Current Searches-Executive Director

Executive Director

Southwest Youth and Family Services
Seattle, Washington

The Moran Company is pleased to partner with Southwest Youth and Family Services in their search for a new Executive Director.

General Background

Since 1979, SWYFS has been a leading resource for youth and families in Southwest Martin Luther King County, Seattle, Washington. For more than 40 years, SWYFS has served under-resourced communities of Southwest Martin Luther King County, including Southwest Seattle, White Center, South Park, Burien and SeaTac – known for its extensive mental health programs and positive community and family support systems. SWYFS is grounded in its commitment to the communities it serves, individuals representing a broad spectrum of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC).

SWYFS began as part of a citywide program to provide neighborhood-based diversion services. In the early ‘90s, SWYFS added new programs, doubling in size and serving hundreds of youths and families. The organization opened the Southwest Family Center, one of the three original family centers in Seattle. Working in collaboration with other organizations, SWYFS offered programs designed to strengthen and encourage youth and families such as, parenting programs, English as a Second Language (ESL) programs, education opportunities of all kinds, in addition to Family Nights for youth and parents. More recently, SWYFS was selected as one of three organizations in Seattle to offer the Parent Child Home Program (PCHP), an early learning home visiting literacy program serving very low income two and three-year-old children and their parents or caregivers.

Today, SWYFS has become a leading resource for marginalized children, youth and families. With an operating budget of almost $7 million, the organization has 70 staff; 55% of whom are bilingual and 82% identifying as BIPOC. Serving more than 2,000 individuals annually; 87% of whom identify as BIPOC with holistic, wrap-around services.

Key Responsibilities

The Executive Director is a hybrid position (in-office and remote work expected), serving the Southwest Seattle, Martin Luther King County area. The Executive Director offers space for innovation, encourages transformation and provides strategic leadership for SWYFS, working with a very dedicated staff and volunteer Board who share a commitment to furthering the Mission to partner with youth and families to ensure that families have access to tools and supports to thrive. Creating a community of acceptance, belonging and hope.

Principal Duties

  • Provide oversight and leadership of SWYFS.
  • Work in partnership with the Board to establish strategic direction for opportunities to serve the residents of Martin Luther King County.
  • Maintain existing programs and fully address goals for participation by youth and families through a trauma informed lens. This includes maintaining a common culture of compassion for the individuals served.
  • Sustain, manage and direct the growth of funding initiatives - grant support and fund development, supporting staff with strategic direction and goals for achievement.
  • Recruit, retain, motivate, develop and lead a staff team, demonstrating a shared commitment to the SWYFS Mission and contributing to a mutually satisfying environment for all staff.
  • Establish effective business practices with Finance and Operational functions.
  • Continue and expand strong partnerships with other community and government agencies to ensure mission objectives.
  • Oversee communications and brand management.

Candidate Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s or advanced degree preferred in social work, psychology, business, nonprofit administration, or related field – equivalent experience considered.
  • 5-10 years with progressively more significant roles/management responsibilities.
  • Nonprofit management experience is preferred.
  • Lived experience in communities or communities similar to those served by SWYFS preferred.

Essential Knowledge/Skills

  • Understand and/or experience with the culture, socio/economic challenges and opportunities for low-income communities and the importance of building and sustaining relationships with residents and community stakeholders.
  • Demonstrated expertise in racial justice and commitment to leading an anti-racist organization with a deep understanding of systemic inequities and their impact on individuals and communities.
  • Strong Leadership skills with the ability to inspire and motivate teams, establish a positive work environment and demonstrated success in staff recruitment and retention
  • Effective at advocacy and working with public/quasi-public/private funding sources and government entities\personnel.
  • Strong communication and organizational abilities, including planning, program development, and financial management.
  • The ability to promote transformational change, to partner with individuals and families to enhance the quality of their lives.
  • Effective as a spokesperson in promoting the organization’s vision and values, both internally and externally.

Competencies/Key Characteristics

  • Strategic Thinking
  • Business Acumen
  • Diplomatic Leadership
  • Results Driven
  • Financial Management
  • Problem Solving/Analysis
  • Collaboration Skills
  • Transparency
  • Visionary
  • Excellent Communication Skills

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for the Executive Director position is $175,000 to $205,000. Southwest Youth and Family Services offers generous benefits including access to employee health care insurance, dental, vision and life insurance, as well as a 403b Match and Costco membership. The organization also offers annual leave, sick leave and provides a 2-week paid holiday break from December 20th to January 2nd.  

Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. This employer participates in E-Verify. The employer will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with information from each new employee's I-9 to confirm work authorization.

Application Process

The search for the Executive Director is being conducted by The Moran Company. To apply for this position, submit a cover letter and resume to Sheryl Sereda, The Moran Company. APPLY NOW

 For more information about Southwest Youth and Family Services visit: http://www.swyfs.org.

 

 

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