Chief Executive Officer

M3 Placement•Upstate, NY

About The Position

UVC is seeking a Chief Executive Officer to lead its continued growth and impact across Upstate New York. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the CEO will be responsible for organizational strategy, fundraising, external relationships, the team, and financial sustainability. This is a highly external, entrepreneurial role focused on building relationships, raising resources, connecting people, and identifying opportunities to strengthen entrepreneurship across the region. Prior nonprofit experience is not required; experience as a founder, investor, business leader, fundraiser, or ecosystem builder may be relevant. Founded in 2010 by entrepreneurs, UVC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit working to build a more connected, entrepreneur-led economy across Upstate New York. It supports founders of high-growth, venture-backable companies by helping them access relationships, experience, capital, customers, talent, and other resources. UVC connects regional startup communities and offers entrepreneurs personalized introductions through its network. It tracks more than 800 high-growth companies across Upstate New York, facilitates more than 550 curated introductions annually, and has a broader network of more than 18,000 contacts and startup supporters. UVC's Community Advocate network provides a locally based presence across Upstate New York. Advocates identify and engage founders, organize local gatherings, build partnerships, make strategic introductions, and connect entrepreneurs to UVC's broader network. UVC's UNY50 is an invitation-only group of accomplished entrepreneurs, executives, and business leaders who volunteer their time, experience, and networks to help emerging founders. UVC hosts more than 20 curated events each year, including founder feedback sessions, market visits, founder and leadership dinners, and an annual invitation-only founders retreat. UVC is funded through foundation support, corporate sponsorships, individual donations, and program revenue, with support from a statewide community of corporate and community partners, universities, financial institutions, investors, board members, advisors, volunteers, and founders. The CEO will set priorities with the Board, lead their execution, oversee the organization’s budget and financial resources, manage the team, and guide UVC’s programs, partnerships, fundraising, and growth. The base salary is $110,000–$130,000, with an opportunity for incentive compensation.

Requirements

Strong affinity for UVC’s mission and entrepreneurship in Upstate New York.
Demonstrated success building relationships, partnerships, and networks.
Experience fundraising, generating revenue, developing and managing to a budget, selling, or securing financial support from individual donors, corporate sponsors, foundations, and/or government sources.
Entrepreneurial mindset and ability to move between strategy and hands-on execution.
Credibility with founders, investors, business leaders, funders, and community partners.
Strong communication and public speaking skills.
Comfort with emerging technology, including use of AI.
Experience leading a team, managing a budget, and driving organizational priorities.

Responsibilities

Own UVC’s fundraising and revenue strategy, with a goal of long-term financial sustainability.
Build and maintain relationships with corporations, foundations, financial institutions, government partners, donors, and sponsors.
Build and maintain relationships with founders, investors, executives, universities, economic development organizations, and other partners across New York State and beyond.
Serve as a visible ambassador for UVC and Upstate New York’s entrepreneurial community.
Grow and engage the regionwide network, connecting founders to capital, customers, talent, mentors, and other opportunities.
Set organizational priorities with the Board and lead their execution.
Develop and oversee the annual budget, balancing strategic goals with available resources.
Manage UVC’s team and financial resources, support the organization’s strategy, and maintain compliance with regulatory requirements.
Oversee the Community Advocate network and the execution of UVC’s programs and gatherings.
Identify new opportunities for partnerships, programs, and organizational growth.