Summary

Description

Chief Executive Officer

About Exponents

Exponents is a well-respected, forward-thinking organization supporting people affected by HIV/AIDS, substance use, incarceration, and behavioral health challenges. The organization is widely recognized as a leader in advancing health equity and social justice advocacy across the field. Grounded in a client-centered and strength-based philosophy, the organization focuses on improving health outcomes, promoting wellness, and helping individuals build healthier, more stable lives. Exponents works toward a future where addiction and behavioral health is understood as a health issue, and where every person has access to equitable opportunities. Exponents serves diverse communities across New York City and is deeply committed to creating affirming, inclusive environments for all. Staff work closely with individuals from many backgrounds, including LGBTQ+ communities and are expected to bring cultural humility, respect, and an equity-centered approach to their work.

Exponents' Center for Personal and Professional Development offers comprehensive training programs designed to prepare individuals for careers in substance use disorder treatment and recovery support. Through state-approved curricula such as the 350-hour Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) training, participants earn credentials and certificates that support professional advancement. These programs combine practical skills, ethical foundations, and certification preparation to equip learners for service in clinical and peer support roles within the behavioral health field.

The organization is known for meeting people exactly where they are, offering voluntary, tailored services that honor each person's goals and lived experience. Many members of the direct service team have walked a similar path, helping create trust, connection, and meaningful support. Through this approach, Exponents strengthens community health, enhances safety, reduces healthcare costs, and lowers rates of recidivism, while celebrating progress at every stage of recovery.

Learn more about Exponents at https://www.exponents.org/.

The Opportunity

To support the transition from a long-tenured leader, Exponents is seeking its next Chief Executive Officer (CEO) inspired by the mission and ready to build on the organization's remarkable history of service. The CEO will serve as Exponents' primary leader and strategist, external champion, community ambassador, and organizational steward, expanding on a strong track record of improving health outcomes and promoting wellness for individuals affected by HIV/AIDS, substance use, incarceration, and behavioral health challenges.

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the CEO will be an experienced nonprofit leader who can advocate passionately for the communities Exponents serves. This leader will bring a proven record of fundraising across diverse revenue streams to support effective programming and ensure long-term sustainability. Creative and entrepreneurial, the CEO will bring emotional intelligence, a growth mindset, and the ability to identify opportunities that expand Exponents' impact and advance its vision of a world without AIDS and equitable treatment of addiction.

A strong commitment to diversity and inclusion is essential, and the CEO will ensure these values are embedded throughout the organization. The ideal candidate will be an effective and adaptable communicator, collaborator, and results-oriented leader who can inspire staff, board members, and partners while sustaining a client-driven, strength-based organizational culture.

Leading a team of approximately 30 staff and managing a $4M budget, the next CEO will be responsible for setting organizational vision, strengthening an inclusive culture, and ensuring operational and financial excellence across the organization.

Candidate Profile

The following offers an aspirational view of the ideal candidate profile; we encourage applications from candidates with a wide range of experiences and backgrounds, especially those with lived experience.

Passion for Mission

The CEO will lead Exponents with a balanced approach, fostering an inclusive organizational culture while establishing robust administrative systems that align with Exponents' mission. During this period of transition, the CEO will lead the organization with empathy, sensitivity, and transparent communication, guiding staff and constituents through change. The CEO will bring an authentic commitment to harm reduction, wellness, and client-centered services with an understanding of how all pieces of the continuum of care fit together. Ideally, the CEO will bring experience from a harm reduction background or demonstrate a strong commitment to supporting individuals through the different programs Exponents offers. With a focus on mission-driven and consensus-building leadership, the CEO will ensure that the organization remains a welcoming and empowering space for all who seek its services.

Strategic Leadership and Vision

The CEO will be a strategic and flexible leader, ready to develop, communicate, and execute a vision for Exponents' next chapter. This dynamic leader will set and drive strategic priorities that advance the mission and position the organization for sustainable growth, from securing funding to delivering impactful programs and opportunities beyond NYC. With a proven ability to build and lead effective teams, the CEO will inspire and support staff, fostering a collaborative environment where each person can grow professionally and contribute their strengths. Through a management style grounded in trust and collaboration, the CEO will guide team members to reach their potential and hold them accountable to clear goals and expectations.

Fundraising & Revenue Generation

As an energetic fundraiser and resource developer, the CEO will fully embrace all aspects of revenue generation. This leader will bring a creative and entrepreneurial approach to building diverse and sustainable funding streams, with a strong understanding of nonprofit finance and revenue sources including foundation and government grants, government contracts, corporate and individual philanthropy, and events. The CEO will also focus on identifying and expanding opportunities for earned revenue. The ideal candidate will have a strong track record securing significant funding across government, foundation, individual, and fee-for-service channels, and will be capable of expanding and diversifying revenue while strengthening board engagement in fundraising.

External Relations, Advocacy, and Public Presence

Skilled in public speaking, coalition-building, and cultivating partnerships across government, medical, community-based, and philanthropic sectors, the CEO will play an active role in advocating for the organization. This leader will bring a clear understanding of the political and policy landscape shaping harm reduction and community health. The CEO will have an authentic ability to convene and inspire individuals, communities, and partner organizations around Exponents' mission, while serving as a strong advocate for the people served, the Board, and staff.

Nonprofit and Financial Understanding

With strong experience in budgeting, strategy, and planning, the CEO will be skilled in overseeing financial management, cash management, HR, compliance, insurance billing, earned revenue streams, and risk management. This leader will play a key role in sustaining a positive organizational culture, maintaining financial stability, and ensuring that resources are allocated effectively to support the mission. The CEO will be detail oriented, grow and retain a strong team and focused on ensuring the appropriate processes and systems are established and maintained. With sound financial judgment and the ability to manage complex budgets, the CEO will ensure responsible, compliant, and efficient operations across the organization.

In addition, strong candidates will offer:

The ability to attract, develop, retain, motivate, and lead the staff while maintaining a high level of performance
A leadership style that is both clear and empathetic and respects the intensity of the day-to-day work
A solutions-focused and results oriented approach with an ability to solve problems independently and as a team
An understanding and respect for populations with diverse cultural and economic backgrounds
The ability to ensure program outcomes are achieving mission, vision, and intent and that programs are continuously evaluated and improved upon to ensure excellence and impact
Demonstrated ability to harness technology in service of mission, operations, and impact
A high level of emotional intelligence
The ability to take a long-term, thoughtful approach to achieving organizational goals
Demonstrated inclusive leadership, coaching, and relationship management experience
Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in a nonprofit setting

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $180,000 to $200,000.

Contact

DSG | Koya has been exclusively retained for this engagement, which is being led by Alicia Salerno. Submit a compelling cover letter and resume by filling out our Talent Profile. All inquiries are strictly confidential.

DSG | Koya is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals living with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual living with a disability and need assistance expressing interest online, please email NonprofitSearchOps@divsearch.com. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.

Exponents is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ+ applicants.

About DSG | Koya

DSG | Koya, a DSG Global company, is the nation's premier search firm dedicated to mission-driven leadership. Since its founding in 2004, DSG | Koya has had an exclusive focus on mission-driven clients and was founded on the belief that the right leader can transform an organization and have a deep and measurable impact on our world. DSG | Koya works with nonprofits & NGOs, responsible businesses, and social enterprises in local communities and around the world.

DSG Global is consistently recognized by Forbes on its top 10 list of "America's Best Executive Recruiting Firms" and is an industry leader in recruiting transformational leaders for a changing world. The firm is deliberately different in its approach, with best-in-class teams who have decades of experience in cultivating inclusive leaders, understanding the dimensions of diversity, and building equitable teams.

Learn more about DSG | Koya via the firm's website.

To apply, visit: https://www.dsgco.com/search/22683-exponents-inc-chief-executive-officer/

Posted by the FREE value-added recruitment advertising agency

jeid-39f77940c665094a8f03570c6d1edf58

Share this job listing