Job Description

WHAT WE DO

We connect children and families to the joy and power of reading. Words Alive is a San Diego-based nonprofit organization founded on the belief that reading matters — not only for academic achievement, but for personal empowerment, confidence, and lifelong opportunity. Founded in 1999, our programs both inspire a love of reading and remove barriers to learning and achievement for students across the region.

For over 26 years, Words Alive has worked across generations and in partnership with schools, families, caregivers, volunteers, and community organizations to ensure that all children and families — especially those in historically underserved communities — have access to high-quality books, shared reading experiences, and literacy support. We focus on making reading both accessible and meaningful by combining evidence-based literacy practices with joyful, engaging experiences that build skills, curiosity, and confidence. We are a data-driven organization.

Our core programs include:

• Read Aloud Program
• Adolescent Book Group
• Family Literacy Program

LEADERSHIP & CULTURE

Our Executive Director reports to a 15-person Board of Directors. Under the leadership of current Chair Meredith Baratz, Words Alive has successfully navigated a pivotal period of organizational transformation and executive transition, with a board whose leadership style is rooted in strategic vision, inclusion, and care for community. Our board actively supports every area of the organization, including cross-team collaboration, program support, and fundraising. Our outgoing ED, Rachael Orose, will wrap up her outstanding term at the helm of Words Alive on December 31, and the board has identified an experienced interim ED to lead the organization until a permanent successor is identified. During her six-plus years at Words Alive, Rachael truly took the organization to new heights, successfully leading us through the pandemic, and enabling Words Alive to both scale and deepen our impact. She was also extremely focused on building a culture and work environment centered on inclusivity and transparency , where every team member is encouraged and empowered to be at their very best every day.

Today, the organization is the best it has ever been. We have diligently worked to strengthen our financial position since the pandemic, with a current operating reserve of over six months. Our programs are reaching more kids and families than ever before, thanks to our amazing base of 900+ volunteers — they are the heart of our organization and a testament to the power and impact of our work.

And thanks to a major real estate gift, Words Alive recently moved into a new building in the East Village of Downtown San Diego, and is completing final enhancements. Already, the facility has become a true community hub.

To learn more about Words Alive, please visit:

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• Salary: $125,000 – $150,000 DOE/Neg.
• Medical, dental, vision
• 401(k) retirement, with matching
• Group Life/AD&D
• Long-Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts (health, dependent, transit)
• Supplemental paid family leave

LOCATION

This is a hybrid position, 3 days per week in the office at a minimum. The Words Alive office is located at 770 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101, easily accessible by public transportation.

POSITION SUMMARY

This position represents an important step forward in expanding our capacity and deepening our impact in the literacy space. Managing a $1.3 million budget and a staff of 10 dedicated team members, the ED will play a leading role in shaping the future of our organization, creating and implementing strategic initiatives, and advancing programs that strengthen literacy, build communities, and change lives. This is a unique opportunity for a visionary leader to make a lasting difference with an organization known for its extraordinary impact, strong sense of place, and deep commitment to service.

As Executive Director, you will have the opportunity to set a powerful example of collaborative, innovative leadership. You will guide strategy, fundraising, operations, and community engagement, working closely with our Board of Directors, donors, partners, and volunteers to bring bold ideas to life. We are seeking a proven nonprofit leader who thrives on building relationships, fostering transparency and accountability, and turning vision into measurable outcomes.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

General Leadership & Strategy

• Provide strategic leadership by developing and implementing plans aligned with Words Alive’s mission, values, and long-term goals.
• Collaborate with the Board of Directors to create and execute strategic plans that navigate growth from established programs and scale other programs.
• Identify potential risks and opportunities related to the funding and staffing needs to ensure organizational sustainability and growth.
• Promote an organizational culture of transparency, collaboration, accountability, and servant leadership.
• Represent the organization with both “scrappy” nonprofit agility and polished executive presence in high-level community settings.

Fundraising & Development

• Lead fundraising efforts, including donor cultivation, grant writing, capital campaigns, and other initiatives to raise substantial public support.
• Grow and strengthen the individual giving program, with emphasis on donor retention and increased individual contributions.
• Develop a major gifts strategy and mentor development staff, including associates and grant-focused team members.
• Build partnerships with community members, local businesses, government agencies, and other stakeholders to strengthen philanthropic support.
• Identify and pursue new grant opportunities while ensuring strong application, reporting, and compliance practices.
• Raise funds to support program expansion, staff capacity, volunteer infrastructure, and technology upgrades.
• Explore earned revenue and social enterprise opportunities that align with mission and sustainability goals.

Programs & Operations

• Oversee the development, implementation, and evaluation of programs and operations that address community needs.
• Ensure compliance with all legal, regulatory, and reporting requirements, including tax filings, audits, and bi-annual reserve studies.
• Support program growth and expansion while maintaining staff ownership of implementation and expertise.
• Recruit, train, coach, and support staff and contractors with attention to professional growth and well-being.
• Lead volunteer strategy, including recruitment, virtual engagement, retention, and barrier reduction.
• Ensure strong volunteer operations (screening, paperwork, service-hour tracking, responsiveness standards).
• Use volunteers effectively as mission multipliers within programs.
• Partner with educators and community organizations to support underserved youth and families facing extraordinary life experiences.

Financial Management

• Oversee the financial health of the organization, including budgeting, financial reporting, and P&L responsibility.
• Ensure the successful completion of audits and sound financial controls.
• Align financial decisions with strategic priorities, program growth, and operational capacity.
• Build the case for investment in systems, infrastructure, and staffing that support long-term viability.

Board Governance

• Work closely with the Board on strategic direction, policy development, and governance best practices.
• Communicate clearly and consistently with the Board, including comfortably delivering difficult or unfavorable information.
• Support the Board development and effective use of the Board’s expertise and networks.
• Provide regular, transparent updates on organizational performance, risks, and financial status.

Communications & Public Engagement

• Serve as the primary spokesperson, representing the organization at community, social, and corporate events.
• Lead communications, marketing, and public relations efforts.
• Strengthen digital and online marketing, particularly to engage younger donors and volunteers.
• Tell compelling stories that elevate mission impact, volunteerism, and community change.
• Foster strong communication pathways and collaboration across public, private, nonprofit, and education sectors.

BACKGROUND PROFILE

• Senior nonprofit leadership experience, with a strong track record of organizational growth, staff development, and community impact.
• Proven fundraising leader, skilled in donor cultivation, direct asks, institutional and government funding, and grant writing using a community-centric approach.
• Collaborative leader who builds trust, inspires staff and volunteers, and fosters a strong, values-driven organizational culture.
• Deep commitment to the mission of Words Alive, with a genuine passion for literacy, reading, and supporting children and families through community-centered work.
• Visionary and growth-oriented, with the ability to identify opportunities to expand programs, partnerships, and geographic reach.
• Ethical, transparent, and accountable, able to lead through complexity and engage in hard conversations with clarity and care.
• Adaptive and resourceful problem solver, comfortable thinking quickly, navigating change, and balancing strategy with tactical execution.
• Strong operational and financial acumen, including budget oversight, facilities management, IT infrastructure, and strategic resource allocation.
• Program-savvy executive, able to understand, communicate, and elevate literacy program impact without micromanaging implementation.
• Effective Board and stakeholder partner, who communicates clearly, leverages board talent, and aligns governance with strategy and mission.
• Exceptional communicator and relationship builder, effective across diverse, multilingual, and multigenerational audiences.
• Community-connected leader, knowledgeable about education, children, and families, with the networks to strengthen partnerships and visibility.

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