Special Olympics Washington seeks a dynamic and visionary President & CEO to lead our mission of empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities through sports and inclusion.

About

Special Olympics Washington (SOWA) is an Accredited Program of Special Olympics International, a global organization with more than 4 million participants in more than 205 countries and jurisdictions. SOWA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, founded in 1975. Special Olympics Washington serves people with and without intellectual disabilities, of all ages, through year-round sports and non-sports programming in communities throughout the state, at no cost to the participant.

Mission & Vision

Mission: To provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

Vision Our vision is an inclusive world for all, driven by the power of sport, through which people with intellectual disabilities live active, healthy and fulfilling lives.

Position Overview

The President & CEO of Special Olympics Washington will be responsible for guiding the organization toward meeting and exceeding its strategic goals. Reporting directly to the Board of Directors, the President & CEO is ultimately responsible for overseeing all operational, administrative, financial, and programmatic aspects of the organization while promoting growth, quality, and sustainability.

The President & CEO also acts as the primary spokesperson and fundraiser, ensuring the organization has a sound strategy for securing and diversifying the revenue and strategic resources needed to increase upon a current $8.7 million total annual revenue budget so Special Olympics Washington can thrive, expand, and become more sustainable.

Opportunity

Special Olympics Washington is in a state of transition and needs a dynamic leader who can set the vision for the future, and who can focus, align, and further develop a strong team of employees and volunteers to grow the capacity and impact of the organization.

Currently Special Olympics Washington provides programming to 8,000 participants with intellectual disabilities, with the potential to serve more than 200,000 people with intellectual disabilities in Washington state. Securing financial support; creating and stewarding strategic partnerships; elevating regional programming; and the leading a diverse community is crucial for realizing this opportunity.

Key Responsibilities and Essential Functions

1. Leadership Provide direct leadership to a staff of 30+ (including key direct reports), serve as the primary liaison to the Board of Directors, steward key internal and external relationships, engage with and include the volunteer and athlete leaders, and promote a culture of collaboration, respect, and inclusion.
2. Fundraising and Resource Development: Serve as the primary fundraiser, fostering relationships with corporate partners, individual donors, foundations, and government entities. Ensure the organizations have a diversified fundraising strategy.
3. Financial Stewardship: Ensure financial stability by managing the annual budget and aligning resources with strategic priorities. Oversee financial controls and risk management processes.
4. Strategic Planning: Lead the organization in developing and executing a long-term strategic plan aligned with Special Olympics International’s global strategic plan.
5. Program Development: Oversee the design, execution, and growth of sports and non-sports programs, including partnerships with schools, community organizations, local leaders, and other key strategic partners.
6. External Relations and Advocacy: Serve as the chief brand ambassador and champion, advocating for and elevating the organization's mission and value with media, constituents, partners, and the broader community. Represent Special Olympics Washington at regional, national, and international levels.
7. Travel: This role requires regular travel, including nights, overnights, and weekends, based upon the organization’s events and needs. This role requires travel by automobile to communities throughout Washington state: applicant must maintain a valid driver’s license and auto insurance meeting state minimums. Additional travel is required to attend Regional, National and International meetings and conferences.

Desired Skills & Qualifications

• Experience: Minimum 10 years of senior leadership experience in a non-profit or for-profit organization. Experience working with people with intellectual disabilities or other underserved populations, or Special Olympics, a plus.
• Leadership and Culture: Record of success of building and leading high-performing teams and building a culture of empowerment and belonging.
• Vision and Strategy: A visionary leader with proven experience of setting a strategic direction and engaging staff, volunteers, and donors to achieve the mission.
• Communications: Authentic, dynamic, persuasive, and engaging communicator with people at all levels and from all walks of life.
• Fundraising Expertise: Demonstrated success in generating revenue from multiple sources (corporate, foundations, government, etc.) and building strong donor relationships.
• Financial Management: Solid financial acumen with experience overseeing budgets, risk management, and compliance with regulatory bodies.
• Relationship Building: Able to build authentic relationships and trust with participants and constituents with and without intellectual disabilities.
• Passion for Inclusion: A deep commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity, and access.
• Education: Bachelor's degree is required; an advanced degree in business, non-profit management, or a related field preferred.

Key Traits

• Resilience and Optimism: The ability to adapt to changing environments and inspire confidence among stakeholders.
• Strategic and Visionary Thinking: A strategic thinker who can anticipate and navigate challenges, fostering innovative solutions, without losing site of the core mission and what it takes to achieve it.
• Empathy and Integrity: A leader who operates with compassion, integrity, and a deep commitment to the athletes, families, and volunteers.
• Engaged and Participatory: A leader who will engage in frequent attendance of Special Olympics events throughout the state, key outreach to donors and influencers, and actively listen to the needs of the community.

Key Near-Term Priorities:

1. Serve as Special Olympics’ “chief fundraiser.” Activate existing and create new supporters and mission-centric alliances and partnerships while ensuring the existence and implementation of a resource development plan that enables annual operations, growth, and sustainability. Development and engagement will remain the top priority for the foreseeable future.
2. Refocus a multi-stakeholder organization on the core mission: Equip and empower staff, coaches and volunteers to not only serve existing athletes but also expand the reach and quality of local programs and programming, statewide.
3. Establish and maintain operational excellence: Through refreshed leadership, staff development and accountability, realign the operating budget, staffing, and organization’s structural model for increased impact and sustainable and quality growth.

Other Requirements/Information

Salary and Benefits:

• Full-time, exempted position
• Salary range: $170,000 - $200,000
• Employer supported medical, dental and vision coverage
• 403b plan with match
• Paid time off, sick leave and holidays
• Opportunities for professional development
• Cost of living and merit/performance-based compensation increases are available to all SOWA employees at the discretion of the organization

Supervision

Reports directly to the Chair of the Board and Board of Directors.

Location:

The company headquarters are currently located in Seattle, Washington and the President & CEO is expected to be based out of the headquarters location. However, given the community and relationship builder responsibilities of this position, the CEO is also expected to be working out in the community. Once established in the role, and with the consent of the board chair, the President & CEO may have the flexibility to occasionally work remotely.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, neurodiversity, age, parental status, socio-economic background, military service, or any other characteristic or status protected by applicable law.

If you are passionate about transforming lives through the power of sports and community, we encourage you to apply. Please apply by Oct 31, 2024.