Executive Director

Help Shape the Future of Recovery Housing in Washington

The Washington Alliance for Quality Recovery Residences (WAQRR) is seeking an Executive Director who is passionate about building strong organizations, supporting recovery housing providers, and improving outcomes for individuals in recovery.

This is a unique opportunity to lead a respected statewide nonprofit that establishes quality standards for recovery residences, provides technical assistance to operators, and serves as the Washington affiliate for the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR).

The Executive Director works closely with the Board of Directors to provide strategic leadership while also managing day-to-day operations of the organization. We’re looking for someone who enjoys building systems, developing relationships, solving problems, and helping mission-driven organizations thrive.

What You’ll Do

No two days look exactly alike, but your work will focus on five key areas.

Lead the Organization

• Partner with the Board of Directors to execute WAQRR’s strategic priorities.
• Develop policies, procedures, and operational systems that support long-term success.
• Supervise staff and contractors, providing coaching, accountability, and support.
• Prepare board materials, provide organizational updates, and help guide governance activities.

Strengthen Financial Stability

• Develop and manage the annual budget.
• Monitor financial performance and present regular reports to the Board.
• Ensure compliance with financial policies and reporting requirements.
• Pursue grants, contracts, and other funding opportunities that strengthen the organization’s future.

Oversee Accreditation and Quality

• Lead WAQRR’s statewide recovery residence accreditation program.
• Ensure accreditation activities remain aligned with NARR standards.
• Support continuous quality improvement for accredited recovery residences.
• Oversee the grievance review process with the Grievance Review Committee while maintaining fairness, consistency, and appropriate documentation.

Support Recovery Residence Operators

• Provide guidance and technical assistance to operators throughout Washington.
• Help organizations strengthen policies, practices, and compliance.
• Develop educational resources and training opportunities.
• Coordinate conferences, meetings, and other learning events.

Build Partnerships

• Represent WAQRR with state agencies, community partners, and stakeholders.
• Serve as a spokesperson for the organization.
• Build relationships that strengthen recovery housing across Washington.
• Use data to evaluate impact and communicate results to funders, partners, and members.

What Success Looks Like

In your first year, you’ll help WAQRR become an even stronger organization by:

• Building trusted relationships with members, partners, and the Board.
• Strengthening operational systems and organizational processes.
• Supporting a high-quality, consistent, accreditation program.
• Identifying opportunities for sustainable funding and growth.
• Helping recovery residence operators succeed through education and technical assistance.

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for a practical, collaborative leader who can see the big picture and isn’t afraid to roll up their sleeves to get things done.

You may be an excellent fit if you:

• Are a systems builder who enjoys bringing structure, consistency, and clarity to growing organizations.
• Can move comfortably between strategic leadership and day-to-day execution.
• Build trust with a wide range of people, including staff, Board members, recovery residence operators, state agencies, community partners, and funders.
• Are comfortable making thoughtful decisions in complex situations where there may not be an obvious answer.
• Know how to turn ideas and priorities into sustainable processes, programs, and results.
• Bring sound judgment, accountability, and a commitment to fairness to your leadership.
• Communicate clearly and can represent an organization credibly with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Understand how funding, operations, programs, and partnerships work together to support a strong nonprofit organization.
• Care deeply about improving systems and outcomes for people and communities.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• 7+ years of progressive leadership experience, including experience leading and developing teams.
• Demonstrated experience building, growing, or scaling an organization, program, or initiative.
• Experience managing complex organizational budgets and overseeing public and private grants, contracts, or other funding sources.
• Experience working in advocacy, public policy, legislative affairs, or systems change initiatives.
• Knowledge of behavioral health, mental health, housing, and/or community-based recovery systems.
• Experience working collaboratively with Boards of Directors, executive leadership, or governing bodies.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel throughout Washington.

Preferred Qualifications

• Executive Director, CEO, COO, or comparable senior leadership experience.
• Experience in recovery housing or familiarity with NARR standards.
• Experience working with Washington State agencies or within Washington’s behavioral health, housing, or human services systems.
• Experience using data to demonstrate impact, support funding, or inform policy.
• Experience leading remote or geographically dispersed teams.
• Grant writing, fundraising, or resource development experience.

Why WAQRR?

Recovery housing changes lives, and quality matters.

At WAQRR, you’ll have the opportunity to strengthen recovery housing across Washington by supporting providers, building partnerships, and helping ensure people in recovery have access to safe, high-quality homes where they can thrive.

If you’re looking for meaningful work where your leadership can have a statewide impact, we’d love to hear from you.

We recognize that strong candidates may not meet every qualification. If you’re excited about this opportunity, we encourage you to apply.