Executive Director

Championing the Children of Washington: Executive Director Opportunity

Children’s Alliance seeks a visionary changemaker to lead our organization at a pivotal moment for Washington’s children and families.

As our next Executive Director, you will harness the collective power of our 7,000+ individual members, 125 partner organizations, and dedicated team to transform state policies and create lasting impact. This role offers a rare opportunity to stand at the intersection of policy and community organizing while centering racial justice. If you are a dynamic relationship-builder with the strategic mind to translate bold vision into policy victories through coalition-building, this leadership role offers a platform to shape the future for generations of Washington’s children.

Read on to learn more about this unique leadership opportunity to make a lasting impact on the lives of children and families in Washington state.

Applications submitted by Thursday, April 24 will be given full consideration. Interviewing is anticipated in May; early applications are strongly encouraged.

The starting salary range is $150,000 – $170,000, depending on qualifications and experience.

Organizational Overview

Mission: Children’s Alliance strives to place racial justice at the heart of Washington’s laws and budget priorities so that every child can thrive.

Vision: Our vision is that all of Washington’s children will have an abundance of what they need to grow up to be the people they dream of becoming.

For four decades, Children’s Alliance has been a powerful catalyst for change in Washington. Our mission to place racial justice at the heart of Washington’s laws and budget priorities has driven landmark policy victories that have transformed opportunities for children and families across our state.

With over 7,000 individual members and 125 organizational partners, we amplify the voices of those most impacted by policy decisions. Our nimble team of skilled and passionate advocates builds strategic coalitions, shapes public narrative, and drives legislative action that creates lasting systems change.

The next Executive Director will lead an organization with a rock-solid foundation – an annual operating budget of $1.8 million, very healthy reserves, and relationships across Washington’s advocacy landscape – that is ready to expand its collective impact for children and families.

Today’s political landscape presents both urgent challenges and unique opportunities for children’s advocacy in Washington. The next Executive Director will navigate this complex environment while building on our momentum to ensure that racial justice remains central to policy decisions affecting Washington’s children.

Commitment to Racial Justice

At Children’s Alliance, racial justice isn’t an add-on – it is the foundation of everything we do. Our mission explicitly centers racial equity because we recognize that systemic racism creates profound and persistent disparities for children and families across Washington.

Our commitment manifests in multiple ways:

• Our policy priorities directly address racial disparities in early learning, health equity, and economic justice.
• Our advocacy strategies center and amplify the voices of the communities most impacted by inequitable systems.
• Our Board composition reflects our dedication to representative leadership.
• Our internal practices strive to embody the equity values we champion.

We are seeking an Executive Director who can engage authentically with our commitment to racial justice, build authentic relationships that share power across diverse communities, and ensure our organizational culture fully reflects our values.

Catalyze Our Next Chapter of Impact

As Executive Director, you will lead Children’s Alliance at a transformative moment in our state and country, with unique opportunities to:

• Chart a Bold Policy Agenda – Leverage our proven success to tackle urgent challenges facing Washington’s children, with the opportunity to establish a fourth policy area beyond our work in early learning, health equity, and economic justice.
• Forge Powerful Statewide Coalitions – Strengthen partnerships that amplify the voices of communities most impacted by systemic inequities.
• Sustain Our Fundraising Success – Partner with our Board and development team to diversify and expand our resource base by engaging donors and institutional funders.
• Evolve Our Governance Model – Work with our Board of Directors to further develop structures that engage members statewide.
• Embody Our Commitment to Racial Justice – Ensure our internal practices authentically reflect our values and build our capacity to navigate complex political landscapes.

You will join a committed and passionate team eager for collaborative leadership and partner with a Board deeply invested in our mission. With stable finances and a strong reputation, we are positioned for remarkable positive impact under your leadership.

Essential Duties of Position

As Executive Director, you will guide our organization’s strategic direction while serving as a primary advocate, spokesperson, and relationship-builder. In collaboration with our Board of Directors and a dedicated staff, you will:

• Lead Our Strategic Priorities – Create a compelling roadmap for Children’s Alliance that centers equitable policy development and resonates with stakeholders across Washington.
• Cultivate a Thriving Organization – Lead our senior leadership team, oversee operational excellence, and engage donors and funders to ensure sustainability.
• Amplify Our Collective Voice – Serve as a powerful external champion for children’s issues, building strategic relationships with policymakers, coalition partners, funders, and impacted communities.

Qualities for Success

We are seeking a galvanizing relationship-builder who can transform bold vision into tangible policy wins for Washington’s children. Our ideal leader will bring strengths in these key areas:

Champion for Racial Justice and Equity

• Demonstrated track record of advancing anti-racism and equity within organizations.
• Centers those most affected by policies in decision-making.
• Builds genuine trust across differences, sharing power and connecting authentically with diverse stakeholders.

Strategic Visionary

• Leads compelling visions and strategies that inspire collective action.
• Builds and sustains diverse coalitions.
• Serves as a dynamic and engaging ambassador.

Collaborative Team Builder

• Successfully builds and retains talented and diverse teams.
• Creates compassionate workplace cultures where people bring their authentic selves.

Skilled Organizational Administrator

• Led organizational growth and thoughtful systems development.
• Oversees complex budgets and develops strategic long-term financial plans.

Relationship-Based Fundraiser

• Genuinely enjoys building donor relationships and making the case for support.
• Thinks strategically about fundraising as a thought partner to development staff.

Policy and Advocacy Strategist

• Understands the Washington state policy and advocacy landscape.
• Quickly learns and adapts based on experience in similar political contexts.

Compensation and Benefits

This is a full-time salaried position requiring occasional evening and weekend work, as well as travel throughout Washington.

• Salary Range: $150,000 – $170,000, depending on qualifications and experience.
• Benefits: Subsidized medical, vision, and dental plans for employees and dependents, employer-matched retirement savings plan, 12 days of paid time off annually, 14 paid holidays, monthly cell phone stipend, and free gym membership within the office complex.

How to Apply

Online applications only; please no email or paper submissions.

You will be asked to upload a cover letter and resume. In your cover letter, please describe how your experience relates to Children’s Alliance’s mission and vision as described in this announcement.

Applications received by April 24 will be given full consideration. Early applications are strongly encouraged. Interviewing is anticipated to begin in May.

We encourage applications from members of underrepresented groups, including LGBTQ+ individuals, veterans, people with disabilities, first-generation professionals, people of color, and those from non-traditional backgrounds.

Questions? Contact José Leonor: jose [at] cloversearchworks.com