Stacy Nelson & Associates is proud to partner with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Alameda County in the search for an Executive Director who is a visionary, culturally competent leader with a compassionate leadership style.

Position: Executive Director
Location: Oakland, CA
Salary: $130,000-$150,000.

Exempt/Full Time/Onsite

Overview

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Alameda County (SVdP Alameda) aims to alleviate poverty and compassionately serve our community. We seek an inspirational Executive Director to lead our dedicated team. This leadership role is essential in fostering a culture that prioritizes human dignity and effectively addresses the needs of those we serve.

If you are passionate about making a lasting impact and you embody the values of compassion, service, and justice that guide SVdP Alameda, we invite you to apply for this vital leadership position. Together, we can create a brighter future for our community. We seek an individual who is high-energy, passionate, and enthusiastic about serving others.

Our Principles and Values

At SVdP Alameda, we are guided by spirituality, friendship, and service as well as compassion for others in need. Our commitment is to alleviate suffering and promote human dignity through targeted, person-to-person Safety-Net services for families and individuals, including the working poor, the unhoused, the incarcerated, and all those living on the margins. We believe in providing immediate relief and pursuing systemic change solutions that empower individuals to transcend poverty.

What You’ll Love About SVdP Alameda

St. Vincent de Paul of Alameda County is a network of friends inspired by Gospel values, growing in holiness and building a more just world through personal relationships and by providing service to people in need.”  You will be joining a dedicated team of staff and volunteers who provide a wide variety of essential support services to those most in need.

About the Society of St. Vincent de Paul

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is an international charitable organization founded in Paris in 1833 by a young French student, Frederic Ozanam, to address his city’s devastating poverty. Ozanam’s mission was clear – to help people in need on a one-to-one basis and “accomplish through charity what justice alone cannot do.” Compassion in action was at the heart of Ozanam’s spirituality and mission. Today, the Society is a network of charities in 142 countries.

As an international lay Roman Catholic organization, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is governed internationally by a Rule that outlines its mission and the duties and responsibilities of instituted Councils (governing entities) and aggregated Conferences (small local working groups).

SVdP Alameda is affiliated with St. Vincent de Paul, the national organization headquartered in St. Louis. This affiliation provides valuable regional resources and clear guidelines for supporting and leading our initiatives as a board, conference, and District Council. More information can be found at ssvpusa.org. Although SVdP Alameda leadership and management are fully separate from the Diocese of Alameda, as a Catholic organization, its conference members follow the diocesan training requirements for volunteers who serve vulnerable populations.

SVdP Alameda is a critical safety net for our community members in crisis, stepping in when other County resources are insufficient. SVdP Alameda partners with several collaborative agencies to support their work with food and clothing donations. SVdP has two thrift stores as well as a full dining room, community room, medical clinic resources, a women & children’s center, a men’s center, and a shelter. SVdP services are based solely on verified need and are available to all individuals, regardless of faith, race, gender, or age.

Our guests come from all walks of life. Many struggle with unhoused, addiction, joblessness, mental health issues, or have simply fallen on hard times. SVdP Alameda offers a wide range of assistance, including food, shelter, job training, basic human services (e.g., showers, laundry, hygiene kits, diapers), rent & utility support, clothing, furniture, transportation, health services, education, and spiritual guidance. Our services focus on addressing the underlying issues faced by vulnerable individuals living in Alameda County. Additionally, our thrift stores play a vital role in generating meaningful job opportunities. SVdP Alameda provides 700 meals a day, including two meals a day (Tuesday – Saturday), and is the largest free meal service in the East Bay. SVdP Alameda provides 65 shelter beds and is the only emergency shelter in Oakland.

Beyond its main campus in Oakland, SVdP Alameda members are organized into 35 local parish-based conferences that assist neighbors in their surrounding neighborhoods, who provide  1100 home visits per year.

Key Responsibilities

The Executive Director will oversee SVdP Alameda, including the 35 conferences. The Executive Director reports to SVdP of Alameda’s Board of Directors. The Executive Director has four direct reports and is responsible for an operating budget of $6M. The key responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following;

Strategic Leadership and Management:

• Guide SVdP Alameda and 35 conferences within the county toward achieving its mission, values, and goals. Oversee strategic planning.
• Lead and manage collaborations with community groups, funders, and partners.

Program Management:

• Oversee the operations of SVdP Alameda’s programs to ensure effective service delivery, including two thrift store locations at Fremont and Livermore stores, as well as property management.
• Support senior management, the board, and committees in achieving programmatic, financial, and operational goals.

Fundraising:

• Increase institutional support through relationships with key funders and by exploring new revenue channels.
• Drive initiatives to increase revenue through community fundraising and other development strategies. Explore new revenue channels.
• Enhance individual giving by growing the donor base and major gifts through strategic planning, social media, presentations, networking, and print advertising.

Financial Oversight:

• Oversee budgeting, financial planning, and reporting.
• Ensuring accountability for funds and resources.

Partner with the Board of Trustees

• Recommend and implement strategic program enhancements.
• Develop and present comprehensive annual financial plans.
• Identify and engage new qualified Board candidates.
• Foster a collaborative and transparent relationship with the Board.

External Communications and Relationship Management

• Act as the primary spokesperson and ambassador for SVdP Alameda, representing the organization’s mission and initiatives.
• Oversee all public relations efforts to ensure consistent branding and messaging.
• Build and nurture partnerships with nonprofit organizations, elected officials, and subject matter experts to enhance community support.
• Liaison and lead with partnering organizations and conference Presidents to deliver a comprehensive approach to community support and collaboration.
• Coordinate with each conference President to raise awareness in the field, fostering a proactive organizational presence while promoting committee development.

Organizational Effectiveness and Development

• Lead and manage day-to-day operations
• Ensure smooth operation of all programs & departments
• Facilitate ongoing professional development opportunities for staff.
• Foster a culture of mentorship and support, and conduct annual performance reviews to promote ongoing professional growth.

Compliance and Quality Assurance:

• Ensure all SVdP Alameda operations comply with relevant laws and regulations.
• Establish systems to evaluate and report on operational effectiveness and impact.
• Ensure that safety protocols are followed and regularly evaluated.

Key Competencies:

• Energetic and comfortable in an outward-facing role.
• Ability to serve as the spokesperson and public representative for SVdP Alameda.
• A visionary leader who inspires and guides the organization towards its goals, with a proven track record of motivating, mentoring, developing, and retaining staff.
• Compassionate ‘we care’ leadership style.
• Culturally competent, the ability to work collaboratively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and life experiences, and a passion for serving and supporting individuals in crisis, including the unhoused.
• Skilled in building consensus among various stakeholders, including staff, Board members, funders, partner organizations, volunteers, and donors.
• Exceptional communicator, proficient in both spoken and written communication.
• High emotional intelligence with an authentic leadership style.
• Outstanding problem-solving abilities and the capacity to think creatively.
• Inspired by the gospel’s message to feed, clothe, and care for those in need.

Required Qualifications:

• Proven executive leadership experience in nonprofit management or related sectors, demonstrating a strong commitment to community service and mission-driven initiatives.
• 5+ years of experience in an Executive Director role or senior executive experience within a complex nonprofit organization.
• Successful management of an organization with an operational budget of at least 6 million and a workforce of 50 employees or more.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including public speaking, relationship-building, and collaborative work with diverse populations, including volunteers, staff, and community members.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to make informed decisions based on data analysis and then be able to implement effective solutions.
• Proficiency in Salesforce, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
• Relevant experience in personnel management and operational oversight.
• Financial expertise in budgeting, forecasting, audit/contract management, and compliance.
• Experience with city, state, and federal government contracts, including responding to RFPs, bidding, negotiating contracts, and ensuring compliance.
• Proven success in fundraising across various channels, including individual donors, major gifts, foundations, corporate funding, government sources, and special events.
• Subject matter expertise that relates to our services, such as emergency and transitional services for the unhoused, domestic violence support services, poverty, or social justice.
• Experience leading or actively participating in a strategic planning process.
• Experience serving the unhoused population in Alameda County and working with Oakland city officials is preferred.
• A bachelor’s degree is required; an advanced degree is preferred.

Compensation:

The salary range is $130,000 – $150,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications. The benefits are outlined in the employee handbook, which includes options for medical, dental, vision, and pet insurance.

We invite candidates who are passionate about service and community empowerment to apply for this leadership opportunity at SVdP Alameda. Your efforts can significantly impact our community. For more information, please visit our website at: SVDP-Alameda

To Apply:

Stacy Nelson & Associates-Leadership Search Partners is leading this search. Apply via LinkedIn or send your resume and cover letter to Stacy Nelson & Associates-Leadership Search Partners at: stacyn@stacynelsonassociates.com.

SVdP Alameda is an equal-opportunity employer.