Senior Vice President of Programs

Scion Executive Search has been retained to identify the incoming Senior Vice President of Programs on behalf of our client, Akin, a nonprofit dedicated to helping children and families across Washington state strengthen and grow together. Akin accomplishes this mission by developing healthy children, create strong families, build engaged communities, and speak and advocate for children.

The right individual will be a visionary and adaptable leader, capable of guiding Akin through a changing landscape while ensuring its programs remain responsive, research-informed, and resilient. With a focus on community impact and organizational growth, they will help Akin fulfill its commitment to breaking systemic and multi-generational cycles of inequity by collaborating with children, families, and communities to transform population-wide health and well-being. This full-time, hybrid opportunity is located in Seattle, Washington.

ABOUT AKIN:

Akin exists to support and strengthen families in Washington state through a broad range of tailored child and caregiver services. From prenatal care to adulthood, and from prevention to intervention, its programs and services are built upon more than a century of experience in fostering nurturing environments and driving systemic improvements for families. Akin’s core values include 1) advocating for and alongside families, 2) cultivating relationships that foster belonging, 3) committing to their work and their communities, and 4) believing in audacious change and intentional transformation.

With compassion and care, Akin meets families where they are, providing immediate support while equipping them with tools for long-term success and growth. Time and time again, it has been seen that what benefits children and families ultimately strengthens communities. As the organization looks to the future, it remains steadfast in its commitment to keeping families together. To learn more, visit https://akinfamily.org/.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Senior Vice President of Programs (SVP of Programs) serves as Akin’s Chief Program Officer and second-in-command, providing strategic leadership, execution, and operational oversight of all direct service programs. As a key executive leader, this role ensures that Akin’s programs are high-impact, data-driven, financially sustainable, and aligned with the organization’s mission and strategic priorities.

Reporting directly to the CEO, the SVP of Programs is a key thought partner in shaping Akin’s direction, responsible for programmatic vision, service delivery excellence, and innovation, partnering with other executive team members to achieve organizational goals. This role ensures Akin remains a leader and model of excellence within the family well-being, behavioral health, early learning, and community support ecosystem through equitable, responsive, and results-driven programming.

The SVP of Programs builds and leads a high-performing team of program leaders, strengthens cross-sector partnerships, and represents Akin at state and national levels to advocate for policies that support family-serving programs. Additionally, this position fosters a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement while ensuring seamless integration across all direct service functions.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Essential Functions

Strategic Leadership and Program Vision:

• Oversees the development, execution, and ongoing enhancement of Akin’s direct service programs, ensuring they align with the organization’s mission, vision, and strategic priorities.
• Collaborates with the CEO and Board of Trustees to define the organization’s long-term programmatic direction and sustainability strategy.
• Sets and tracks key performance indicators (KPIs) to evaluate program effectiveness, impact, and operational efficiency.
• Integrates cultural awareness and lived experience perspectives into all program policies, practices, and service models.
• Ensures Akin’s programs remain adaptable to changing community needs, grounded in research, and financially sustainable.

Program Management and Service Delivery:

• Provides executive leadership and oversight to all Akin’s direct service programs, including:
• Behavioral Health: Ensuring culturally responsive, accessible, and evidence-based mental health services.
• Early Learning: Overseeing Head Start, Early Head Start, ECEAP, and early intervention services to maintain excellence in early childhood education.
• Family Support & Well-Being: Strengthening Family Resource Centers, child welfare navigation programs, and support for LGBTQ youth and underserved families.
• Leads efforts to integrate programs, creating seamless, wraparound services for children and families.
• Develops and manages program policies, quality assurance measures, and compliance protocols to ensure adherence to federal, state, and local regulations.
• Drives innovation and continuous improvement by utilizing data-driven decision-making and program evaluation.

Executive Management and Organizational Leadership:

• Serves as the primary liaison between the CEO and program leadership teams, ensuring programs are well-resourced, supported, and strategically aligned.
• Leads and mentors a high-performing team of Vice Presidents, Program Directors, and key program leadership staff.
• Collaborates closely with the Senior Vice President of Finance to align program delivery with financial sustainability and operational best practices. Partners with other members of the Executive team to achieve the organization’s strategic goals.
• Works with the CEO and Board Committees to provide insights on program impact, funding requirements, and emerging trends.
• Manages program-related crisis response planning and risk mitigation efforts to ensure service continuity and organizational resilience.

External Relations and Advocacy:

• In conjunction with the Public Policy team, represent Akin in local, state, and national policy discussions to advance public policy priorities related to family well-being, behavioral health, and early childhood education.
• Builds and strengthens strategic partnerships with government agencies, funders, community organizations, and advocacy groups to expand program reach and enhance effectiveness.
• Acts as an external thought leader and spokesperson for Akin’s direct service impact, promoting public awareness and fostering engagement.

Resource Development and Financial Management:

• Collaborates with the CEO and development team to secure funding through grants, public funding, philanthropic partnerships, and earned revenue models.
• Ensures efficient budget management and financial oversight across all program areas, aligning resource allocation with impact objectives.
• Works closely with finance leadership to identify and mitigate financial risks, ensuring long-term sustainability.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• 10 years of senior leadership experience in human services, behavioral health, early childhood education, social work, public health, or a related field.
• Advanced degree in nonprofit management, public administration, social work, education, or related field OR equivalent executive leadership experience in a mission-driven organization.
• Demonstrated success in developing and leading high-impact programs, achieving measurable outcomes, and effectively scaling services.
• Extensive experience in performance management, leveraging data-driven decision-making, and driving continuous quality improvement.
• Proven ability to lead diverse teams, cultivate a collaborative culture, and embed cultural awareness and lived experience perspectives.
• Strong expertise in building stakeholder relationships, advocating for policy change, and managing public relations and communications.
• Experience managing complex budgets, securing sustainable funding streams, and ensuring financial stewardship.
• Deep commitment to family well-being, early learning, behavioral health, and social justice.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

In addition to a competitive base salary of $230,000 to $260,000, Akin also provides a comprehensive benefits package which includes access to robust health, vision, and dental insurance; 401(k) with up to 3% employer contribution; Employee Assistance Plans (EAP); Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA); Health Savings Account (HSA); Voluntary Long-Term Care Plan; Voluntary Life & Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance; short-term disability insurance; Critical Illness, Hospital, and Accident Insurance; Financial Wellness & Identity Protection; Voluntary Long-Term Care; and 14 days of vacation accrued in the first year, 12 days of sick pay accrued per year, 2 Employee Appreciation days, as well as 14 observed paid annual holidays per year.

APPLICATIONS AND NOMINATIONS:

Akin has retained the services of Scion Executive Search, a national executive search firm specializing in nonprofit recruitment, to assist in conducting this important search. For immediate consideration, please apply with your resume and cover letter, formatted in Microsoft Word, via: https://scionexecutivesearch.com/job/12788.

Please address applications to:

Ex Hopson, Executive Search Principal

Scion Executive Search

(888) 487-8850 Extension 142

Review of applications, nominations, and expressions of interest will begin immediately and continue on a confidential basis until an appointment is made.