Executive Director

About the Organization

We believe all people deserve to thrive. We believe that by treating all people with respect and kindness, we can help them transform their lives into ones of self-sufficiency and abundance. Friendship House is a leader in providing comprehensive services and programs for people who are homeless by empowering them towards self-sufficiency.

Friendship House is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit governed by a volunteer Board of Directors and staffed by approximately 30 employees, including 5 core leadership staff who report directly to the Executive Director.

A major component of Skagit Friendship House’s service network is the Skagit First Step Center, a nationally recognized low-barrier tiny home village shelter providing 48 units of safe, temporary housing. The shelter operates at full capacity. We also operate structured sober-living programs (Women’s/Children’s House & Men’s House), offering a safe, supportive environment for individuals committed to building stability and maintaining sobriety. The Friendship House Café is the only no-cost daily meal service in Skagit County. Our transitional housing program includes three separate transitional living houses, providing residents opportunities to build life skills and prepare for independent living. We operate a seasonal emergency cold-weather shelter for four months each year. Additional support services include showers, a clothing bank, laundry services, and other wraparound supports.

The Executive Director Position

The Executive Director ensures the organization fulfills its mission with integrity, strong operational performance, and deep community partnership. The ED provides strategic leadership, stewards organizational culture, and represents FH to funders, partners, policymakers, and the wider community.

Position Priorities

• Provide strong, values-centered leadership while maintaining operational excellence.
• Strengthen financial sustainability through fundraising, and effective budgeting.
• Build and sustain strong relationships with community partners, donors, government agencies, and stakeholders.
• Ensure programs meet the needs of individuals experiencing homelessness, supporting their progress toward long-term stability.

Key Responsibilities

• Organizational leadership and strategic planning
• Staff supervision and development
• Budgeting, financial oversight, and resource development
• External relations, advocacy, and partnership building
• Oversight of shelter, transitional housing, and program operations
• Reporting to and collaborating with the Board of Directors

Qualifications

• Demonstrated nonprofit leadership experience. Minimum of seven (7) years’ experience in a management role for a nonprofit or other relevant organization.
• Demonstrated experience managing nonprofit financial systems, including but not limited to management of restricted funds, management of a property portfolio and the related balance sheet.
• A passion for Friendship House’s mission, grounded in an understanding and experience with homeless population issues.
• Strong strategic planning and financial management skills. Excellent written, verbal and presentation communication skills, including the ability to clearly articulate the organizational “big picture” and strategy.
• Ability to build strong relationships. Demonstrated leadership track record of creating successful working relationships with staff and board. A track record of creating and maintaining effective relationships with elected officials, partner agencies and other stakeholders to collaborate to solve homeless issues.
• Experience with fund development among both institutional and individual donors and ability to conceive and lead a fund development strategy.

Compensation & Benefits

• $100,000 - $125,000 salary commensurate with experience
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Four weeks a year paid time off and holidays
• Retirement plan with 3% employer match after one year

How to Apply

Please submit your CV and a cover letter to: edsearch@skagitfriendshiphouse.org

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled with priority given to those received by December 18, 2025

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Four weeks a year paid time off and holidays

Retirement plan with 3% employer match after one year