Tavon Learning Center Executive Director

Clover Search Works • Issaquah, WA

10d • $150,000 - $165,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Tavon Learning Center seeks an Executive Director who is passionate about person-centered programming and the impact it makes for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. This is an opportunity to lead an organization where quality is paramount, relationships are central, and leadership can create lasting impact. Tavon offers a unique nature-based learning program that combines outdoor exploration, real-world community experiences, and individualized support. The Executive Director will steward the organization through a significant transition, building upon the foundation of the founding Executive Director while guiding Tavon into its next chapter. This role involves working with a dedicated team of over 20 staff members, an engaged Board, and a loyal community. The position is central to meaningful work, including leading a talented team, ensuring financial sustainability, and making strategic decisions that shape Tavon's future. The Executive Director will become the public face of an organization that members thrive in, families depend on, staff are proud of, and peers admire.

Requirements

• Deep experience with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), whether in program delivery, program management, advocacy, or another role demonstrating deep connection to this community.
• Understanding of person-centered philosophy.
• Ability to communicate respectfully and use a collaborative approach to building trust with members, families, and stakeholders.
• Strong experience developing and managing staff leadership teams.
• Experience cultivating a positive and accountable workplace culture where people are supported, aligned, and empowered.
• Skilled at coaching and mentoring senior leaders.
• Comfortable with courageous conversations and able to give clear feedback with kindness and clarity.
• Ability to set well-defined expectations, make transparent decisions, foster professional growth, and lead with humility and self-awareness.
• Understanding of nonprofit administration and the ability to ensure sound operational systems.
• Comfortable managing nonprofit budgets of $2-3 million.
• Ability to interpret financial statements and make sound resource allocation decisions.
• Understanding of nonprofit compliance, governance, HR systems, and complex revenue structures (state contracts, fee-for-service, philanthropy).
• Strong grasp of change management principles.
• Experience navigating organizational evolution and/or founder transitions.
• Ability to lead change while honoring legacy, create partnerships with stakeholders, communicate compelling vision, and empower teams through structure and clarity.
• Secure in leadership and comfortable establishing own voice while learning from institutional knowledge and honoring history.
• Demonstrated ability to build donor relationships, including stewarding inherited networks.
• Ability to translate organizational impact into compelling narratives.
• Strategic thought partner and mentor to development staff, helping shape fundraising plans.
• Entrepreneurial mindset to pursuing multiple revenue streams.
• Ability to build relationships and represent an organization's mission compellingly to funders, partners, and community members.
• Experience developing vision and strategy at the senior level, guiding organizations toward clear, long-term priorities.
• Experience aligning operations to strategic direction.
• Ability to work closely with staff leadership and Boards to drive sustainable impact.
• Ability to step back from day-to-day operations to see the bigger picture, make disciplined decisions about priorities and tradeoffs, and articulate a clear direction that brings teams along.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with Washington's disability services systems is valuable, however, the ability to build relationships and learn these systems is most important.

Responsibilities

• Guide Tavon through a significant leadership transition, honoring its history while establishing a new vision.
• Build trust across staff, families, and community partners, and communicate a compelling future direction.
• Empower the team through change by building systems and structures that support success.
• Lead Tavon's fundraising efforts as its chief storyteller, translating impact into compelling narratives.
• Steward existing donor connections, build new donor relationships, and partner with development staff on strategy and execution.
• Oversee Tavon's $2.5 million budget, making strategic decisions for long-term sustainability.
• Balance mission fidelity and program quality with financial discipline.
• Build trust with the dedicated team through visible, values-driven leadership.
• Coach and mentor senior leaders, have courageous conversations, and nurture a culture where staff are valued and supported.
• Invest in the joyful, empowering environment that makes Tavon special.
• Formalize internal systems, from HR practices to budgeting processes, to support effective operations and sustainable growth.
• Provide clarity about Tavon's future direction, making disciplined decisions about sustainable growth while preserving program quality.
• Partner with the Board on strategic direction, guide site expansion and program evolution.
• Ensure Tavon continues to provide exceptional, individualized experiences.
• Be the public face of Tavon, building relationships with families and representing the organization to donors, policymakers, and community partners.
• Make families feel comfortable raising concerns, engage in advocacy, and raise Tavon's profile among new audiences.

Benefits

• 100% employer-paid medical insurance premiums for eligible employees working 36+ hours/week
• Group dental plan
• 15.6 days of PTO with a one year carry-over
• 7 paid holidays which may include up to 5 additional days of paid winter break, pending adequate resources and Board approval
• IRA plan with employer contributions
• Professional development opportunities

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Education Level: No Education Listed