Current Openings:

Sound Start Babies, Executive Director - Job Summary and Description

Organization Summary

Sound Start Babies’ goal is to ensure that infants and toddlers with hearing loss and their families receive the highest-quality, research-validated educational and therapeutic early intervention services that are provided by professionals who are sensitive to unique individual needs. Since its founding 30 years ago, as a state of NJ early intervention program (NJEIS), the program has provided early intervention services to about 2,000 children and their families offering both listening and spoken language and total communication options. It currently provides specialized early intervention services, in person or through telehealth, to all 21 counties in New Jersey.

Based in Mountain Lakes, NJ since 1996, it is New Jersey’s only program that also includes an integrated nursery offering both total communication and listening and spoken language options. The program continually adopts newly emerging, research supported state-of-the-art practices, incorporating new technologies and strategies so the babies it serves can attain the skills they need for a lifetime of learning and success and their families have the skills they need to support their children throughout their education. The program is significantly reliant on funding from donors, grants, and other resources to offer this comprehensive level of care.

Sound Start Babies is led by a dedicated Board of Trustees and supported by generous individuals, foundations, corporate partners, and volunteers. With expanding statewide reach, increasing demand for services, and a strong commitment to organizational excellence, the organization is poised to build on three decades of impact while ensuring every child with hearing loss has the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Position Summary

The Executive Director (ED) is the strategic leader of Sound Start Babies, a nonprofit 501(c3) institution. He/she will advocate Sound Start Babies’ mission and articulate the vision for the organization and its future. The ED is responsible for overseeing the administration, programs, development and strategic plan of the organization whose existence is dependent on outside funding. Reporting directly to the Board of Trustees, the ED is responsible for assisting the Board in setting and subsequently implementing policies and objectives for Sound Start Babies, providing general oversight of program activities, and maintaining positive relations with all constituencies, including donors, volunteers, community partners, board and staff.

General Responsibilities

Fundraising Leader & Relationship Builder:

  • Leads Sound Start Babies with a culture of philanthropy including expanding its donor base, cultivating funders, and strengthening community partnerships.

  • Has a proven track record of building relationships that translates into significant funding.

  • Oversees and collaborates with the Development Director, in his/her role to create and implement a comprehensive short and long-term strategy, to attain institutional philanthropic fundraising goals:

  • Identifies, cultivates and solicits potential funders (all constituencies) and leaders

    • Assists in articulating and advancing the case for support

    • Fosters a culture of philanthropy within the organization

    • Identifies and cultivates resources necessary to support the organization’s mission

Board Governance & Development: Works with the board to fulfill Sound Start Babies’ mission.

  • Leads Sound Start Babies in a manner that supports and guides the organization’s mission as defined by the Board of Trustees.

  • Communicates effectively with the Board and provides, in a timely and accurate manner, all information necessary for the Board to function properly and to make informed decisions.

  • Works cooperatively and constructively with the Board and is an effective channel of communications between the Board and program staff.

  • Fosters a spirit of partnership and shared purpose, forging a true team approach between the Board of Directors and staff.

  • Keeps the Board informed of the work of the organization and identifies policy issues for the Board’s consideration.

  • Attends meetings of the Board of Trustees, as well as Board committees.

  • Supports the work of Board committees by providing leadership, staff coordination, and strategic guidance.

Vision, Mission and Strategy: Works with board and staff to ensure that the mission is fulfilled through programs, strategic planning and outreach.

  •  Implements Sound Start Babies’ programs that carry out the organization’s mission:

    • Supports the organization’s unbiased approach to offering communication options for children with hearing loss including total communication and listening and spoken language and appreciates the nuances involved in embracing this philosophy in all forms of the organization's communication, publication, etc.

    • In concert with Program Coordinators, oversees the various service delivery options needed to meet individual child and family needs

    • Supports and expands outreach efforts to ensure that eligible children and their families have access to the program and its services

  •  In collaboration with program staff is familiar with latest research regarding best practices in the management of hearing loss as information emerges nationally and locally

  • Fosters relationships with alumni and parents

  • Oversees the implementation of strategic planning to ensure that Sound Start Babies can successfully fulfill its mission into the future.

  • Expands and enhances Sound Start Babies’ identity and image by being active and visible in the community and by working closely with other industry, healthcare, professional, civic and private organizations.

  • Assists in the recruitment of professional staff

  • Responsible for the evaluation of program and administrative leadership staff

Financial Performance and Viability: Develops resources sufficient to ensure the financial health of Sound Start Babies.

  • Responsible for the fiscal integrity of Sound Start Babies and, in collaboration with the Business Administrator/Bookkeeper and Development Director, submits to the Board regular financial statements, which accurately reflect the financial condition of the organization.

  • In collaboration with the Program Coordinators, Business Administrator/Bookkeeper and Development Director, the ED prepares and recommends to the Finance Committee and Board of Trustees an annual budget that ensures maximum resource utilization and sustainability of the organization following sound fiscal and accounting practices.

Operations, Programs & Development: Oversees and implements resources to ensure that the operations of Sound Start Babies is appropriate and sustainable.

  • Holds full executive responsibility for staff management and organizational HR functions, including direct supervision, professional development, and formal performance evaluation of Program Coordinators, the Development Director, and the Business Administrator

  • Meets regularly with Program Coordinator to ensure that daily program operation is effective and comprehensive in meeting program participant needs

  • Keeps informed of national, state, and NJEIS rules and regulations that impact the organizations’ operations and ensures appropriate steps are taken to be in compliance.

  • Maintains positive relationships with and fulfills all reporting requirements to oversight agencies.

  • Delegates duties in accordance with current job descriptions while retaining ultimate responsibility and accountability for outcomes.

Active & Deep Learner in Early Intervention & Hearing Loss.

  • Possess the capacity and commitment to learn and understand the landscape of early intervention and hearing loss and the long-term consequences of decisions made regarding early intervention services during this critical period of brain development.

  • Willingness to learn about specific intervention strategies, research and outcomes of early education for babies and toddlers with hearing loss. This is essential for program credibility, funder relationships and community trust.

Qualifications

  • Minimum of five (5) years of experience as an Executive Director or in a senior executive leadership role within a nonprofit organization.

  • Advanced degree in nonprofit management, education, business, public administration, or a related field preferred.

  • Demonstrated success in nonprofit fundraising, including major gifts, grants management, donor stewardship, and strategic partnership development.

  • Experience overseeing nonprofit financial management, including budget development, P&L oversight, and financial reporting.

  • Proven ability to lead, develop, and retain high-performing teams, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.

  • Experience overseeing human resources functions, including talent acquisition, employee relations, performance management, and employment law compliance.

  • Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate effectively and influence board members, donors, staff, community partners, and the public.

  • Experience partnering with and supporting a Board of Directors in governance, strategic planning, and organizational oversight.

  • Ability to articulate and champion the organization's mission, vision, and strategic direction.

  • Demonstrated transparent, ethical, and high-integrity leadership.

  • Current or prior experience as an educator of children with hearing loss, a speech-language pathologist specializing in hearing loss, or a pediatric audiologist is a plus.

  • Demonstrated willingness and capacity to develop a comprehensive understanding of early intervention services for infants with hearing loss and the evidence-based practices that drive positive outcomes.

  • Familiarity with child safety requirements and regulations related to hearing loss services, including Medicaid, insurance reimbursement, IDEA Part C, Special Education law, and the New Jersey Early Intervention System (NJEIS), is a plus.

  • Bilingual or multilingual proficiency is an asset.

To Apply

Sound Start Babies expects that the new Executive Director would assume responsibility by November 1, 2026. Inquiries regarding this position are strictly confidential. Qualified candidates may email both a cover letter and resume by September 14, 2026, to careers@matchnpc.com