Description

Executive Director – Coalition for the Homeless (Louisville, KY)

The Coalition for the Homeless leads Louisville's community-wide efforts to prevent and end homelessness through collaboration, advocacy, planning, and systems leadership. As the lead agency for the Metro Louisville Continuum of Care, the Coalition convenes nonprofit organizations, government agencies, housing providers, healthcare systems, funders, businesses, and community partners to create coordinated, data-driven solutions that increase housing stability and improve outcomes for individuals and families experiencing homelessness.

The Coalition envisions a community where homelessness is rare, brief, and non-recurring. Through public policy leadership, strategic planning, community education, and collaborative partnerships, the organization works to strengthen the systems that connect people to safe, stable housing and supportive services.

Due to the planned retirement of our long-term Executive Director, the Coalition for the Homeless is seeking its next Executive Director.

The Executive Director provides visionary leadership, strategic direction, and operational oversight to advance the Coalition's mission to prevent and end homelessness through collaboration, advocacy, systems leadership, and community partnership. Reporting directly to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director is responsible for the overall leadership of the organization's programs, operations, finances, advocacy efforts, and human resources while ensuring long-term sustainability and organizational excellence.

Serving as the organization's chief ambassador, the Executive Director builds strong relationships with member agencies, public officials, funders, business leaders, philanthropic partners, and community stakeholders while providing executive leadership for the Metro Louisville Continuum of Care and advancing collaborative solutions that strengthen Louisville's homeless response system.

Essential Functions
Leadership and Strategic Direction

• Champion the mission, vision, and strategic priorities of the Coalition for the Homeless.P
• Provide visionary leadership that advances innovative, collaborative solutions to prevent and end homelessness.
• Lead organizational strategic planning in partnership with the Board of Directors and senior staff.
• Lead the senior leadership team in establishing organizational priorities, aligning resources, and advancing strategic initiatives.
• Convene and align nonprofit organizations, government agencies, healthcare systems, housing providers, philanthropy, businesses, and community leaders around shared strategies to prevent and end homelessness.
• Monitor emerging local, state, and national trends affecting homelessness, affordable housing, behavioral health, and public policy.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation, equity, and continuous improvement.
• Serve as the chief spokesperson and public representative of the Coalition.

Board Relations and Governance

• Partner with the Board of Directors to ensure strong governance, strategic leadership, and organizational effectiveness.
• Support board recruitment, orientation, education, engagement, and succession planning.
• Coordinate and attend Board and committee meetings while providing timely reports on organizational performance, finances, strategic initiatives, and emerging issues.
• Implement Board-approved policies and strategic priorities.
• Ensure compliance with organizational bylaws, governance policies, and applicable regulations.

Financial Management and Resource Development     

• Lead development and management of the annual operating budget.
• Ensure sound financial management, fiscal accountability, and long-term sustainability.
• Monitor organizational financial performance and budget variances.
• Maintain strong internal financial controls and safeguard organizational assets.
• Oversee grant administration, compliance, reporting, and stewardship.
• Partner with development staff to cultivate funders and identify new funding opportunities.

Programs, Operations, and Systems Leadership

• Provide executive oversight for all organizational programs, initiatives, and operations.
• Lead implementation of the Metro Louisville Continuum of Care while convening and coordinating with Metro Louisville's homeless and housing system, member agencies, and community partners.
• Collaborate with planning and evaluation staff to promote data-informed decision-making.
• Advance systems-change initiatives that improve housing stability and coordinated services.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with member agencies, housing providers, government partners, and service organizations.
• Ensure organizational systems and operations support excellence and accountability.

Advocacy, Public Policy, and Community Engagement

• Lead local and state advocacy efforts.
• Develop evidence-based public policy priorities.
• Partner with communications staff on media relations and public education.
• Develop relationships with elected officials and key stakeholders.
• Represent the Coalition in public forums and legislative meetings.
• Respond proactively to emerging community needs and policy developments.

People Leadership and Organizational Culture

• Recruit, supervise, mentor, support, and evaluate senior leadership staff.
• Promote a collaborative, inclusive, mission-driven culture.
• Support professional development and succession planning.
• Ensure effective performance management.
• Maintain current personnel policies.

Risk Management and Compliance

• Ensure compliance with laws, contracts, grants, and funding regulations.
• Oversee organizational risk management and internal controls.
• Review and update policies and procedures.
• Protect organizational assets through ethical stewardship.

Leadership competencies

• Visionary Leadership – Ability to articulate a compelling vision and align stakeholders around strategic goals.
• Strategic Thinking – Systems-level understanding of homelessness, housing policy, and community planning.
• Financial Acumen – Strong knowledge of nonprofit budgeting, financial oversight, and resource development.
• Collaborative Leadership – Skilled in building partnerships across diverse sectors and constituencies.
• Advocacy & Policy Expertise – Understanding of legislative processes and experience influencing public policy.
• Communication Excellence – Exceptional written, verbal, and public speaking skills.
• Emotional Intelligence – Demonstrated ability to lead with integrity, empathy, and cultural competence.
• Change Management – Ability to lead organizational and systems change in complex environments.
• Accountability & Results Orientation – Commitment to measurable outcomes and continuous improvement.

Requirements

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field, Master’s degree preferred.
• Seven (7) years of progressively responsible executive or senior leadership experience.
• Experience leading strategic planning and systems-change initiatives.
• Experience with Continuum of Care or HUD-funded initiatives.
• Knowledge of affordable housing, homelessness policy, and coordinated entry systems.
• Strong fiscal management, fundraising, and public policy advocacy experience.
• Experience supervising leadership teams.
• Excellent written, verbal, and public speaking skills.
• Valid driver's license and reliable, insured transportation.