Executive Director

Organizational Background

Lake City Partners (Formerly known as Lake City Partners Ending Homelessness) began in 2015 to address the lack of shelter and support services for persons without homes in the Lake City/North Seattle. For the first few years, Lake City Partners worked with local churches and volunteers to provide congregate shelter sites in a number of locations. Further community collaborations resulted in the development of a drop-in center, God’s Little Acre (“GLA”), a one stop to provide support services for 200 persons monthly. In 2020, a collaborative effort with King County and Catholic Housing Services brought about the Oaks Shelter, operated by Lake City Partners. This is a residence for 60 persons, fully staffed with support and outreach services. In 2025, the agency also opened the Kenmore Senior Women’s Shelter (25 residents). Our mission is: “To End Homelessness by providing shelter and supportive services so that people have increased opportunities for stabilization, recovery, and permanent housing”.

Organizational Profile

Lake City Partners is a 501 (C) (3) agency, located in North Seattle. It serves a large geographical area of north Seattle and King County. There are three primary service locations: the Aurora Oaks Shelter, the Kenmore Senior Women’s Shelter (both 24/7 operations) and the God’s Little Acre drop-in center, which operates on a weekday basis. Lake City Partners also operates a seasonal winter shelter on a drop-in, overnight basis when governmental funding is available. Each site provides meals, emotional support, and referral services to its guests.

The intent of each site is to refer guests to appropriate services, and to create access to permanent housing whenever possible. Outreach services are also a program component. Outreach staff work out of a variety of community locations to encourage access to services. We have been successful over the past 2 years placing our clients into permanent housing situations, even in the midst of fairly limited housing options within our region, working closely with our community housing partners.

These services are led by a very capable administrative staff with strong experience in the field of homeless persons. The staff size is approximately 35 persons, utilizing volunteers as well, with additional hourly on-call staff when needed.

LCP is governed by a Board of Directors, currently comprised of 6 persons, but typically 7 persons. The Board meets on a quarterly basis, with additional meetings as needed. The Board is largely comprised of people with professional backgrounds in education, human services, and healthcare.

Position Description

Reporting to the Lake City Partners Board of Directors, the purpose of the Executive Director position at the Lake City Partners is to provide direction and leadership to the administrative and direct service staff in order to advance the organizational mission and Strategic Plan (see Appendix). Other key duties include: supporting the Board in its work; maintaining and enhancing relationships with key funding governmental organizations, municipalities, and donors; and promoting the agency in the wider community. The Executive Director needs to be highly adaptive to an ever-changing community needing services, as well as a vibrant funding environment.

General Responsibilities:

1.Board Governance:

Work with the Board of Directors in order to fulfill the organization’s mission.

• Responsible for leading LCP in a manner that supports and guides the organization’s mission as defined by the Board.
  • • • • Responsible for communicating effectively with the Board and providing, in a timely and accurate manner all information necessary for the Board to function properly and to make informed decisions.
        • Key outcome in first year: Clear communication with the Board to support effective governance.

2.Financial and Administrative Leadership:

Works with the Board and staff to develop, sustain, and utilize resources sufficient to support the long-term mission of the organization.

• • • • • Responsible for the fiscal integrity of LCP, to include submission to the Board of a proposed annual budget as well as regular financial statements that accurately reflect the fiscal condition of the organization.
        • Responsible for fiscal management that anticipates operating within the approved budget, ensures strong resource utilization, maintains adequate cash flow for operations, mitigates risks, and maintains the organization in the financial position approved by the Board.
        • Responsible for fundraising, grant writing and other revenue development activities necessary to support LCP’s mission. This includes ensuring funds are used according to donor/grant agreements, and all federal, state, and local regulations are complied with.
        • Ensures LCP is appropriately staffed, with the proper human resources systems, to fulfill its mission and strategic goals. When gaps occur, works with the Board to identify and recommend strategies to address strategic resource gaps.
        • Effectively and collaboratively manages through ambiguity and adversity of both internal and external challenges.
        • Key outcome in first year: Annual budgets are developed and aligned to strategic priorities.

3.Community Leadership and Partnerships:

Demonstrates a strong community presence as a nonprofit leader within the LCP service area.

• • • • • Supports, promotes effective leadership in communicating about the organization while building partnerships.
        • Serves as an effective spokesperson; represents the organization well to its constituencies including other nonprofits, governmental agencies, elected officials, funders and the general public.
        • Maintains and cultivates community partnerships with the above groups.
        • Key outcome in first year: Maintain positive, active relationships with King County, municipalities, and housing partners, protecting and enhancing LCP’s reputation.

4.Organizational Leadership and Culture

• • • • • Implements organizational priorities, while being attentive to evolving organizational and community needs.
        • Sets a positive and collaborative tone and demonstrates transparent communications with Staff, providing and receiving feedback constructively.
        • Models and promotes strong, affirming organizational culture among staff members, promoting a professional work environment and work culture based on mutual respect.
        • Effectively coaches and guides staff on areas for improvement and growth.
        • Experienced in applying trauma-informed principles to the services provided by the organization, as well as internal team management.
        • Ensure the organization achieves its mission through a commitment to racial equity and social justice.
        • First key outcome for first year: Clear assessment – plus plan for action – of organizational strengths, risks, and opportunities shared with the Board.
        • Second key outcome for first year: Engage the team in professional development, process, and mission improvement while maintaining a professional, respectful, and collaborative culture across all sites.

5.Leadership and Vision

• • • • • Implements the strategic direction of LCP by developing and articulating a clear operational vision aligned with the LCP mission and values.
        • Demonstrates personal and professional qualities of analysis and judgement necessary to support continual progress, to investigate emerging opportunities, and address needs for change as they arise.
        • Represent LCP and as well as LCP’s clients in advocacy and partnership building efforts.
        • Key outcome for first year: Clear assessment – plus plan for action – of organizational strengths, risks, and opportunities shared with the Board.

Professional Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in an applicable discipline.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a multi-cultural setting.
• A track record of high integrity leadership.
• 5 or more years of senior management experience, preferably in a nonprofit setting.
• Strong budget management skills including preparation, analysis, decision making and reporting.
• Demonstrated organizational abilities including planning, delegating, program implementation, and task sharing.
• Ability to effectively implement fund raising strategies, grant application management, and donor relationships.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, including public speaking.
• Experience with advocacy, community relationships, and familiarity with issues faced by those experiencing homelessness, including trauma informed practices and management in the operations of a 24/7 shelter.
• Experience with King County Regional Housing Authority preferred

Health Benefits: Employee, 100%

Retirement Benefits: Automatic enrollment at3% of base salary within agency 403 (B) Plan

Status: FT 40 hours per week, exempt

Paid Time Off: 2-5 weeks vacation depending on seniority

Sick leave: 2 hours earned per every 40 hours work

Other leaves: Bereavement, Paid Family and Medical Leaves