Executive Director

The Fund is seeking a highly skilled administrator with exceptional leadership skills to direct and oversee the Fund. The Fund is a state public benefit corporation with varied responsibilities over a breeding program for Standardbred horses in New York State. The Executive Director, reporting to a Board of Trustees, would administer the day-to-day mission of the Fund to promote agriculture through the breeding of Standardbred horses and the conduct of a three-tiered racing program in the State.

The Fund oversees responsibilities as defined under Sections 330 335 of the Racing, Pari-Mutuel Wagering and Breeding Law providing for the administration of the New York Sire Stakes races, Excelsior/State Fair Series races, and County Fair Races. Additionally, the Executive Director directs the Fund's efforts in providing assistance to county agricultural societies.

The Executive Director, at the direction of the Board of Trustees, provides oversight to a broad scope of activities including:

• Accountable to the Board of Trustees and responsible for carrying out their directives and decisions;
• Administering and conducting the business of the Fund;
• Coordinating the varying aspects of the Fund including marketing efforts, financial planning, operations, security, administration, stakeholder relations and information dissemination employed by the Fund or through contracted vendors;
• Providing advice, guidance, direction and authorization to carry out major plans, strategies, standards and procedures to senior and line staff as well as contractors to achieve objectives; and
• Causing and reviewing program analysis to access results and define courses of action.

The Executive Director shall:

• Facilitate the coordination of Fund actions that are complementary to the goals and purposes of the Fund;
• Oversee the staff that is responsible for the administration of the program;
• Plan, organize, staff, direct and coordinate the New York Sire Stakes program;
• Administer direction and oversight of program at harness tracks in NYS;
• Prepare and submit to the Board of Trustees regular updates/reports, including an annual report, which shall include full and complete performance metrics and information on operations;
• Operate and administer racing operations through developing, drafting and assisting in the coordination of the Sire Stakes program with pari-mutuel tracks, Goshen Historic Track and county fairs;
• Interprets general policy and directs the staff in implementing the policy for Fund;
• Establish and maintain effective cooperative working relationships with Trustees, NYS Gaming Commission, the Legislature as needed, racetracks, as well as appropriate interactions with the public; and
• Oversight of all internal controls, records management and retention for the Fund.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Must have a minimum of 7 years' experience within similarly sized organizations and shall not have a financial interest in the State's racing or gaming industry during or immediately following the terms of appointment, as required by law. A minimum of 3 years of this experience must be in a senior level or executive capacity;
• An undergraduate degree (B.A/B.S.) in a field substantially related to Law, Business Administration, Marketing, Public Administration, Finance, Economics, Auditing or Accounting;
• Solid leadership and management skills;
• Exceptional organization and analytical skills;
• Management experience which includes leadership, strategic planning, procurement, negotiation, conflict resolution, contract administration including procurement and compliance;
• Strong written and verbal communications skills;
• Superior interpersonal skills;
• Experience in executive management in horse racing industry;
• Experience in working with governmental entities in a regulatory capacity; and
• Experience with strategic, operation and financial planning in a horse racing industry environment.

Additional Comments:

• The Executive Director serves at the pleasure of the Board of Trustees and shall be appointed pursuant to New York Racing, Pari-Mutuel Wagering and Breeding Law Section 330.
• The position is exempt with an anticipated starting salary of up to $140,000, dependent upon qualifications and an outstanding, comprehensive benefits package.
• Appointments are contingent upon a satisfactory background check which will include a federal and state criminal fingerprint records review.

Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.