Executive Director

Safe Passage, Inc. (Rock Hill, SC); Rock Hill (SC); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Safe Passage, Inc. in Rock Hill, SC seeks an Executive Director to lead strategy, operations, and fundraising, and to advance trauma-informed services for survivors.

Reporting to the Board, you will steward growth, partnerships, and policy engagement, while building a diverse, high-performing team and ensuring long-term sustainability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in nonprofit management, public administration, social work, law, business, or related field preferred.
• 7–10 years of progressive leadership experience, including senior management or executive leadership within a nonprofit or related mission-driven organization.

Responsibilities

• Provide vision, leadership, and direction to advance Safe Passage's mission and long-term sustainability.
• Ensure delivery of high-quality survivor-centered, trauma-informed programs and services across all operations.
• Establish performance measures and accountability systems for organizational learning and improvement.
• Oversee financial stewardship, operational effectiveness, risk management, and compliance.
• Foster cross-functional collaboration across programs, operations, and community engagement.
• Lead fundraising, donor cultivation, grants management, and diversified revenue strategy.
• Develop and execute strategies to expand community partnerships and public policy impact.
• Represent the organization to stakeholders and the broader community.

Skills

Leadership

Fundraising

Donor cultivation

Board governance

Public policy

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

Safe Passage seeks a relationship-centered, visionary, and mission-driven Executive Director to lead the organization into its next chapter of growth and impact. Reporting directly to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director serves as the chief executive officer and strategic leader of the organization, providing overall leadership for strategy, operations, financial sustainability, advocacy, community engagement, and organizational culture.

The Executive Director will build on Safe Passage's strong reputation for delivering high-quality, trauma-informed services while strengthening fundraising capacity, expanding community partnerships, increasing visibility, advancing public policy priorities, and ensuring long-term organizational sustainability.

Reports to: Safe Passage Board of Directors

Location: Rock Hill, SC

RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic & Operational Leadership

• Provide vision, leadership, and direction to advance Safe Passage's mission and long-term sustainability.
• Ensure the delivery of high-quality, survivor-centered, trauma-informed programs and services across all areas of operation.
• Establish performance measures and accountability systems that support organizational learning and continuous improvement.
• Oversee financial stewardship, operational effectiveness, risk management, and organizational compliance.
• Foster cross-functional collaboration and alignment across programs, operations, administration, and community engagement efforts.
• Maintain a forward-thinking mindset, anticipating emerging challenges, and positioning the organization for continued innovation, relevance, and growth.

Policy & Advocacy

• Act as the key spokesperson for Safe Passage's vision and mission, building strong relationships with key stakeholders, including survivors, politicians, community leaders, funders, and other nonprofit partners.
• Monitor legislative, regulatory, and funding developments that may impact services, operations, or survivor outcomes.
• Advance public awareness and systems-level solutions that support survivor safety and well-being.
• Ensure organizational compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, grant requirements, and nonprofit governance standards.
• Represent Safe Passage as a trusted voice and thought leader within the community and sector.
• Serve as the organization’s chief fundraiser, actively cultivating and stewarding relationships with individual donors, foundations, corporations, government agencies, and community partners.
• Develop and execute a diversified revenue strategy that reduces reliance on any single funding source and supports long-term growth.
• Lead grant strategy and writing efforts, ensuring strong alignment between funding opportunities and organizational priorities.
• Expand community awareness and philanthropic support through strategic partnerships, events, campaigns, and public engagement efforts.
• Monitor fundraising performance and ensure effective development systems, processes, and accountability measures are in place.

Community Engagement & External Relations

• Cultivate and maintain strategic relationships with community partners, government agencies, businesses, healthcare providers, and other key stakeholders.
• Identify and pursue opportunities to expand Safe Passage's reach, impact, and collaborative partnerships.
• Represent the organization at community events, public forums, and stakeholder meetings to advance awareness of the mission and services.
• Build broad-based support for Safe Passage by fostering meaningful engagement among community leaders, advocates, volunteers, and supporters.

Board Relations

• Serve as the primary liaison to the Board of Directors and ensure transparent, timely, and strategic communication.
• Provide the Board with meaningful information, analysis, and recommendations regarding organizational performance, opportunities, risks, and strategic priorities.
• Support board development efforts, including recruitment, orientation, education, engagement, and succession planning.
• Partner with the Board to establish priorities, measure progress, and advance organizational goals.

Talent & Team Development

• Lead, develop, and inspire a diverse, committed, and high-performing team dedicated to Safe Passage's mission and values.
• Foster a culture rooted in collaboration, accountability, respect, inclusion, learning, and trauma-informed leadership.
• Promote open communication, transparency, and alignment across teams and functions.
• Model the values, integrity, and relationship-centered leadership expected throughout the organization.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in nonprofit management, public administration, social work, law, business, or a related field preferred.
• 7-10 years of progressive leadership experience, including senior management or executive leadership responsibilities within a nonprofit, public sector, advocacy, human services, healthcare, or related mission-driven organization.

Other Requirements:

• Proven ability to set organizational direction and execute on implementation strategies that deliver meaningful results.
• Demonstrated success in fundraising, donor cultivation, grant management, and revenue diversification.
• Experience partnering effectively with a governing board, supporting strong governance practices, and engaging board members in strategic planning and fundraising efforts.
• Knowledge of public policy, advocacy, government relations, or systems-change initiatives; experience working with government agencies and community partners preferred.
• Proven ability to lead, develop, and retain high-performing teams while fostering an inclusive, collaborative, and mission-driven culture.
• Strong financial and operational acumen, including experience overseeing budgets, organizational performance, compliance, and risk management.
• Exceptional communication, relationship-building, and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to serve as a visible and persuasive ambassador for the organization.

COMPENSATION

The salary offered will be commensurate with experience. Safe Passage offers comprehensive benefits to complement the salary provided to staff.

Safe Passage, Inc. does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations.

Questions about the role may be directed to Anne Tyler Edgar at [e-mail].