Executive Director

The Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County Executive Director provides strategic leadership and comprehensive management for Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) Dutchess County Association. The Executive Director is responsible for articulating a contemporary vision for Extension programming while ensuring the Association’s long-term viability through aggressive fund development and rigorous financial oversight.


This role requires a full-time leader who can navigate a period of revenue transition by stabilizing budgets, diversifying income streams, and modernizing the Association’s digital presence. The Executive Director must manage a professional staff, maintain high-level relationships with Dutchess County government and Cornell University, and serve as the primary advocate for the value of Extension to the community.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Direction (45%)

• Vision and Strategic Planning: Partner with the Board to develop a strategic plan that addresses local needs while maintaining alignment with the CCE mission.
• Strategic Fund Development: Proactively cultivate and secure diverse funding sources, including government grants, foundation partnerships, major gifts, corporate sponsorships, and planned giving.
• Advocacy and ROI Communication: Serve as the chief advocate for the Association. Communicate the Return on Investment (ROI) of Extension programs to the County Executive, County Legislature, and private donors by translating educational outcomes into economic and social impact data.
• Programmatic Leadership: Oversee Program Leaders to ensure that programs are high-quality, relevant, aligned with the organization’s mission, and meeting desired outcomes and metrics.

Management (45%)

• Financial Management & Recovery: Develop and monitor the annual budget. Implement strict internal controls and ensure the Board is provided with transparent, data-driven financial reports. Identify revenue gaps and implement corrective actions to ensure fiscal health.
• Human Resources: Establish staffing plans to meet Plans of Work to provide programs and services. Lead, mentor, and evaluate a diverse professional staff. Foster a welcoming, inclusive, and high-performance organizational culture.
• Digital Operations: Oversee the Association’s business operations. While the physical facility is provided by the County, the ED is responsible for the internal "digital workspace"—ensuring staff have the tools and training necessary for efficient, modern remote and in-person work. This includes oversight of donors, volunteer and community engagement via web, email and social media.
• Facility Liaison: Maintain a professional and collaborative relationship with Dutchess County officials regarding the in-kind lease and maintenance of the county-owned building.
• CCE System Alignment: Ensure local policies, HR practices, and programming align with Cornell University standards and the Smith-Lever Act. Actively participate in regional Hudson Valley Shared Business Network and statewide executive leadership forums.

Coordination/Operation (5%)

• Prepare and submit accurate expense reports, mileage reports, receipts/supporting documentation, and/or vouchers promptly per established policy and procedures.
• Review and approve time off requests for direct reports.

Professional Improvement (5%)

• Ongoing Growth: Stay current on nonprofit management trends, financial leadership, and fund development strategies through CCE professional development and external certifications.

Health & Safety and Policy – Applies to all duties and functions

• Lead the Association’s efforts to maintain a safe working environment; comply with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations, and ensure adherence to established Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County policies, procedures and Cornell Cooperative Extension Skills for Success.
• Maintain respectful and professional interactions with clientele, staff, volunteers and the public. Assist the Cornell Cooperative Extension system in reaching out to various audiences.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: Master’s Degree in a field related to the Association’s mission, Public Administration, or Business Administration. (A PhD may substitute for 2 years of the required experience).
• Experience:
  • Minimum of 6 years of related professional experience.
  • Minimum of 4 years of substantive leadership and management experience (supervising staff, managing budgets, board relations).
  • Proven track record in fund development and financial stabilization in nonprofit is highly preferred.
• Online & Technical Fluency:
  • Internal: Mastery of digital collaboration tools (e.g., Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Slack) to facilitate internal staff and Board communications.
  • External: Fluency in leveraging social media strategies and professional forums (e.g., LinkedIn) to enhance the Association’s brand and engage with the community.
  • Business: High competence in productivity, financial management, Microsoft Office, and CRM/Donor management databases.

• Location & Standards:
  • On-site: significant presence at main office is required and frequently other locations for business purposes. Ability to meet the travel requirements associated with this position.
  • Works flexible hours, which include evenings and weekends.
  • Must meet acceptable background check standards.

KEY COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESS

Financial Literacy & Benchmarking

The Director must be capable of moving beyond "budget oversight" to set financial benchmarks. This includes establishing and monitoring clear targets for:

• Liquidity Ratios: Ensuring adequate cash flow for operations.
• Budget-to-Actual Variances: Identifying and addressing overages in real-time.
• Revenue Diversification: Setting specific percentage targets for non-appropriated income (grants, donors, etc.).

ROI Advocacy (Understanding Impact)

The Director must be able to define the "Return on Investment" for stakeholders in the following terms:

• Economic Value: The dollar value of crop loss prevention or grants secured for local farmers.
• Cost Avoidance: How youth and nutrition programs reduce future strain on County social services.
• Leveraged Assets: The value of bringing Cornell University’s multi-million-dollar research capacity to Dutchess County through local core funding.
• Social Capital: The monetary equivalent of the thousands of volunteer hours managed by the Association.

Digital Fluency

The Director must possess the "online fluency" to manage an increasingly digital workplace. This includes the ability to lead remote teams effectively and the professional presence to represent the Association on global professional forums, ensuring Dutchess County Extension remains a thought-leader in the CCE system.

This is a full time, benefits eligible, exempt position. Compensation paid at a range of $105,000.00 to $115,000.00 per year, commensurate with experience. Excellent benefits, based on eligibility, including:

• Vacation, Sick and Personal time
• Paid Holidays
• NYS Health Insurance Program (including Dental Insurance)
• NYS Retirement
• Long-term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Tax Deferred Annuity
• Voluntary Flexible Spending Accounts
• Voluntary Group Universal Life Insurance
• Voluntary Personal Accidental Insurance
• Voluntary Legal Plan Insurance
• Voluntary Long Term Care Insurance
• Voluntary Auto and Homeowner’s Insurance
• Voluntary Pet Insurance
• Voluntary New York’s College Savings Program

Please be sure to read the Notice to Applicants found on the Jobs with CCE page:

How To Apply: Applicants (including current employees of other Cornell Cooperative Extension Associations) must apply online through the APPLY button in this job posting. Current employees of Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County are considered internal applicants and must apply online through their Workday account which may be accessed here: . For details on how to apply, visit:

All applicants are requested to submit a cover letter, resume and indicate three individuals who may be contacted as a reference. Please consider indicating in your application all information you feel would be helpful for selection committee members to know. Once the application is submitted you will NOT be able to change your submission or add attachments. Be sure that you have followed all directions and requirements listed in the job posting.

All applications must be received on-line by Monday, April 6, 2026. Position closing dates may change based on Association needs.

No relocation or VISA Sponsorship available.

The Association may make reasonable accommodations to enable applicants to participate in the hiring process and employees to perform the essential functions of their job. For additional questions or if you require an accommodation so you may participate in the selection process you are encouraged to contact Leah Cadwallader, Regional Human Resources Manager, e-mail [email protected] or (845) 340-3990x314.

Job Title:

Association Exec Director

Level:

No Grade - Annual

Pay Rate Type:

Salary

Company:

Contract College

Contact Name:

Leah Cadwallader

Cornell Cooperative Extension is a collaboration among Cornell University, the United States Department of Agriculture, the State of New York, and the residents of New York State. Per NYS Law, county and regional extension service associations are subordinate government agencies. This employment opportunity is with the entities listed and not with Cornell University.

Notice to Applicants: Please read the required

Notice to Applicants statement

. This notice contains important information about applying for a position at Cornell Cooperative Extension as well as some of your rights and responsibilities as an applicant.