Home/Life Services

Background: Home Life Services, Inc. (HLS) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing the needs of homeless families, ensuring that they receive the support, shelter, resources, and opportunities needed for independent living. Founded in 1995 and headquartered in Brooklyn, HLS works in partnership with the New York City Department of Homeless Services, its primary funder, to provide transitional housing, support services and targeted programming for thousands of families with children and adult families via its network of 17 shelters located throughout New York City.

The two founders of the organization, who led HLS from 1995 until 2024, helped create an atmosphere of support and caring, both for the people they serve and for the staff. When the founders transitioned out, the Board engaged an interim CEO who worked closely with the Board and staff to build a leadership and management structure that will allow for appropriate growth while maintaining the warm and supportive culture. As that structural work is largely completed, the Board is now ready to hire its next Chief Executive Officer.

Position: The Board of Directors of Home/Life Services, Inc. (HLS) is seeking a dynamic and entrepreneurial leader to be its next Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Building on HLS’ outstanding reputation and working closely with the Board and staff, the new CEO will have a unique and exciting opportunity to create a shared vision and new long-term strategic plan for the organization in order to help diversify its programmatic work and most importantly, its funding streams. HLS has long been viewed as an excellent provider of safe and secure shelter and it has been rewarded over the years with the ability to grow the number of its locations. Even so, the needs of the people HLS serves have changed and there is a demand for more services than the restrictive government funding will allow. The new CEO must therefore be able to create a fundraising structure that will allow HLS to meet the needs of the families long into the future.

The ideal candidate will be a seasoned manager, with deep knowledge of the issues surrounding homelessness, supportive and affordable housing, social services, and mental and behavioral health. They must be knowledgeable about the government organizations that fund HLS’ work, and ready to sit at the table to address policy issues that affect the communities of the unhoused.

Excellent interpersonal, communication and negotiation skills are critical. The CEO must be comfortable and tactful in communicating with the individuals who benefit from HLS’ work as well as with corporate executives, local business leaders, elected officials, public agency administrators, members of the media, and community stakeholders.

They must be able to work closely with the Board and staff in a transparent, honest fashion that promotes inclusiveness, cooperation, and teamwork. They must be committed to the principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, and justice. In addition, they will be bright, diplomatic, analytical, creative, of the highest integrity, and possess sound judgment as well as a sense of humor, humility, and compassion.

Responsibilities

• Organizational Leadership & Strategy
• provide overall leadership and strategic direction for the organization, ensuring that programs, operations, and resources are aligned with the mission and organizational goals;
• partner with the Board of Directors to develop, refine, and implement strategic priorities, annual goals, and organizational plans;
• serve as the organization’s chief steward of mission, values, and culture, fostering collaborative, mission-driven, and high-performing teams; and
• ensures that key policy deliberations and program implementation decisions are equitable.

• External Relations & Representation
• serve as the primary public spokesperson, ambassador, and relationship builder for the organization, representing it effectively to government agencies, community leaders, supporters, media, and the general public;
• build and maintain strong relationships with partner agencies advocating for the organization’s mission and policy priorities; and
• work closely with the Board of Directors in developing a strategy to broaden and strengthen the organization’s revenue streams for long-term growth.

• Revenue Diversification and Generation
• provide overall leadership, strategic direction, and staffing plan for establishing the organization’s first fundraising and revenue diversification initiative.

• Financial Management
• oversee the work of the Chief Financial Officer
• responsible for the development and management of the organization’s annual budget;
• ensure financial sustainability, transparency, and strong fiscal controls; and
• monitor financial performance and work with the Chief Financial Officer, other leaders, and the Board to address risks, opportunities, and long-term financial planning.

• Legal and Compliance
• oversee the work of the General Counsel
• regularly assess, monitor, and mitigate organizational risk and reputation;
• ensure compliance with applicable financial, legal, and regulatory requirements and reporting; and
• ensure compliance with contractual obligations, including all funding contracts from the City of New York.

• Operational Management
• oversee the work of the Chief Operating Officer
• lead, manage, and support all teams across the organization, providing clear direction, accountability, and professional development;
• oversee day-to-day operations, ensuring effective systems, policies, and processes are in place to support programs and administration; and
• foster a positive, inclusive, and mission-aligned workplace culture that values collaboration, learning, and stewardship.

• Board Partnership & Governance
• serve as the primary liaison to the Board, supporting effective governance and informed decision-making;
• provide the Board with timely, accurate, and strategic information regarding organizational performance, risks, opportunities, and challenges; and
• support Board engagement in fundraising, advocacy, and ambassadorship, as appropriate.
• develop a strategic planning process that will advance the organization’s mission and promote revenue, efficiency, and growth. Ensure that the goals established in the annual and long-range strategic plans are accomplished.
• promote the organization by serving as the chief spokesperson for HLS as well as building and maintaining essential community and governmental relationships and inter-organizational alliances and coalitions.
• work in collaboration with the Board Chair and the Chair of the Governance and Nominating Committee to identify and recruit new Board members who will add diversity to the Board and whose skills, interests and financial commitment will help further HLS’ mission.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Leadership & Experience
• Deep alignment with the organization’s mission and values.
• Minimum of fifteen years’ senior level experience in the nonprofit sector and/or equivalent business experience, with at least 10 years in a senior management position.
• Senior leadership experience in complex organization, with responsibility for organizational performance, including as CEO and/or Executive Director.
• Senior leadership and management experience in a nonprofit, mission-driven organization strongly preferred.
• Experience working with New York City government agencies preferred.
• Experience working and living in New York City, and knowledge of its communities, culture and history preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to operate effectively and manage change as a hands-on leader, balancing strategic leadership with day-to-day operational involvement.
• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or equivalent professional experience preferred.
• Collaborative, relationship-oriented leadership style, with high integrity and emotional intelligence.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to build trust across a wide range of stakeholders.

• External Engagement & Advocacy
• Ability to represent HLS effectively and enthusiastically, including in engagement with government agencies, community leaders, supporters, media, and general public.
• Ability to communicate clearly and compellingly to diverse audiences.
• Comfort and credibility engaging in advocacy, relationship-building, and coalition work in politically and socially complex environments.
• Ability to serve as key fundraiser and to develop and implement a fundraising strategy.

• Fundraising & Financial Acumen
• Strong financial acumen, including experience overseeing budgets, financial reporting, and fiscal controls in partnership with Chief Financial Officer and Board.
• Ability to assess financial risks and opportunities and to ensure long-term organizational sustainability.
• History of success in identifying and securing funding/revenue sources; demonstrated ability to attract and sustain philanthropic funding.

• Strategic & Organizational Skills
• Strong strategic thinking skills, with the ability to translate mission and strategy into actionable plans and measurable outcomes.
• Experience building, strengthening, or improving organizational systems, policies, and processes.
• Sound judgment and decision-making skills, with the ability to navigate ambiguity and competing priorities.

• Board & Governance Experience
• Experience working effectively with a board of directors, including supporting governance, strategic planning development, and board engagement.
• Ability to partner with board members in fundraising, advocacy, and organizational ambassadorship.

• Other requirements
• Experience in strategic planning and execution; knowledge of contracting, negotiation and change management.
• Must be able to motivate teams and simultaneously manage several projects.
• Knowledge of communications and public relations principles and practices.
• Professional oral and written communication skills, including experience speaking publicly in diverse forums.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively with a wide variety of people and organizations, including senior level corporate, philanthropic, public-sector representatives and community leaders; ability to inspire trust and to motivate staff and partners.
• Must be able to communicate and interact with officials at all levels of government and work effectively with a wide range of stakeholders in culturally and ethnically diverse communities.
• Experience working with the NYC Department of Homeless Services and/or related agencies preferred.
• Demonstrated record of accomplishment in providing leadership for the development of strategic vision.
• Ability to establish priorities that align with a strategic plan and manage multiple agendas and programs effectively.
• Fluency using and understanding data to inform decision making.
• Entrepreneurial spirit; ability to seek out creative approaches to community issues.
• Experience building and facilitating relationships within and among various sectors.

Home Life Services is based in Brooklyn, New York and offers a competitive salary and benefits package. Salary is expected to be in the $400K to $450K range.
All positions at Home/Life Services, Inc. are filled without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, HIV/AIDS status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. All are encouraged to apply.