Summer Search

Seattle Executive Director

At Summer Search, we envision a world in which young people, regardless of circumstances, can chart their own destiny. In the United States, students from underserved communities – disproportionately BIPOC and first-generation – face systemic inequities in school, in the workforce, and in life. Nevertheless, these young people?possess?unique strengths, resilience, and limitless potential.

Since 1990, Summer Search has partnered with young people during their transition from adolescence into adulthood by connecting them to expansive opportunities, professional mentoring, and a community of support. Summer Searchers recognize their potential and build a toolkit to navigate and challenge systemic barriers, break new ground for their families and communities, and achieve economic equity and a life of purpose.

Learn more about Summer Search Seattle at https://summersearch.org/seattle/.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Chief Impact Officer, the Seattle Executive Director (ED) provides strategic, operational, and external leadership to advance Summer Search’s mission in the Seattle region. The ED is responsible for driving fundraising success, ensuring high-quality program delivery, and leading a dynamic team that supports youth in achieving personal and professional success. This role requires a balance of strategic vision, relationship-building acumen, and disciplined execution to strengthen both local outcomes and network-wide priorities.

WHO YOU ARE

You are an experienced strategic leader who combines vision with disciplined execution to drive organizational success. You excel at aligning diverse stakeholders of staff, donors, board members, and partners around shared goals and measurable outcomes.

A skilled fundraiser and relationship builder, you bring authenticity, presence, and strong communication to every interaction, inspiring trust and collaboration. You’re a storyteller and advocate who knows how to elevate the organization’s visibility, mobilize resources, and cultivate lasting partnerships that strengthen both Summer Search and the communities it serves.

Grounded in equity and systems thinking, you lead with both heart and rigor, advancing Summer Search’s mission while strengthening the teams and communities you serve.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities (Essential Functions):

Organizational & Strategic Leadership

Provide strategic leadership over Summer Search’s network-wide OKR to achieve mutually beneficial goals in Seattle.

Fundraising

• In partnership with the Sr. Director of Development and the Managing Director of Development, design and execute upon an annual fundraising plan to meet or exceed Seattle’s fundraising goal of $1.38M in the coming fiscal year.

• Partner with the Senior Director of Development, Board of Directors, and National development team to drive a strong fundraising effort, including the solicitation, cultivation, and stewardship of major donors, foundations, and corporations.

• Partner with and support the Seattle Board of Directors, leveraging their networks, expertise, and influence to expand Summer Search’s visibility and donor base.

• Formulate and execute comprehensive fundraising strategies to support donor engagement and fund development.

• Build and maintain relationships with major donors, foundations, and corporate partners to sustain and grow regional funding.

Program Excellence

• In collaboration with the local Program Director and National Program Team, ensure that Seattle delivers high-quality, outcomes-driven programming across student recruitment, mentoring, summer experience participation and post-secondary success.

• Use data to evaluate program impact, fundraising performance, and community outcomes; share learnings with internal and external stakeholders to inform strategy and storytelling.

• Align local program delivery with network-wide goals, maintaining the integrity and excellence of the Summer Search model.

Financial Management

• Oversee sound financial management for the region, partnering with the National Finance office to build and manage Seattle’s annual budget.

• Monitor all organizational expenditures and ensure sustainable and responsible spending.

• Ensure sound fiscal management, transparency, and alignment of resources with strategic goals.

Board Relations & Governance

• Partner with the Seattle Board Chair to ensure effective governance, strategic alignment, and accountability to Summer Search’s mission.

• Engage and support board members in fundraising, advocacy, and community-building efforts.

• Recruit, onboard, and cultivate new board members who reflect the diversity and values of the communities Summer Search serves.

Team Leadership

• Lead the Seattle team of seven, directly managing?the Program Director who oversees the entire program team, inclusive of High School Mentoring, Student Recruitment, Summer Trips and Post-Secondary Programing.
• Support the leadership of the Sr. Director of Development in collaboration with the National Managing Director of Development.
• Build a cohesive, collaborative, and supportive workplace environment by developing the staff, providing clear direction and performance management, and ensuring strong accountability for work assignments.
• Promote collaboration and communication across departments, ensuring seamless coordination with National teams in Program, Development, Talent, Finance, and IT

  External Engagement and Advocacy

• Represent the Summer Search program and serve as the lead media spokesperson for Summer Search Seattle with funders, partners, and external audiences.
• Advocate on behalf of Summer Search and help educate the public about the need for and impact of youth mentorship
• Champion and advance Summer Search’s internal equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging efforts; equipping staff and partners with the resources and knowledge necessary to manage courageous conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion that lead to action and results.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with civic leaders, policymakers, and peer organizations to advance Summer Search’s advocacy and influence.
• Represent Summer Search at community events, conferences, and public forums as a thought leader in youth empowerment and equity.
• Elevate Summer Search’s narrative by sharing participant impact stories that inspire donors, partners, and the broader community.

  Qualifications and Experience

• At least 10 years of progressive leadership experience in the nonprofit, education, or youth development sectors.
• Proven success in fundraising, donor relations, board and partnership development.
• Demonstrated experience managing high-performing teams and cultivating inclusive, result-oriented cultures.
• Strong financial acumen and ability to manage budgets and operations effectively.
• Strategic thinker with a track record of translating organizational vision into measurable outcomes.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and relationship-building skills across diverse audiences.
• Deep commitment to equity, inclusion, and the belief in young people’s limitless potential.

  Travel

  This position is based in the Seattle area, with flexibility for hybrid work. Occasional travel to other Summer Search sites and national convenings is required up to four times per year.

  COMPENTENCIES

  STRATEGIC ACUMEN: You anticipate, articulate, and prepare for various outcomes and use this skill to collaboratively develop objectives and priorities that are informed by data and align with the organizational direction.

  PEOPLE MANAGEMENT: You coach, guide and support members of your team towards achieving individual and collective goals. As a leader, you embody practices to effectively hold space, facilitate professional growth, amplify strengths, and hold staff members accountable. Your management style reflects your ability to be adaptive, responsive, and supportive of your team to show up as their authentic and full self.

  ACCOUNTABILITY: You hold yourself and others responsible for processes, decisions, actions, and commitments to results to drive high quality outcomes. You're responsive to the needs of stakeholders and follow through on commitments.

  CHANGE MINDSET: You have a desire to learn, grow, and improve with an evolving organization. You prioritize transparency and communication and recognize that it is critical to supporting others to thrive amidst change.

  TEAM & COLLABORATION: You value many voices, are comfortable creating space for dialogue and handle interpersonal issues constructively. You inspire and foster commitment, connection, enthusiasm and trust and motivate others to achieve common goals.

  TECHNOLOGY SKILLS: Proficient in PowerPoint, Canva and Excel.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

This is a exempt position with a starting pay rate of $150,000-$180,000. Summer Search is committed to transparent, equitable compensation practices. Salaries are benchmarked using current market data and salary bands are created to demonstrate the growth potential within the band. Typically, offers are made at the starting place of the salary band. The Hiring Manager partners with the Talent Team to ensure offers are appropriate, competitive and maintain internal equity.

Well-being, flexibility, and ongoing learning and development are pillars of our culture. We value our staff and are committed to creating an environment where every individual feels seen, heard, and valued. Investments in our staff include:

Medical insurance with up to 90% employer contribution Dental, vision, FSA, life and disability insurance plans 401 (K) and Employer Match up to $2,000 annually Generous time off including 15 vacation days, 10 sick days, and 18 holidays (2 floating holidays of your choice, a birthday day-off, 10 company-wide holidays, and a 2-week December closure). Refresh Fridays – a paid day off the first Friday of every month! A comprehensive Employee Recognition Program (years of service awards, spot awards, and professional development funding). A four-week paid sabbatical after five years of continuous employment.

Individual, local, regional, and national training A commitment to developing leaders from within the organization. An organizational culture that supports staff well-being and holistic self-care/community care. Ample opportunities to connect with the students and communities we serve.

OUR COMMITMENT TO EQUITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION

With a staff that cares deeply about social justice and racial justice, we believe that diverse perspectives and backgrounds create a rich work environment and enhance our ability to pursue our mission. We are committed to building an organization with critical consciousness in order to impact how we work with students, as well as how we work together as a team. We hope you will join us as we continue to build a justice-centered organization that fosters a work environment where people from all backgrounds are welcomed and valued.

TO APPLY

Kimberly Aguilera of Zocalo has been exclusively retained for this search. To apply for this role please submit your materials through this link. All inquiries and discussions will be considered strictly confidential.

Zocalo is a premier executive recruiting firm operating at the intersection of creativity, culture, and impact. We specialize in retained and embedded search, partnering with purpose-driven leaders to build high-performing teams that fuel transformative growth.