Organization: Pop Warner Little Scholars

Position Title: President/Executive Director

Reports to: Board of Directors & Board’s Executive Committee

Location: Langhorne, Pennsylvania (Greater Philadelphia Metropolitan Area)

Search Contact: Prodigy Search

BACKGROUND

Pop Warner Little Scholars is seeking a President/Executive Director to lead one of the nation’s most historic and respected youth sports organizations. For nearly 100 years, Pop Warner has been synonymous with youth football in America and has been a leader in competitive cheerleading and dance for generations. The organization has been recognized as a leader in player safety and the balance of academics and sports. In this leadership role, you will set the vision for the organization, serve as brand steward, and position the organization for growth and long-term stability.

SUMMARY

The ideal candidate has extensive management experience in amateur or professional sports, is a passionate advocate for youth sports and their benefits for young people, has an understanding and deep appreciation for football and cheer, and is a proven manager and consensus builder. They should be able to inspire and guide a small professional staff and a large, diverse group of volunteers running thousands of programs at the grassroots level across the United States.

Through tackle football, flag football, cheerleading, or dance, Pop Warner is committed to creating positive experiences for young people in a structured and supervised environment, where they have fun and develop critical, lifelong values and skills including teamwork, leadership, perseverance, physical fitness, academic success and a respect for others.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

Pop Warner is dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment that celebrates diversity, promotes equity, and ensures that all participants feel valued and respected. The new President/Executive Director will be expected to lead with a strong commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), recognizing the importance of creating a welcoming and supportive atmosphere for everyone, regardless of their background, race, ethnicity, gender, ability, or socioeconomic status.

Pop Warner believes that diversity strengthens our community and enriches the experience for all participants. We are committed to hiring a leader who shares this belief and is passionate about advancing DEI efforts to build a more inclusive and equitable organization.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Serve as the chief executive of the Pop Warner Little Scholars organization.
Serve as Pop Warner Little Scholars’ primary spokesperson to the organization’s constituents, the media, and the public.
Collaborate with key personnel, including the Chief Operating Officer, National Football Commissioner, National Cheerleading Commissioner, and National Events Manager, to stay updated on field events and commissioner plans.
Responsible for leading strategic planning and implementing objectives to ensure that Pop Warner Little Scholars has a long-term strategy to successfully fulfill its mission into the future.
Oversee financial health, including budgeting, fundraising, sponsorship, and licensing agreements.
Identify and secure opportunities for mutually beneficial relationships and projects with partner sports organizations.
Represent the organization at regional meetings and major national events.
Maintain open communication with grassroots volunteers, the Board of Directors, and the Executive Committee.
Proactively engage with educational initiatives around the sport’s technical aspects and culture, staying updated with the latest trends and advancements.
Promote scholarship requirements and the Pop Warner All American Scholars Program.
Expand services and programs for Leagues and Associations by increasing sponsorships, adding licenses, and developing partnerships with external organizations.
Coordinate and oversee all internal and external business affairs, securing necessary approvals from the Board or Executive Committee.

Reporting Relationships:

Reports directly to the Board of Directors and the Board’s Executive Committee.
Maintain two-way communication with Region Directors, Vice Region Directors, League Presidents/Commissioners, and oversees all members of the National staff.

QUALIFICATIONS

Ability to deliver high-quality work and function both independently and as a team member.
Bachelor's degree required; master’s preferred.
A postgraduate degree in Nonprofit Management, Business Administration, Finance, Economics or equivalent is a plus.
Minimum 10 years of athletics administration and management experience.
Professional experience in a nonprofit setting.
Experience in finance, contracts, and fundraising.
Excellent organizational skills.
Passion for and knowledge of youth sports, specifically football and cheerleading.
Strong communication skills to foster important relationships in sports, business, and the community.
Credible, truthful, and honest; a person of high integrity. Able to express themselves frankly but with respect. Conflict resolution and sound decision-making skills are critical.
Demonstrated success in fostering collaborative relationships with a cross-section of stakeholders, including business partners, industry peers, sponsors, staff, volunteers, and community members.

COMMITMENT TO AN INCLUSIVE SEARCH

Please note that our job descriptions are general overviews, not a mandatory comprehensive list. We recognize that a successful candidate will meet many of the requirements listed in this job description but may not meet all the qualifications.

If the above list does not describe you precisely but you think you could be an excellent fit for this role, please apply. We encourage you to speak directly to areas of potential growth, interest, and/or experience in your cover letter.
Data shows that candidates frequently do not apply for a job because they don’t feel that they meet all of the qualifications listed. If you feel passionate about our efforts and believe that you have the skills to contribute to the growth of our organization, we want to hear from you!
We recognize that a successful candidate will meet many of the requirements listed on this job description but may not meet all of the qualifications. If much of this job description describes you, we encourage you to apply.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Founded in 2007, Prodigy Search, located in the New York City suburb of Freehold, NJ, boasts over 80 years of experience in the sports and entertainment business. As a renowned nationwide leader in senior-level executive search, Prodigy Search has honed its business principles and expertise, establishing itself as one of the largest boutique recruiting agencies in North America. Simply, Prodigy Search is Where the Best Brands Come for the Best Talent.

No phone calls please. For any additional questions, please email info@prodigysearch.net.

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President/Executive Director