EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
ABOUT PACIFIC PRIDE FOUNDATION
Pacific Pride Foundation (PPF) is a long-standing backbone institution in the LGBTQ+ community in Santa Barbara County region. The Established in 1976 as the Western Addiction Services Program, the Pacific Pride Foundation originated as a Drug and Alcohol Abuse Counseling and Referral Center catering to the LGBTQ+ community. In response to the emerging HIV epidemic, PPF launched the AIDS Counseling and Assistance Program (AIDS CAP) in 1984, becoming one of the first county test sites for free, anonymous HIV testing. Over subsequent years, the program expanded with state and county funding to provide crucial HIV education and prevention initiatives. By 1991, the organization, then known as the Gay & Lesbian Resource Center, established the Necessities of Life Project, a food pantry supporting low-income HIV-positive individuals and their families.
In 1994, the organization rebranded as Pacific Pride Foundation, serving as the umbrella organization for both GLRC and AIDS Project Central Coast (APCC, formerly AIDS CAP). Today, with a central office in Santa Barbara, PPF stands as a trusted leader, community builder, and regional convener, offering health and social service programs to the LGBTQ+ community in Santa Barbara County and coastal communities between Los Angeles and San Francisco.
ABOUT THE POSITION
Reporting to the Board of Directors, Pacific Pride Foundation is seeking an experienced, growth-minded executive leader to serve as their next Executive Director (ED). The candidate has the exciting opportunity to envision and implement the next chapter of service to the LBGTQ+ community in Santa Barbara County. They will set the course for the organization using new approaches to inclusivity, intersectionality, and advocacy. A clear and decisive communicator, this leader will oversee the services and community building that Pacific Pride Foundation provides, fostering internal and external relationships with community members, leaders and partners in Santa Barbara County.
Overseeing an annual budget of $1.8M and approximately 10 passionate and talented staff members, the ideal candidate is an adaptable and approachable leader who advances the organization's mission in the community. The incoming Executive Director will continue to foster and empower the team while looking for opportunities to improve programs, policies, and organizational culture.
The Executive Director should have a history of working in the field of LGBTQ+ community support and/or advocacy, DEI, or other human services. The ED will lead strategic planning for the agency and diversify funding with a focus on establishing a major donor program and seeking new funding sources as well as continuing relationships with existing funders and community partners. The ideal candidate has a passion for working with underserved communities and a strong understanding of the funding and political landscape impacting people in the LBGTQ+ community, especially its BIPOC members.
ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Organizational Leadership & Strategy
- Oversee the day-to-day operations of Pacific Pride Foundation, including planning, goal setting, fundraising, operations, programming, partnerships, advocacy, communications, and overall growth.
- Collaborate with the Board of Directors and staff to draft, adopt, and execute a new strategic plan, providing Pacific Pride Foundation with a long-term vision for the organization to set goals, focus programming efforts, and inspire the PPF community.
- Lead the Board and staff to envision and implement an organizational framework around DEI values and strategies that will inform the services, events, and other work of PPF.
- Foster a work environment that attracts, retains, and supports high-quality staff, with a focus on enhancing staff morale and fostering a generative organizational culture.
- Facilitate Board development, delegate responsibilities to Board members, and recruit new Board members when needed.
Financial Management & Fund Development
- Manage the organization’s financial strategy that ensures sustainability, healthy cash flow and adequate reserves.
- Explore and implement a diversified funding strategy that includes foundations, grants, corporate partnerships, major donors, and innovative funding sources.
- Create, monitor, evaluate, and report on the annual organizational budget and audits.
- Use effective communications to engage new partners, donors, and community members in support of PPF.
Community Engagement and Advocacy
- Proactively initiate, cultivate, and sustain cooperative relationships with diverse key constituencies, including LGBTQ+ community members and allies, other non-profit organizations, elected officials, and other local leaders.
- Plan and execute community events designed not only as fundraising opportunities but also to foster a sense of belonging, acceptance, and engagement among community and supporters.
- Uphold Pacific Pride Foundation as a thought leader and community institution in the Santa Barbara region and the larger LGBTQ+ community.
- Strengthen collaborations with educational institutions, non-profit organizations, and political partners to expand programming opportunities and access for marginalized communities.
- Act as the primary spokesperson for PPF within the community, managing media interactions and participating in public events.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Prior experience as an Executive Director or member of the senior leadership team of a nonprofit organization with an annual operating budget greater than $1M.
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent executive leadership experience required.
- Deep professional or personal experience in the LGBTQ+ community; experience in BIPOC communities is preferred.
-
Fluency in Spanish is preferred, but not required.
- A track record of fundraising success with major donors, foundations and institutional partnerships preferred.
- Demonstrated experience with community engagement, especially in creating and implementing strategic outreach, marketing, and social media.
- Skilled in effective operations, project management, and team development of diverse employees, volunteers, and a Board of Directors. Experience with managing in a remote or hybrid work environment is a plus.
- Proven experience in aligning programs founded on the values of social justice, diversity, equity and inclusion and engaging with people from various identities, ages, cultures, and experiences.
- Demonstrated experience with professional or personal community building and leadership, able to foster inclusive and safe spaces for members of the LGBTQ+ community in Santa Barbara County and comfortable with building bridges and resolving conflicts.
- Success in guiding a strategic planning process that resulted in enhanced efficiency, program focus, and sustainability of the organizational budget is preferred.
- Familiarity with the provision of direct services in mental health, counseling, unhoused neighbor support, safe needle exchange, and/or other direct services is preferred.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
The salary range is $150,000 - $180,000. Benefits for full time employees include health insurance, paid vacation, holidays, parental leave, 401K, and more.
Pacific Pride Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applications from qualified individuals regardless of race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation or different ability.
Envision Consulting was retained by Pacific Pride Foundation to conduct the search for their incoming Executive Director.
Applicants needing accommodation for any part of the application process may contact Envision Consulting at 626.889.7905 to request and arrange for assistance.
