Executive Director

Organizational Overview

The Hoboken Community Center (HCC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit occupying a historic

building at 1301 Washington Street in Hoboken. Formerly known as the Hoboken North

Hudson YMCA, the center has evolved to include three core missions:

• MBS Housing: Providing 96 affordable single-room occupancy units for men since 1927. The program also includes a partnership with Robert Wood Johnson for onsite counseling.
• Food and Personal Care Pantry: Delivering essential items such as food, hygiene products, and pet supplies, originally launched just before the COVID pandemic.
• Future Recreational Wing: HCC is in the predevelopment phase of a significant renovation to restore an expansive recreational facility (including pool and gym) to meet modern community needs for program and recreational space.

Position Summary

The Executive Director will be a visionary leader responsible for guiding HCC through

its next phase of evolution. This includes overseeing capital campaign efforts,

increasing the organization’s visibility, and ensuring seamless coordination among MBS

Housing, the Food Pantry, and the future recreational facilities. By working closely with

the board of directors, strategic consultants, and local stakeholders, the Executive

Director will help realize the HCC mission of supporting Hoboken’s diverse community.

Preference is given to local applicants due to the nature of the work. Additionally, non-

traditional business hours are to be expected.

Key Responsibilities

• Fundraising and Capital Campaign
• Spearhead a major capital campaign, ensuring ample resources to finance the renovation of the recreational wing and the expansion of current programs.
• Oversee grant writing, individual and major gifts, corporate sponsorships, and government partnerships to meet annual fundraising targets.
• Foster relationships with institutional and governmental funders, leveraging data and success metrics to demonstrate the impact of MBS Housing, the Food
• Pantry, and future recreational programs.

Board and Stakeholder Relations

• Serve as the principal liaison to the board of directors, communicating ongoing activities, policy changes, and operational challenges.
• Cultivate relationships with city officials, partner organizations, and community leaders to promote collaborative solutions for food deserts, housing shortages, and vulnerable populations.

Marketing and Visibility

• Elevate the HCC profile through a robust communications strategy that may involve press releases, social media, an upgraded website, and event marketing.
• Develop promotional materials and coordinate public-facing events to increase awareness of the HCC’s housing, food security, and new recreational programs.
• Collaborate with MBS and Food Pantry leaders on messaging to ensure consistent branding and unified storytelling.

Organizational Mission and Vision

• Uphold and advance the Hoboken Community Center’s mission of providing essential services, including food access, affordable housing, and resource programs for those in need.
• Champion the vision to create a community space where every individual receives dignified assistance in securing nutritious food, housing, and economic empowerment opportunities.

Strategic Leadership

• Collaborate with strategic consultants to establish an organizational structure that supports HCC’s upcoming initiatives, including the recreational wing development.
• Develop and execute both short-term and long-term strategic plans that align with the board’s goals and community needs.
• Cultivate relationships with local, county, and state officials to advocate for the center’s interests and expand outreach.

Program Coordination and Supervision

• Provide oversight to MBS Housing and ensure that the Robert Wood Johnson mental health partnership is well integrated and effective.
• Offer strategic guidance to the Food Pantry staff, focusing on improved food and personal care distribution and the expansion of essential services.
• Liaise on signature fundraising events (such as the “Taste of Hoboken”) to boost revenues that sustain HCC programming.
• Ensure that plans for the new recreational wing support modern needs, maximizing usage for diverse community groups.

Operations and Management

• Work with consultants and internal teams to refine a transparent, efficient, and accountable management structure.
• Build and nurture a culture of respect, collaboration, and empowerment among staff, volunteers, and community members.
• Oversee budgets, audits, financial controls, and compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.
• Serve as the central point of contact for internal and external inquiries on strategy, finances, or organizational capacity.

Qualifications

• Fundraising Expertise: 5-7 years of proven success in major gifts, grants, corporate sponsorships, and government funding to support large-scale community projects (e.g., capital campaigns).
• Nonprofit Management: 3-5 years in prior experience overseeing strategic planning, financial management, and program development in a social services or related nonprofit environment.
• Communications Strategy: 3+ years of demonstrated ability to elevate the organization’s profile through media relations, website enhancement, community events, and targeted outreach.
• Team Leadership: 3-5 years of experience in building respectful, transparent, and efficient staff and volunteer teams; able to guide complex projects while fostering collaboration.
• Community Knowledge: Background in education, mental health, or social services beneficial, with a passion for serving economically diverse populations.
• Food security and housing sector knowledge is a plus.
• Organizational Values: Committed to a culture of diversity, inclusion, and equitable opportunity; adept at working with a broad spectrum of constituencies.

Compensation

Compensation will be commensurate with experience and aligned with the scope of the

role’s responsibilities. HCC is an equal opportunity employer; employment decisions are

made without discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, age,

national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic under

applicable law.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter detailing relevant

experience in nonprofit leadership, comprehensive fundraising, and community

engagement. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

This leadership role offers the chance to oversee transformative projects at a historic

site, shaping the future of a nonprofit committed to providing safe housing, essential

groceries, and expanded recreational opportunities for neighbors across Hoboken. The

Executive Director will bring focus, structure, and leadership, ensuring that the Hoboken

Community Center remains a beacon of support and empowerment for all who rely on

its services.