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About United Way of King County

Driven by the pursuit of a more equitable community, United Way of King County (UWKC) works to meet more than immediate housing and hunger needs; it works side by side with communities to dismantle the systems that created these inequities in the first place.

By centering the voices and leadership of those most impacted, and building bold, trusted partnerships grounded in racial equity, UWKC is not just helping neighbors today but building a better, more equitable tomorrow. With a strong history of getting resources into the hands of communities through a mix of direct services, grantmaking, and cross-sector collaboration, UWKC plays a uniquely valuable role in the human services ecosystem by serving as a connector and catalyst across public, private, and nonprofit partners.

The Opportunity for Impact

The President and CEO role presents an opportunity to lead one of Seattle's most iconic, established, and respected organizations as it moves into new areas of opportunity for enhanced community partnership. This is a pivotal moment for UWKC that requires an innovative thinker and strategic leader to elevate the mission and deepen impact in communities across King County. This is an excellent opportunity for a leader who thrives on envisioning what’s possible and translating that vision into actionable strategy. As the leader of one of the largest United Way affiliates in the country, the UWKC President and CEO has access to a range of national-level opportunities from helping to shape the future of the movement, to engaging in policy and systems-change and professional development.

About the President and CEO Role

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the President and CEO will serve as United Way of King County’s primary executive leader, responsible for setting strategic direction, fostering a healthy and inclusive organizational culture, and ensuring long-term financial and operational sustainability, all in support of enabling UWKC to deliver on its mission. Working closely with the Board, senior leadership, staff, donors, and community partners, the President and CEO will define and communicate a clear strategic “North Star,” align internal operations, and build the resources and partnerships needed to advance UWKC’s mission. Balancing near-term operational discipline with long-term vision, the President and CEO will modernize fundraising beyond the workplace-giving era and clarify UWKC’s highest-leverage role in the regional ecosystem, operating at a 30,000-foot level to identify gaps, align cross-sector action, and scale what works while remaining grounded in community voice, accountability, and impact. Specifically, they will:

• Define a clear vision and measurable strategy for the future of UWKC resulting in a renewed strategic plan with a clear focus, strong accountability metrics, and a cohesive story that staff, partners, and donors can get behind.
• Clarify UWKC’s program posture and highest-leverage role and decide where to focus (e.g., homelessness/housing stability, early learning, food access, economic mobility) and when to scale/exit direct-service efforts, balancing nimbleness with sustainability.
• Modernize and diversify fundraising beyond workplace giving, including strong donor stewardship, major gifts, and broader individual/corporate engagement paired with compelling, outcome-driven program offerings.
• Diversify revenue sources and explore new models such as earned revenue/ social enterprise and reduce reliance on aging donor channels and restricted public funding.
• Strengthen community partnerships and trust-based philanthropy. Deepen community-driven approaches while maintaining appropriate accountability and risk management.
• Build internal culture and align teams, reduce silos across departments, and increase transparency and learning.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Vision and Oversight

• Lead the development of a clear, focused, and measurable organizational strategy that defines UWKC’s priorities, role, and value proposition.
• Translate strategic goals into actionable plans, metrics, and accountability structures that align staff, Board, partners, and donors.
• Articulate a consistent narrative that communicates what UWKC is, and is not, across programs, partnerships, and public-facing work.

Strategic Growth/Operational Management

• Assess organizational growth opportunities, priorities, and policies, and recommend adjustments to align resources with strategic goals.
• Oversee a complex P&L, including setting financial targets, monitoring performance, managing risk, and establishing systems of accountability.
• Provide executive oversight of financial, legal, and operational functions to ensure organizational effectiveness and compliance.
• Evaluate systems, processes, and workflows and lead improvements that support organizational change, scalability, and efficiency.
• Ensure alignment between strategy, operations, and capacity.

Leadership and Change Management

• Lead with a participatory approach by soliciting input from staff and stakeholders, communicating decisions clearly, and ensuring transparency around changes that affect teams.
• Lead the Leadership Team and foster an inclusive and supportive workplace culture through consistent communication, empathy, and clear expectations.
• Build trust and morale through periods of change by addressing conflict directly, facilitating difficult conversations, and modeling accountability.
• Guide the organization through transition and growth, while maintaining focus on mission and performance.
• Assess organizational structure, leadership capacity, and individual performance, and design or implement new leadership models, teams, and operational approaches as needed.

Fundraising and External Partnership Engagement

• Serve as a visible and engaged leader in major gift fundraising, donor stewardship, and external relationship-building.
• Partner with the Board and development team to modernize and diversify fundraising strategies beyond traditional workplace giving.
• Diversify revenue sources, including exploring earned revenue or social enterprise opportunities, while managing risk and restrictions.
• Ensure strong financial oversight, fiscal discipline, and long-term sustainability.

Commitment to Racial Equity and Justice

• Advance internal and external diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice practices through policies, systems, and organizational culture.
• Establish and strengthen anti-racist structures and practices across programs, operations, and partnerships.
• Integrate equity and justice considerations into decision-making, strategy development, and organizational priorities.
• Identify and address the impacts of structural racism, power dynamics, and privilege in both internal operations and external work.

Board Engagement and Management

• Partner with a diverse Board of Directors on strategic planning, fundraising, and organizational oversight.
• Communicate regularly and effectively with the Board outside of formal meetings, providing timely information, analysis, and recommendations.
• Facilitate productive discussions that balance differing perspectives and drive toward informed decision-making and consensus.

Qualifications

Candidates should demonstrate most of the following qualifications and experiences:

Mission Alignment

• A deep belief in UWKC’s mission and role in strengthening communities. Brings integrity, curiosity, and a collaborative spirit to the work, along with a readiness to lead with purpose during a pivotal moment for the organization.
• Demonstrated commitment to advancing equity and inclusion in both internal operations and external impact. Experience engaging with diverse communities and understanding the dynamics of power, privilege, and systemic inequities, with a willingness to listen, learn, and lead change.

Relevant Executive Experience

• At least 15 years of progressive executive leadership experience, including senior-level responsibility within a nonprofit, public-sector, or mission-driven organization of comparable scale and complexity.
• Prior experience as a CEO, Executive Director, or senior leader overseeing organizational strategy, operations, and growth is strongly preferred.
• Experience leading organizations through periods of change, transition, or restructuring. Demonstrated ability building trust, improving morale, and fostering inclusive, collaborative cultures.
• Experience working closely with a Board of Directors to guide strategy, support effective governance, and ensure mutual accountability. Comfortable engaging Board Members as thought partners, ambassadors, and fundraising allies.

Operational Leadership Excellence

• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement clear, measurable strategies and translate them into effective operational plans. Experience aligning programs, people, and resources around defined priorities, with a track record of execution and accountability.
• Strong financial literacy and experience overseeing budgets, managing risk, and ensuring long-term sustainability.
• Skilled at evaluating leadership structures, strengthening teams, and addressing performance with clarity and care.

Fundraising Track Record

• Proven success in fundraising, including major gifts, institutional giving, and donor stewardship. Experience partnering with a Board and development team to diversify revenue streams and adapt fundraising strategies to changing donor landscapes.
• A strong track record of building and sustaining relationships across sectors, including government, business, philanthropy, and community-based organizations.
• Ability to represent the organization with credibility, humility, and confidence in complex civic and political environments.

To Be Considered

Please submit your resume and cover letter expressing your interest in the position and fit for the role via the “Become a Candidate” button on this page. Letters may be addressed to the UWKC President and CEO Search Committee. For additional questions, please contact uwkc-ceo@goodcitizen.com

Applicants applying by February 27th will be given priority consideration, with the position open until filled. First round interviews with the GoodCitizen team will take place through late February. Interviews with the client will take place from mid March through mid April. We hope to make an offer in mid April.