About Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh
Often ranked in performance reviews as one of the nation’s highest performing affiliates, the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh (ULGP) focuses on serving African Americans and other minorities, but no one is ever turned away. The Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh helped thousands of individuals in Pittsburgh and the surrounding counties last year alone. As the largest comprehensive social service/civil rights organization in Southwestern Pennsylvania, the Pittsburgh Urban League helps others to help themselves through extra-curricular educational opportunities, health advocacy, housing counseling, parental education and support for early childhood and youth development, hunger prevention services, sustainable wage career preparation, and other programs that lead to improved ability to achieve economic empowerment and self-reliance.
Over 107 years of service to the African American community in the Greater Pittsburgh region has earned the Urban League the community’s trust. The Urban League’s voice has gained a reputation for credibility as we strive to reduce structural barriers and improve access to opportunities for those we serve.
MISSION. The Mission of the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh is to enable African Americans to secure economic self-reliance, parity and power, and civil rights.
Strategy & Vision Statement. The Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh is focused on four strategic priorities, tailored to local needs to implement our mission:
- Drive Economic Prosperity
- Increase Access
- Engage Corporate, Government, and Community Leaders
- Pursue Equity and Justice
The Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh’s Values are defined as
- Excellence and Innovation
- Service
- Inclusion
- Empowerment
Learn more about the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh’s Strategic Plan by visiting https://ulpgh.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/ULGP-Abbreviated-Strategic-Plan.pdf.
History
Founded in 1910, the National Urban League National League is a historic civil rights organization dedicated to advancing economic and social justice for African Americans and other underserved groups. Initially, it focused on assisting Black migrants from the rural South during the Great Migration to find work and adjust to urban life. Over time, it expanded its mission to include advocacy, policy research, and direct service programs, with a current focus on economic empowerment, social justice, and closing the equality gap.
Since 1918, the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh Affiliate has been connecting those in need with the resources to meet those needs and foster the foundation of self-reliance. Through vital programs in employment, youth, family and child development, housing and self-sufficiency, Urban Leaguers work to level the playing field for all Americans and to equip disadvantaged families to care for themselves. That’s the Movement. That’s the Urban League way.
About Pittsburgh
Founded in 1758, Pittsburgh played an important role in our country’s history. In the early 1800s, the city’s three rivers opened the gates for Pittsburgh to lead the way in the trade industry for products such as coal, timber, glass, natural gas, iron and limestone. By 1911, Pittsburgh became a major manufacturing center producing half of the nation’s steel.
Throughout the years, Pittsburgh has overcome many obstacles. The city has transformed from predominantly heavy industry and steel to become a leader in healthcare, education, technology, and financial services. What were once heavily polluted streets and riverfronts, have been transformed to create the modern vibrant Pittsburgh one sees today. Pittsburgh is the second largest city in Pennsylvania and has an estimated population of just under 308,000 people. Pittsburgh serves as the County Seat of Allegheny County which has an estimated population of 1.23 million. Pittsburgh is the principal city of the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area, or Greater Pittsburgh. This 8-county area has an estimated population of 2.46 million.
The Need
A disproportional number of working age African Americans and Black children in the region live in poverty. In Southwestern Pennsylvania, many Black students start school behind, are isolated in low-performing schools, are less likely to participate in quality early childhood, out-of-school and summer learning and are more likely to get lost in the transition to college and career. African Americans in the region are underrepresented in industries with growth and better pay.
The Opportunity
The Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh, Inc. seeks a President and Chief Executive Officer to manage and oversee the day-to-day operation of the non-profit social service agency. An affiliate of the National Urban League (NUL), the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh seeks to improve the economic, cultural, social, and educational conditions affecting all citizens in the city of Greater Pittsburgh and its surrounding communities. As an affiliate of the National Urban League, it reaches nationwide audiences and partners with the other Urban League affiliates making it a strong proponent for programs that can be replicated across the country.
The President & CEO is the leader accountable to the Board of Directors and National Urban League. This role drives strategic vision, operational excellence, and organizational impact while championing equity and inclusion to create a high-performance culture that engages and empowers associates.
Key Responsibilities include:
- Provide decisive, mission-driven leadership that balances strategic vision with day-to-day operational execution.
- In conjunction with the Board Chair, generate new ideas and lead methodologies through completion
- Initiate and maintain relationships with staff, board, political, corporate and community leaders building trust through delivering on commitments
- Stabilize and align staff, foster a culture of trust and accountability, and energize teams to drive measurable results.
- Modernize and simply the operations to help drive increased productivity and effectiveness.
- Lead with both strategic insight and emotional intelligence to inspire high performance and deepen engagement across all levels of the organization.
- Leverage, build, develop and optimize a strong leadership team across core functions (e.g., Programs, Development, Operations, HR, Finance, etc.
- Develop and implement clear, efficient policies and systems that promote transparency, clarity, and operational excellence.
- Keep abreast of issues facing the African American and minority communities
- Serve as a compelling external voice for ULGP, strengthening partnerships, fundraising efforts, and community impact.
Qualifications
- The successful applicant for the position of President and CEO must hold a bachelor’s degree (master’s degree preferred) in business administration, human development, public administration, or finance.
- Other disciplines may be considered based on experience and a proven track record of leadership and management in community-based organizations.
- Candidate must have at least five years of senior non-profit or for-profit management experience. This should include experience in the development and implementation of service programs, program evaluation, advocacy, public education, fiscal management, strategic planning, and resource development.
- Must be able to prove at least four years’ experience working with a volunteer board, community leadership, and mobilization and collaboration efforts.
- Management and supervisory experience are essential along with proven operational capabilities and skills
- Additional qualifications include excellent organizational and communications skills, grant/proposal writing experience, and government/community relations experience.
These are minimum requirements for the position of President/CEO. Prior experience within the Urban League Movement is desirable and preferred.
Additional Qualifications
- Must embrace the mission and objectives of the National Urban League.
- Transparent and high-integrity leadership, building trust by delivering on commitments.
- High-level strategic thinking and planning along with ability to execute and make things happen.
- Ability to envision and convey the organization’s strategic future to the staff, board, volunteers and donors.
- Demonstrated ability to oversee and collaborate with staff.
- A history of successfully generating revenue streams and improving financial results.
- Previous success in establishing and stewarding relationships with individuals and organizations of influence including funders, partner agencies and volunteers.
- Solid organizational abilities, including planning, delegating, program development and task facilitation.
- Hire, develop, promote core and critical roles to ensure operational excellence.
- Strong financial management skills, including budget preparation, analysis, decision making and reporting.
- Strong written and oral communication skills.
- Strong public speaking ability.
- Strong work ethic with a high degree of energy.
Compensation & Benefits
$175,000-200,000, commensurate with training and experience. We offer a full benefits package, including but not limited, to health insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, a 401(K) plan, flexible spending and more.
Contact
DSG | Koya has been exclusively retained for this engagement, which is being led by Trisha Sutrisno and Shelby Woods. 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.
The National Urban League is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to complying with all federal, state and local equal employment opportunity (“EEO”) laws. The National Urban League strictly prohibits discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment because of the individual's race, color, sex (including pregnancy), religion or creed, national origin, alienage, citizenship, age, sexual orientation, disability, gender, identity or expression, sexual and reproductive health decisions or decision making (of employees or their dependents), familial status, marital status, partnership status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, veterans status, domestic violence victim status, arrest or pre- employment criminal conviction record, or any other characteristic protected by law. This policy applies to all National Urban League activities, including, but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, compensation, assignment, training, promotion, discipline and discharge. This policy also bans discriminatory harassment. Employment at the National Urban League is at will.