Executive Director

JOB TITLE: Executive Director

CLASSIFICATION: Exempt

SCHEDULE: Full-time (32 hours/week), Tuesday-Friday (evenings/weekends as needed)

LOCATION: Santa Rosa, CA with field work throughout Sonoma County

REPORTS TO: Board of Directors

POSITION OVERVIEW: The Executive Director (ED) is the chief executive of Face to Face and is responsible for the strategic leadership, operational excellence, financial sustainability, and public visibility of the organization. The ED is an advocate, relationship-builder, and visionary with a grounded understanding of nonprofit operations, fundraising, and community health.

In a time of government funding uncertainty and increasing need, the ED must be a resilient and adaptable leader who can galvanize support, steward resources, and champion inclusive, data-informed care.

The Executive Director is the leader of a compassionate, equity-driven organization that shows up every day for Sonoma County residents—especially those living with HIV, experiencing stigma, navigating poverty, or using drugs. Face to Face offers low-barrier, judgment-free access to life-saving services: HIV testing and prevention (including PrEP and PEP), case management and benefits navigation, housing support, harm reduction and overdose prevention tools, mobile outreach, mental health services, and peer support groups.

The Executive Director guides this work with vision and humility—honoring the organization’s origins in the AIDS crisis while steering its evolution into a broader health equity and harm reduction provider. This role blends strategy, fundraising, operational leadership, and community advocacy, all in service of lifting barriers and connecting people to care that honors their dignity.

ABOUT OUR ORGANIZATION: Face to Face connects our Sonoma County community to the practical care & support that honors dignity for all. Founded in 1983 as a community response to the AIDS crisis, we are now one-part fierce compassion and one-part practical care. Every day we open our doors [and our van!] to Sonoma County residents, especially those at risk for chronic disease or illness. Rooted in our longstanding work, we support with no judgment and make it easy for you to connect to what you need with a listening ear and warm heart.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The following represents the key areas where you will make an impact:

Organizational Strategy & Mission Alignment

• Guide the implementation of the strategic plan and brand activation roadmap; Lead the development of ongoing strategic planning.
• Translate mission and brand values into measurable objectives that drive organizational performance and client impact.
• Analyze external trends in public health, behavioral health, and funding to anticipate opportunities and risks.

Finance, Operations & Risk Management

• Oversee the fiscal integrity of the organization, including planning, budgeting, cash flow, compliance, and audits.
• Ensure all financial systems and internal controls support transparency, sustainability, and accountability.
• Mitigate organizational risk through proactive planning, policy development, and contract compliance (including city, county, state, and federal grants).

Revenue Development & Fundraising

• Serve as the chief fundraiser; expand private philanthropic support including building relationships with foundations, individual donors, corporate partners, and public funders.
• Lead campaigns that sustain unrestricted income, especially amid shifting government priorities
• Lead the creation of long-term revenue strategies that support general operations and unrestricted giving.

Board Relations & Organizational Governance

• Partner with the Board of Directors to uphold sound governance practices, provide strategic counsel, and ensure alignment with mission and values.
• Provide timely and accurate reporting on financial health, service delivery, partnerships, and risk factors.
• Cultivate a strong, mission-driven Board through active recruitment, engagement, and committee support.

People Leadership & Talent Development

• Build and manage a high-performing leadership team across programs, finance, development, and operations.
• Foster a supportive, resilient, and equity-centered workplace that embodies our values: Lead with Love, No Judgment. Ever., Find a Way, Foster Community Connection.
• Oversee hiring, onboarding, performance management, and compliance with HR laws and best practices.

Program Oversight & Quality Assurance

• Ensure service delivery excellence across HIV care, harm reduction, housing navigation, and behavioral health programs.
• Monitor and evaluate program performance using client feedback, utilization data, and outcome measures.
• Lead cross-departmental efforts to improve operational efficiency and expand service access across the county.

External Relations & Brand Stewardship

• Represent Face to Face publicly with professionalism, warmth, and clarity—serving as the primary spokesperson to media, funders, elected officials, and key partners.
• Develop strategic relationships with health systems, funders, nonprofit allies, and public agencies.
• Ensure all communications are aligned with Face to Face’s brand: Where loving kindness inspires practical care.

QUALIFICATIONS

We recognize that no candidate will bring every qualification, but the strongest applicants will bring many of the following:

• Leadership Experience: At least 5-7 years in senior leadership roles, preferably in nonprofit, healthcare, or human services settings. Proven ability to lead organizations with annual budgets of $2M+ and teams of 10+ staff.
• Fundraising Success: Demonstrated success in securing and managing diverse funding streams, including private donations, foundation grants, and government contracts totaling $1M+ annually.
• Financial Acumen: Strong experience with budgeting, financial oversight, and audit processes. Ability to interpret financial reports and make data-informed decisions in collaboration with finance staff.
• Operational Excellence: Experience overseeing complex service delivery operations, with a track record of implementing efficient systems, policies, and performance management processes.
• Community Engagement: Deep understanding of how to build authentic, trust-based relationships with community partners, public health agencies, donors, and people most impacted by health disparities.
• Program & Quality Oversight: Experience monitoring and improving service quality through data, client input, and staff feedback. Familiarity with compliance in healthcare or behavioral health programs is a plus.
• Equity-Driven Leadership: Demonstrated ability to lead inclusively and create a workplace culture grounded in racial equity, trauma-informed care, and anti-stigma practices.
• Communication Skills: Outstanding interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills. Comfortable presenting to a variety of stakeholders, including funders, media, and elected officials.
• Local Insight: Familiarity with Sonoma County’s health and housing systems strongly preferred. Spanish language skills or multicultural lived experience is a significant asset.
• Mission Alignment: A deep belief in Face to Face’s values and vision—a fierce, practical, compassionate approach to improving health access for all.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bilingual Spanish/English
• Experience in HIV/AIDS prevention and harm reduction
• Lived experience relevant to our mission
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in related field

Additional Information

• Schedule: Full-time (32 hours/week), exempt; occasional evenings/weekends.
• Location: Santa Rosa office; travel throughout the county required.
• Physical Requirements: Ability to sit or stand for long periods, lift up to 10 lbs, and communicate in English (verbally and in writing).
• Safety & Ethics: Adherence to universal precautions, confidentiality standards, and community-based care ethics.
• Suggested Salary Range: $110,000 - $130,000

• BENEFITS: Our commitment to caring for our community encompasses our staff, with our benefits package consciously intended to support both work and life. All employees receive 4 paid floating holidays and generous sick/vacation accruals, starting at 15 days per year. Employees who work 32 hours per week (considered full-time, Tuesday-Friday) are eligible for dental, vision, and health care plans, a flexible spending account, life insurance, and the dependent care assistance program. Employee plans are 100% covered, dependent plans 25% covered. A 403b plan and financial planning are available. Professional development and career growth opportunities are available and encouraged. 

Our Commitment

Face to Face values diverse perspectives and backgrounds. We strongly encourage applications from people with lived experience, BIPOC candidates, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, and members of other underrepresented communities.

Physical Work Environment

• Split between office setting (2-story building, no elevator) and mobile outreach
• COVID-19 safety protocols in place
• Sex-positive, harm reduction focused environment
• Regular travel throughout Sonoma County

To Apply

Join us in connecting our community to care that honors dignity for all. Submit resume and cover letter describing how your experience aligns with our values and mission.

Face to Face is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.