Chief Executive Officer
DENVER, CO
Full Time
Executive
Job Title: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Location: Denver, CO
Reports to: Board of Directors
Supervises: Chief Financial Officer, Director of Development, Director of Survivor Services, future Operations & HR Director and Facilities Manager
Exempt: Yes
Benefits: Medical – Kaiser Permanente, Dental, Vision, Long-Term Disability, Life Insurance, Retirement Plan; 90% of Health Insurance Premiums paid by employer
Salary: $140,000 - $160,000
About SafeHouse Denver
SafeHouse Denver is the only organization in the City and County of Denver that provides both emergency shelter and non-residential counseling and advocacy services exclusively to adult, child, and youth survivors of domestic violence. Founded in 1977, SafeHouse Denver is deeply rooted in a mission to support survivors in reclaiming their lives. With approximately 25 staff members and an annual budget exceeding $2 million, SafeHouse Denver is poised for continued growth and impact.
Position Summary
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) leads SafeHouse Denver in partnership with the Board of Directors, providing strategic vision, operational oversight, and public leadership. The CEO is responsible for ensuring the financial health, program quality, and organizational integrity of the agency. This role demands a leader who is mission-driven and business-minded, with the ability to make data-informed decisions, foster collaboration, support staff, and cultivate partnerships across the community.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Vision
Qualifications
Required:
Personal Attributes
We seek a leader who exemplifies:
Application Process
To apply, please submit:
Deadline: Friday, December 5, 2025
Anticipated start date: February 1, 2026
* Please note that all application materials will be screened using an AI-detection tool before review, so we ask that all materials be written entirely by the applicant.
Equal Opportunity Employer
SafeHouse Denver is committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, and veteran status.
Location: Denver, CO
Reports to: Board of Directors
Supervises: Chief Financial Officer, Director of Development, Director of Survivor Services, future Operations & HR Director and Facilities Manager
Exempt: Yes
Benefits: Medical – Kaiser Permanente, Dental, Vision, Long-Term Disability, Life Insurance, Retirement Plan; 90% of Health Insurance Premiums paid by employer
Salary: $140,000 - $160,000
SafeHouse Denver is the only organization in the City and County of Denver that provides both emergency shelter and non-residential counseling and advocacy services exclusively to adult, child, and youth survivors of domestic violence. Founded in 1977, SafeHouse Denver is deeply rooted in a mission to support survivors in reclaiming their lives. With approximately 25 staff members and an annual budget exceeding $2 million, SafeHouse Denver is poised for continued growth and impact.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) leads SafeHouse Denver in partnership with the Board of Directors, providing strategic vision, operational oversight, and public leadership. The CEO is responsible for ensuring the financial health, program quality, and organizational integrity of the agency. This role demands a leader who is mission-driven and business-minded, with the ability to make data-informed decisions, foster collaboration, support staff, and cultivate partnerships across the community.
Strategic Leadership & Vision
- Lead development and execution of SafeHouse Denver’s strategic plan, in collaboration with the Board of Directors.
- Communicate a compelling, survivor-centered vision that inspires staff, partners, donors, and stakeholders.
- Monitor local, state, and federal trends in domestic violence advocacy, policy, and funding. Identify strategic opportunities and risks.
- Oversee day-to-day operations and ensure alignment of programs with the mission and strategic priorities.
- Work with Chief Financial Officer to establish and manage the ~$2M annual budget; ensure financial integrity, accountability and effective financial controls; oversee financial operations including financial and grant reporting and cash flow.
- Ensure compliance with legal, ethical, financial and regulatory requirements, including risk management, confidentiality, data protection, and shelter safety.
- Hire, mentor, and collaborate with key leadership (CFO, Director of Development, Director of Survivor Services, Facilities Manager, and future Operations & HR Director).
- Partner with the Director of Development to design and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy (major gifts, government contracts, foundations, corporate, individual donors).
- Serve as a principal steward for major donors, foundations, government funders, and corporate partners.
- Cultivate new funding relationships and deepen existing ones.
- Serve as the primary liaison to the Board of Directors: provide timely, transparent, and relevant information to support governance and decision-making.
- Collaborate with the Board in governance, policy development, and board recruitment.
- Lead or support Board evaluation and development processes.
- Oversee program strategy in partnership with the Director of Survivor Services and other program leaders to ensure high-quality, trauma-informed services.
- Implement performance measurement frameworks (KPIs) to assess program effectiveness, client outcomes, and organizational health.
- Serve as the public face of SafeHouse Denver: deliver public speaking, media appearances, and advocacy to promote SafeHouse Denver’s mission.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with community partners, policymakers, peer organizations, and funders.
- Advocate for survivors and systems change in domestic violence policy, prevention, and response.
- Promote a culture of trust, collaboration, inclusion, and accountability.
- Lead inclusive hiring and retention practices, ensuring diverse representation at all levels of the organization.
- Support staff development, emotional well-being, and professional growth.
Required:
- Minimum of 5–7 years of senior leadership experience in a nonprofit organization, preferably in social services, domestic violence advocacy, shelters, or related fields.
- Proven experience managing a $1M+ budget, financial oversight, and operations.
- Demonstrated success in fundraising across multiple revenue streams (government, private, foundation, individual).
- Strong knowledge of domestic violence issues, trauma-informed care, and community-based services.
- Excellent communication skills for internal and external communication.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively with a board of directors.
- Proven track record of inclusive hiring, developing diverse teams, and fostering equitable workplace cultures.
- Transformational leader with proven experience in change management processes and implementation.
- Advanced degree (e.g., Master’s in Nonprofit Management, Social Work, Public Administration, Business Administration, or related field).
- Prior experience leading a DV agency or direct service nonprofit.
- Experience in advocacy, policy, or coalition building.
- Proficiency in performance metrics, data-driven decision-making, and program evaluation.
We seek a leader who exemplifies:
- Integrity: A strong ethical compass, transparency, and accountability in all aspects of leadership.
- Emotional Intelligence: High levels of self-awareness, empathy, adaptability, and conflict management to build trust across staff, board, and community.
- Data-Informed Decision-Making: Ability to use metrics, financials, and program data to guide strategy, set benchmarks, and make collaborative decisions.
- Collaborative Leadership: A team-oriented approach that values input from staff, survivors, board, and community partners.
- Inclusive Leadership: A commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, demonstrated through hiring practices, team building, and community engagement.
- Resilience & Humility: Capacity to lead in a demanding field; willingness to self-reflect, learn, and grow.
- Strategic Judgment: Strong, mission-aligned decision-making skills, balancing risk, innovation, and sustainability.
To apply, please submit:
- A cover letter explaining your interest in SafeHouse Denver, how your experience aligns with this role, and your approach to inclusive leadership.
- A resume / CV.
- Optional: A brief leadership reflection (1–2 pages) that describes a challenging decision you made, how you involved others, how you used data, and what you learned.
Deadline: Friday, December 5, 2025
Anticipated start date: February 1, 2026
* Please note that all application materials will be screened using an AI-detection tool before review, so we ask that all materials be written entirely by the applicant.
SafeHouse Denver is committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, and veteran status.
Apply for this position
Required*