Executive Director

Job Description

Pacific Staffing is honored to partner with Women's Empowerment in the search for an Executive Director to lead this highly respected, mission-driven organization. Women's Empowerment transforms the lives of women experiencing homelessness by providing education, workforce development, trauma-informed support, and pathways to stable housing. We are seeking a compassionate, strategic, and emotionally intelligent leader who brings deep expertise in human services, nonprofit operations, and community partnership building.

This role requires a seasoned executive who can guide programs with clarity and purpose, cultivate a high-performing team, and ensure operational excellence across the organization. The ideal candidate is an inspiring relationship-builder with strong fundraising acumen, proven experience navigating complex housing and social-service systems, and a genuine heart for serving women overcoming homelessness. This is an opportunity to lead with impact, strengthen long-term sustainability, and elevate Women's Empowerment's presence and partnerships throughout the Sacramento community.

• Salary range: $145,000-$175,000 (DOE)

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership across programs, people, and operations to ensure mission-aligned outcomes and organizational excellence. "Programs with clear strategic priorities and effective outcomes that achieve our mission."
• Ensure organizational effectiveness by building a high-performing team with the right knowledge, skills, and abilities. "Hearts and minds are engaged and effectively performing."
• Oversee operational excellence through strong processes, data-driven decision-making, and disciplined budget management. "A well-run organization with clear processes... and spending within budget."
• Lead fundraising strategy and donor cultivation to secure diverse, sustainable funding sources. "Secure reliable and diverse funding sources to meet operational needs."
• Strengthening Women's Empowerment's public image through media, community engagement, and strategic partnerships.
• Build and maintain relationships with governmental agencies, nonprofits, and community partners. "Cultivate and maintain positive relationships with relevant governmental and non-governmental organizations."
• Partner closely with the Board of Directors through transparent communication, governance support, and collaborative fundraising. "Open and timely communication... built on trust and respect."
• Ensure mission-critical expertise in workforce development, adult education pathways, housing navigation, and trauma-informed care.
• Lead with emotional intelligence, supporting staff who may be prone to burnout while maintaining accountability for program participants.
• Champion a compassionate, client-centered culture grounded in understanding homelessness and the barriers women face. "Someone who truly has the heart for this work."

Skills & Qualifications

• Master's degree in social work, Public Administration, Business Administration (nonprofit emphasis), or related field.
• 5-10 years of senior management experience, ideally in human services or workforce development. "Some or most in human services or workforce development."
• Demonstrated success leading nonprofit programs, staff, and operations.
• Experience in fundraising, public relations, and cultivating strategic partnerships.
• Strong understanding of homelessness, trauma-informed care, and the psychological barriers caused by housing instability, domestic violence, addiction, and poverty.
• Knowledge of workforce development, employer partnerships, and adult education pathways.
• Expertise navigating housing assistance systems including RRH, PSH, Transitional Housing, Section 8, SHRA, and local access points.
• High emotional intelligence with the ability to support staff, prevent burnout, and maintain accountability.
• Proven ability to work effectively with a Board of Directors and support governance, succession planning, and fundraising.
• Compassionate leadership style grounded in accountability, empathy, and mission alignment.