Chief Executive Officer

The King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA)
is a regional governmental agency whose mission is to unify
homelessness services and systems in order to reduce homelessness
and bring more people inside. KCRHA was established in
2019 as a result of an Interlocal
Agreement (ILA) between the City of Seattle and King County,
which marked unprecedented collaboration and an express invitation
for other city partners to join the effort to create a regional
homelessness response system that invests in service
infrastructure, frontline staff, and allocates resources in a way
that maximizes impact and reduces homelessness across King
County.

KCRHA is at a critical inflection point in its early existence.
Founded nearly three months prior to the advent of the COVID-19
pandemic, the agency has been rapidly scaling to meet the
ever-evolving needs of people experiencing homelessness. The
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) will inherit a
mission-driven team and Boards to advance the work of KCRHA
following the transition of its founding CEO. As the organization
enters the next iteration of its work, it will focus on deepening
its impact and commitment to equity and operational excellence,
strengthening relationships and partnerships, and improving
outcomes. The CEO will provide strategic leadership and partnership
with boards, staff, stakeholders, and the community in leading the
implementation of
KCRHA’s 5-year strategic plan from 2023-2028.

Reporting to the KCRHA Implementation Board, the CEO will serve
as a key regional community-centered leader and make a meaningful
impact on the response to homelessness in King County for years to
come. The CEO will lead the Authority in its mission to create and
administer a cohesive, high-quality, customer-centered homelessness
service system for Seattle/King County by refining and redesigning
the network of services and programming that support the needs of
people experiencing or at imminent risk of homelessness. They will
lead, direct, and enhance all operational, financial, and strategic
infrastructure and goals, fiscal management, staff oversight and
professional development, community and advocacy relations, and
administrative matters. The Authority’s CEO will serve as the
primary external ambassador of the KCRHA and will be responsible
for collaboration with key strategic partners, including engaging
community partners and customers to design strategies that ensure
equity is integrated into KCRHA’s day-to-day operations.

THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (CEO)

King County Regional Housing Authority’s next CEO will be a
transformative, results-centered leader who embodies the values and
goals of KCRHA and possesses the vision, business and political
acumen, diplomacy, and skills to lead KCRHA through this critical
inflection point for the Authority and the Greater King County
community. Working in partnership with the Implementation Board and
Governing Committee, dedicated staff, and service providers, the
CEO will drive the growth and impact of the Authority through
operational excellence, community engagement, disciplined business
practices, and an abiding commitment to equity and a client-focused
approach to programming and resource allocation. This is an
extraordinary opportunity for a hands-on visionary leader with a
deep belief in the power of collaboration and partnership to solve
homelessness, transform communities, and lead KCRHA to its next
level of impact regionally in becoming a best-in-class national
exemplar for a coordinated and unified effort to tackle
homelessness.

The CEO is responsible for the continued implementation and
refinement of the Authority’s 5-Year Plan and for the achievement
of all operational and strategic goals, including fiscal
management, Board and Committee relations, staff oversight, strong
administrative leadership, and community relations and engagement.
The CEO will have an opportunity to:

Implement Organizational Systems that Build on the
Expanded Success of KCRHA

The CEO will lead the development and strategy execution of the
recently formed entity. They will demonstrate humility, curiosity,
and vision to support the team’s ability to address evolving and
complex organizational challenges following recent significant
growth and post-pandemic realities. The CEO will lead a high-impact
senior leadership team and develop an effective business operation
that ensures KCHRA’s continued financial sustainability, fiscal and
legal compliance, and enhancement of employment. The CEO will be
skilled in culture building, change management, and organizational
design to support organizational effectiveness in a dynamic time.
They will possess a highly refined equity lens grounded in critical
consciousness and an understanding of anti-racist practices, along
with social and economic systems that have historically
disadvantaged members of the intersecting communities that comprise
King County and Seattle.

Build Relationships and Develop Partners

The CEO will be an active, visible, and trusted leader who is an
excellent relationship builder, maintaining strong, transformative
relationships both within and outside of the Authority. This adept
relational leader will be comfortable working across lines of
difference, including race, gender, and class, among other
dimensions of identity. They will be able to build a working
coalition of leaders that span government, philanthropy,
policymakers, and community partners to steward change and surface
shared values of individuals, groups, and communities. They will
forge consensus and work to broaden potential fiscal support for
the Authority, including from other cities in King County,
philanthropic and private sector partnerships, and other public
sector resources. They will be a strong ambassador for the
Authority, working to continue to build its brand and impact
positively.

Lead with Collaboration

The CEO will support the development of and provide day-to-day
leadership to a high-impact, dedicated staff. They will be
responsible for the overall effectiveness of the Authority,
including overseeing work plans, systems, and processes that drive
toward organizational goals. The CEO will conduct an organizational
scan that ensures strong role alignment for KCRHA staff and build
structures that support their success and professional growth. The
CEO will be focused on leading a team that delivers results and
will be skilled at reframing challenges as opportunities for team
and organizational growth. The next leader will be a clear
communicator committed to transparency and accountability and will
foster effective collaboration and communication across the
departments. The next CEO will be a proven leader who inspires
people and ensures that the organization has the structures,
systems, processes, and tools in place to promote staff growth and
strengthen staff morale and retention.

Improve Board Relations and Governance
Structures

In partnership with the Boards, the new CEO will ensure the
strong governance and financial health of the Authority. They will
ensure that KCRHA complies with relevant state and federal laws,
regulations, and standard accounting procedures. Working closely
with the Boards, they will align on the organization’s strategic
direction and vision to determine the best strategies for
deliberate growth, program refinement, and staff retention. The CEO
will encourage board engagement, leveraging their experiences and
relationships to identify future board members, key sources of
partnership and funding, and opportunities for continued
organizational growth.

KEY QUALIFICATIONS

While no one candidate will embody all the qualifications
enumerated below, strong candidates will possess many of the
following professional and personal abilities, attributes, and
experiences:

Organizational & Operational Leadership

• Experience in operational management, outsourced contract
  management, process improvement, and results delivery.
• Leadership experience managing complex operations or programs
  within an organization addressing homelessness or proximate issues
  for marginalized populations, youth, or social services.
• Demonstrated experience in leading a complex organization that
  is responsive to varied stakeholders and that requires navigating
  political, public, and media attention.
• Success in building, scaling, and developing sustainable
  organizational growth strategies across programs and/or
  geographies.
• Thoughtful, timely decision-maker with experience using data
  and evidence effectively to inform strategy and promote continuous
  learning and improvement.
• Excellence in organizational management with the ability to
  coach, manage, and develop high-performance teams, set and achieve
  strategic objectives, and manage a budget.
• Develop and maintain partnerships with community-based
  organizations, potential resourcing partners, and other
  governmental agencies to support strong engagement and create
  collaborative partnerships focused on impact.

Connection to the Mission

• A sophisticated understanding of the barriers and
  interconnecting systems that individuals encounter when accessing
  programs and services and that cause disproportionate rates of
  homelessness among LGBTQ, Black, Indigenous, and other People of
  Color.
• Ability to inspire and motivate staff and partners around a
  shared vision and build momentum to accomplish that vision.
• Deep commitment to social justice and anti-racism and
  demonstrated ability to lead candid and brave conversations about
  justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.
• Familiarity with KCRHA through professional or lived experience
  as an individual who has navigated and/or faced systemic
  barriers.
• Possess an understanding of the complex issues surrounding
  homelessness, including root causes, demographics, and regional
  variations.
• Commitment to incorporating the perspectives of those with
  lived experience into decision-making.

Cultural Leadership & Management Style

• A demonstrated commitment to equity with the proven ability to
  apply a racial equity lens to all levels of an organization’s
  work.
• A leader who prioritizes a relational work environment that
  builds trust and seeks to foster a culture of transparency,
  accountability, and integrity. Strong relationship-building skills
  and an authentic interest in listening to and learning from others;
  the ability to act intentionally, establish trust, engage
  stakeholders, and cultivate belonging.
• Emotional intelligence and ability to engage in productive
  conflict; an active listener who understands a trauma-informed
  practice lens.
• Excellent management skills and experience leading and
  inspiring change in a diverse, mission-driven environment; proven
  capacity to develop systems and decision-making that foster
  participation, mutual accountability, and growth.
• Collaborative leadership style demonstrated by knowing when to
  step in and direct, when to delegate, and when to share
  leadership.
• Powerful communicator one-on-one, in small group settings, and
  with large audiences.

The Basics

• 10+ years of related work experience in the government,
  nonprofit, private sector organization, or related field. Prior
  CEO, or comparable role and scope, experience within a large and
  complex organization.
• A bachelor’s degree or master’s degree (preferred) in business,
  public administration, or related field or equivalent experience
  with demonstrated progressive expertise in administration,
  financial management, and program development.
• Experience successfully working with a governing board.
• Familiarity with the landscape of communities, unique assets,
  and challenges across King County, or the desire to gain this
  knowledge.
• Demonstrated executive leadership experience in a nonprofit,
  human services, mission-driven organization, or governmental
  institution.

TO APPLY

More information about the KCRHA can be found
at: kcrha.org.

This position’s salary is between $250,000 and $300,000 based on
experience and skills, and KCRHA also provides a comprehensive
benefits package.

This search is being conducted by Julian Jackson, Alejandra (Ale) Villa,
and  Phuong Quach of
the national search firm NPAG.
Candidates may submit their cover letter outlining their interest
and qualifications, along with their resume via NPAG’s website. For questions and
nominations, please email: kcrha-ceo@npag.com.

KCRHA is committed to a policy of Equal
Employment Opportunity and will not discriminate against an
applicant or employee based on race, creed, religion, color,
national origin, age, alienage or citizenship status, ancestry,
nationality, national origin, marital or domestic partnership or
civil union status, familial status, sex, pregnancy, gender
identity, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state,
or local law. Moreover, KCRHA is committed to providing
reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with
disabilities.