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Executive Leadership Jobs in Rochester, NY (NOW HIRING)

Reporting directly to the CEO and partnering with the Board and executive leadership team, the CTO serves as the company's ultimate technology authority, with end-to-end ownership of the entire ...

Reporting directly to the CEO and partnering with the Board and executive leadership team, the CTO serves as the company's ultimate technology authority, with end-to-end ownership of the entire ...

New

Chief Technology Officer

Rochester, NY · On-site

$180 - $260/hr

Reporting directly to the CEO and partnering with the Board and executive leadership team, the CTO serves as the company's ultimate technology authority, with end-to-end ownership of the entire ...

Global Sales Director

Batavia, NY

$167K - $220K/yr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

This is a highly visible executive leadership role responsible for leading sales strategy, business development, application engineering, aftermarket services, and channel partner relationships. The ...

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Executive Leadership information

See Rochester, NY salary details

$26.1K

$92.3K

$181.5K

How much do executive leadership jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for executive leadership in Rochester, NY is $92,305.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $57,200.00 and $118,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is executive leadership?

Executive leadership refers to the highest level of management within an organization, typically involving roles like CEO, CFO, COO, and other top executives. These leaders are responsible for setting strategic direction, making high-level decisions, and overseeing the overall operations and culture of the organization. Effective executive leadership requires a combination of vision, communication skills, and the ability to inspire and guide teams toward achieving organizational goals.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an executive leader?

To thrive as an Executive Leader, you need a proven track record in strategic planning, organizational management, and decision-making, often supported by an advanced degree such as an MBA or relevant industry experience. Familiarity with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, financial management tools, and leadership development certifications is highly valued. Outstanding communication, emotional intelligence, and vision-setting abilities are essential soft skills that set successful executive leaders apart. These skills and qualifications are crucial for driving organizational growth, fostering innovation, and effectively guiding teams through complex business challenges.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in executive leadership roles, and how can they be effectively addressed?

Executive leaders often encounter challenges such as balancing strategic decision-making with day-to-day operations, managing organizational change, and aligning diverse teams toward common goals. Navigating these challenges requires strong communication skills, adaptability, and a clear vision. Building a trusted leadership team, encouraging open feedback, and investing in leadership development can help executives address these issues effectively and drive organizational success.

What is the difference between Executive Leadership vs Chief Operating Officer?

AspectExecutive LeadershipChief Operating Officer
Role FocusStrategic vision, overall company directionOperational management, daily business functions
Required CredentialsExtensive leadership experience, often an MBA or similarBusiness management experience, often an MBA or equivalent
Work EnvironmentBoardrooms, executive meetingsOperational sites, management teams
Industry UsageUsed across industries for top-level strategyCommon in large organizations for operational oversight

Executive Leadership encompasses top executives responsible for setting strategic direction, while the Chief Operating Officer focuses on implementing that strategy through daily operations. Both roles require extensive leadership experience and often similar credentials, but their primary focus and work environments differ.

What are executive leadership jobs?

Executive leadership jobs are high-level management positions responsible for setting strategic direction, making major decisions, and overseeing an organization's overall operations. Common roles include CEO, CFO, COO, and other C-suite positions, often requiring extensive experience, leadership skills, and advanced degrees or certifications. These roles typically involve long hours, high responsibility, and influence over company policies and goals.

What does executive leadership do?

Executive leadership involves guiding an organization’s strategic direction, making high-level decisions, and overseeing overall operations. Executives set goals, allocate resources, and ensure the organization meets its objectives, often requiring strong leadership, communication, and decision-making skills.

What are the most commonly searched types of Leadership jobs in Rochester, NY?

The most popular types of Leadership jobs in Rochester, NY are:

What are popular job titles related to Executive Leadership jobs in Rochester, NY?

For Executive Leadership jobs in Rochester, NY, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Executive Leadership jobs in Rochester, NY look for?

The top searched job categories for Executive Leadership jobs in Rochester, NY are:

What cities near Rochester, NY are hiring for Executive Leadership jobs?

Cities near Rochester, NY with the most Executive Leadership job openings:

Infographic showing various Executive Leadership job openings in Rochester, NY as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 2% Temporary. Highlights an 87% In-person, 2% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $92,305 per year, or $44.4 per hour.

Executive Director, STELLAR Program

University of Rochester

Rochester, NY • On-site

$206K - $330K/yr

Full-time

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


University Of Rochester rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 186 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

126th of 620 rated colleges and universities


Job description

As a community, the University of Rochester is defined by a deep commitment to Meliora - Ever Better. Embedded in that ideal are the values we share: equity, leadership, integrity, openness, respect, and accountability. Together, we will set the highest standards for how we treat each other to ensure our community is welcoming to all and is a place where all can thrive.
Job Location (Full Address):
220 Hutchison Rd, Rochester, New York, United States of America, 14620
Opening:
Worker Subtype:
Regular
Time Type:
Full time
Scheduled Weekly Hours:
40
Department:
100017 Office of the VP for Research
Work Shift:
UR - Day (United States of America)
Range:
UR URG 121
Compensation Range:
$206,300.00 - $330,100.00
The referenced pay range represents the minimum and maximum compensation for this job. Individual annual salaries/hourly rates will be set within the job's compensation range, and will be determined by considering factors including, but not limited to, market data, education, experience, qualifications, expertise of the individual, and internal equity considerations.
Responsibilities:
The Executive Director is the chief executive officer of STELLAR, an NSF Engines program advancing a regional innovation ecosystem across the 11-county Rochester Finger Lakes region. The mission of STELLAR is to create and grow an ecosystem in the Rochester, NY region that advances the science, technology, and engineering of lasers to provide US-based sources of next-generation lasers for scientific, industrial, manufacturing, energy, biomedical, and national security applications.
Reporting to the Vice President for Research, initially, and ultimately a Board of Directors, once in place, the Executive Director is responsible for all aspects of the organization's strategic direction,, performance, operations, financial stewardship, and external representation. The Executive Director serves as the primary institutional and sponsor-facing leader for the NSF STELLAR award, ensuring alignment with NSF priorities, compliance with award terms and conditions, and achievement of defined programmatic outcomes and impacts.
The Executive Director provides visionary leadership for the region's innovation ecosystem, shaping and advancing strategies for technology commercialization, entrepreneurship, and workforce development, and broadening participation in laser manufacturing and advanced laser applications. The role requires building and sustaining productive, high-level partnerships with industry, academic, government, and economic development organizations in the region to translate research into societal and economic.
The Executive Director is responsible for defining and achieving STELLAR's financial, operational, and performance objectives. This includes stewardship of NSF and complementary funding, ensuring effective governance, financial sustainability, and continuous improvement, as well as coordinating with partners to deliver measurable regional, workforce, and economic outcomes consistent with NSF Engines and NYSTAR expectations, and such other objectives as may be defined.
Essential Functions:
Executive Leadership, Strategy & Organizational Management
  • Provide executive leadership and overall direction for STELLAR, with authority and responsibility for the entire initiative, ensuring alignment with NSF priorities, award terms and conditions, and the University's research, innovation, and economic development goals .
  • Lead the development, implementation, and continuous refinement of STELLAR's long-term strategic plan and annual operating plan, advancing NSF's goals related to research, translational impact, workforce development, and broadening participation;; clearly communicate the vision, strategy, and performance expectations to senior University leadership, board members, staff, and external partners.
  • Direct and oversee STELLAR's organizational structure, staffing, and operations, including recruitment and supervision of senior personnel responsible for finance, program management, communications, and partnerships.
  • Ensure STELLAR meets or exceeds all programmatic, financial, and performance objectives, including compliance with NSF award requirements, reporting obligations, and University policies.
  • Identify, launch, and advance new initiatives and strategic partnerships to address emerging regional, institutional, and NSF priorities in innovation, workforce development, and technology transfer.

Stakeholder, Board, and Partner Engagement
  • Serve as the principal institutional representative and liaison for STELLAR, maintaining high-level relationships with University leadership, faculty, regional stakeholders, economic development organizations, industry partners, and government agencies.
  • Provide executive-level coordination and open communication among major internal and external stakeholders.
  • Inform, advise, and engage the Board of Directors; support governance functions, strategic decision-making, and performance oversight.
  • Build and sustain collaborative, mission-driven partnerships that produce measurable economic, research, and workforce development outcomes.
  • Lead engagement with entrepreneurs, faculty innovators, and startups to advance STELLAR's technology commercialization and innovation pipeline.

Financial Sustainability and Resource Development
  • Exercise fiduciary responsibility for STELLAR's financial health through financial oversight and long-term sustainability planning.
  • Maintain and strengthen relationships with the various funding agencies and partners, including NSF, while identifying and securing new sources of support.
  • Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, sponsor, and University financial, contractual, and reporting requirements.
  • Partner with University research administration, finance, and legal offices to ensure effective stewardship of sponsored funds and institutional resources.

Marketing, Communications and External Relations
  • Provide executive oversight of STELLAR's marketing and communications strategy to strengthen visibility, credibility, and impact at the regional and national levels.
  • Champion STELLAR's brand and value proposition with senior leaders, funding agencies, policymakers, and other external stakeholders.
  • Guide and review STELLAR publicity, including building relationships with press.

Operational Excellence and Talent Development
  • Establish and oversee policies, processes, and performance metrics that promote operational excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement based on stakeholder and client needs.
  • Build, mentor, and evaluate a high-performing STELLAR leadership team.
  • Promote a culture of collaboration, compliance, innovation, and service consistent with University values and NSF expectations.
  • Ensure STELLAR's operations effectively meet the needs of stakeholders, clients, and partners while advancing institutional and regional impact.

Minimum Education & Experience (Required):
  • Advanced technical degree in optics or related science/engineering fields
  • 10 years of managerial responsibility (preferably in an entrepreneurial setting)
  • or equivalent combination of education and experience

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
  • Demonstrated ability to establish business, university, non-profit, and community partnerships required.
  • Record of successful engagement with businesses and an understanding of their needs required.
  • Experience with R&D and workforce development coordination required
  • Experience in working within the regulatory framework of State and Federal funding required
  • Experience with a start-up company preferred
  • Experience in technology commercialization and/or working with or consulting with a technology company required
  • Economic development or business incubator experience including the recruitment and coordination of mentors and consultants required
  • Experience raising venture financing or working with the venture capital community preferred
  • Experience working with nonprofit and/or government funding agencies and sources required

The University of Rochester is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving an inclusive and welcoming culture to advance the University's Mission to Learn, Discover, Heal, Create - and Make the World Ever Better. In support of our values and those of our society, the University is committed to not discriminating on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, military/veteran status, national origin, race, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law (Protected Characteristics). This commitment extends to non-discrimination in the administration of our policies, admissions, employment, access, and recruitment of candidates, for all persons consistent with our values and based on applicable law.

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