The client is seeking an experienced Interim Executive Director to provide steady leadership during a transition for a mission-driven nonprofit focused on harm reduction, health equity, advocacy, and community well-being across Arizona. This organization is founded by and for people who use drugs, and advances its mission through street-based outreach, organizational capacity building, statewide advocacy, and community partnerships. The Interim Executive Director will work closely with the Board of Directors and organizational leadership to maintain continuity, support staff, oversee organizational health, and sustain momentum across programs, fundraising, advocacy, operations, and external partnerships.
The Interim Executive Director will provide inclusive executive leadership during the interim period, partnering with the Board and leadership team on organizational strategy, decision-making, risk management, and key priorities. Responsibilities include leading, supporting, and mentoring staff while fostering a collaborative, equitable, and inclusive organizational culture; overseeing financial and operational management such as budgeting, cash flow, resource allocation, compliance, and organizational sustainability; and maintaining progress in fundraising, grants, contracts, and relationships with a range of funders. The role also includes overseeing programs and advocacy to ensure they remain responsive to community needs and grounded in harm reduction, while representing the organization externally and strengthening relationships with community partners, government stakeholders, policymakers, coalitions, and other key stakeholders.
Qualified candidates will have five or more years of senior nonprofit leadership experience, ideally in roles comparable to Executive Director, Interim Executive Director, CEO, COO, or other top leadership positions. They should have experience in harm reduction, public health, human services, human rights, social justice, or a related mission-driven environment, along with a demonstrated commitment to equity and anti-racism, including an understanding of how the War on Drugs has affected Black and other historically marginalized communities. The client seeks a collaborative, grounded leader with strong nonprofit financial management, budgeting, fundraising, operations, and sustainability experience, along with proven ability to work effectively with Boards, funders, community partners, and government agencies, and excellent communication, relationship-building, judgment, and decision-making skills.