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Executive Director

Status: Full-time, Exempt
Location: Syracuse, NY
Reports to: Board of Trustees
Salary Range: $130,000 – $160,000

The Opportunity

At the William G. Pomeroy Foundation, we’re more than just a grantmaking organization — we’re cancer fighting warriors, storytellers, community builders, and history champions.  Every “For Life” grant we make helps save lives.  Every “For History” marker we fund tells a story, honors a legacy, and strengthens the fabric of a community.  When you join our team, you’re not just taking a job — you’re stepping into a mission that changes lives.

As Executive Director, you will guide the Foundation through its next phase of growth and national impact.  You will shape strategy, expand the reach of our historical marker programs, and ensure operational excellence across all areas of the organization.  Your leadership will influence how communities engage with their history and how the Foundation advances its broader philanthropic mission.

This role offers the opportunity to lead a passionate, high-performing team.  The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker, trusted partner, and outward-facing ambassador who is energized by growth, driven by purpose, and committed to making a lasting impact.  If you are seeking a role where you can lead with vision, build on a strong foundation and expand a mission that matters, this is a unique and compelling opportunity.

Key Responsibilities

1. Management

  1. Manage, mentor, and evaluate staff, supporting their growth and development.
  2. Promote an in-person office culture that is highly professional and organized.
  3. Track the foundation’s activities and enterprises, communicating progress, challenges, impact and outcomes.

2. Program Growth, Business Development, and Market Expansion

  1. Develop and execute a national growth strategy for the historical marker grants  program, increasing application volume, geographic reach, and quality.
  2. Design and manage a structured pipeline of prospective applicants.
  3. Identify and cultivate new applicant segments.

3. External Relations and Broader Community Engagement

  1. Serve as the Foundation’s primary external representative.
  2. Build strategic partnerships.

4. Finance, Operations and Compliance

  1. Provide executive oversight of financial operations.
  2. Implement effective systems and practices.

Candidate Profile

  1. Strong passion for American history.
  2. Although there is no fundraising required in our organization, experience in development or sales is highly valued.
  3. Demonstrated executive leadership.
  4. Strategic planning experience.
  5. Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills.
  6. Exceptional communication and team leadership skills.
  7. Proven ability to lead operational and programmatic growth.
  8. Technologically proficient.

Challenges and Expectations

  1. Transitioning the Foundation to operate with business-like efficiency.
  2. Enhancing the Foundation’s national recognition and respect within the historical community and beyond.
  3. Balancing the Foundation’s historical preservation mission with its commitment to improving outcomes for blood cancer patients.

What We Offer

  1. A mission that matters. You’ll help preserve history, support cancer patients, and connect people to something bigger.
  2. A team that supports you. We’re small, close-knit, and driven; and we have fun while doing meaningful work.
  3. A package that takes care of you.

Benefits include:

  1. Medical, dental, and vision insurance
  2. Generous employer retirement contributions
  3. Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
  4. Ongoing professional development

How to Apply
Submit a PDF including your cover letter and resume to jobs@wgpfoundation.org with the subject line: “Your Name – Executive Director.” Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis beginning May 2026. The position will remain open until filled.

About Us
The William G. Pomeroy Foundation® is a private, philanthropic organization based in Syracuse, NY, with a dual mission: improving outcomes for blood cancer patients and celebrating community history through fully funded historical markers across the United States. Since 2006, the Pomeroy Foundation has funded more than 3,000 markers in 49 states, highlighting topics ranging from food history and transportation landmarks to historic places and folklore. Learn more at wgpfoundation.org.

Job Description PDF

Equal Employment

The William G. Pomeroy Foundation and American Pomeroy Historic Genealogical Association are committed to equal employment opportunity for all employees regardless of sex, race, creed, color, pregnancy, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, disability, religion, national origin, military service, arrest/conviction record, victims of domestic violence, and genetics. In addition, we comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, decisions relating to hiring, placement, promotion, termination, compensation and training.

Let’s Connect

Interested in joining us at the Pomeroy Foundation? Send your resume to jobs@wgpfoundation.org to be considered for future openings.