University of New Hampshire
Executive Director, Northeast Passage
University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire, us, 03824
Executive Director, Northeast Passage
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Northeast Passage is seeking a dynamic and experienced Executive Director to lead the organization into its next chapter. Northeast Passage (NEP) is a program of the University of New Hampshire’s College of Health and Human Services specializing in adapted sports and community-based recreational therapy. NEP serves as a living laboratory for UNH students and a research and engagement partner across campus, advancing active living and well-being initiatives.
The Executive Director will be deeply committed to the missions of both Northeast Passage and UNH. Reporting to the Dean of the College of Health & Human Services, the Executive Director provides strategic leadership in university engagement, program administration, financial management, and external partnerships. This outward‑facing role includes a strong emphasis on fundraising and cultivating relationships that advance NEP’s impact and sustainability.
Duties/Responsibilities University Engagement (15%)
Maintain a strong connection to the academic mission of the University including service, practice, education, and research.
Engage all Northeast Passage staff in this mission.
Serve as the lead contact for NEP with leadership at UNH.
Maintain visibility and connection across campus through participation at important University events, regular attendance and participation in meetings, presentations, and engagement with Advancement, Finance, RMP, CHHS, Athletics, Administration, and other key stakeholders.
Provide strategic support for academic departments within CHHS and across campus.
Establish and maintain connections with key allies on campus, i.e., other centers and institutes, campus recreation, and cooperative extension.
Advocate for NEP needs at each level.
Participate in discussions related to appropriation requests and legislative action.
Strategic Planning (10%)
In collaboration with the NEP leadership team, set and execute the strategic direction of the organization that aligns with the needs of participants, RMP, CHHS, and UNH.
Seek and act upon opportunities to maintain NEP’s and UNH’s national recognition.
Maintain attention to legislative agenda within the fields of therapeutic recreation and adaptive sports and engage in these initiatives to advance and protect the fields.
Oversee and facilitate program development in key and emerging areas within NEP’s scope.
Fundraising (50%)
Co‑lead the Futures Board with UNH Advancement.
Identify key priorities for fund development.
Work closely with Advancement team to identify and solicit potential donors and sponsors.
Provide appropriate stewardship of key donors to continue engagement.
Oversee yearly fundraising plans and events.
Program Administration (10%)
Supervise and guide program directors.
Support productive culture and work environment.
Assure that staff are educated and invested in the mission, purpose, and values of NEP, CHHS and UNH.
Oversee development and compliance with policies and procedures.
Devise remedial actions for any identified issues and conduct crisis management when necessary.
Identify and address potential risks and opportunities within the organization and the surrounding environment and take appropriate action to mitigate or maximize the impact.
Financial Management (10%)
Budget preparation and management:
Annual budget development.
3‑Year budget projections.
Monthly monitoring of all accounts for income and expenses to assure adherence to budget.
Oversee salary allocations and adjustments across funds.
Revenue generation:
Review fee structure and adjust to keep pace with cost and market.
Seek and establish reimbursement mechanisms.
Grant writing and reporting.
Fundraising.
External Relationships (5%)
Foster positive relationships with other universities, strategic partners, professional organizations, legislative connections.
Act as the public speaker and public relations representative in ways that strengthen NEP and UNH’s profile.
Develop partnerships with stakeholders, sponsors, and collaborators to meet program and participant needs.
Minimum Acceptable Education & Experience
Master’s degree in business administration, marketing, nonprofit management or a closely related field.
A minimum of 10 years of management experience with a proven track record of leading teams, overseeing processes, and managing projects effectively in a nonprofit, business or higher education setting.
Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Strong commitment to quality programs and program evaluation.
Excellence in organizational management with the ability to coach staff, manage, and develop high‑performance teams, achieve strategic objectives, and manage a budget.
Strong marketing, public relations, and fundraising experience with the ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders and cultures.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Persuasive and passionate communication with excellent interpersonal and multidisciplinary project skills.
Action‑oriented, entrepreneurial, adaptable, and innovative approach to planning.
Ability to work effectively in collaboration with diverse groups of people.
Entrepreneurial mindset.
Follow Northeast Passage’s team values: Integrity, positivity, courage, be team oriented, trustworthy, mission‑driven, and self‑directed.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with disability, adaptive sports and/or recreational therapy.
At least three years of experience in fundraising, sales and/or marketing.
Graduate Certificate in fundraising.
Applicant Instructions
Resume/CV
Cover Letter
Contact Information for 3 Professional References
Applications that are missing any of the required items may not move forward for consideration. Additional uploaded documents not requested in the position announcement will not be reviewed.
The University of New Hampshire is an R1 Carnegie classification research institution providing comprehensive, high‑quality undergraduate and graduate programs of distinction. UNH is located in Durham on a 188‑acre campus, 60 miles north of Boston and 8 miles from the Atlantic coast and is convenient to New Hampshire’s lakes and mountains. There is a student enrollment of 13,000 students, with a full‑time faculty of over 600, offering 90 undergraduate and more than 70 graduate programs. The University actively promotes a dynamic learning environment in which qualified individuals of differing perspectives, life experiences, and cultural backgrounds pursue academic goals with mutual respect and shared inquiry.
EEO Statement The University System of New Hampshire is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access employer. The University System is committed to creating an environment that values and supports diversity and inclusiveness across our campus communities and encourages applications from qualified individuals who will help us achieve this mission. The University System prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or marital status.
Compensation Pay Range: $72,980.00 - $130,670.00
Location: Durham
Seniority level: Executive
Employment type: Full‑time
Job function: Business Development and Sales
Industries: Higher Education
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Northeast Passage is seeking a dynamic and experienced Executive Director to lead the organization into its next chapter. Northeast Passage (NEP) is a program of the University of New Hampshire’s College of Health and Human Services specializing in adapted sports and community-based recreational therapy. NEP serves as a living laboratory for UNH students and a research and engagement partner across campus, advancing active living and well-being initiatives.
The Executive Director will be deeply committed to the missions of both Northeast Passage and UNH. Reporting to the Dean of the College of Health & Human Services, the Executive Director provides strategic leadership in university engagement, program administration, financial management, and external partnerships. This outward‑facing role includes a strong emphasis on fundraising and cultivating relationships that advance NEP’s impact and sustainability.
Duties/Responsibilities University Engagement (15%)
Maintain a strong connection to the academic mission of the University including service, practice, education, and research.
Engage all Northeast Passage staff in this mission.
Serve as the lead contact for NEP with leadership at UNH.
Maintain visibility and connection across campus through participation at important University events, regular attendance and participation in meetings, presentations, and engagement with Advancement, Finance, RMP, CHHS, Athletics, Administration, and other key stakeholders.
Provide strategic support for academic departments within CHHS and across campus.
Establish and maintain connections with key allies on campus, i.e., other centers and institutes, campus recreation, and cooperative extension.
Advocate for NEP needs at each level.
Participate in discussions related to appropriation requests and legislative action.
Strategic Planning (10%)
In collaboration with the NEP leadership team, set and execute the strategic direction of the organization that aligns with the needs of participants, RMP, CHHS, and UNH.
Seek and act upon opportunities to maintain NEP’s and UNH’s national recognition.
Maintain attention to legislative agenda within the fields of therapeutic recreation and adaptive sports and engage in these initiatives to advance and protect the fields.
Oversee and facilitate program development in key and emerging areas within NEP’s scope.
Fundraising (50%)
Co‑lead the Futures Board with UNH Advancement.
Identify key priorities for fund development.
Work closely with Advancement team to identify and solicit potential donors and sponsors.
Provide appropriate stewardship of key donors to continue engagement.
Oversee yearly fundraising plans and events.
Program Administration (10%)
Supervise and guide program directors.
Support productive culture and work environment.
Assure that staff are educated and invested in the mission, purpose, and values of NEP, CHHS and UNH.
Oversee development and compliance with policies and procedures.
Devise remedial actions for any identified issues and conduct crisis management when necessary.
Identify and address potential risks and opportunities within the organization and the surrounding environment and take appropriate action to mitigate or maximize the impact.
Financial Management (10%)
Budget preparation and management:
Annual budget development.
3‑Year budget projections.
Monthly monitoring of all accounts for income and expenses to assure adherence to budget.
Oversee salary allocations and adjustments across funds.
Revenue generation:
Review fee structure and adjust to keep pace with cost and market.
Seek and establish reimbursement mechanisms.
Grant writing and reporting.
Fundraising.
External Relationships (5%)
Foster positive relationships with other universities, strategic partners, professional organizations, legislative connections.
Act as the public speaker and public relations representative in ways that strengthen NEP and UNH’s profile.
Develop partnerships with stakeholders, sponsors, and collaborators to meet program and participant needs.
Minimum Acceptable Education & Experience
Master’s degree in business administration, marketing, nonprofit management or a closely related field.
A minimum of 10 years of management experience with a proven track record of leading teams, overseeing processes, and managing projects effectively in a nonprofit, business or higher education setting.
Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Strong commitment to quality programs and program evaluation.
Excellence in organizational management with the ability to coach staff, manage, and develop high‑performance teams, achieve strategic objectives, and manage a budget.
Strong marketing, public relations, and fundraising experience with the ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders and cultures.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Persuasive and passionate communication with excellent interpersonal and multidisciplinary project skills.
Action‑oriented, entrepreneurial, adaptable, and innovative approach to planning.
Ability to work effectively in collaboration with diverse groups of people.
Entrepreneurial mindset.
Follow Northeast Passage’s team values: Integrity, positivity, courage, be team oriented, trustworthy, mission‑driven, and self‑directed.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with disability, adaptive sports and/or recreational therapy.
At least three years of experience in fundraising, sales and/or marketing.
Graduate Certificate in fundraising.
Applicant Instructions
Resume/CV
Cover Letter
Contact Information for 3 Professional References
Applications that are missing any of the required items may not move forward for consideration. Additional uploaded documents not requested in the position announcement will not be reviewed.
The University of New Hampshire is an R1 Carnegie classification research institution providing comprehensive, high‑quality undergraduate and graduate programs of distinction. UNH is located in Durham on a 188‑acre campus, 60 miles north of Boston and 8 miles from the Atlantic coast and is convenient to New Hampshire’s lakes and mountains. There is a student enrollment of 13,000 students, with a full‑time faculty of over 600, offering 90 undergraduate and more than 70 graduate programs. The University actively promotes a dynamic learning environment in which qualified individuals of differing perspectives, life experiences, and cultural backgrounds pursue academic goals with mutual respect and shared inquiry.
EEO Statement The University System of New Hampshire is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access employer. The University System is committed to creating an environment that values and supports diversity and inclusiveness across our campus communities and encourages applications from qualified individuals who will help us achieve this mission. The University System prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or marital status.
Compensation Pay Range: $72,980.00 - $130,670.00
Location: Durham
Seniority level: Executive
Employment type: Full‑time
Job function: Business Development and Sales
Industries: Higher Education
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