Chief Executive Officer

The Role
 
Reports To: Board of Directors
Direct Reports: Six (6) direct reports including the Chief Operating Officer, Chief Program Officer, Chief Development Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer, and Senior Executive Assistant
Location: San Francisco Bay Area

Position Summary

 HomeFirst is seeking a visionary and collaborative Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead our 44-year-old organization through the next growth phase in its mission to end homelessness in Santa Clara County and beyond.
 
Responsible for the overall strategic, operational, and financial management of HomeFirst, the CEO is a passionate advocate for the homeless and committed to a Housing First philosophy and approach to ending homelessness. The CEO will ensure renewal and expansion of effective contracts with HomeFirst as a trusted partner, expand funding streams, strengthen community relationships, and continue to elevate HomeFirst’s image and mission while ensuring the continued success and expansion of programs and services.
 
The CEO’s critical function as brand ambassador is to build and strengthen relationships based on trust with all stakeholders: internal employees, donors and funders, city, county, and state government officials, business, community and advocates, and unhoused population. The CEO will expand HomeFirst’s impact by leading collaborative efforts with other partners in the community and staying abreast of studies, trends, research, and best program practices in addressing homelessness.

Importantly, the next CEO will possess strong communication and networking skills for the purpose of expanding and diversifying HomeFirst’s funding sources. The CEO will have demonstrated skills in cultivating a wide variety of donor bases.

Critical to the success of the role and delivering on the HomeFirst mission, the CEO will:

• Build upon the solid foundation of HomeFirst that has experienced rapid growth in terms of size and scope of the organization; develop and implement strategic plans that align with mission, vision, and values and maintain organizational stability during a time of transition while pursuing manageable, sustained growth.
• Ensure that HomeFirst remains fiscally sound, operates effectively within existing contracts, renewals, and expansion, and continues to seek out new alternative sources of revenue.
• Maintain HomeFirst’s reputation as a leader in ending homelessness through aligning PR, branding and communication strategies with strategic goals.
• Serve as a proactive spokesperson, communicating the HomeFirst story and work with the media, community, homelessness advocates, and all relevant stakeholders.
• Anticipate and effectively manage conflicts/issues that can arise related to political and community relations associated with homelessness.
• Promote a collaborative and inclusive work environment that empowers all staff to achieve their full potential.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership & Board Relations

• Define, inspire, and deliver the agency’s mission and vision and continue to refine and communicate the strategic direction and goals to all stakeholders internally and externally.
• Own the process and deliverables of creating, updating, and executing the 3-year strategic plan through collaboration with the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) and Executive and Advisory Board Members.
• Lead discussions related to new technologies, innovations and investment; horizontal and vertical program growth and expansion; and evolution and adaptation of the HomeFirst business model.
• Provide leadership in all aspects of strategic planning, revenue generation, government relationships, fund development, operational execution, and financial management.
• Collaborate with the Board of Directors and ensure they are integral partners in fundraising and implementing the strategic plan to guide growth and community impact
• Cultivate a strong and transparent working relationship with the Board of Directors and 
  ensure open communication regarding financial, development, programmatic, and impact performance milestones and goals.
• Prepare to help HomeFirst navigate the potential criminalization of our unhoused neighbors considering the recent Supreme Court decision.

Fundraising & Revenue Generation 

• Ensure annual and long-term financial viability of HomeFirst by spearheading effective 
  fundraising efforts, securing diverse and sustainable revenue, and engaging the next 
  generation of donors.
• Continue to maintain and grow government and private contracts and find new ways 
  to bring in working capital and cash reserves to fund operations.
• Grow philanthropic partnerships, including major gifts, leadership and legacy gifts.
• Develop strong relationships with corporate donors.

External Relations and Community Leadership

• Serve as the chief spokesperson, representing HomeFirst locally, across the state and nationally; leverage public speaking and partnership opportunities; communicate with participants, financial partners, key revenue contract decision-makers, corporations, community leaders, funders, legislators, government agencies and all partners involved in HomeFirst programs and initiatives.
• Convene, listen to and seek to understand the perspectives of a variety of constituents to build trust, inspire new ideas, and build effective relationships.
• Lead discussions related to new technologies, innovations and investment, and horizontal and vertical program growth and expansion.
• Work alongside HomeFirst colleagues in maintaining regular contact and open dialogue with city, state and federal executives.
• Promote ongoing dialogue with homeless advocates and other key groups to seek input on HomeFirst’s role in addressing homelessness, creating innovative housing solutions, and improving the quality of life for all participants.
• As a thought leader, personally seek out opportunities for HomeFirst to advocate and gather support for homelessness legislative initiatives through civic and other nonprofit partnerships.
• Maintain strong relationships with the Lived Experience Council; attend and participate in meetings and other community/participant events.
• Stay aware of best practices, current and emerging trends, and innovations occurring in the homeless services sphere.

Financial Management and Internal Leadership

• Provide collaborative, hands-on, and inspirational leadership to a diverse and high performing team; create continuous opportunities for growth and development across 
  the organization.
• Ensure the organizational structure, systems and business processes support the strategic imperatives and growth of HomeFirst and enable staff to do their best work.
• Maintain a strong understanding of the organization’s finances as a foundation for strategic decisions to maximize impact and reduce risk
• In collaboration with the Chief Financial Officer, oversee the development of the annual operating budget and ensure the organization is in compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations and obligations and operates within approved budget guidelines.
• In collaboration with the Chief Program Officer, ensure the delivery of high-quality programs and services that effectively meet the needs of our clients. Innovate and expand program offerings based on community needs and best practices. Foster a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.
• Champion an inclusive and racially equitable workplace that values employee development and contribution, facilitates cross-functional cooperation and teamwork, supports constructive resolution of conflicts, and is dedicated to serving participants and the community broadly.

Professional Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years of executive leadership experience in a nonprofit organization, with a strong preference for experience in homeless services or related fields.
• Proven experience as a key spokesperson for an organization with an ability to influence and motivate diverse audiences.
• Experience organizing and executing fundraising efforts with a track record of building innovative partnerships and diversifying revenue and other funding streams. Proven track record of successful donor solicitation and stewardship – corporations, foundations, and individual donors.
• Achievement in change management, bringing to scale complex organizations an initiatives; adept at assessing operational requirements necessary to support sustainable growth and a healthy organizational culture.
• Demonstrated success developing and leading multi-functional teams, with the ability to work effectively with people at all levels of the organization to create buy-in and a sense of shared responsibility.
• Experienced community leader comfortable building relationships and strategic partnerships in diverse settings; experienced at community visioning.
• Experience working collaboratively with a Board of Directors.
• Superior mentoring, professional development, people management and leadership 
  skills; a team builder who inspires trust and builds group commitment to goals and 
  objectives.
• Multicultural management experience, including recruitment, management, and development of diverse teams.
• Knowledge of and connections within the local, regional, and national housing and community development landscape preferred.
• First-hand knowledge and/or experience with homelessness preferred

 
Personal Attributes

• Strong commitment to HomeFirst’s mission, vision, and living the organization’s values.
• Visionary leader open to innovative ideas, able to manage and drive change, and willing 
  to take calculated risks.
• Strong relationship-building skills and political savvy who can influence and persuade 
  others in a sincere, authentic manner.
• Culturally competent and self-reflective leader who understands the effects of race, 
  class, ethnicity, income, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, and other 
  issues of difference in society and can lead direct conversations about them.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills that are reflected in an ability to interact professionally as well as build trust with Board, staff, government officials, donors, and community and business leaders.
• Collaborative work style that empowers others to be their best.
• Strong business acumen and excellent financial and organizational risk management capabilities

Education

• A bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, business administration, social work, or a related field; a master’s degree is preferred

Compensation

• $275,000 - $325,000
• HomeFirst offers a comprehensive benefits package (including employee paid health, dental, and vision with partial cost coverage for dependents), a 5% matching, and immediate vesting 401k program, paid holidays (12 designated), generous Paid Time Off (PTO), sick leave, and civic engagement/volunteering

To learn more about this opportunity, please contact:

Janet Albert 
Partner, Bridge Partners
Janet.Albert@bridgepartnersllc.com