Executive Director l South Side Community Growth Foundation

Job Description

Job DescriptionAbout South Side Community Growth Foundation
The South Side Community Growth Foundation (SSCGF) is a newly established nonprofit committed to advancing equity, expanding opportunity, and driving neighborhood transformation in the South Side of Syracuse, New York. Founded in 2024 by Syracuse native Chedy Hampson—a business leader and philanthropist—SSCGF works in close partnership with residents, local organizations, and government agencies to support initiatives that help South Side neighbors thrive.

Rooted in the community surrounding McKinley Park—from West Brighton Avenue to Ballantyne Road, and from South Salina Street to Valley Drive and South Avenue—SSCGF is focused on place-based investment and inclusive revitalization. With a long-term vision for increased resident leadership, housing stability, financial security, and civic pride, the organization has recently completed a comprehensive strategic planning process to guide its work for the next decade.

In the initial phase, SSCGF will focus on three foundational areas: housing development, community engagement, and internal infrastructure. Within the community engagement pillar, the organization will also respond to emerging neighborhood priorities—examples might include strengthening shared community spaces, supporting community-driven initiatives, or exploring a business corridor partnership strategy.

Through other programs like homeowner grants and loans, land acquisition for new builds, and neighborhood gatherings, the organization is working to build both the physical and social fabric of the South Side—amplifying resident voice and activating a sense of shared ownership across the community. SSCGF is in the earliest and most exciting stages of its journey, offering a rare opportunity to shape a deeply rooted, community-led foundation from the ground up.

To learn more, visit southsidegrowth.org.

Position Summary
South Side Community Growth Foundation is seeking a strategic, community-centered Executive Director to lead a place-based revitalization effort in the South Side neighborhood of Syracuse, New York. Backed by stable, multi-year philanthropic funding and grounded in a deep commitment to the community, this is a rare opportunity to build and scale a new nonprofit focused on housing, economic mobility, and neighborhood transformation.

As the organization’s first hire, the Executive Director will partner closely with the founder to translate vision into strategy and strategy into action. This role plays the part of a strategic quarterback—taking in community feedback and resident priorities, identifying who in the ecosystem is already doing the work, determining where the gaps are, and then coordinating partners and resources to fill those gaps and drive initiatives forward. An early priority will be assessing what work is needed to bring the strategy to life—and then building internal infrastructure and hiring, contracting and partnering with the right people to do that work.

The ideal candidate is a dynamic, entrepreneurial leader with experience in community development, collective impact, or systems-building work. With a strong equity lens, the Executive Director will elevate resident voice, respond to community priorities, and shape an organization built in partnership with those it exists to serve.

Candidate Profile
Builder at the Core
The Executive Director will be a bold, entrepreneurial builder who thrives in creating something from the ground up. This person will bring strong project management skills, the ability to work independently, and a passion for turning vision into action. In the organization’s first year, they will help define and operationalize core programs, hire and manage a new team, and build the internal systems needed to support long-term sustainability and scale. They must be highly organized, capable of managing budgets, setting clear priorities, and unlocking new fundraising opportunities to fuel growth. With a high degree of self-direction and strategic thinking, this leader will establish the operational backbone of the organization and bring structure to dynamic, fast-moving initiatives.

Practical Strategist with a Systems Lens
Above all, this person must be a clear-eyed strategist—someone who can translate vision into executable plans with systems-level impact. They will co-create and finalize a working strategy for the organization’s first phase, turning community insight into concrete priorities. With a systems mindset, they’ll operationalize the organization’s goals, define performance metrics, and build mechanisms for transparency and accountability. This leader will know how to think big while staying focused, making tough trade-offs, and prioritizing high-impact initiatives. Their work will lay the foundation for a sustainable organization positioned to lead transformation in the South Side for years to come.

Authentic and Adaptive Communicator
A phenomenal communicator, the Executive Director must be able to navigate multiple audiences with credibility and ease. Whether speaking with neighbors, local government, or major funders, they must adapt their message while staying rooted in the same mission and values. This person will be the public face of SSCGF representing the organization externally, stewarding funder relationships, and building excitement and trust across all levels of engagement. The ideal candidate will know how to “flip the switch” between informal community settings and formal presentations and can translate complex strategy into compelling narratives that move people to act.

Community Anchor & Connector
This role requires a leader who values deep connection, shared ownership, and the power of resident voice. The Executive Director will serve as a trusted connector across the ecosystem—linking residents, local organizations, housing developers, and public agencies in service of neighborhood transformation. While day-to-day engagement will be led by program staff, the Executive Director will be accountable for ensuring that SSCGF’s community engagement efforts are authentic, inclusive, and aligned with the values of the organization. They will shape the strategy, uphold the standard, and create the conditions for meaningful participation and trust-building.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the founding Executive Director, translating the organization's newly defined vision into actionable strategy, programs, and operations.
• Hire, develop, and manage a growing team, including staff, consultants, and vendors; foster a culture of initiative, collaboration, and continuous learning.
• Establish operational systems, communications strategies, and performance metrics that support scale, sustainability, and clear decision-making.
• Build and nurture deep, trust-based relationships with residents, community partners, housing developers, local government, and funders, with a focus on equity and shared ownership.
• Create and oversee a comprehensive community engagement strategy, ensuring that resident voices shape programmatic priorities, policy advocacy, and resource allocation.
• Drive projects forward, align consultants and stakeholders, and ensure progress across current initiatives such as homeowner grants, new construction partnerships, and land acquisition.
• Oversee the organization’s financial management in collaboration with the board, including budgeting, reporting, and stewardship of multi-million-dollar donor-advised fund, while identifying additional funding opportunities to support long-term growth.
• Collaborate with the Founder and Board of Directors, preparing reports and participating in governance, strategy, and resource development.
• Represent SSCGF externally —complementing the founder’s visibility by building relationships, advancing partnerships, and ensuring consistent, credible representation.

Qualifications
The ideal candidate will be a results-driven leader who brings a balance of strategic thinking, relationship builder, and deep enthusiasm for the future work of SSCGF.

While it’s understood that no single candidate will bring every single competency, strong candidates will offer the following skills, characteristics, and experiences:

• Proven experience launching or building a nonprofit, or start-up initiative—ideally guiding a founder’s vision into an operational structure and sustainable strategy.
• Effective manager with experience hiring, coaching, and developing teams; able to lead staff, consultants, and volunteers in a collaborative, values-aligned culture.
• Strong background in community engagement, coalition-building, and partnership development across sectors, including government, nonprofits, and grassroots leaders.
• Demonstrated commitment to community-led, equity-centered work in historically underinvested neighborhoods, with deep respect for resident voice and lived experience.
• Skilled communicator with the ability to engage diverse audiences—from residents to public officials to funders—and translate complex ideas into clear, actionable plans.
• Prior experience working with a Board of Directors and comfort with nonprofit governance, reporting, and strategic decision-making.
• Demonstrated ability to design and lead strategic plans, manage budgets, oversee grant applications, and develop frameworks for impact measurement and continuous learning.

Location, Compensation & Benefits
This is a full-time, exempt position based in Syracuse, New York. The Executive Director must either reside in or be willing to relocate to the Syracuse area. While some desk-based work is required, this is a highly community-facing role that involves regular in-person meetings, site visits, and local engagement. The team currently operates remotely, with plans to establish a dedicated office in the future. Some evening and weekend availability will be necessary based on programming and stakeholder needs.

Salary is based on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, experience, qualifications, and potential for long-term impact in the role. The salary range for this position is $120,000–$135,000. SSCGF offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, and vision insurance; a 401(k) plan with company match; three weeks of paid time off; six paid federal holidays; and paid sick leave. Relocation assistance available.

How to Apply
To express your interest in this opportunity, please submit your resume and cover letter: https://adr.to/uwjhiai

About Maneva Group
Maneva Group is a leading woman and minority owned executive search firm dedicated to connecting exceptional talent with organizations committed to making a meaningful impact. Through a consultative and client-focused approach, Maneva Group partners with mission-driven organizations to build transformative leadership teams.