy and has momentum; the next leader will help shape what that momentum is building toward.
People Leadership: A warm, direct, and credible communicator who earns the trust of staff, board, donors, and community partners. Demonstrated success leading and developing multigenerational teams, including coaching, and supporting emerging professionals.
Board Partnership: Knows how to work with an engaged, high-functioning board. Keeps leadership informed, supports board decision-making, and actively contributes to building board capacity over time.
Additional Qualifications: Minimum eight to ten years of nonprofit experience, with meaningful time in a senior leadership role. Demonstrated success in fundraising, including major donor engagement and event-driven revenue. Prior experience in the food, culinary, public health, or social justice sectors is strongly preferred. Strong written and verbal communication skills; comfortable speaking to diverse audiences including donors, board members, community partners, and staff. Experience with or strong interest in organizational strategy and board development.
WHO WE ARE
The Sylvia Center operates on a hybrid schedule, with in-office days 2-3 days per week. The Executive Director will be expected to maintain a visible presence consistent with organizational culture and the needs of the team, with flexibility to adjust during the summer months.
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: The Sylvia Center is committed to building a team that reflects the communities it serves. We believe that diversity of experience, background, and perspective makes us stronger, and we actively work to create an inclusive environment where all staff can thrive.
Candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
Salary: $200,000, with a competitive benefits package. The Sylvia Center is committed to compensating its next leader at a level that reflects the importance of this role to the organization’s future.
TIMELINE AND NEXT STEPS
The Sylvia Center has engaged DRG Talent to conduct this search. To apply, please submit a resume and a brief statement of interest. All applications will receive a confirmation of receipt. Candidates selected for an initial conversation will hear from DRG by October 2026.