Executive Director

Delaware Opportunities, Inc. (DO) is seeking an experienced, compassionate, and visionary Executive Director to lead our organization into its next chapter.

For more than five decades, Delaware Opportunities has worked alongside individuals, families, and communities throughout Delaware County to reduce poverty, increase self-sufficiency, strengthen families, and improve quality of life. As a federally recognized Community Action Agency, we provide a broad continuum of services addressing critical needs including housing, food and nutrition, energy assistance, employment, transportation, early childhood education, victim services, health insurance navigation, and other supportive services.

We are looking for a leader who understands that effective community action is about more than programs—it is about people, partnerships, advocacy, opportunity, and creating lasting community change.

The Executive Director serves as the organization's chief executive officer and is responsible for providing strategic, operational, financial, and organizational leadership.

Working closely with the Board of Directors, leadership team, staff, community partners, funders, government agencies, and the people we serve, the Executive Director will ensure that Delaware Opportunities remains financially strong, mission-driven, innovative, accountable, and responsive to changing community needs.

The successful candidate will be a visible and engaged community leader who can balance big-picture strategic thinking with the day-to-day realities of running a complex nonprofit organization.

• Provide vision, direction, and leadership consistent with the mission, values, and strategic priorities of Delaware Opportunities.
• Work collaboratively with the Board of Directors to establish organizational goals, policies, priorities, and long-term strategies.
• Lead implementation of the organization's strategic plan and ensure that programs and resources are aligned with identified community needs.
• Build a culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation, inclusion, and continuous improvement.
• Anticipate emerging challenges and opportunities and position the organization for long-term sustainability.

• Ensure high-quality, effective, equitable, and accessible services across the organization's diverse program portfolio.
• Champion a person-centered, trauma-informed, strengths-based approach to working with individuals and families.
• Maintain strong relationships with community partners, government agencies, funders, elected officials, educational institutions, healthcare providers, human service organizations, and other stakeholders.
• Serve as a strong public voice and advocate for individuals and families experiencing poverty and other barriers to opportunity.
• Identify emerging community needs and develop partnerships, programs, and initiatives to address them.
• Oversee the financial health and sustainability of the organization, including budgeting, financial reporting, audits, and fiscal controls.
• Lead efforts to diversify revenue and strengthen long-term financial sustainability.
• Oversee federal, state, county, foundation, and other funding relationships.
• Ensure compliance with grant requirements, contracts, applicable laws, regulations, and Community Action Agency standards.
• Work with staff and the Board to identify new funding opportunities and strengthen resource development.

• Lead, support, and develop a diverse team of dedicated professionals.
• Recruit, retain, and develop strong leadership and staff at all levels of the organization.
• Foster a workplace culture characterized by respect, trust, communication, accountability, professional growth, and teamwork.
• Support leadership development and succession planning throughout the organization.
• Ensure effective human resource practices and compliance with employment laws and organizational policies.
• Recognize that staff are one of the organization's most important assets.

• Maintain a strong, transparent, and collaborative relationship with the Board of Directors.
• Keep the Board informed regarding organizational performance, finances, risks, opportunities, community needs, and emerging issues.
• Support effective Board development, engagement, and governance.
• Ensure that Board policies and organizational practices reflect the mission and responsibilities of a Community Action Agency.