Chief Executive Officer

Scion Executive Search has been engaged to conduct the search for the incoming Chief Executive Officer of Volunteers of America Western Washington, one of the region's most comprehensive human services organizations. This is a pivotal opportunity for an accomplished, mission-driven executive to lead a nearly 130-year-old organization through a period of strategic renewal, financial discipline, and expanded community impact while honoring its distinctive faith-in-action identity. ABOUT VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA WESTERN WASHINGTON Volunteers of America Western Washington (VOAWW) empowers people and strengthens communities in need. Guided by the values of respect, integrity, stewardship, and empathy, the organization provides essential support to people in their most vulnerable moments and works toward healthy, safe communities where all people can live self-sufficient, fulfilled lives. Established in 1898, VOAWW has evolved into a broad and deeply rooted human services organization serving communities across Western Washington. Its work spans crisis care and behavioral health, housing and shelter, hunger prevention, early learning, personal support services, community resource centers, dispute resolution, workforce development, and other services that respond to urgent needs while helping individuals and families build long-term stability. The scale and reach of the organization are significant. In 2025, VOAWW responded to hundreds of thousands of requests for assistance, including more than 286,000 calls, chats, and texts through its behavioral health services. The organization operates with approximately 750 employees, with 90 percent of operating expenses directed to programs and services. VOAWW is part of the national Volunteers of America network, an ecumenical movement of faith in action united in service to God and humanity. Its Christian spiritual foundation is expressed through an inclusive ministry of service that welcomes and supports people of every identity, orientation, religious persuasion, citizenship, origin, color, and creed. This combination of faith and community responsiveness is central to VOAWW's history and future. POSITION OVERVIEW Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer will provide enterprise leadership for VOAWW's mission, strategy, people, programs, financial health, and external relationships. The CEO will lead a strong and tenured executive team, work closely with the Board, and represent the organization with government partners, funders, donors, community leaders, Volunteers of America National, staff, and the people and communities VOAWW serves. The next CEO will assume leadership of an organization with exceptional program breadth, deep community trust, strong financial visibility, and major assets from which to build. The leader will also step into a demanding operating environment shaped by shifts in public funding, the completion of significant capital projects, workforce change, and the need to bring greater discipline to portfolio, cost, and investment decisions. Early success will require a deliberate assessment of the organization, close partnership with the executive team, and decisive action to strengthen long-term sustainability. Beyond stabilization, the mandate is one of thoughtful strategic growth. The CEO must drive VOAWW's strategic plan into a living operating framework, diversify revenue beyond government sources, strengthen private philanthropy and community partnerships, and expand the organization's presence and impact across Western Washington. The leader must pair ambitious vision with practical execution, understanding the distinct economics, risks, quality requirements, and community relationships within a complex portfolio of services. The successful candidate will be a visible, hands-on, and relationship-centered executive. They will build trust across all levels of the organization, engage communities throughout the region, and strengthen an active and accountable Board partnership. This CEO should also strengthen the partnership with VOA National through collaboration, candor, warmth, and sound judgment as a servant leader. They will authentically embrace VOA's ministry identity and complete the organization's constituent membership and minister commissioning process within the required timeframe. The position is based in Everett, Washington, and requires consistent on-site and community presence, with regular travel within the Agency’s footprint and periodic national travel. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Enterprise Strategy and Organizational Leadership Set and communicate a clear enterprise direction that advances VOAWW's mission, strengthens organizational health, and aligns the Board, executive team, staff, and partners around shared priorities. Translate the strategic plan into a practical operating roadmap with defined outcomes, ownership, milestones, measures, and a consistent cadence for review and accountability. Assess the organization's program portfolio, structure, capabilities, and resource allocation, making disciplined decisions about where to strengthen, reshape, grow, partner, or exit. Lead with visible commitment to dignity, inclusion, service, and responsible stewardship while preserving the responsiveness and community connection at the heart of VOAWW's work. Build organizational resilience by anticipating changes in public policy, funding, workforce conditions, community needs, and the broader human services environment. Financial Sustainability and Operational Excellence Partner closely with the Chief Financial Officer and the rest of the executive team to strengthen forecasting, cash and reserve planning, cost discipline, enterprise risk management, and Board-level financial visibility. Address structural operating pressures as major capital projects conclude, aligning the cost base and program portfolio with sustainable sources of revenue. Und