Chief Executive Officer (CEO) - Full Time

Amara is committed to positive long-term outcomes for children and families. We drive systemic change, promote healing, and advance racial and LGBTQIA+ equity by offering programs and services to families engaged in the child welfare system.

At Amara, we believe that a supportive, equitable and inclusive workplace, where everyone feels valued, trusted, and nurtured, is key to shaping organizational culture and investing in underrepresented communities. Amara believes that a diverse workforce and inclusive workplace culture enhances our ability to fulfill our mission. We strongly invite candidates from diverse backgrounds, including communities of color, the LGBTQIA+ community, veterans, and people with disabilities to apply.

We are seeking to hire a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) who will be responsible for Amara’s visionary leadership, strategic direction and all aspects of organizational operations including program development, fundraising, financial management and staff leadership.  

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the following satisfactorily; other duties may be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Strategic Leadership & Operational Management:

• Lead, with the Board of Directors, setting annual strategic priorities and goals along with a work plan to allocate resources (funds and personnel) to support organizational priorities.
• Lead the development, implementation, and evaluation of programs and services to meet the needs of the organization’s constituents, centering children at-risk of or impacted by the child welfare system.
• Develop and implement long-term strategic plans aligned to the organization’s mission and vision; ensure objectives, activities, and decisions are in line with long-term strategic goals.
• Align programs to the organization’s mission and goals and achieve desired outcomes.  Ensure that programs are developed strategically and in a fiscally responsible manner, with focus on potential impact and outcomes, and an understanding of organization-wide sustainability.
• Oversee preparation and management of budget, monitor financial performance, and ensure fiscal responsibility, including forecasting, cash flow monitoring and financial reporting with our CFO.
• Monitor trends, policy changes, and community needs to adapt organizational strategies accordingly.
• Drive a sense of accountability among team members by modeling performance standards.
• Identify and manage/mitigate potential organizational risks.
• Ensure compliance with relevant laws, regulations and ethical standards governing non-profit organizations. This includes overseeing legal and regulatory filings, maintaining corporate records, and ensuring adherence to established policies and procedures.
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Program Development:

• Set clear objectives, priorities, and timelines for program implementation and evaluation.
• Ensure that programs are designed, piloted, and scaled with the focus of serving client needs and a vision towards system impact locally, in WA State, and Federally. Consider how programs drive practice and policies and seek to operate these thoughtfully in a way that challenges long-standing inequitable systems and structures.
• Regularly conduct needs assessments with a diverse group to identify and evaluate current programs aligned to the challenges, issues.
• Develop and support strategic partnerships with other organizations, funders, government agencies, and community groups to leverage resources, expertise, and support and expand program reach.
• Recruit, hire, and train staff needed to implement and manage program activities effectively. Provide guidance and support for staff members in building their capacity.
• Advocate for policies and initiatives that support the organization’s programmatic goals and address systemic issues impacting the community. Engage policymakers, advocacy groups and other stakeholders in policy discussions and advocacy efforts.
• Remain apprised of current trends, practices and legislation in child welfare and related policy areas.

Core Competencies:

• Team player who is energized by the mission, and who is caring and transparent, oriented toward the greater good of Amara and its overall strategic direction.
• Ability to build enduring relationships and leads with a thoughtful, positive, loyal, and strategic presence and garner loyalty and support from impacted communities and stakeholders.
• Respectful and accessible leadership style, comfortable with ambiguity and able to relate to a wide range of clients and constituencies.
• Ability to have difficult conversations and make difficult decisions.
• A demeanor that exudes care for others including children and families we serve.

Qualifications:  

7+ years serving an organization in an executive leadership capacity, with comparable scope of responsibility over policy, operations, programs, development, communications, and financial oversight.

• 5+ years working with foster care, child welfare or social services preferred.
• 5+ years in supervision or administration of social services.
• 5+ years of experience supervising and mentoring a team, including both direct and indirect reports.
• 3+ years in roles that inform and further policies to benefit the wellbeing of children and families.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills and the ability to lead group meetings.
• Ability to lead with initiative, discretion, maturity, flexibility, and independent judgement.
• Demonstrated skill and implementation of equity principles and practices that create a safe and affirming environment for clients and staff across intersectional characteristics. 
• Demonstrated leadership in promoting advancement and development of diversity.
• Strong decision-making skills, including critical thinking skills. Demonstrated ability to think broadly.
• Cross-cultural competence relative to age, religion, race, culture, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and neuro-divergence.
• Experience in program development and implementation.

Education:  BA Degree in related field or 10+ years of experience in a similar role for an organization of a similar size and scope.

Supervisory Responsibilities:  The CEO will lead a team of executives including the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Chief Innovation and Program Officer (CIPO) and Chief Development Officer (CDO).

Salary and Benefits

This is a full-time position with an annual rate of pay between $170,000-$200,000 depending on experience.  Generous personal leave and benefits package, including paid time off, paid sabbatical, health, vision and dental insurance, 401k with a company match, life, and disability insurance.

Amara operates in hybrid mode. Work is done in the community, in clients’ homes, at our facilities in Pierce and King County, as well as other sites throughout the state. This role includes a significant component of stakeholder stewardship, requiring the ability and flexibility to work both remotely and in-person. 

Criminal Background Check:

Amara conducts background checks appropriate to the contractual requirements of the position. A previous conviction will not necessarily bar individuals from employment at Amara.

Specific clearance requirements can be discussed with the Hiring Manager or Human Resources.

Vaccination Requirement:

Amara requires that all employees be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. This requirement is designed to prioritize the safety of the children and families we serve. Exemptions may be sought only for documented medical or religious accommodation.

To Apply

To express your interest in this position, please send your resume and a one-page cover letter indicating why this position is the right opportunity for you in Smart Recruiters. https://smrtr.io/kgMBS

Resumes will be accepted for this position until May 20^th.