Executive Director

About Peace Community Center

Peace Community Center is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded through the vision and ministry of Peace Lutheran Church. For more than 25 years, the Center has supported Hilltop children, youth, families, and community members through relationship centered programming and community engagement.

Following a season of closure, reflection, and strategic planning, Peace Community Center is entering a new chapter focused on rebuilding programs, strengthening partnerships, and working alongside Hilltop youth and families to build pathways to stability, opportunity, and housing security.

Mission Statement

Peace Community Center, a faith-rooted, community-led organization, works alongside Hilltop youth and families to build pathways to stability, opportunity and housing security.

Position Summary

The Executive Director serves as the chief executive and strategic leader of Peace Community Center and is responsible for organizational leadership, fundraising, partnership development, community engagement, program execution, operations, and long-term sustainability.

This is a rebuilding and opportunity role. The Executive Director will initially serve as the organization’s primary full-time staff member, with one shared employee with Peace Lutheran Church. They will work closely with the Board of Directors, Hilltop residents, community partners, and Peace Lutheran Church to implement the organization’s strategic plan and help guide Peace Community Center into its next chapter.

While Peace Community Center operates as an independent 501(c)(3), its work remains deeply connected to and in close partnership with Peace Lutheran Church. The Executive Director is expected to work collaboratively alongside church leadership and staff, recognizing that ministry, relationship building, facilities, housing stability work, and neighborhood engagement naturally overlap between the two organizations. The ideal candidate is passionate about partnering with faith communities and brings the confidence, relational skills, and openness needed to work effectively alongside church leadership, staff and members. Experience working collaboratively with faith communities is highly valued.

This role requires exceptional relational leadership skills. The ideal candidate knows how to build trust, connect across communities, cultivate partnerships, bridge relationships between organizations and leaders, engage people with humility and authenticity. They balance empathy with strategic action to create meaningful impact. The Executive Director must be comfortable listening deeply, showing up consistently in community, navigating complexity, and helping translate community wisdom into mission-aligned strategy and action.

Success in this role will require someone who is entrepreneurial, relational, organized, accountable, and able to lead during a season of rebuilding and organizational transition.

What Success Looks Like in the First 12–18 Months

As outlined in the Community Center’s new strategic plan, the Executive Director’s success will be measured by the following critical goals:

• Strengthened partnership and communication systems with Peace Lutheran Church.
• Established ongoing community listening and engagement practices.
• Rebuilt fundraising systems and developed sustainable donor relationships.
• Developed multiyear program and partnership plan aligned with the strategic plan.
• Increased visibility, trust, and presence within the Hilltop community.
• Build strong operational systems, support strengthened governance in partnership with the Board of Directors, and create accountability systems to support long term organizational sustainability.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership and Organizational Development

• Lead the rebuilding and relaunch of Peace Community Center.
• Implement the organization’s strategic plan in partnership with the Board of Directors.
• Build organizational systems, structures, operational practices, and internal culture that support sustainability, accountability, transparency, and collaboration.
• Serve as the primary public representative and spokesperson for the organization.
• Support Board development, governance practices, policies, and organizational accountability systems.
• Operate within a structured accountability framework established by the Board of Directors, including regular reporting, strategic goal tracking, and organizational performance reviews.
• Provide monthly written updates to the Board and participate in quarterly and annual evaluations focused on measurable outcomes, fundraising, organizational progress, and strategic priorities.

Fundraising and Financial Stewardship

• Lead fundraising strategy, grant writing, donor cultivation, sponsorship and development efforts.
• Rebuild and strengthen fundraising systems, partnerships and sustainability infrastructure.
• Provide overall financial stewardship for the organization, including monitoring financial health and cash flow; develop and manage budgets, reporting systems, and revenue goals.
• Build strong relationships with donors, churches, foundations, businesses and community supporters.
• Clearly communicate organizational impact, outcomes and community benefit to stakeholders and funders.
• Oversee administrative operations including compliance, reporting, filings and organizational systems.

Community Engagement and Partnerships

• Build authentic, trust-based relationships with Hilltop residents, families, youth, elders and community stakeholders.
• Create ongoing listening and feedback loops that allow community members to help shape programs, priorities and organizational direction.
• Develop collaborative partnerships with but not limited to schools, nonprofits, housing organizations, faith communities, and local agencies.
• Be present within the neighborhood and represent Peace Community Center in community meetings, coalitions, and public events.
• Help strengthen the organization’s relational culture of belonging, trust, and community presence.

Program Development and Operations

• Lead the development, implementation, and evaluation of mission aligned programs grounded in community voice and partnership.
• Help facilitate discernment around future programming connected to youth development, family stability, and housing security.
• Identify opportunities for collaboration and complementary programming with community organizations and Peace Lutheran Church.
• Develop multi-year program and partnership plans focused on sustainability, depth, and long-term impact.
• Recruit, supervise, and support future staff and volunteers as the organization grows.

Partnership with Peace Lutheran Church

• Cultivate and strengthen long-standing partnership between Peace Community Center and Peace Lutheran Church.
• Attend worship services at least once per month to provide updates to the congregation.
• Serve as an ex-officio non-voting member of the Church Council.
• Participate in regular meetings with church leadership and staff and attend larger church staff gatherings.
• Support collaboration around shared facilities, community programs, and neighborhood initiatives.

Qualifications

Required

• Minimum 5 years of leadership experience in nonprofit management, community development, housing, ministry, public service, social service agencies, and/or related fields.
• Demonstrated success in fundraising, donor development, financial management, resource cultivation and capital campaigns.
• Strong relationship building, facilitation, communication, and partnership development skills.
• Experience leading organizations, programs, or initiatives through growth, transition, or organizational change.
• Ability to work independently and build systems from the ground up.
• Experience working with Boards of Directors and community stakeholders.
• Commitment to equity, anti-racism, collaboration, accountability, and community centered leadership.
• Ability to pass a background check.

Preferred

• Bachelor’s degree minimum; in Social Work, Nonprofit Management, Urban Planning or Recreation Management; Master’s in public administration, Nonprofit Management, or Business Administration (MBA).
• Experience working within faith rooted and community centered partnerships.
• Experience with trauma informed leadership and community engagement practices.
• Coursework: Nonprofit financial management, community development, grant writing, and public policy.
• Candidates often hold credentials like the Certified Nonprofit Professional (CNP) or Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE).
• Familiarity with Tacoma and the Hilltop community.

Salary and Benefits

$95,000 – $120,000 Depending on Experience and Education

Comprehensive compensation package including insurance, employer retirement contributions and time off.

To Apply

Please submit your application via email to jobs@peacecommunitycenter.org with the subject line: ““Your Name – Executive Director Application”

A complete application will include all three components, please combine the following materials into one PDF document and attach it to your email:

1. Cover Letter

2. Resume

3. List of Three Professional References including:

• • One current or former supervisor
  • One employee or staff member you have directly supervised
  • One board member with whom you have worked

For each Reference please include:

• Name
• Organization
• Title
• Email Address
• Phone Number
• Professional Relationship to You

Priority Application Deadline: September 24, 2026

Applications received after the priority deadline may be considered until the position is filled.

Comprehensive compensation package including insurance, employer retirement contributions and time off.