Executive Director- Highline Schools Foundation

The Executive Director serves as the chief executive and organizational leader of Highline Schools Foundation, responsible for advancing its mission, executing strategic priorities, ensuring financial sustainability, and strengthening its impact throughout the Highline community.

Reporting directly to the Board of Trustees, the Executive Director provides strategic, operational, financial, and philanthropic leadership. This individual oversees organizational planning, fundraising and development, program effectiveness, staff management, community engagement, and external relations.

Working collaboratively with the Board of Trustees and Highline Public Schools leadership, the Executive Director identifies opportunities, mobilizes resources, builds strategic partnerships, and ensures the Foundation remains responsive to the needs of students, educators, and the broader community.

The successful candidate will be a strategic and collaborative nonprofit leader, accomplished relationship builder, and effective fundraiser who is passionate about public education and equitable opportunities for all students.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Organizational Development

• Partner with the Board of Trustees to establish, implement, and evaluate the Foundation's strategic plan.
• Translate organizational priorities into measurable annual goals, operating plans, and performance indicators.
• Lead organizational growth, identify opportunities for innovation, and strengthen the Foundation's overall impact.
• Evaluate organizational effectiveness and program outcomes using data, performance measures, and stakeholder feedback.
• Anticipate emerging educational and community needs and position the Foundation to respond effectively.
• Ensure organizational activities and resources remain aligned with the Foundation's mission and strategic priorities.

Fundraising and Philanthropic Development

• Develop and implement a comprehensive, diversified fundraising strategy aligned with annual revenue goals and long-term financial sustainability.
• Establish and manage fundraising goals, revenue projections, and performance measures.
• Actively cultivate, solicit, and steward relationships with individual donors, corporations, foundations, businesses, and community partners.
• Lead and expand major gifts, annual giving, employee giving, planned giving, corporate sponsorships, grants, and other philanthropic initiatives.
• Oversee grant research, proposal development, submission, and reporting.
• Provide strategic leadership for the Foundation's signature fundraising events and campaigns, working collaboratively with staff, volunteers, Board committees, and community partners.
• Develop and implement donor engagement, recognition, stewardship, and retention strategies.
• Oversee fundraising systems and donor management processes, including gift processing, donor records, and reporting.
• Engage and empower trustees and volunteers in fundraising, donor cultivation, and relationship-building efforts.
• Regularly evaluate fundraising performance and communicate progress and results to the Board of Trustees.

Financial and Operational Management

• Develop and implement a comprehensive, diversified fundraising strategy aligned with annual revenue goals and long-term financial sustainability.
• Establish and manage fundraising goals, revenue projections, and performance measures.
• Actively cultivate, solicit, and steward relationships with individual donors, corporations, foundations, businesses, and community partners.
• Lead and expand major gifts, annual giving, employee giving, planned giving, corporate sponsorships, grants, and other philanthropic initiatives.
• Oversee grant research, proposal development, submission, and reporting.
• Provide strategic leadership for the Foundation's signature fundraising events and campaigns, working collaboratively with staff, volunteers, Board committees, and community partners.
• Develop and implement donor engagement, recognition, stewardship, and retention strategies.
• Oversee fundraising systems and donor management processes, including gift processing, donor records, and reporting.
• Engage and empower trustees and volunteers in fundraising, donor cultivation, and relationship-building efforts.
• Regularly evaluate fundraising performance and communicate progress and results to the Board of Trustees.

Program Leadership and Community Impact

• Oversee the development, implementation, and evaluation of Foundation programs and initiatives.
• Work collaboratively with Highline Public Schools leadership, educators, and community partners to identify student and educator needs and funding priorities.
• Ensure programs align with the Foundation's mission, strategic plan, available resources, and measurable outcomes.
• Develop partnerships and identify opportunities that expand educational opportunities and increase the Foundation's impact.
• Monitor program effectiveness and communicate outcomes and the impact of donor contributions to the Board and broader community.
• Ensure Foundation resources are directed toward initiatives that meaningfully support students, educators, and schools.

Board Governance and Leadership

• Serve as the primary liaison between the Board of Trustees and Foundation staff.
• Partner with the Board President and Executive Committee to support effective governance, establish meeting agendas, and advance organizational priorities.
• Provide timely, accurate, and relevant information to support informed Board decision-making.
• Support Board recruitment, orientation, engagement, and ongoing development.
• Work collaboratively with Board committees, including Development and Finance, to advance organizational goals.
• Encourage active trustee participation in fundraising, advocacy, community engagement, and organizational leadership.
• Foster a strong culture of philanthropy and shared responsibility for advancing the Foundation's mission.
• Implement Board-approved policies, strategies, and organizational priorities.

Staff Leadership and Organizational Culture

• Recruit, supervise, develop, and retain a strong and effective team.
• Establish clear performance expectations, accountability measures, and professional development goals.
• Conduct regular performance evaluations and maintain current position descriptions.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, respectful, and mission-driven workplace.
• Oversee employment policies and practices in accordance with applicable employment laws.
• Promote effective communication, teamwork, and organizational accountability.
• Ensure staffing and organizational resources are aligned with the Foundation's priorities and operational needs.

Community Relations and External Representation

• Serve as the primary public representative and ambassador for Highline Schools Foundation.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with Highline Public Schools leadership, educators, families, community organizations, businesses, elected officials, and philanthropic partners.
• Represent HSF at community events, public meetings, fundraising activities, and organizational partnerships.
• Develop and strengthen strategic relationships throughout Burien, Des Moines, Normandy Park, SeaTac, White Center, and surrounding communities.
• Lead organizational communications and ensure consistent messaging about the Foundation's mission, programs, and impact.
• Advocate for the importance of public education and equitable educational opportunities for all students.
• Build awareness of the Foundation's work and strengthen its visibility and reputation throughout the community.

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated leadership experience, at least 5 years, in nonprofit management, philanthropy, fundraising, or a related field.
• A strong record of successful fundraising, donor cultivation, and philanthropic relationship development.
• Experience developing and managing organizational budgets and financial resources.
• Demonstrated ability to lead strategic planning and translate organizational goals into measurable results.
• Experience supervising employees, developing teams, and fostering a positive workplace culture.
• Experience working with a Board of Directors or Board of Trustees and supporting effective governance.
• Strong written, verbal, interpersonal, and public speaking skills.
• Ability to build trusted relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds and communities.
• Strong organizational, analytical, project management, and decision-making skills.
• Proficiency with donor management systems, financial reporting tools, and standard business technology.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in nonprofit management, business administration, communications, education, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
• Eight or more years of progressively responsible nonprofit leadership, fundraising, or development experience.
• Experience leading a nonprofit organization with a substantial operating budget.
• Experience with major gifts, corporate sponsorships, grant development, planned giving, and diversified fundraising strategies.
• Experience working with public education systems, school foundations, or education-focused nonprofits.
• Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) or other relevant professional credentials.
• Experience with donor management platforms.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND SCHEDULE

This is a full-time leadership position based in Burien, Washington.

The role requires flexibility to attend evening and occasional weekend meetings, community events, fundraising activities, and other organizational commitments.

Local travel throughout the Highline community is required. Any driving requirements will be based on the essential functions of the position.

PHYSICAL AND ACCESSIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

The position involves regular computer and telephone use, communication with stakeholders, and participation in meetings and community events.

Occasional standing, walking, and handling of event or office materials may be required. The position may occasionally require lifting or carrying supplies weighing up to 25 pounds.

Highline Schools Foundation will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities, consistent with applicable law.

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance with 100% of the premium paid by the employer.
• 11 paid holidays.
• 10 days of vacation accrued annually, plus two weeks of foundation closure annually (first full week after the last day of school in June and the last week of December)
• Paid sick leave in accordance with Washington State law.
• On top of salary, HSF will make an annual retirement contribution of 10% of total salary to employer sponsored SEP IRA.