API Chaya Executive Director

Clover Search Works•Seattle, WA

4h•$165,000 - $195,000

About The Position

API Chaya seeks a heart-centered, strategically-minded leader to guide our organization into its next transformative chapter. For over three decades, we've been a powerful force in supporting survivors of gender-based violence and human trafficking while building deep-rooted community organizing and advocacy. We're looking for an Executive Director who understands that the most effective solutions come from centering the voices of those with lived experience. We seek someone who can blend bold vision with grounded, relational leadership to amplify our impact across Pacific Islander, Native Hawaiian, Asian, and South Asian communities throughout the Greater Puget Sound region. This is a pivotal moment for API Chaya. With a dedicated team of 30+ staff members, a $5M annual budget, and strong community trust built over decades, we're positioned to expand our reach while staying true to our grassroots roots. As Executive Director, you'll lead strategic direction and fundraising efforts, cultivate a culture of collective leadership and staff wellbeing, and strengthen our role as a movement leader in the anti-violence ecosystem. If you're ready to lead an organization where trauma-informed practice meets systems change, where ensuring culturally relevant support drives every decision, and where your leadership can create lasting impact for generations of survivors and their families, we invite you to join us in building a future rooted in justice, healing, and collective liberation.

Requirements

Deep commitment to survivor-centered, trauma-informed leadership You lead from a place that consistently centers survivors, shares power authentically, and builds trust across communities. You demonstrate deep cultural humility and credibility with immigrant and API communities, honoring lived experience as central to decision-making.
Confident and experienced fundraiser You serve as the primary driver of fundraising with first-hand experience across diverse funding streams, making a compelling case for support and stewarding donor relationships. You design revenue strategies that ensure sustainability while maintaining alignment with community-driven values.
Strong people and culture management experience You excel at cultivating a joyful and accountable workplace culture where people are supported and empowered. You set clear expectations, foster professional growth, and lead with humility in navigating conflict. You prioritize staff wellbeing and understand how to rebuild healthy culture after turbulence.
Visionary and strategic nonprofit leadership You have led vision and strategy at the senior level, guiding organizations toward clear priorities. You bring experience aligning operations to strategic direction and providing strong financial leadership including oversight of complex budgets and nonprofit administration.
Dynamic, compelling ambassador and movement builder You are a powerful relationship-builder who excels at mobilizing support from funders, partners, and policymakers.
Clear, decisive, and accountable leader You provide clarity, direction, and follow-through while sharing power and creating ownership. You lead with courage and conviction, especially in volatile political climates, while holding space for complexity and keeping the organization aligned with clear values.
A strong candidate embodies a grounded and adaptive leadership style that promotes resilience, creates clarity, builds trust, and fosters shared ownership. You actively recognize and harness the wisdom already present within our staff while supporting their leadership and professional development.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with the ecosystem of immigrant rights and anti-violence work is not required, but would be a plus.

Responsibilities

Setting organizational vision and strategic priorities in collaboration with staff, board, and community members
Leading the implementation of our strategic plan with emphasis on sustainable growth, organizational resilience, and expanded impact
Strengthening API Chaya's role as a movement leader by deepening partnerships across advocacy, philanthropy, and grassroots networks
Leading API Chaya's fundraising strategy as the primary driver of development, securing and growing diverse, values-aligned funding streams through grant acquisition, donor cultivation, corporate partnerships, and legacy giving
Stewarding our approximately $5M annual budget with strategic oversight, fiscal accountability, and sound financial management
Championing trauma-informed leadership, embedding wellness into organizational practices, and facilitating conflict resolution with care while strengthening internal systems and communication
Investing in staff leadership development and professional growth for our 30+ member team, ensuring a collaborative and growth-oriented culture
Partnering with the Board of Directors and committees to advance the organization's mission and strategic vision
Engaging and uplifting survivor leadership, ensuring those most impacted by violence are centered in decision-making
Serving as a compelling storyteller and communicator, crafting narratives that showcase API Chaya's community impact and leveraging these stories for public advocacy, strategic communications, and fundraising
Reclaiming our grassroots organizing identity and boldly showing up as an advocacy partner through coalition-building and movement work

Benefits

100% employer-paid premiums for Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance for the employee and their first dependent
generous paid time off including 2 weeks of vacation with increasing accrual
2 weeks of sick leave
13 paid holidays
office closure from Christmas through New Year's Day
Simple IRA plan (with 2% employer match)
life insurance
a transportation stipend or Orca card
wellness benefits
an employee assistance program
professional development opportunities to support ongoing growth