Chief Executive Officer

Chief Executive Officer

Newark Alliance

 

Req Number: 41GOID

Location: Newark, NJ

Category: Government/Not-For-Profit : Not-For-Profit

Job Type: Permanent

Compensation: USD 325,000.00 - 350,000.00 Yearly - The organization offers a highly competitive benefits package.

 

The Organization

 

The Newark Alliance is a nonprofit civic leadership organization dedicated to advancing inclusive economic growth across Newark, New Jersey. Founded in 1999, the Alliance brings together the city’s leading anchor institutions, businesses, and community partners to collaborate on initiatives that strengthen Newark’s economic, cultural, and civic vitality.

 

The Alliance’s membership includes Fortune 100 companies, major universities, healthcare systems, arts and cultural institutions, and community-based organizations. These members are united by a shared commitment to Newark’s long-term growth and to improving outcomes for residents, businesses, and visitors. Through its membership model, the Alliance serves as a platform for collaboration, aligning the resources and expertise of Newark’s most influential institutions around shared priorities.

 

In 2025, the Newark Alliance entered a significant new phase of growth following the consolidation of three civic organizations into a single, unified entity. With unanimous approval from the Newark City Council, and in close partnership with Mayor Ras J. Baraka and the City of Newark, the Alliance integrated the Newark Downtown District (NDD) and the Greater Newark Convention and Visitors Bureau (GNCVB). This consolidation brought together a broad set of city-shaping functions under one organizational structure, including economic development, downtown district management, tourism and destination marketing, and business attraction and investment—positioning the Newark Alliance as a central platform for driving inclusive economic growth and citywide impact.

 

The Alliance’s work spans four primary areas:

 

• Strategic Initiatives and Civic Projects: The Alliance manages a portfolio of initiatives addressing key city priorities, including expanding broadband access, closing the digital divide, addressing homelessness, and advancing environmental and quality-of-life efforts.

• Economic Development: The Alliance advances inclusive economic growth in Newark by strengthening the city’s business environment and supporting job creation. Through partnerships with employers, developers, and public sector leaders, the organization promotes business attraction and retention, supports small business development, and helps connect residents to emerging economic opportunities.

• Downtown Management and Activation: Through the Newark Downtown District, the Alliance oversees efforts to maintain a clean, green, safe, and vibrant downtown environment. This includes public space improvements, community engagement, and large-scale events and activations such as Halsey Fest, Newark Fan Fest, and Festivals United.

• City Branding, Marketing, and Attraction: The organization leads efforts to position Newark as a compelling destination for visitors, residents, and businesses. This includes promoting the city’s assets, supporting local businesses, and advancing initiatives that attract new investment and increase overall visibility.

• In addition, the Alliance facilitates the Newark Anchor Collaborative, a network of executive leaders from major institutions such as Audible, Prudential, Rutgers University, and United Airlines. This group works to align institutional resources in support of economic mobility and shared citywide goals.

 

Through its combined structure and partnerships with the City of Newark and other stakeholders, the Newark Alliance plays a central coordinating role in advancing Newark’s continued growth and positioning the city as a more inclusive, vibrant, and economically competitive community.

 

Newark, New Jersey

 

Newark is a dynamic, asset-rich city anchored by world-class universities, leading hospital systems, a vibrant arts and cultural ecosystem, a diverse and expanding business base, and one of the Northeast’s most important transportation networks. It is home to more than 60,000 college students attending institutions that include Rutgers University-Newark, the New Jersey Institute of Technology, and Seton Hall Law School, as well as the state's largest art museum, performing arts venue, and arena. The city is a major regional transportation hub with connections to markets across the Northeast, country, and globe. Reflecting decades of collaboration and sustained investment by the city, its anchor institutions and civic partners, Newark's violent crime rate declined by 67% between 2000 and 2023, compared to a national decline of 26% over the same period. The Newark Alliance plays a central role in the continued evolution of this historic and iconic city. With dedicated stakeholders, an expanded structure and deepened partnerships, the Alliance is well positioned to support Newark’s exciting future.

 

Role Overview

 

The Chief Executive Officer will lead the Newark Alliance at an important and exciting moment following its recent organizational expansion, working in close partnership with the Board of Directors and a broad set of civic, business, and community stakeholders to advance inclusive economic growth across Newark. This role requires a collaborative, externally oriented leader who can align anchor institutions, government, philanthropy, and private sector partners around a clear and actionable vision for the city’s future. The CEO will help set the strategic direction and drive execution across a diverse portfolio that includes strategic initiatives, economic development, downtown management, and city branding. In parallel, the CEO will play a key role in expanding and diversifying funding and ensuring the organization’s long-term sustainability, while leading and supporting a team of ~20 committed team members.

 

Key Responsibilities

 

Strategic Leadership

 

• Develop and execute a clear, actionable strategic plan in partnership with the Board and key stakeholders

• Define organizational priorities across economic development, civic initiatives, and community impact

• Align resources, partnerships, and programs to deliver measurable outcomes for Newark residents and businesses

 

Board & Governance

 

• Build and maintain a strong, transparent relationship with the Board of Directors

• Support the continued evolution of governance structures following the recent consolidation

• Provide regular updates on strategy, performance, and organizational priorities

 

External Affairs & Stakeholder Engagement

 

• Serve as the organization’s primary spokesperson and ambassador

• Build and maintain relationships with elected officials, anchor institutions, community leaders, and private sector partners

• Navigate a complex political and stakeholder environment at the local and state levels

• Convene stakeholders to align on shared priorities and advance collaborative initiatives

 

Fundraising & Resource Development

 

• Lead efforts to expand and diversify funding, including philanthropy, institutional partnerships, and public funding

• Build relationships with major foundations and national funders

• Articulate a compelling vision to attract significant investment and support long-term sustainability

 

Programs & Initiatives

 

• Oversee execution of the Alliance’s core areas of work, including downtown management, city branding and attraction, economic development, and strategic initiatives

• Ensure alignment and integration across functions following the organizational consolidation

• Advance key initiatives such as the Newark Anchor Collaborative, broadband expansion, and addressing homelessness

 

Organizational Leadership & Culture

 

• Lead, develop, and retain a high-performing team

• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and sustainable organizational culture

• Provide clarity of roles, priorities, and accountability across the organization

• Ensure the organization can operate effectively at scale while maintaining focus and cohesion

 

Financial & Operational Oversight

 

• Ensure sound financial management, budgeting, and long-term sustainability

• Align financial resources with strategic priorities and programmatic impact

• Oversee organizational operations, systems, and processes

 

Candidate Profile

 

The ideal candidate will operate effectively at the intersection of business, government, and community, bringing a track record of leading dynamic organizations or initiatives, building partnerships across diverse stakeholders, and driving long-term impact. This individual will be a credible and compelling communicator, able to articulate a clear vision for Newark’s future and mobilize others around shared goals. They will be comfortable navigating a dynamic and complex political environment, while maintaining a strong commitment to inclusive economic growth and improved outcomes for Newark residents. The successful candidate will demonstrate an inspiring leadership style of clarity, accountability, and team development, with the ability to leverage an experienced staff and align efforts across a broad and evolving portfolio of work.

 

Experience and Qualifications

 

• Minimum of 10 years of senior leadership experience, ideally in a nonprofit, civic, economic development, foundation, or similarly complex organization

• Demonstrated experience leading organizations or initiatives involving multiple stakeholders across public, private, and nonprofit sectors

• Proven ability to develop and execute strategic plans and drive measurable outcomes

• Experience with fundraising and resource development, including engaging major donors, foundations, or institutional partners

• Strong understanding of economic development, urban systems, community development, or related fields; experience in a city or regional context preferred

• Experience designing, leading, or supporting place-based initiatives that bring together public, private, and community stakeholders to drive inclusive economic growth and neighborhood-level impact

• Demonstrated ability to navigate political and governmental environments and build relationships with elected officials and public sector leaders

• Experience working with or reporting to a Board of Directors

• Strong operational and financial management skills, including oversight of budgets and organizational performance

• Proven ability to lead, develop, and manage teams in a fast-paced environment

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to serve as a credible public spokesperson

• Experience building partnerships and coalitions to advance shared goals

• Familiarity with Newark, New Jersey, or a comparable urban environment strongly preferred

 

Education

 

Bachelor's degree required, advanced degree preferred.

 

Compensation

 

Newark Alliance anticipates a base salary in the range of $325,000 to $350,000. The organization offers a highly competitive benefits package.

 

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Korn Ferry shall provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified candidates, and will refer candidates without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected basis. Artificial Intelligence tools may be used in connection with the recruitment process for this position.