Chief Executive Officer

City Rescue Mission is seeking a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) who loves Jesus, cares deeply about people, and wants to help Jacksonville become a place where more of its neighbors can find hope, healing and change. For 80 years, the CRM has welcomed people facing homelessness, hunger, and addiction. A meal or a safe place to sleep may be the first connection. What follows can be a much longer relationship: someone learning to trust again, working toward recovery, finding meaningful employment, or rebuilding a life they once thought was out of reach. The conviction behind that work is clear. Through Jesus Christ, lasting transformation is possible. As Paul Stasi, current CEO, prepares to retire in 2027, the CRM is looking for a leader to carry this ministry forward with faith and wisdom. Paul has earned the affection of staff through his consistency, accessibility, and willingness to serve. His understanding of social services and his care for the people doing the work have helped shape a ministry where the Gospel is central and relationships matter. This is a substantial executive role within a deeply personal ministry. The CEO will lead a complex organization, develop its people, strengthen its financial future, and invite churches, donors, businesses, and community leaders into the work. For a leader who finds purpose in connecting organizational leadership with the restoration of lives, this is a meaningful opportunity to belong to a city and serve it well.

Key Responsibilities

The CEO reports to the Board of Directors and is responsible for the Mission’s spiritual leadership, organizational health, and long term sustainability. Leading through the executive team and department leaders, this person will keep CRM’s Christian purpose central while ensuring its resources and operations support safe, effective ministry.

Lead the Mission and Its People

Model a mature Christian life and uphold CRM’s Statement of Faith, Position Statements, and Code of Ethics. Provide biblical encouragement and help sustain a culture of grace, integrity, and accountability. Know the people doing the work and remain connected to those receiving care. Develop leaders, clarify responsibilities, and strengthen collaboration across departments and locations.

Build Relationships and Secure Support

Serve as CRM’s principal fundraiser and public representative. Partner with development leadership to cultivate and steward major donors, churches, businesses, foundations, and other supporters. Make clear invitations to invest in the Mission, expand dependable revenue, and help the community understand the breadth and impact of CRM’s work. Prepare future capital fundraising efforts with the direction and authorization of the Board.

Guide Strategy and Steward Resources

Translate strategic direction into achievable priorities, budgets, and measures of progress. Oversee financial performance, cash flow, internal controls, audits, and the responsible use of restricted and unrestricted funds. Evaluate the ongoing costs of proposed growth, strengthen operational capacity, and ensure facilities and technology support the ministry effectively.

Support Excellent Care

Work with program leaders to sustain services that integrate Christian discipleship with sound professional practice. Understand the realities of homelessness, addiction, mental health needs, and recovery. Support staff training, resident safety, appropriate clinical partnerships, accreditation requirements, and continuous improvement. Use meaningful outcomes and participant feedback to understand what is helping people move toward lasting stability.

Partner Well with the Board

Maintain candid, timely communication about finances, programs, people, risks, and strategic progress. Bring thoughtful recommendations, implement Board policy, and respect the distinction between governance and management. Help Board members understand the ministry well enough to provide effective oversight and represent it confidently in the community.

Lead a Thoughtful Transition

Work with Paul and the Board to transfer knowledge, responsibilities, and important relationships. Listen before making changes, communicate clearly, and build trust through consistent action. Honor the contribution of longstanding staff and supporters while giving the organization confidence in the next season of leadership.

Key Qualifications

• A mature and growing evangelical Christian faith, active participation in a local church, and full agreement with CRM’s Statement of Faith, Position Statements, and Code of Ethics.
• A leadership history marked by integrity, humility, emotional maturity, sound judgment, and accountability.
• At least ten years of progressively responsible executive leadership experience, with substantial responsibility for people, strategy, finances, operations, fundraising, and Board relationships.
• A Master’s degree in business, nonprofit management, social work, counseling, public administration, organizational leadership, theology, ministry, or a related field.
• Demonstrated ability to cultivate donors, secure financial support, communicate impact, and build productive community relationships.
• Strong financial judgment, including experience with budgets, financial reporting, internal controls, funding restrictions, and the financial implications of growth.
• Experience developing leaders, delegating authority, and guiding change across a complex organization. Leadership in a Christian ministry, nonprofit, human services, healthcare, or comparable setting is strongly preferred.
• Understanding of the relationship between spiritual care and professional services. Experience with homelessness, addiction recovery, housing, workforce development, accreditation, government funding, or major facility initiatives would be valuable.
• Willingness to live in Jacksonville, become involved in the community, and lead visibly across CRM’s locations. The role includes evening and weekend commitments, travel, and responsiveness to urgent organizational needs.
• Ability to complete State of Florida’s required Level 2 background screening.