Chief Executive Officer

The Role

Reports To: Board of Directors

Direct Reports: Six (6) direct reports including the Chief Operating Officer, Chief Program Officer, Chief Development Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer, and Senior Executive Assistant

Location: San Francisco Bay Area

Position Summary

HomeFirst is seeking a visionary and collaborative Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead our 44-year-old organization through the next growth phase in its mission to end homelessness in Santa Clara County and beyond.

Responsible for the overall strategic, operational, and financial management of HomeFirst, the CEO is a passionate advocate for the homeless and committed to a Housing First philosophy and approach to ending homelessness. The CEO will ensure renewal and expansion of effective contracts with HomeFirst as a trusted partner, expand funding streams, strengthen community relationships, and continue to elevate HomeFirst’s image and mission while ensuring the continued success and expansion of programs and services.

The CEO’s critical function as brand ambassador is to build and strengthen relationships based on trust with all stakeholders: internal employees, donors and funders, city, county, and state government officials, business, community and advocates, and unhoused population. The CEO will expand HomeFirst’s impact by leading collaborative efforts with other partners in the community and staying abreast of studies, trends, research, and best program practices in addressing homelessness.

Importantly, the next CEO will possess strong communication and networking skills for the purpose of expanding and diversifying HomeFirst’s funding sources. The CEO will have demonstrated skills in cultivating a wide variety of donor bases.

Critical to the success of the role and delivering on the HomeFirst mission, the CEO will:

• Build upon the solid foundation of HomeFirst that has experienced rapid growth in terms of size and scope of the organization; develop and implement strategic plans that align with mission, vision, and values and maintain organizational stability during a time of transition while pursuing manageable, sustained growth.
• Ensure that HomeFirst remains fiscally sound, operates effectively within existing contracts, renewals, and expansion, and continues to seek out new alternative sources of revenue.
• Maintain HomeFirst’s reputation as a leader in ending homelessness through aligning PR, branding and communication strategies with strategic goals.
• Serve as a proactive spokesperson, communicating the HomeFirst story and work with the media, community, homelessness advocates, and all relevant stakeholders.
• Anticipate and effectively manage conflicts/issues that can arise related to political and community relations associated with homelessness.
• Promote a collaborative and inclusive work environment that empowers all staff to achieve their full potential.

Candidate Profile:

Professional Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years of executive leadership experience in a nonprofit organization, with a strong preference for experience in homeless services or related fields.
• Proven experience as a key spokesperson for an organization with an ability to influence and motivate diverse audiences.
• Experience organizing and executing fundraising efforts with a track record of building innovative partnerships and diversifying revenue and other funding streams. Proven track record of successful donor solicitation and stewardship – corporations, foundations, and individual donors.
• Achievement in change management, bringing to scale complex organizations and initiatives; adept at assessing operational requirements necessary to support sustainable growth and a healthy organizational culture.
• Demonstrated success developing and leading multi-functional teams, with the ability to work effectively with people at all levels of the organization to create buy-in and a sense of shared responsibility.
• Experienced community leader comfortable building relationships and strategic partnerships in diverse settings; experienced at community visioning.
• Experience working collaboratively with a Board of Directors.
• Superior mentoring, professional development, people management and leadership skills; a team builder who inspires trust and builds group commitment to goals and objectives.
• Multicultural management experience, including recruitment, management, and development of diverse teams.
• Knowledge of and connections within the local, regional, and national housing and community development landscape preferred.
• First-hand knowledge and/or experience with homelessness preferred

Personal Attributes

• Strong commitment to HomeFirst’s mission, vision, and living the organization’s values.
• Visionary leader open to innovative ideas, able to manage and drive change, and willing to take calculated risks.
• Strong relationship-building skills and political savvy who can influence and persuade others in a sincere, authentic manner.
• Culturally competent and self-reflective leader who understands the effects of race, class, ethnicity, income, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, and other issues of difference in society and can lead direct conversations about them.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills that are reflected in an ability to interact professionally as well as build trust with Board, staff, government officials, donors, and community and business leaders.
• Collaborative work style that empowers others to be their best.
• Strong business acumen and excellent financial and organizational risk management capabilities.

Education

• A bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, business administration, social work, or a related field; a master’s degree is preferred

Full Position Description: https://tinyurl.com/sx959d5z