Executive Director

Opportunity Council is seeking a mission‑driven, steady, and people‑centered Executive Director to lead the organization into its next chapter. This role offers the opportunity to steward a deeply rooted community institution, support a dedicated and values‑aligned staff, and help advance more just and equitable communities across Northwest Washington.

We’re looking for a leader who values collaboration, clear decision‑making, strong systems, and authentic relationships—and who understands the responsibility and privilege of leading community‑based work.

Who We Are

Opportunity Council is one of the nation’s Community Action Agencies, part of a network created in 1965 to address poverty through local leadership and partnership. Community Action is rooted in the belief that people, when supported with dignity and opportunity, can build stability for themselves and their communities.

For more than 60 years, Opportunity Council has served Northwest Washington as a private, nonprofit organization working across systems and sectors to meet immediate needs and support long‑term change. Our primary service area includes Whatcom, Island, and San Juan Counties, with select programs extending to other counties and throughout Washington state.

Through Community Resource Centers in Bellingham, Kendall, and Oak Harbor, we connect individuals and families to resources that support safety, stability, and opportunity.

Role Description

The Executive Director serves as the organization’s chief leader, responsible for guiding Opportunity Council’s overall vision, strategy, and operations. Working in close partnership with the Board of Directors, and agency Executive Team, the Executive Director leads implementation of the organization’s mission, strategic priorities, and values—while supporting strong programs, a healthy workplace culture, and sustainable systems.

This role balances high‑level strategy with hands‑on leadership and relationship‑building, ensuring Opportunity Council remains responsive, effective, and grounded in community.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:  

Strategic Vision and Leadership

• Collaborate with the board and staff to refine and implement the strategic plan, aligning budgets, staffing, and organizational priorities with Opportunity Council’s core mission.
• Provide inspirational leadership and direction to the executive team, while supporting the continued development of a professional, effective, and efficient organization. Establish decision-making processes that enable Opportunity Council to achieve both short- and long-term goals.
• Build and maintain a strong, transparent working relationship with the Board, fostering open communication about financial performance, program outcomes, and organizational impact in relation to established goals and milestones.

General Administration 

• Lead the comprehensive operation of the agency and its programs, including staff and Board planning; development and strengthening of sustainable systems; fiscal accountability; program quality and compliance; evaluation and outcome reporting; fundraising and procurement; oversight of funds; and the cultivation of a responsive and inclusive organizational culture. 
• Oversee the delivery of high-quality services while planning for current needs and future growth.
• Promote cross-departmental collaboration and strengthen internal communication across all levels of the organization.
• Foster a positive, multicultural work environment that supports alignment across organizational strategy, operational practices, and data collection efforts.

Fund Development 

• Safeguard the financial health of Opportunity Council by ensuring that resources are sufficient to support the organization’s mission and are allocated strategically to meet both current demands and future opportunities.
• Oversee the development and implementation of comprehensive marketing, branding, and fundraising strategies that promote consistency across the organization and grow revenue through major donors, foundations, government agencies, and corporate partners.

Personnel 

• Direct the recruitment, training, evaluation, guidance, and supervision of all agency personnel.
• Oversee staff selection, deployment, and work assignments to support organizational effectiveness.
• Establish and maintain clear, effective communication channels throughout the organization.
• Encourage, support, and motivate staff while fostering professional growth and accountability.

Community Relations 

• Serve as the chief spokesperson for Opportunity Council with external audiences, including media, professional partners, elected officials, regulatory agencies, and volunteers.
• Lead and participate in outreach and public relations efforts that advance the organization’s mission and visibility.
• Provide leadership in collaborations with peer organizations across the state.
• Engage with local, regional, state, and national leaders, regulatory agencies, volunteers, and for-profit partners to inform policy development addressing the needs of individuals and families with low or marginal incomes.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated leadership and team management experience, preferably in nonprofit or organizational leadership settings
• Strong skills in strategic planning, budgeting, and financial management
• Experience with fundraising, grant writing, and donor engagement
• Excellent communication skills, including public speaking, collaboration, and written communication
• Ability to build and sustain relationships with diverse community stakeholders
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills
• Demonstrated commitment to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion within the organization and the broader community
• Bachelor’s degree in Nonprofit Management, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred)
• Prior experience in nonprofit organizations or public service is a plus

Why This Role

Opportunity Council is a complex, multi‑county organization doing essential work across housing, early learning, basic needs, workforce development, and community health. This role offers the chance to lead alongside passionate staff and an engaged Board while shaping systems and strategies that support both people and long‑term impact.

Mission & Values

Opportunity Council’s mission is to help people improve their lives through education, direct support, and practical assistance—while advocating for just and equitable communities.

Our values guide how we do that work every day. Collaboration, respect, integrity, passion, and learning shape how we show up for one another and for the communities we serve. We’re intentional about living these values not only in our programs, but in the kind of workplace we build and sustain.

We encourage candidates who share our mission and values to apply, even if their experience doesn’t match every qualification listed.

Programs at a Glance

Opportunity Council’s work spans multiple focus areas, grounded in the understanding that stability is built through interconnected supports:

• Housing & Homelessness: Supporting housing stability through supportive housing programs, landlord partnerships, and housing repair, weatherization, and development.
• Children & Families: Providing early childhood education, family support beginning in pregnancy, and investments in the childcare system to help children get a strong start.
• Basic Needs: Helping individuals and families meet essential needs such as utilities, rent, food, childcare, and school supplies during times of hardship.
• Job Skills & Financial Well‑Being: Offering employment support and financial education so people can build skills, security, and choice.
• Individual & Community Health: Advancing access to healthcare, nutritious food, and safe housing while addressing climate impacts that affect long‑term community well‑being.

Culture & Leadership Context

Opportunity Council’s culture is deeply mission‑driven and grounded in service. Staff bring care, humility, and professionalism to their work, with a strong emphasis on collective impact rather than individual recognition.

In recent years, the organization has experienced significant growth—increasing both opportunity and complexity. As a multi‑program, multi‑county agency, Opportunity Council is actively strengthening alignment across teams, systems, and practices while fostering connection across locations and disciplines.

The incoming Executive Director will play a critical role in guiding this next phase: supporting cohesion, clarity, and accountability while honoring the agency’s people‑centered roots.

About the Community

Opportunity Council is based in Bellingham, Washington—an engaged, vibrant college town set between the Salish Sea and Mount Baker. The region offers exceptional access to outdoor recreation, a strong local arts and food culture, and a high quality of life.

Whatcom County balances rural and urban communities, fertile agricultural lands, and close proximity to Seattle and Vancouver, B.C. For leaders who value connection to place, community, and landscape, Northwest Washington offers a rare combination of professional purpose and personal quality of life.