Founded in 1887 and located in the heart of Oakland, the higher education and healthcare center of Pittsburgh , Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children (“the School”) is a one-of-a-kind educational experience committed to empowering our students to realize their full potential. The School also provides vital early intervention and outreach services to blind and visually impaired students, with or without additional challenges, throughout western Pennsylvania. As a private institution chartered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the School educates approximately 200 enrolled students from 80-85 school districts across western Pennsylvania, including 14 of whom are enrolled in the School’s residential program.

The Mission:

The Mission of Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children is to nurture the unique abilities of individuals with blindness and visual impairment through educational excellence and a lifetime of learning.

 

The Position:

The School seeks a highly collaborative and visionary leader to serve as Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”). As the School continues to expand its overall impact and reach, it needs an exceptional leader to provide key strategic educational, operational, and fiscal oversight for the organization. In addition, it needs a leader who can effectively steward its resources, engage with a broad set of stakeholders, and foster a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and welcoming culture. Reporting to the Board of Directors and serving as the School’s chief executive and administrative officer, the CEO will provide strategic leadership and expert guidance for all business and operational matters for the organization. As such, this individual will be responsible for implementing a multifaceted strategic plan that advances the School’s mission.

With the support of a dedicated, talented and experienced team, the CEO will be responsible for fostering a fully integrated service delivery model, supportive learning environment, and specialized educational experience to support students’ unique abilities. In addition, the CEO will be responsible for championing the School’s core values and beliefs along with promoting a welcoming and inclusive culture. Serving as the key point of contact for a broad set of internal and external constituents, the CEO will effectively engage with students, families, staff, the Boards of Trustees of both the School and the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children Foundation (“the Foundation”), government officials, donors, community members and others.

The ideal candidate must be a compassionate and dynamic leader with a strong educational background coupled with a proven track record of successfully leading a comprehensive portfolio of students, teachers, and staff along with crafting and implementing highly effective programs and managing critical services. The CEO must have the ability to engage staff in support of a unified vision that celebrates the School’s unique identity, upholds educational excellence, provides lifetime program support, and ensures a safe and supportive school environment. The CEO also must be a forward-thinking leader who stays current with industry trends and remains attuned to the unique needs of the School and the population it serves. Exceptional communication skills, proactive leadership, and an unwavering commitment to the School’s mission are essential.

Key Responsibilities

Experience and Professional Qualifications:

Application Process:

Candidate nominations and interested and qualified candidates are welcome to submit a resume and cover letter

Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion & Equity:

It is the School's policy not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin or non-job-related disability or disability as those terms are defined under applicable law. All employees of the School are to be guided by this policy. This applies to all employees and applicants for employment in connection with hiring, compensation, training, placement, transfer, promotion, demotion, discipline, termination and recruitment. It is School policy to fill all positions with the best candidates available, based upon educational and job-related qualifications.