Boston SCORES Executive Director

About Boston SCORES

Boston SCORES inspires youth to lead healthy lives, be engaged students, and have the confidence and character to make a difference in the world.

For over 25 years, Boston SCORES has partnered with Boston Public Schools and community organizations to provide youth in grades K-12 with after-school soccer and enrichment programs. Boston SCORES school-based afterschool programming combines soccer with poetry, social entrepreneurship, and college and career exploration. The organization has become a trusted youth development leader across the city with strong community credibility and high-quality programming that serves nearly 2,000 youth annually. The recent capital campaign, construction, and activation of Boston SCORES Field in East Boston had a transformative impact on the organization's ability to provide new types of programming, including a community-based youth soccer league, travel team opportunities, and workforce development programs.

Boston SCORES' impact can be seen in the following metrics:

• Academic Engagement: 90% of elementary and middle school students reported an increased desire to go to school

• Social and Emotional Skills: 91% of students say Boston SCORES made them more confident

• Health and Fitness: 83% of students improved their aerobic capacity

• Post Secondary Preparedness: 100% of Boston SCORES high school seniors graduated on time

Boston SCORES is a proud member of the SCORES Network, through which 13 affiliates across the country use the power of soccer, poetry, and service-learning. It has grown to a budget of $2.9M annually with 20 year-round staff and around 200 coaches.

The Opportunity

Boston SCORES is seeking an Executive Director to lead the organization through one of its most dynamic and consequential chapters. The Executive Director serves as the chief executive, strategic leader, and primary spokesperson for Boston SCORES — reporting to the Chair/Co-Chairs of the Board and responsible for advancing the organization's mission, vision, and strategic priorities; ensuring organizational sustainability; and strengthening community impact.

The Executive Director leads organizational strategy, fundraising, financial stewardship, and external relations while fostering a high-performing, collaborative culture among staff, board members, partners, and volunteers.

FIFA World Cup & Festival 26

This summer, Boston SCORES will host Festival 26 — an international youth event running alongside the World Cup in Boston — bringing together 400 youth soccer players from across the country and around the world to play, learn, and celebrate soccer/football as tools for youth development, social inclusion, and economic mobility. The Festival will elevate the organization's visibility and open new fundraising opportunities, while regular afterschool and field programming in East Boston continues in full stride.

Strategic Direction

Boston SCORES launched a strategic planning process this winter. The initial stage saw strong engagement from staff and Board, and established three core goals for the next three years: sustaining the quality and growing the impact of its programs, scaling its revenue, and supporting its team. The incoming Executive Director will be the primary driver of this plan's definition and implementation, inheriting strong momentum while shaping what comes next for the communities Boston SCORES serves.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising & Development

• Lead a comprehensive development strategy to secure sustainable, diversified funding

• Partner with the Chief Development Officer to set and achieve annual and multi-year fundraising goals

• Cultivate and steward relationships with major donors, foundations, corporations, and public funders

• Oversee grant proposals, sponsorship packages, and major funding requests

• Engage and support the Board in fundraising and external relationship-building

Organizational Leadership & Operations

• Provide overall leadership and direction for day-to-day operations

• Supervise and support direct reports, setting clear performance expectations and accountability structures

• Ensure effective systems, staffing, and processes to deliver high-quality programming

• Foster a culture of inclusion, learning, and continuous improvement

Financial Management & Sustainability

• Oversee the organization's financial health and long-term sustainability

• Partner with the CFO and Finance Manager to develop and manage the annual budget and multi-year financial plans

• Review financial statements and ensure compliance with policies, internal controls, and regulatory requirements

• Engage the Finance Committee and Board in fiscal oversight and planning

Board Leadership & Governance

• Serve as the principal advisor and strategic partner to the Board of Directors

• Support the Board in governance best practices, policy development, and strategic decision-making

• Maintain transparent, consistent communication with the Board on organizational performance, opportunities, and risks

• Foster a strong, trust-based partnership between Board and staff grounded in shared accountability

Strategic Planning & Execution

• Lead the development, implementation, and evaluation of strategic plans in collaboration with the Board and senior leadership

• Translate strategic priorities into operational and programmatic initiatives

• Monitor progress against goals using data and continuous evaluation

• Identify opportunities for innovation, partnerships, and program growth that deepen mission impact

External Relations & Community Engagement

• Serve as chief spokesperson and ambassador for Boston SCORES

• Build and maintain relationships with community partners, schools, public agencies, funders, and civic leaders

• Represent the organization in public forums, events, and media

• Elevate awareness of the organization's mission and impact across Boston's philanthropic and civic communities

Qualifications

There are many paths to the skills and perspective this role requires. We take a broad view of experience and want to get to know you and the unique strengths you bring to this work. We are most likely to be interested in your candidacy if you can demonstrate the majority of the qualifications below.

• A minimum of 7 years of progressive leadership experience in nonprofit management, education, youth development, or a related field.

• Demonstrated aptitude for fundraising, including major gifts, institutional funding, and corporate partnerships.

• Previous success in fostering professional development and building an inclusive team culture.

• Proven experience in strategic planning and setting organizational vision and priorities.

• Strong financial acumen, including experience with budgeting, financial reporting, and nonprofit fiscal management.

• Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills with diverse stakeholders.

• Commitment to youth development and community-based programming.

Compensation, Benefits & Location

This is a full-time, hybrid position based in East Boston, MA. The Executive Director will be expected to work from Boston SCORES' East Boston offices at least three days per week and to be actively present in the Boston community.

The salary range for this role is $175,000–$210,000 annually. Boston SCORES offers a competitive compensation package, including 100% employer-paid health insurance or cash opt-out option, retirement plan, and generous paid time off.

How to Apply

Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their applications promptly through our online portal. All applicants will receive a response. Please contact [email protected] with questions or to request support in submitting your application.

Candidates who advance can expect an initial phone interview with the Positively Partners team, a follow-up interview with the Boston SCORES Search Committee, and a multi-part final interview with a range of stakeholders in-person at the organization. The Executive Director is expected to begin work in Early Summer 2026.

Positively Partners is committed to conducting an equitable, accessible search process. Accommodation requests during the interview process will be handled confidentially. Please email [email protected] to make a request.

Boston SCORES is an equal-opportunity employer and encourages candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply.

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