Description
Position Title : Chief Executive Officer
Location : MFS Civic office
Reports To : Chairperson of the MFS Board of Directors
Dept / Program : Administration FTE : 1.00 (40 hours / week)
Status : Exempt
Created : July 2025 Job Number : CEO0725
MFS Core Values & Organizational Culture
At Metropolitan Family Service (MFS), our commitment to equity and social justice is the foundation of all we do. We honor the lived experiences and strengths of the diverse communities we serve, and we embed Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) into every aspect of our programs, partnerships, and operations.
We believe :
- Every person brings wisdom, capacity, and value.
- Culturally responsive and community-centered practices are essential to advancing racial, social, economic, and climate justice.
- Collaboration—with program participants, peer organizations, funders, and volunteers—is the key to lasting impact.
- Continuous learning strengthens our ability to serve with integrity, respect, and innovation.
- Strong relationships and creative problem-solving build effective, prevention-focused services that empower individuals and families at every stage of life.
We are committed to culturally responsive practice, transparent leadership, and sustained community collaboration. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, MFS operates with integrity in all aspects of program delivery, resource development, and financial stewardship.
CEO Role Summary
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MFS is a strategic, collaborative, and visionary leader who drives the mission of the organization : helping people overcome barriers of poverty, inequity, and social isolation. In partnership with the Board of Directors, the CEO ensures that the agency fulfills its mission with excellence, equity, and efficiency.
Key leadership responsibilities include :
Mission Leadership : Embedding MFS’s core values into strategic planning, program delivery, and community advocacy.Organizational Management : Overseeing all agency operations, supervising the Executive Team, and ensuring compliance with nonprofit regulations.Strategic Growth : Guiding long-term planning, organizational development, and innovation in response to community needs.Community & Donor Relations : Driving an aggressive and comprehensive resource development strategy as chief fundraiser. Representing MFS to external audiences, building strong partnerships, and securing increased and diversified funding.Culture Building : Fostering a workplace rooted in equity, inclusion, collaboration, and continuous improvement.The CEO honors MFS’s 75-year legacy as a trusted human services leader in Oregon, while advancing bold, future-focused strategies that uplift families and strengthen communities.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities :
Community Relations and Advocacy
The CEO serves as the primary ambassador of MFS, representing the organization across diverse platforms and audiences. They build strong relationships with government, private, and community partners to increase visibility, revenue, and collaborative impact. This includes :
Representing MFS on public boards and coalitionsAdvancing advocacy efforts that elevate participant voice and community needsPursuing partnerships that enhance program reach, quality, and effectivenessFundraising and External Engagement
MFS is at a critical inflection point with loss of government funding that has dramatically accelerated. The CEO drives a comprehensive resource development strategy, in collaboration with the board and development team, to lead the organization through this transition and toward long-term sustainability. This includes :
Serving as the organization’s chief fundraiser, taking an active, outward-facing role in cultivating and stewarding relationships with major donors, institutional funders, foundations, and corporate partners.Driving a significant expansion of fundraising capacity, cultivating and stewarding relationships with a focus on securing diversified revenue through grants, multi-year donor commitments, high-impact campaigns, corporate partnerships, and signature fundraising events.Positioning the organization competitively for major funding opportunities —including government RFPs, foundation initiatives, and corporate partnerships—through compelling storytelling and strategic relationship-building.Building a strong culture of philanthropy across the organization, engaging staff, Board, and stakeholders in understanding and supporting resource development.Strategic Communications
In partnership with leadership, the CEO builds a clear and transparent communications strategy. They :
Ensure consistent messaging that reflects MFS values and prioritiesEngage staff and volunteers in open, two-way communication and actively seeks feedbackPromote culturally responsive, equity-informed narratives across platformsServe as a compelling public speaker to internal and external audiencesFoster transparent communication that breaks down silos to ensure seamless collaboration and information sharingStrategic Vision and Impact - As the organization’s visionary leader, the CEO drives long-term impact by :
Co-leading strategic planning processes with leadership and BoardTranslating goals into measurable outcomes that respond to community needs and embedding strategic goals into daily operationsChampioning innovation and culturally responsive service modelsEnsuring sound fiscal management, diversified funding, and organizational compliance to sustain MFS's long-term impactInclusive Culture and Staff Leadership
The CEO fosters a collaborative, inclusive, and equitable workplace, where all employees feel respected and supported. This includes :
Supervising the Executive Team and ensuring quality leadership and accountability at all levelsPromoting professional development and equitable advancement opportunitiesUpholding MFS’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) and ensuring policies and practices that reflect these values in actionBoard Relations and Governance
Working closely with the Board of Directors, the CEO :
Develops a strategic and engaged Board through recruitment and strong governance practicesCommunicates the agency’s needs and priorities through clear reports and dialogueCollaborates with the Board to evaluate and revise the organization’s policiesFinancial and Operational Management
The CEO ensures sound financial stewardship by :
Overseeing the development of accurate, timely budgets, forecasts, and reporting for financial healthEnsuring a diversified and sustainable funding baseLeading risk and crisis management efforts and maintaining strong systems of accountability and oversightEnsuring compliance with all relevant regulations and legal requirementsCore Leadership Competencies
The ideal candidate is a dynamic, people-centered leader with the ability to :
Engage Others : Meaningfully involve diverse stakeholders in planning, decision making, and change processes.Foster Inclusion : Cultivate a welcoming, inclusive culture and apply power-sharing practices that reflect equity and organizational values.Drive Vision and Innovation : Think creatively, act as a thought leader, and lead teams through change with clarity and optimism.Communicate Effectively : Speak persuasively in public settings, facilitate difficult conversations, and navigate conflict constructively.Fundraise : Take an outward facing role leading comprehensive organizational fundraising efforts towards increased, sustainable, and diversified revenue streams.Build Strong Relationships : Develop and maintain collaborative partnerships internally and externally.Lead Organizationally : Understand nonprofit management, lead organizational development, and oversee financial and strategic operations.Advocate : Promote prevention-focused social service approaches.Operate with Agility : Stay poised under pressure, manage crises with urgency, and embrace evolving technologies.Empower Others : Recognize individual strengths, develop talent, and foster a culture of continuous learning.Other Responsibilities
Complies with Metropolitan Family Service policies and procedures as outlined in the Employee HandbookFulfills other duties as assigned by the Chair of the Board of DirectorsEducation and Experience Required :
MA, MS, or MSW in Social Services, Public Health, Management, or related field.Ten years of relevant, paid experience as a director or manager of a nonprofit organization. Equivalent experience will be given full consideration.Demonstrated experience leading resource development efforts including fundraising, donor cultivation, and institutional fundingKnowledge of human services, community-based practice, and culturally responsive program deliveryComfort with technology, including Google Suite, Word, and ExcelEssential Knowledge and Skills
Strong written and verbal communication across audiences and culturesExcellent strategic planning, time management, and organizational skills with a focus on outcomesFinancial oversight and budgeting experience with budgets over $5MStrong supervising, coaching, and performance evaluation skillsExperience working effectively in diverse, multicultural environmentsPreferred Qualifications
Experience working effectively with a Board of DirectorsFamiliarity with public sector funding, RFP processes, and government complianceExperience leading strategic communications and change management effortsDeep nonprofit sector knowledge including structure, policy, and legal complianceAbility to work effectively with technology, including Google Suite, Word, and ExcelPhysical capability to perform routine office tasksOther Requirements :
Access to reliable transportation for local travel. If driving a personal vehicle must maintain a valid driver license for the state of residency, personal auto liability insurance coverage and a driving record permitting coverage under the agency auto liability policy.
MFS requires all employees and volunteers to complete a criminal background check. We carefully review the results of background checks and consider circumstances for issues that arise in a background check during the hiring process.
Work Environment :
Hybrid with regular on-site presence is expected with some early morning, evening or weekend obligations. Position requires ability to sit for extended periods as well as stand occasionally. Position requires use of computer, telephone, copier, use of Google Suite products and may require accessing locations by use of stairs.
Metropolitan Family Service position descriptions are guidelines. They are not intended to identify every task that an employee will be asked to complete. They are intended as a general outline of the essential work responsibilities and qualifications of the position.
Metropolitan Family Service is committed to building a diverse workforce. We strongly encourage candidates from communities of color, disability, LGBTQIA2S+ linguistically diverse populations, older adults and military veterans to consider application to our positions. MFS is an