Executive Director

Bridge Way, Philadelphia’s only recovery high school, is seeking a new Executive Director to lead and grow the school. We are seeking someone who can effectively manage employees, fundraise, and most importantly develop relationships to spread awareness of Bridge Way and enroll more students.

About Bridge Way

The mission of The Bridge Way School is to offer a strong academic program to students in grades 9–12 who are in recovery from substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders, allowing students to focus on learning in an environment in which recovery is required and supported. We believe that a recovery school that incorporates 12-step principles is a key component on the continuum of support systems and recovery management.

The Bridge Way School is a small nonprofit looking to expand its regional footprint in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Permanency of the school was secured in 2022 with the passage of new legislation, and now our school is ready to grow to serve young adults across the region.

About the Role of Executive Director

The Executive Director is a year-round, full-time position, and reports to the President of the Board of Directors. The Executive Director is the chief operating officer appointed by the Board of Directors to administer and implement the school’s mission and operating policy. The Executive Director is charged with carrying out the school’s education mission and policies as established by the Board of Directors. The Executive Director is responsible for development and fundraising for the school, ensuring a continued path of sustainability for the mission of the organization.

Additionally, the Executive Director, in partnership with the Board of Directors, must advance the school’s message in the community; liaise with local, state, and national organizations to advance the role of recovery schools, particularly Bridge Way; and successfully execute a public relations strategy with a diverse set of stakeholders in Southeastern Pennsylvania.

Specifically, the Executive Director is responsible for:

Development

  • Leads all philanthropic efforts for the Bridge Way school, including funds raised from individual donors, public funds, and private philanthropy.

  • Ensures the school partakes in a major annual fundraising effort or event.

  • Identifies and applies for grant opportunities.

  • Maintains and expands Bridge Way’s existing individual donor portfolio.

  • Creates and executes a strategy to maximize OSTC and EITC dollars from corporate partners.

  • Works with public officials to identify and pursue public grant funding opportunities.

Strategic Growth and Advancement

  • Leads messaging and recruitment for students to engage in Bridge Way’s recovery services.

  • Develops and maintains relationships with public partners for recruitment and communications purposes.

  • Attends community events to raise public awareness of the Bridge Way school.

Finance

  • Prepares complete annual budget proposal for submission to the Board of Directors with the assistance of the Board’s Finance Committee.

  • Ensures that the available financial resources are carefully managed within the budgetary guidelines.

  • Responsible for timely submission of invoice and revenue information for the preparation of monthly and quarterly financial statements to the Board.

  • Ensures that all student accounts are up-to-date.

Organization

  • Creates and cultivates a strong management team for the School.

  • Promotes an internal organization that permits effective communication from the top down as well as from the bottom up.

Recovery School Advocacy

  • Advocates for policies at local, state, and federal levels that support recovery high schools (particularly Bridge Way).

  • Participates on national, state, and local advocacy and government boards to showcase recovery high schools (particularly Bridge Way).

Relationship with the Board

  • Notifies the President of the Board of matters pertaining to the operation of the School as appropriate to keep the Board fully informed to meet its responsibilities.

  • Serves as the chief communicator between the Board of Directors and the Head of School and other staff.

  • Works with designated board members for standing and ad hoc committees, as well as with the Advisory Board.

Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume to Angela Smith, Head of School, at angela.smith@thebridgewayschool.org