Executive Director Job Description

Road2Home; Bellingham (WA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A nonprofit organization in Bellingham, WA, seeks an Executive Director to lead its mission of supporting unhoused community members. The ideal candidate will have 5+ years in nonprofit leadership, strong skills in fundraising, and a commitment to equity in housing access. This role involves financial oversight, program management, and community collaboration. Interested candidates should submit their resume and cover letter to [e-mail].

Qualifications

• A minimum of 5 years of demonstrated nonprofit leadership and management experience.
• Commitment to Road2Home’s core values and equity in housing access.
• Familiarity with current issues impacting the unhoused community.

Responsibilities

• Ensure organizational health and financial sustainability.
• Oversee operations, programs, staff, and volunteers.
• Manage the fundraising strategy and support the Director of Philanthropy.

Skills

Nonprofit leadership

Relationship building

Fundraising

Community collaboration

Effective communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree in related field

Tools

QuickBooks

Google Suite

JotForm

Job description

About Road2Home: Road2Home is a nonprofit serving unhoused community members in Whatcom County. The organization supports individuals to access services and develop strategies that enable them to meet their basic needs while providing a path to stable housing. Road2Home provides sheltering and case management at Gardenview Village as well as vital connections to the community through the Volunteer Ally Program.

Road2Home’s core values are:

• Kindness & Compassion: Treat everyone with kindness and compassion. Be sensitive to other people’s feelings.
• Collaboration & Humility: Work together as a community by listening to each other and building on each other’s strengths. Everyone has a unique perspective and can contribute to discussions in meaningful ways.
• Responsibility: Accept responsibility for our actions and treat mistakes as learning opportunities.
• Empowerment: Work towards empowering those around us. Be patient, offer praise, and be willing to share your knowledge with others.
• Innovation & Growth: Keep an open mind and be willing to learn and grow.

Executive Director Responsibilities

The Executive Director (ED) serves as the chief and strategic leader of Road2Home. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the ED ensures organizational health, financial sustainability, and mission alignment. The ED oversees operations, programs, staff, and volunteers while cultivating strong community relationships and advancing the organization’s mission. They report to the board of directors and participate in board meetings. The Executive Director is responsible for the following:

Financial Oversight & Management:

• Ensures the organizations’ fiscal health and aligns resources with the mission and strategic priorities of Road2Home.
• Develops, manages, and monitors the annual operating budget
• Ensures accurate, timely financial reporting for the Board, funders, and other stakeholders.
• Oversees forecasting to anticipate revenue, expenses, and cash flow needs.
• Aligns financial planning with fundraising goals and programmatic initiatives to ensure sustainability.
• Works closely with the Board Finance Committee to review budgets, monitor performance, and recommend adjustments.
• Maintains sound internal controls, compliance with nonprofit accounting standards, and prudent stewardship of resources.
• Supports grant budgeting and reporting to ensure alignment with funder requirements.

Program Management:

Oversee day-to-day operations and supporting staff for program implementation.

Specific activities include:

• Direct and support core programs, including Gardenview Village and the Community Ally Program. Gardenview is a 24/7 program, and emergency support may be required outside of regular office hours when supervisors are not available.
• Supervise, mentor, and develop staff and volunteers; manage recruitment, hiring, and training.
• Oversee program budgets, documentation, and timely financial reporting.
• Implement systems for program evaluation, reporting outcomes to the Board and funders.

Program Development:

• Set the strategic and long term vision for the organization, including new opportunities for programs to meet the organizations’ mission.
• Partner with the Staff and Board to identify opportunities for new program development and respond to emerging community needs.
• Monitor local, state, and federal policies impacting housing and homelessness, advising the Board accordingly.
• Strengthen operational infrastructure, policies, and practices to support sustainable growth.
• Attend community meetings as a representative of Road2Home.
• Oversee implementation of new program development initiative.

Fundraising

• Manage the fundraising strategy and relationships development. Oversee and support the Director of Philanthropy’s creation and implementation of a fundraising plan.
• Develop and execute a diversified fundraising strategy (grants, major donors, annual giving, community events).
• In collaboration with the Director of Philanthropy, identify funding opportunities, lead grant applications, and oversee grant reporting.
• Build and maintain relationships with donors, foundations, and community partners.
• Serve as a visible ambassador for Road2Home, representing the organization at meetings, public forums, and with local officials.

Qualifications:

• A minimum of 5 years of demonstrated nonprofit leadership and management experience.
• Bachelor’s degree required. Master’s degree in related field preferred.
• Demonstrated social sector experience working with low income communities.
• Proven relationship-builder, with experience working effectively across diverse stakeholder groups, including city officials, community partners, donors, and volunteers.
• Success in fundraising, grant management, and donor relations, with the ability to secure and manage resources.
• Strong skills in staff supervision, program oversight, and community collaboration, ensuring accountability and alignment with organizational goals.
• Effective communication, relationship building, team building, and strategic thinking skills.
• Commitment to Road2Home’s core values and equity in housing access.
• Familiarity with current issues impacting the unhoused community, including systemic barriers to housing stability.
• Knowledge of and commitment to the implementation of a trauma-informed approach in organizational leadership, program design, and community engagement.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Administrative experience managing systems such as QuickBooks, the Google Suite, and JotForm.
• Familiarity with the greater Bellingham community.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter to [e-mail]. Please write “Executive Director” in the subject line. Your cover letter should help us understand the relevance of your education and experience, why you are interested in the role, and what you would bring to it.

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they are able to perform every task in the job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background and does not meet all the qualifications described above.

Road2Home is an Equal Opportunity Employer and actively seeks a diverse pool of applicants. We are committed to providing opportunities for all employees and applicants and do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, parental status, veteran status, or any other protected status under local, state, and federal laws.