Families Together, Executive Director

Mossand Ross•Raleigh, NC

19h•Onsite

About The Position

Families Together, a nonprofit organization based in Raleigh, North Carolina, seeks a dynamic, mission-driven, and experienced leader to serve as its Executive Director. This is an exciting opportunity for a seasoned professional to succeed a respected long-time leader, build on a period of increased organizational stability, and guide Families Together’s expansion in response to increasing homelessness and housing insecurity in our community. The ED will be strongly committed to the mission of Families Together and will drive the organization’s strategic vision. They will serve as a visible and compelling champion for Families Together, increasing awareness of the growing number of families experiencing housing instability across Wake County. Through strong community partnerships and engagement, the ED will leverage community and volunteer support to help Families Together expand its capacity, address the complex factors contributing to family homelessness, and identify opportunities to increase affordable housing options for the families it serves. The ED will lead efforts to triple the number of families it can serve through its emergency shelter while continuing to grow programs designed to strengthen long-term stability. In partnership with a talented and passionate staff, the ED will oversee all aspects of the organization’s operations, including program development, fundraising, community outreach and advocacy, affordable housing services, and financial management of the organization’s approximately $2.5 million operating budget and nearly $4 million capital project budget. The organization has embarked on a capital campaign— Rebuilding Stronger —and the ED will play a key role in leading and executing the goals of the campaign. After a fire destroyed one of its shelter buildings in December 2024, Families Together decided to rebuild the shelter at increased capacity to better serve the community. The project will replace four lost units with 12 new emergency shelter units, thus expanding non-congregate shelter capacity in Wake County and strengthening capacity to move families from crisis to long-term stability.

Requirements

Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in a nonprofit organization, preferably in affordable housing, homelessness, human services, or a related field.
Demonstrated success in organizational leadership, strategic planning, financial management, fund development, program strategy, and building strong external partnerships.
Proven ability to develop and execute organizational strategy, establish measurable goals and key performance indicators, and use data to inform decision-making and organizational performance.
Strong financial acumen, including experience interpreting nonprofit financial statements, overseeing budgets and financial performance, navigating government reimbursement cycles, and managing restricted funds.
Demonstrated success in nonprofit fundraising, including personally cultivating and soliciting major gifts and securing six-figure grants from government, foundation, corporate, and other funding sources.
Experience leading a capital campaign, including developing campaign strategy and securing leadership gifts, is strongly preferred.
Knowledge of affordable housing development, including funding sources, financing mechanisms, policy, and advocacy, as well as familiarity with local, state, and federal government funding processes.
Proven ability to lead a complex organization while balancing multiple programs, priorities, funding requirements, stakeholder needs, and changing circumstances.
Strong relationship-building and communication skills, with the ability to cultivate productive relationships with donors, funders, community partners, government officials, and other stakeholders and compellingly tell the organization’s story.
Proven ability to lead, develop, and empower experienced staff and volunteers through a collaborative leadership style characterized by trust, transparency, accountability, active listening, clear communication, and appropriate delegation.
Experience partnering effectively with a Board of Directors and engaging board members in governance, strategy, organizational priorities, and fundraising.
A humble, approachable, and empathetic leadership style, coupled with the confidence and executive presence to serve as a visible ambassador for the organization.
Demonstrated commitment to serving individuals and families experiencing homelessness and other underserved communities with dignity and respect.
Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferred.
Ability to travel locally on a regular basis and drive personal and agency vehicles for work-related activities.

Nice To Haves

Experience leading a capital campaign, including developing campaign strategy and securing leadership gifts, is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Build and maintain strong, trusted relationships with community leaders, funders, government officials, nonprofit partners, and other stakeholders.
Navigate difficult and sometimes competing conversations about funding, community needs, and safety with diplomacy, courage, and sound judgment, while advocating for Families Together and advancing solutions to family homelessness.
Lead, empower, and develop the organization’s senior leadership team, comprised of the Director of Finance and Administration, Director of Development and Communications, and Housing and Family Services Director, while providing overall leadership for human resources and staff development.
Maintain a strong, collaborative, and transparent partnership with the Board of Directors by providing timely, meaningful reports on financial performance, programs, organizational priorities, opportunities, and challenges to support informed governance and decision-making.
Cultivate a strong organizational culture in which staff and volunteers are trusted and empowered to lead within their areas of expertise, recognized for their contributions, and supported through clear expectations, accountability, open communication, and opportunities for ongoing professional growth.
Partner with the HR Committee and senior leadership to develop and maintain effective human resource policies, practices, and systems that promote accountability, consistency, employee engagement, safety and security, and organizational effectiveness.
Ensure organizational compliance with applicable laws, regulations, contractual obligations, and reporting requirements.
Promote sound governance and operational practices.
Foster a supportive and collaborative work environment that encourages open communication, active listening, teamwork, and meaningful contributions from staff and volunteers across the organization.
Serve as a visible and compelling ambassador and storyteller for the organization, representing its mission, programs, and priorities at public events, conferences, community meetings, and other forums.
Build awareness of the organization’s impact and strengthen its presence within the broader community through meaningful engagement, partnerships, and public-facing opportunities.
Identify and cultivate opportunities for collaboration and strategic partnerships that enhance the organization’s reach, resources, and ability to serve the community.
Work with the Continuum of Care, community leadership networks, and the Board to leverage high-impact collaborative opportunities, and advocate for and promote housing policies and initiatives at the local and state levels.
In partnership with the Property Committee, lead the development and implementation of the rebuild and expansion of our emergency shelter units, ensure the efficient management of our existing property portfolio, and consider partnerships for additional sustainable affordable housing initiatives and projects, building effective partnerships with government agencies, private-sector organizations, and other community stakeholders.
Build on a foundation of strong, effective relationship-building with a donor-centric approach.
Guide an ambitious, comprehensive fundraising strategy that grows dependable, diverse funding streams, including the annual fund, major gifts, corporate partnerships, and private foundations, to ensure the organization’s long-term financial sustainability.
Build and develop, in partnership with the Director of Development and Communications, a high-functioning Development and Communications team with the skills, expertise, and capacity necessary to support current operations, strengthen revenue generation, and position the organization for future growth.
Provide strategic oversight of grant development and management to secure funding for the organization’s operations, programs, and services.
Monitor government funding opportunities at the local, state, and federal levels and work with staff and partners to develop competitive proposals that expand and sustain organizational programs and services.
Strengthen and diversify the organization’s funding base by expanding individual and major donor giving and identifying new opportunities for foundation support, corporate partnerships, government funding, and other revenue streams aligned with the organization’s mission.
Demonstrated experience in leading a capital campaign, including developing campaign strategy, engaging campaign leadership, and securing lead gifts.
Provide strategic leadership for the development, implementation, and continuous assessment of programs and services that advance the organization’s mission and effectively respond to the needs of families experiencing homelessness.
Partner with staff and the Board of Directors to establish and oversee a comprehensive program impact framework, using clear metrics and KPIs to define, measure, and communicate long-term housing outcomes, program quality, and compliance.
In collaboration with the Property Committee, lead the development of sustainable affordable housing initiatives and cultivate effective partnerships with government agencies, private-sector organizations, and other community stakeholders.
Provide strategic oversight of the organization’s affordable housing portfolio, ensuring effective property maintenance, long-term financial sustainability, and responsible planning for future growth.
Ensure housing decisions account for the full cost of development, operations, maintenance, and expansion.
Lead the development and implementation of the organization’s strategic plan in partnership with senior leadership, the Board of Directors, and staff, ensuring alignment with the mission, vision, and evolving community needs.
Establish clear organizational priorities and focus resources and efforts around key strategic areas, including Infrastructure and Operational Effectiveness, Program-Level Impact, Funding and Resource Growth Readiness, Affordable Housing Property Maintenance and Planned Growth, and People and Organizational Culture.
Provide strategic oversight of the organization’s financial management, budgeting, financial planning, and fundraising efforts to ensure fiscal responsibility and long-term sustainability.
Lead the development of the annual organizational budget and ensure compliance with audit and financial management best practices.
Regularly review and communicate monthly financial performance; monitor grant contracts, reporting, and billing processes; and make informed financial decisions in partnership with staff and the Board.