Project Hospitality
Chief Executive Officer
Staten Island, NY (hybrid)
Salary: $250,000-$300,000
BACKGROUND
The Organization
Founded in 1982, Project Hospitality is a Staten Island–based nonprofit organization dedicated to serving individuals and families who are homeless, hungry, or otherwise in crisis. Rooted in an interfaith commitment to dignity, compassion, and justice, Project Hospitality works alongside people in need to help them achieve stability, self-sufficiency, and improved quality of life.
As the largest provider of homeless services on Staten Island, Project Hospitality plays a vital role in the borough’s social safety net and works closely with city and state agencies, healthcare partners, faith communities, and neighborhood organizations. The organization provides a comprehensive continuum of services addressing immediate needs and long-term outcomes:
· Help Centers/Benefits Assistance
· Health Homes
· Food pantries and Soup Kitchen
· Substance Abuse Services
· Emotional and Mental Health Support
· Youth Services Drop In Center
· Tax Preparation
Through integrated services and strong partnerships, Project Hospitality addresses the structural causes of homelessness and poverty while meeting urgent needs with care and respect.
The Position
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Project Hospitality will lead the organization at a pivotal moment, building on a strong legacy of service while positioning the organization for long-term sustainability, operational excellence, and expanded impact.
Reporting to the Board of Directors, the CEO will have overall responsibility for strategy, programs, operations, finances, fundraising, and external relations of the $52M organization. The CEO will work closely with a seasoned leadership team of 7 direct reports, over 380 dedicated staff, and community partners to strengthen Project Hospitality’s role as a trusted, effective, and forward-thinking leader in homelessness and human services.
This is an exceptional opportunity for a mission-driven, highly capable executive to steward a complex organization, deepen its impact across Staten Island, and serve as a visible advocate for individuals and families experiencing homelessness and poverty.
In the first 18-24 months, the CEO will be expected to:
· Lead Strategic Planning: Assess programs for impact, management capacity, and financial performance. Partner with the Board and staff to launch and implement a new strategic plan that sets a clear vision and priorities for the organization for 2027 and beyond.
· Strengthen Long-Term Financial Health: Partner closely with the CFO to reinforce compliance, budgeting discipline, risk management, and financial literacy among program leaders; work with fundraising team and work to bring in more unrestricted, private dollars.
· Rebuild Organizational Cohesion: Foster a collaborative culture, break down silos, improve communication, and take an enterprise-wide view of how staff, departments, and decision-making should be organized at the organization’s current scale.
· Raise Public Profile: Serve as the public face of Project Hospitality—building
relationships with community leaders, government officials, funders, and peers,
articulating a clear brand that positions the organization as an essential problem-solver for Staten Island.
ROLE OVERVIEW
Strategic Leadership & Team Management
· Partner with the Board to set organizational direction, ensure programs are in alignment with strategy, and drive a clear strategic plan.
· Provide steady, visible leadership during times of transition and guide the organization through change and growth.
· Build and support a high-performing executive team and staff, fostering a culture of transparency, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Fundraising & Resource Alignment
· Ensure financial sustainability through sound fiscal management, contract oversight, and revenue diversification.
· Lead fundraising efforts alongside the development team, engaging government, philanthropic, corporate, and individual supporters.
Program Oversight, Compliance & Operations
- Working with the program team, ensure delivery of high-quality, client-centered services across Project Hospitality’s full continuum of care.
- Use data and outcomes to evaluate program effectiveness, strengthen impact, and guide investment decisions.
- Oversee all operations and systems to ensure efficiency, compliance, and continuous improvement.
External Relations & Advocacy
· Serve as the chief spokesperson for Project Hospitality, strengthening its public profile and visibility across Staten Island and New York City.
· Build relationships with government agencies, interfaith organizations, elected officials, funders, and community leaders to advance Project Hospitality’s mission and policy agenda.
Board Partnership & Governance
· Serve as the primary liaison to the Board of Directors, supporting strong governance, strategic decision-making, and organizational oversight.
· Support effective board recruitment, development, and engagement.
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
The ideal candidate for the CEO position possesses the following competencies:
Experience & Expertise
- At least 10 years of senior executive leadership, ideally as an Executive Director/CEO or senior leader of a large, complex nonprofit, government, or advocacy organization.
- Proven experience overseeing finances, budgets, government contracts, and operations in organizations of comparable size and complexity.
- Demonstrated success in fundraising and resource development, including cultivating individual donors, foundations, and corporations.
- Experience leading large teams of professionals; skilled at building and mentoring strong executive teams.
- Background in human services, public, behavioral, or mental health, family and youth services, or related social service fields preferred.
- Master’s degree in a relevant field (MPA, MSW, MBA, or equivalent) strongly preferred.
Leadership & Skills
- Strategic thinker with the ability to set a clear vision and motivate others toward ambitious goals.
- Balances financial stewardship and operational rigor with mission-driven program excellence.
- Organizational design experience.
- Strong communicator, able to engage diverse audiences including staff, funders, government, and community leaders.
- Skilled in negotiation, partnership-building, and advocacy with key government and community stakeholders.
- Entrepreneurial and innovative mindset, with the ability to grow programs, partnerships, and impact.
- Steady and sound judgment, especially in times of complexity or crisis.
Values & Personal Characteristics
- Deep passion for the mission of Project Hospitality and authentic connection to the communities of Staten Island.
- Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and building a workforce that reflects the population served.
- Collaborative and transparent leadership style, able to inspire trust and foster a culture of accountability and collaboration.
- Integrity, empathy, and resilience, with the ability to make tough decisions when necessary.
- Belief in continuous learning and improvement, using data and measurement to drive outcomes.
WHO WE ARE
Work Environment
Project Hospitality fosters a collaborative and mission-driven workplace. The team of more than 380 staff members brings diverse skills and perspectives to serve communities across Staten Island. The organization’s administrative team operates on a hybrid schedule with at least 2 days in the main office located in Port Richmond.
Our Commitment to Diversity
Project Hospitality values a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace; one where all employees, contractors, and volunteers, regardless of their gender, gender expression, gender identity, transgender status, race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, or any other protected classification, feel valued and respected.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
Salary: $250,000-$300,000 with additional incentive plan for meeting goals
Benefits
Project Hospitality offers a competitive benefits package designed to support your health, financial security, and work–life balance, including:
- Generous time off including 4 weeks of paid vacation, 3 personal days, 12 sick leave days, and 11 holidays
- Comprehensive top tier health coverage, with optional dental and vision plans through United Health Care for individual or family plans
- 403(b) retirement plan with employer contribution of 2%
- Employer-paid life insurance, plus optional supplemental coverage short-term and long-term disability insurance
- Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
TIMELINE AND NEXT STEPS
If you are interested in this position, please click here. All applicants will receive an email confirming receipt of their application.
We encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply even if you do not meet all of the qualifications outlined above. If you are selected to move forward for an initial screening call, we expect you to hear from us throughout February and March.
Natalia Kepler
Senior Talent Consultant
Ami Abramson
Senior Partner