Chief Executive Officer (WS)

Washington STEM; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 227,000 - 340,000; Full time

Job summary

Washington STEM seeks a CEO in Seattle to lead its mission of advancing STEM education and economic mobility for Washington youth. You will shape strategy, steward partnerships, and guide policy-informed work with a focus on equity and community impact.

The role requires strong fundraising, executive leadership, and the ability to align staff, partners, and the Board around a shared vision. You will drive sustainable growth and manage resources with transparency.

Qualifications

• Experience advancing strategic alliances with partner organizations and leading diverse stakeholders.
• Proven ability to secure new funding sources and manage fiscal health.
• Inclusive leadership fostering diversity, equity, and accountability.
• Understanding of education/workforce policy, especially in Washington state.

Responsibilities

• Advocacy: articulate and drive Washington STEM’s vision of economic mobility through STEM education.
• Business management: drive results against strategic plan with fiscal discipline and motivation.
• Fundraising: proactively seek new funding opportunities to enable growth.
• Partnerships: build strong cross-sector partnerships across the state.
• Leadership: motivate staff and the Board of Directors to deliver impact.

Skills

Executive leadership

Strategic partnerships

Fundraising

Advocacy

Board engagement

People management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Washington STEM prepares youth in Washington State to be career-and-future ready by 2030 by achieving the postsecondary credentials needed for high demand, family-sustaining jobs.

Washington STEM does its work by creating partnerships to drive collective action, identifying focus areas where they can have the biggest impact on student lives, and by offering pragmatic, nonpartisan policy recommendations to state lawmakers that will improve STEM access and success. Equity, partnership, and sustainability are the guiding principles for all work.

Washington STEM recognizes that historical and systemic inequity, institutional racism, and lack of economic mobility in rural communities are persistent for students of color and students living in poverty. The talented staff and influential board of directors acknowledge that it is impossible to fulfill their mission without creating an equitable and inclusive environment for staff, partners, and for the people they serve.

The Chief Executive Officer Responsibilities

• Advocacy: Clearly articulate and drive Washington STEM’s vision of economic mobility and opportunity for all youth through STEM education in state and national settings
• Business Management: Drive results against the approved strategic plan with sound fiscal and business management and ensure all work aligns to goals; and keep everyone rigorously motivated to deliver results
• Fundraising: Proactively seek new funding opportunities to enable growth
• Partnerships: Build strong, successful cross-sector partnerships across the state
• Leadership: Rigorously motivate the high performing staff and dedicated Board of Directors

Washington STEM’s compensation is based on blended rate of corporate and nonprofit market salaries. The salary range for this position is $226,800 - $340,200 and will be commensurate with candidate qualifications and experience.

Preferred Experience/Background

• Familiarity with the issues faced by students of color, young women and girls, and students living in poverty and/or in rural communities whether through personal or professional experience
• Understanding of education and workforce policy landscape, especially in Washington state, and the intersection of business and government in shaping policy and pathways
• Demonstrated success developing and nurturing strategic alliances with partner organizations and unifying, managing, and influencing diverse stakeholders toward collective impact
• Accountability for the fiscal health of an organization or program; can provide examples of identifying, pursuing, and successfully soliciting new sources of funding
• Proven participatory and inclusive leadership style that fosters diversity, equity, high performance, respectful collaboration, and accountability
• Effective engagement of a high-profile board of directors

Washington STEM is a proud equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive work environment and to building a team that reflects the rich diversity of our community. People of color, people with disabilities, and people of diverse sexual orientations, gender expressions, and identities are encouraged to apply.