Established in 1904, Lavelle School for the Blind is a multi-cultural educational institution based on the Catholic tradition and inspired by the dedication of the Dominican Sisters of Blauvelt New York. In 1942, Lavelle became one of eleven state-supported schools for the blind, deaf, and physically disabled in New York.

• The mission of Lavelle School for the Blind is to provide students with visual impairments and varying additional disabilities with the education, services, resources, and experiences necessary for them to reach their fullest potential in life.

• The Lavelle School for the Blind seeks a highly collaborative and inspirational leader to serve as its next Executive Director during a period of sustained growth and forward momentum. As the School looks to expand its overall footprint, it needs an extraordinary leader to provide key strategic oversight for all educational and operational matters. In this highly visible role, the Executive Director will serve as the face of the school engaging with a diverse set of internal and external stakeholders including students, families, staff, the Board, elected officials, donors, and community members. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will provide key strategic leadership and expert guidance to ensure academic excellence, effective resource allocation, and an equitable and inclusive environment.
• The Lavelle School’s Executive Director will serve as a trusted, strategic advisor to the Board of Directors in advancing the mission of the organization. With the support of a devoted, talented, and knowledgeable team, the Executive Director will be responsible for maintaining a supportive learning environment focused on specialized education, services, and resources aimed at ensuring students reach their fullest potential. As the Lavelle School looks to expand its overall reach, the Executive Director will be instrumental in driving future growth opportunities through the exploration and implementation of essential wrap around services to include vital early intervention and adult programs.
• The successful candidate must be dynamic yet empathic leader with the ability to inspire staff, ensure educational excellence, provide essential programmatic support, and foster a safe and nurturing learning environment where students can thrive. The Executive Director must be a forward-looking leader who is committed to industry best practices, continuous improvement, and student outcomes to meet the unique needs of the school and the population it serves. The Executive Director must be an entrepreneurial leader who is nimble in approach and comfortable in a multifaceted role with competing priorities.

• Partner with the Board on strategic visioning related to overarching organizational goals and organizational enhancements.
• Lead the Lavelle School during a period of growth and expansion ensuring all students are supervised in a safe learning environment.
• Develop a comprehensive and fully integrated approach to all business, programmatic, facility, and financial matters to the school.
• Develop and implement strategies to advance the school’s public profile within the community including enhanced outreach efforts to increase student enrollment.
• Provide strategic oversight into the development and implementation of new and advanced educational offerings, including the creation of early intervention and adult programs.
• Oversee a vibrant educational program tailored to students with visual impairments and other significant needs to ensure they meet their maximum individual abilities and potential.
• Direct services, resources, and programs in order to maximize the educational experiences and achievements of all students served by the school.
• Foster a diverse, equitable and inclusive learning environment focused on academic excellence and student achievement where outcomes are closely monitored.
• Develop and implement short and long-range goals and objectives closely monitoring current and emerging trends that may impact the school, students, and families.
• Work with the Lavelle School Professional Staff Association (LSPSA, the local bargaining unit of the New York United Teachers (NYSUT) union) in contract negotiations and implementation and meet regularly with the LSPSA and Education Leadership Team members

Operational and Financial Oversight:

• Collaborate with the Controller and School Board to develop, implement, and monitor the annual budget to ensure strategic fiscal and human resource allocation, as well as develop a five-year projections of revenue and expenses.
• Serve as the educational leader responsible for implementing policies, regulations, and procedures for all applicable state and federally funded services.
• Ensure a secure environment with effective crisis management policies and procedures aimed at ensuring safety and mitigating risk.
• Maintain and update the school’s personnel policies and practices, codes of conduct, NYSED required training, confidentiality policies, procurement procedures, etc.
• Work closely with the Facility Director to oversee all capital improvement projects.
• Maintain and renew NYS 4201 and 4410 contracts with local school districts.
• Work cooperatively with the school’s attorney, insurance carriers, etc. to assure students, staff, school and Board of Trustees are protected and indemnified at all times

Fundraising and Development:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising plan to increase financial resources to support key strategic initiatives.
• Successfully lead annual fundraising events and quarterly stakeholder reports through the school’s e-journal.
• Identify new grant opportunities, write and submit grants, monitor grant spending, and submit grant progress/final reports.
• Advocacy and Community Engagement:
• Champion a positive and welcoming culture focused on trust, transparency, and collaboration.
• Establish and maintain positive relationships with local and regional educational entities and blind organizations to maximize services to children and adults in the region.
• Serve as a key representative of the school fostering relationships with parents, community members, and other key stakeholders.
• Act as a participating member of the 4201 Schools Association maintaining close working relationships with colleagues in other schools.
• Represent the School at all appropriate Federal, State, and local meetings on issues and trends in the field of education of children who are visually impaired with additional disabilities.
• Shepherd an organizational culture committed to diversity in all forms by ensuring an equitable and inclusive environment with a strong sense of belonging.
• Build and maintain key strategic internal and external stakeholder relationships and partnerships to advance organizational goals.
• Maintain ongoing contact with the Lavelle Alumni Association.

• An advanced degree in special education, education, or related field along with extensive leadership experienced within a school-based setting or nonprofit ideally focused on delivering special education instruction or services.
• A passion for Lavelle School for the Blind’s legacy with a steadfast commitment to advancing its mission and expanding its impact.
• Commitment to the highest ethical and professional standards coupled with a firm belief that everyone - regardless of ability - can reach their fullest potential in life
• A proven track record of success developing, refining and executing a strategic plan that resulted in program development and organizational growth, relevance, and impact.
• An entrepreneurial leader with a demonstrated understanding of the strategies needed to advance the work of a mission-based organization, from funding to program delivery.
• An inspirational leader who encourages the staff and Board to seek opportunities to grow and evolve, co-create, increase impact, build visibility, and promote engagement.
• Experience as a fair, respectful leader, and skilled administrator capable of developing a powerful sense of shared purpose around a shared organizational vision.
• An experienced advocate and coalition-builder who actively and strategically seeks out partnerships to advance the mission and strategic priorities of the school.
• Superb interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to effectively articulate and convey Lavelle School for the Blind’s mission and priorities to a wide range of constituents, including staff, students, parents, donors, funders, governmental representatives, external partners, and the Board of Directors.
• An ability to research, identify, and pursue grant opportunities as well as develop and maintain a comprehensive understanding of grant guidelines, application requirements, and evaluation criteria
• A lifelong learner with a strong commitment to continuous improvement within an organization, school or profession.
• An astute leader with strong staff, operational, and financial management experience coupled with the ability to communicate fluently in these areas with the Board and key stakeholders.
• An ability to engage staff with a diverse set of skills and provide a productive work environment focused on professional growth, team cohesion, and camaraderie.
• An ability to ensure that the Board is fulfilling its primary responsibilities of best practices around governance and fundraising.

• Candidate nominations and interested and qualified candidates are welcome to submit a resume to LavelleED@KornFerry.com

• The targeted salary range for this role is $225-$275k and will be commensurate with experience. In addition to a competitive salary, Lavelle School has a comprehensive benefits package.

• Lavelle School for the Blind is an Equal Opportunity Employer. They do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.