Executive Director

Description

Reports To: Board of Directors

Direct Reports: 8 staff

Indirect Reports: 450 total staff

Budget: $70 million

Open Date: 03/26/2026

Close Date: Application review will begin immediately, with priority given to applications received by April 24, 2026. However, applications will continue to be accepted as long as this post is live.

Learn more about our Leadership Transition here:


ABOUT OPPORTUNITY COUNCIL


MISSION

The mission of Opportunity Council is to help people improve their lives through education, support, and direct assistance while advocating for just and equitable communities.

VALUES

At Opportunity Council, our values guide everything we do. Collaboration, respect, integrity, passion, and learning shape how we show up for each other and for our community. We're also committed to weaving our values into every part of our work, from the help we offer in the community to the kind of workplace we create for our staff.

PROMISE

We are one agency in a nationwide network of Community Action Agencies, created in 1965 to combat poverty in partnership with others. We believe Community Action changes people's lives, embodies the spirit of hope, improves communities, and makes America a better place to live. We care about the entire community and are dedicated to helping people help themselves and each other.

PROGRAMS

For nearly 60 years, Opportunity Council (OC) has worked across Northwest Washington to build more just and equitable communities through service, investment, and collaboration. OC is a private, nonprofit Community Action Agency serving Whatcom, Island, and San Juan Counties as its primary region. Through Community Resource Centers in Bellingham, Kendall, and Oak Harbor, we connect people to programs and resources that support stability and opportunity. In addition, OC extends select services to other counties and statewide.

Housing and Homelessness

By matching available homes with the people who need them; managing supportive housing programs; working with landlords and property management firms; and weatherizing, repairing and building housing, we work toward our goal of housing stability for everyone.


Children & Families

With quality early childhood programs that set the foundation for healthy brain development; a commitment to supporting and investing in child care providers; and family support services that begin with pregnancy, we make sure children get the start in life they deserve.

Basic Needs

When times are tough, we can help qualifying individuals and families in need make ends meet by helping with utility bills, paying rent, food, childcare, school supplies and more.

Job Skills & Financial Well-Being

Through employment support, financial literacy classes, and more people gain the tools they need to build the lives they've dreamt of.

Individual and Community Health

Reducing the impacts of climate change and making sure everyone has access to healthcare, nutritious food, and a safe and healthy home are all key to a vibrant, thriving community.

CULTURE

Opportunity Council's culture is deeply mission-driven, compassionate, and grounded in service to the community. Staff are passionate and empathetic, with a shared commitment to making a meaningful difference in the lives of those they serve. The culture reflects dedication, high-quality work, humility, and a strong focus on collective impact rather than individual recognition.

The organization's significant growth in recent years has created both opportunity and complexity. As a multi-program, multi-county agency, Opportunity Council is working to strengthen cohesion, align systems and practices, and build even greater connection across teams and locations.

ABOUT THE COMMUNITY

Opportunity Council is based in the vibrant community of Bellingham, Washington. Bellingham, with its population of 97,000, marries local industry with the dynamic atmosphere of a college town. The city is adorned with breathtaking landscapes, offering a plethora of outdoor activities, and is home to esteemed institutions like Western Washington University. Additionally, its strategic location near the Alaska Ferry, the Canadian border, majestic Mount Baker, and the serene Salish Sea adds to its allure.

Situated amidst the stunning natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest, with its lush islands and the imposing presence of Mount Baker, the region offers a temperate climate and an unparalleled environment. Whatcom County provides a sanctuary for nature enthusiasts, offering abundant opportunities for outdoor recreation (skiing, hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, paddleboarding) and wildlife observation against the backdrop of awe-inspiring natural vistas.

The rural landscape outside of Bellingham is punctuated by fertile farmlands and bustling farmers markets, where local produce finds its way onto restaurant menus and into the hands of farm-to-table enthusiasts. The Bellingham Farmers Market is known for attracting large crowds to shop the 100 vendors that sell local produce and goods.

The county also boasts a thriving arts scene, featuring a local symphony orchestra, regular art walks, studio tours, and well-established performing arts centers, including those at Western Washington University and the historic Mount Baker Theatre.

Furthermore, the proximity to urban hubs such as Seattle, just 90 minutes to the south, and Vancouver, B.C., a 70-minute drive to the north, ensures easy access to the amenities and cultural offerings of city life.

POSITION SUMMARY AND PURPOSE

The Executive Director is responsible for overall leadership and management of Opportunity Council, ensuring the implementation of the mission of the organization and the strategic plans approved by the Board of Directors.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:


Strategic Vision and Leadership

• Collaborates with the board and staff to refine and implement the strategic plan while ensuring that the budget, staff and priorities are aligned with Opportunity Council's core mission.
• Provides inspirational leadership and direction to all executives, and ensures the continued development and management of a professional and efficient organization; establishes effective decision-making processes that will enable Opportunity Council to achieve its long- and short-term goals and objectives
• Cultivates a strong and transparent working relationship with the Board and ensures open communication about the measurement of financial, programmatic, and impact performance against stated milestones and goals

General Administration

• Leads comprehensive implementation of the agency and its programs, including staff/board planning; establishing, developing and strengthening systems for sustainability including fiscal accountability, program integrity, and compliance with agency, local, state, and federal policies, rules, and laws; program evaluation and outcome reporting; fund raising, procurement; oversight and fund disbursement; and promoting a responsive and inclusive culture.
• Ensures the delivery of high-quality services while managing for current and future growth.
• Supports and motivates the organization's staff.
• Facilitates cross-departmental collaboration and strengthens internal communications with staff throughout the organization.
• Creates and promotes a positive, multicultural work environment that supports consistency throughout the organization's strategy, operational methods, and data collection needs.

Development

• Ensures that the flow of funds permits Opportunity Council to make continuous progress toward the achievement of its mission and that those funds are allocated properly to reflect present needs and future potential.
• Oversees the formulation and execution of comprehensive marketing, branding and development strategies that will ensure consistency throughout the organization and enhance revenue from major donors, foundations, government agencies, and corporations

Personnel

• Oversees recruitment, training, evaluation, guidance, and management of all agency personnel.
• Responsible for the selection, allocation, and work assignment of agency staff.
• Ensures appropriate communication channels are established throughout the agency.

Community Relations

• Serves as chief spokesperson for the agency to all outside entities, including the media, the professional community, elected officials, regulatory agencies, and volunteers.
• Oversees and participates in outreach and public relations efforts.
• Plays a leadership role in working with peer organizations across the state.
• Works with local, regional, state and national elected officials, regulatory agencies, volunteers, and for- profit sector representatives to provide information for policies that address issues related to people with low and marginal income and related constituencies.

SEARCH CRITERIA

• High level of expertise in all facets of community action agencies and non-profits, including laws and regulations, standards and protocols, organization and management techniques and other industry knowledge and skills typically acquired through a combination of formal training and practical experience.
• Excellent coalition building skills with an ability to communicate and work effectively with a variety of internal and external stakeholders; a persuasive negotiator able to achieve consensus amongst differing opinions.
• Outstanding presentation and communication skills and the ability to be an outgoing spokesperson, relationship builder, and fundraiser.
• Strong commitment to the professional development of staff; successful track record of recruiting and retaining a diverse team.
• Knowledge of the practices of housing programs, early childhood learning, social services, and community health sufficient to understand their roles within the organization and the general social service industry at large, to communicate effectively with staff and understand how to reconcile the needs of the community with the business processes of the organization.
• Knowledge of accounting and financial analysis practices sufficient to understand financial reports and understand the impact of financial performance on the organization's operations.
• Computer skills including the ability to prepare correspondence and reports in Microsoft Word, and summarize and report data in Excel spreadsheets.
• Ability to frequently travel within the agency's service area for community networking, meetings, special workshops and trainings, and other job-related activities, as well as national, state and regional meetings and conferences.

Key Capabilities

• Knowledge of and demonstrated commitment to the organization's mission, values, and community impact.
• Ability to lead with a human-centered approach that prioritizes empathy, dignity, and inclusion.
• Knowledge of systems thinking principles and ability to align strategy, structure, and operations.
• Knowledge of and experience managing complex, multi-program or multi-site organizations.
• Strong ability to prioritize initiatives and allocate resources effectively in dynamic environments.
• Knowledge of political landscapes and ability to exercise sound political judgment.
• Skill in navigating local and state governmental systems and policy environments.
• Strong public speaking and advocacy skills, with the ability to communicate persuasively to varied audiences.
• Ability to build and sustain relationships across diverse constituencies and stakeholder groups.
• Ability to engage confidently and effectively with staff, internal leaders, elected officials, donors, funders, and community partners.
• Strong active listening skills, with the ability to synthesize and respond thoughtfully to stakeholder input.
• Ability to demonstrate humility, self-awareness, and low-ego leadership.
• Ability to maintain composure and provide steady leadership during periods of uncertainty or change.

INITIAL EXPECTATIONS

• Listen and build trust across staff, leadership, Board, and community partners before initiating major change.
• Strengthen agency-wide cohesion, reducing silos and aligning systems, standards, and expectations across departments and locations.
• Assess program portfolio and sustainability, identifying opportunities to focus, streamline, or refine offerings.
• Stabilize and diversify funding, with emphasis on unrestricted revenue.
• Support workforce sustainability, including staff wellness, leadership capacity, compensation equity, and performance management consistency.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

• Opportunity Council believes their team should reflect the communities they serve. That's why they strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQIA+ individuals, Veterans, and people with disabilities to apply. Opportunity Council is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. They do not permit discrimination based on race, creed, color, national origin, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, marital or family status, pregnancy, military or veteran status, age, genetic information, disability, use of a service animal, or any other status protected by law.
• Opportunity Council is dedicated to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all individuals and will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. If you require accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact Emily Boehm at View email address on click.appcast.io to discuss your needs.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS PACKAGE


Compensation

• Pay: $191,300 - $253,000 per year
• Compensation is set by the Board of Directors and reviewed annually.

Benefits

• Paid time off earned on an accrual basis (vacation, sick, personal holidays)
• Paid time off for wellness needs
• Employer-paid holidays
• Employer-paid HDHP and low-cost traditional health care options
• HSA and FSA plans, subject to plan terms
• Eligibility for critical illness insurance coverage
• 403(b) Retirement plan with employer contribution
• Eligibility for health coverage for legal dependents
• Eligibility for employee/family dental and vision coverage
• Voluntary benefits such as life insurance, long-term disability, and long-term care and personal legal services

HOW TO APPLY


Please submit a resume and cover letter including a statement expressing how the mission of Opportunity Council aligns with your goals. Application review will begin immediately, with priority given to applications received by April 24, 2026. However, applications will continue to be accepted as long as this post is live.