EMPOWERING PEOPLE THROUGH INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS, ONE PERSON AT A TIME.

OVERVIEW

United Cerebral Palsy of New York City, Inc., d/b/a ADAPT Community Network (ADAPT), seeks a Chief Executive Officer to lead an organization poised for strategic growth, articulate a compelling vision for the future, diversify and expand its programming and range of services, and increase philanthropic and other non-governmental support. The Chief Executive Officer will direct and motivate a highly committed staff with a passion for advancing equity and access for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), maintain a well-established commitment to quality, and ensure that their mission remains at the forefront of everything they do.

THE INSTITUTION

ADAPT is a leading New York City-based nonprofit healthcare agency and pioneer in providing cutting-edge programs and services that improve the quality of life for its supported people. For almost 80 years, ADAPT has been fostering a more inclusive world for thousands of New Yorkers of all ages through education, adaptive technology, healthcare, and residential and recreational programs in schools, clinics, residences, and community centers in over 270 locations in New York’s five boroughs and Sullivan, Orange, and Rockland Counties. 

The ADAPT network includes several affiliates and four member organizations: ADAPT of the Hudson Valley, Human First, Inspire, and Community Resource Center for the Developmentally Disabled. ADAPT’s 100+ programs serve thousands of New York individuals and families annually who are living with autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and neuromuscular disorders, among others.

To learn more about ADAPT’s comprehensive programs and services please visit: www.adaptcommunitynetwork.org.

ADAPT is governed by a 14-member Board of Directors. The agency, including affiliates, had FY24 revenues of approximately $325 million and approximately 2,500 full-time equivalent employees. In addition to its real estate holdings and other assets, ADAPT had more than $173 million in assets under management at June 30, 2025, through its Foundation.

THE POSITION

The Chief Executive Officer will provide leadership and strategic direction to a large, complex, multidisciplinary agency. The Chief Executive Officer will fuel innovative thinking and drive forces to support programmatic and organizational growth. Ever mindful of the organization’s culture and values, the Chief Executive Officer will marshal the collective talent of the ADAPT community, fostering clear lines of authority and responsibility while ensuring and nurturing a diverse and inclusive workplace.

The Chief Executive Officer will be a credible and passionate advocate, thought leader, and spokesperson who will increase ADAPT’s public presence and provide a voice for I/DD communities. This person will represent ADAPT and its mission to all relevant government entities, community-based partners, and constituencies, and coalesce support for the organization from decision makers in state, local, and private funding arenas. The Chief Executive Officer will work to identify, attract, and inspire new funders and donors, and generate alternate sources of revenue, thereby reducing the agency’s primary dependence on Medicaid, in support of ADAPT’s long-term commitments and agenda.

The Chief Executive Officer will ensure that ADAPT remains fiscally and administratively sound, streamline and reimagine ADAPT’s organizational structure as appropriate, and align infrastructure with institutional reach. Through the Executive Leadership Team, this person will provide timely financial information, maintain compliance with regulatory standards, oversee the implementation of policy and programs, and ensure that the organizational structure, technology, program development and implementation, and fundraising efforts are well managed and congruous.

The Chief Executive Officer will enhance ADAPT’s public image and serve as an advocate within the I/DD community, deepening connections with people supported by ADAPT, their families, staff, and community partners. This person will convey to all constituents that ADAPT is here for them and that they are its top priority.

PRIORITIES AND ONGOING RESPONSIBILITIES

The Chief Executive Officer will capitalize on both ADAPT’s legacy and potential and have the following priorities and key responsibilities.

• Thoroughly understand ADAPT – its mission, history, constituencies, structure, and the value of its programs; quickly acclimate to all that encompasses the agency as one of the leading I/DD service providers in New York.
• Take the lead in the development of ADAPT’s next strategic plan; consider strategies that broaden its geographic scope, service offerings, and populations served, and implement these strategies as appropriate.
• Ensure that ADAPT’s programs are supported to the maximum extent possible by appropriate government grants and contracts; develop strong and collaborative relationships with NYS, OPWDD, SED, DOH, and other government entities that fund the agency; be proactive in the face of changes within the funding environment and capitalize on new opportunities, affiliations, and partnerships, and course correct as necessary.
• Lead, motivate, and inspire a committed staff; instill transparency and accountability; maintain a high level of cooperation, innovative thinking, and teamwork; eliminate internal dynamics that slow progress or limit ADAPT’s ability to progress; delegate authority appropriately, encourage professional growth, recognize positive contributions, and foster communication and collaboration across departments.
• Diversify ADAPT’s funding base including private fundraising through individual donors, corporations, and foundations; create and promote vehicles for those funding sources; engage current and prospective funding communities in support of ADAPT’s initiatives to result in new and more diverse sources of funding and increased revenue.
• Review and strengthen ADAPT’s reporting systems, analytics, budgets, and planning strategies and ensure they reflect the financial profile of the organization; develop a more participatory budgeting process; support ADAPT’s efforts and capacity to track and disseminate programmatic outcomes internally and to funders and partners; bring affiliates and recent acquisitions up to par with ADAPT systems, standards, and culture.
• Foster a cohesive, open, and collegial working relationship with the Board and its committees, communicating effectively and providing them with the information necessary to make informed decisions in a timely and accurate manner; identify and recruit new Board members whose talents, backgrounds, and commitment are congruent with ADAPT’s needs and mission.

IDEAL EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

The Chief Executive Officer should have a deep and abiding commitment to and passion for the mission and core values of ADAPT. She or he should also have or be:

• A visionary able to think big and ahead of the curve; someone who is proactive with experience taking an organization to the next level in both revenue and scope and guiding it to adapt to industry changes; able to identify trends and take risks as appropriate; the ability to make hard decisions big and small on a regular basis, along with respect for those who may hold different points of view.
• Proven leadership, management, problem-solving, and strategic planning capability with commensurate business acumen and fiscal literacy, preferably as an executive within a nonprofit organization or government agency; if coming from outside, the individual should have experience serving as a volunteer or nonprofit board member or, in other ways, have experience in the fields of health and human services.
• An understanding of relevant New York and federal regulatory bodies including OPWDD, SED, DOE, DOH, and Medicaid, with experience managing compliance within these frameworks.
• Extensive operational experience – able to balance multiple priorities and maintain forward momentum; a keen understanding of the financial and management systems and compliance guidelines required to support a large, complex operation.
• A track record of success as an advocate and fundraiser; equally comfortable at the policy table and the funding table, with a demonstrated ability to work with and attract support from New York state and city agencies and officials, foundations, corporations, and individuals; the ability to personally interact with and cultivate donors, partners, and other key constituencies is essential along with the ability to identify potential partnerships and other revenue-generating opportunities.
• The commitment and ability to engage and support ADAPT’s program leadership and staff; able to envision and operationalize new initiatives and deeply understand how decisions – funding, resource, and staff allocations, etc. – are being experienced by staff and people served.

The successful candidate will stay rooted in ADAPT’s core values and have or be:

• A diplomatic leader who will embrace a clearly defined institutional mission and culture; collaborative and empathetic; capable of building and maintaining high morale; a person who will recognize and respect a group of deeply committed employees at all levels.
• An analytical and a creative problem solver and skilled negotiator who can anticipate, initiate, and implement rather than just respond to challenges as they arise; able to enhance interdepartmental connectivity and communication.
• A high degree of compassion and emotional intelligence; an effective relationship builder, internally and externally; highly visible, approachable, and willing to roll up their sleeves.
• A consensus-builder; able to foster a sense of common purpose and incorporate and balance diverse agendas and an open exchange of ideas; bold and decisive when needed.
• A good sense of humor and the ability to maintain balance and perspective.

COMPENSATION

The salary range for this position is $600,000 to $800,000. ADAPT offers an attractive benefits package.

ADAPT Community Network is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Qualified candidates of diverse ethnic and racial backgrounds and status are encouraged to apply for vacant positions at all levels.

Applications, including cover letters and resumes, or nominations should be sent to Mark Tarnacki and G. Angela Henry at: ADAPT@PhillipsOppenheim.com.