Executive Director (FC)

Friends of the Children; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Friends of the Children-Seattle, the Seattle chapter of a national network, seeks an Executive Director to lead the organization’s next phase of growth and deepen its impact on high-risk youth. The ED will oversee staff, drive strategic initiatives, and engage boards and stakeholders to sustain a culture of innovation, collaboration, and commitment to diversity and equal opportunity.

With a mission to break the cycle of generational poverty, the ED will guide operations, fundraising, and

Job description

Founded in Portland, Oregon, in 1993, Friends of the Children uses a bold, proven, and replicable model to accelerate change and break the cycle of generational poverty. Friends of the Children-Seattle is a chapter of a national network of fifteen sites throughout the United States and England.

A pair of friends who were retiring from Microsoft were impressed by Friends of the Children’s use of data and the profound impact of using professional mentors (called Friends) to support youth facing the highest risks of school dropout, involvement in the juvenile justice system, and early parenthood. In 2000, they founded Friends of the Children-Seattle (Friends-Seattle) , which is leading the movement and is serving as a model for other organizations across the country. Friends-Seattle identifies kindergarten children in Seattle Public Schools who face the greatest challenges and connects them with salaried, full-time, professional mentors for 12½ years. No matter what.

The Opportunity

As they enter their next phase of growth, Friends-Seattle seeks a dynamic Executive Director (ED) who is driven by a passion to break the cycle of generational poverty by supporting the youth who are the most vulnerable at the most at risk. The new ED will lead the organization as Friends-Seattle is on track to double the number of youth it serves by 2020.

The ideal candidate will be an entrepreneurial, collaborative leader who has the ability to inspire a team to be agile and creative and surpass ambitious goals. She or he will have the experience successfully leading a staff and organization through a period of rapid change and growth. Leading with an attitude of unwavering positivity, the new ED will have a cultural sensitivity and the emotional IQ to engage and mobilize the Board, staff, and stakeholders from a variety of background and cultures.

Friends of the Children is committed to our community, to equal employment opportunity, and to diversity in our workplace.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.