Job
New
Published 1 day ago
Executive Director
Honoring Individual Power & Strength (HIPS)
On-site, Work must be performed in or near Washington, DC
Details
Job Type:
Full Time
Education:
Other Education Requirement
Experience Level:
Executive
Description
Executive DirectorAbout HIPSFor more than 30 years, HIPS has been one of the nation's leading harm reduction organizations, standing at the intersection of public health, human dignity, advocacy, and community empowerment. Rooted in Washington, DC, HIPS works alongside individuals and communities impacted by sex work, drug use, homelessness, poverty, violence, and systemic inequities, including LGBTQIA+ youth and other historically marginalized populations—meeting people where they are with compassion, respect, and evidence-based care.HIPS envisions a world where all people participating in street economies, including those engaged in sexual exchange and/or drug use can live healthy, self-determined lives free from stigma, violence, criminalization, and oppression. At the core of the organization's work is a deep commitment to harm reduction principles, anti-oppression, and leadership by people with lived experience.Today, HIPS operates a dynamic and deeply community-centered model that combines direct services, advocacy, clinical care, outreach, and systems change. The organization's Center for Health and Achievement welcomes more than 2,000 client visits each month and provides access to primary care, HIV and Hepatitis C treatment, harm reduction-based substance use treatment, showers, laundry, meals, support groups, safer sex supplies, syringe services, and overdose prevention resources.HIPS' mobile outreach teams and hotspot initiatives reach communities across Washington, DC seven days a week, delivering life-saving supplies, overdose prevention education, wound care, referrals, and support directly into neighborhoods and encampments. In 2025 alone, HIPS provided more than 40,000 services across its sites and street-based programs. The organization distributed over 13,000 naloxone doses, more than 10,000 fentanyl test strips, and hundreds of thousands of syringe services while simultaneously expanding access to housing navigation, peer support, and clinical care.At a time when harm reduction organizations face increasing scrutiny, policy challenges, and funding uncertainty, HIPS continues to lead with courage and conviction. The organization has expanded services into new neighborhoods, secured a permanent home at 906 H Street NE, and strengthened its role as a trusted advocate and innovator within the national harm reduction movement.HIPS is also in an important moment of organizational evolution. Through intentional investments in leadership development, equity-centered organizational practices, and infrastructure strengthening, the organization is building pathways for sustainable growth while preserving the community-rooted and client-centered culture that has defined HIPS for decades. The next Executive Director will join HIPS at a pivotal and energizing time—guiding an organization with a powerful legacy, a nationally recognized voice in harm reduction, and an unwavering commitment to honoring individual power and strength. Learn more about HIPS at hips.org.The OpportunityThe Executive Director will serve as the chief executive and strategic leader of HIPS, partnering closely with the Board of Directors, staff leadership, community members, and external stakeholders to advance the organization's mission and long-term sustainability. This leader will steward an organization known for innovation, courage, and authenticity while navigating an increasingly complex public health and policy environment.The Executive Director will oversee organizational strategy, operations, fundraising, advocacy, financial management, and external relations while fostering a culture grounded in equity, collaboration, transparency, and shared leadership. The successful candidate will be both visionary and operationally strong—someone who can inspire trust internally and externally while positioning HIPS for continued impact and growth.This is an opportunity for a mission-driven executive to lead one of the most respected and community-centered harm reduction organizations in the country.Key ResponsibilitiesStrategic and Organizational Leadership
- Provide visionary leadership in alignment with HIPS' mission, values, and strategic priorities
- Partner with the Board of Directors to shape and execute long-term organizational strategy
- Foster an organizational culture rooted in equity, anti-oppression, transparency, and community accountability
- Support leadership development and shared decision-making across the organization
- Maintain awareness of emerging trends, policy developments, and best practices within harm reduction and public health
- Provide leadership and mentorship to senior leaders across the organization, including direct supervision of the Director of Programs and the Director of Administration &Culture, while helping to strengthen organizational capacity and leadership across key functions.
- Serve as a visible and credible ambassador for HIPS in the local Washington DC community and nationally
- Expand HIPS's visibility, influence, and reputation by cultivating meaningful relationships across community, public health, philanthropic, advocacy, and policy sectors.
- Strengthen relationships with community members, advocates, government agencies, funders, and peer organizations
- Foster authentic engagement with the communities HIPS serves, creating opportunities for deeper connection, trust-building, and community partnership.
- Advance HIPS' advocacy agenda related to harm reduction, public health, decriminalization, and social justice
- Ensure that individuals with lived experience remain centered in organizational leadership and program development.
- Lead and support diversified fundraising efforts, including institutional giving, government funding, philanthropy, and donor engagement
- Oversee organizational budgeting, financial planning, and long-term sustainability
- Partner with staff and the Board to ensure strong financial management and compliance practices
- Identify opportunities for strategic growth and resource development.
- Support the continued evolution and effectiveness of HIPS' direct service, outreach, advocacy, and clinical programs
- Ensure programs remain culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and community-driven
- Promote data-informed decision making, evaluation, and continuous improvement
- Champion innovation while maintaining fidelity to harm reduction values and practices.
- Lead, mentor, and support a diverse and highly committed staff team
- Cultivate a healthy, collaborative, and values-aligned workplace culture
- Support systems and practices that promote staff development, equitable leadership pathways, and organizational sustainability
- Ensure effective organizational structures, policies, and people practices are in place to support continued growth.
- Senior leadership experience within nonprofit, public health, advocacy, behavioral health, harm reduction, or community-based organizations
- Experience leading through organizational growth, complexity, and change
- A demonstrated commitment to anti-oppression, equity, and trauma-informed leadership practices
- Success in building partnerships across government, philanthropy, grassroots movements, and community stakeholders
- Experience securing and stewarding diverse funding streams
- Excellent communication, relationship-building, and public-facing leadership skills
- Deep respect for lived expertise and community-led approaches.
Location
On-site
Washington, DC, United States
