Description
Good Shepherd Gracenter is Hiring Our Next Executive Director
Compassionate. Visionary. Strategic.
Good Shepherd Gracenter is a licensed drug and alcohol treatment center that provides the important next step in a woman’s recovery. Based in a quiet neighborhood in San Francisco, Gracenter offers women a safe place to find a pathway to hope and an opportunity to transform their lives. It is a unique program because it combines both transitional housing and recovery services to provide the integrated support to help them reach their goals.
When we celebrate and strengthen women in recovery, they in turn strengthen their families and strong families create safe and peaceful communities – something our world desperately needs. We believe that a woman’s recovery begins with grace.
“Doing the work of recovery takes time and effort. But if I never do the work, then I am never going to know. I know my future looks good. Gracenter showed me the way.”
-Rose, a Gracenter resident
The Opportunity
Good Shepherd Gracenter is a small but mighty organization with a tremendous positive impact for the Bay Area women in recovery. We served over 800 women since we were founded in 1989. Gracenter is part of the work of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd, who have a 200-year-old global mission of serving women. With support from Gracenter, women are pursuing education, finding jobs, building financial stability and creating lasting connections with one another to support their recovery. Due to these key components, our residents have a high rate of success. Many have gone on to become successful in their personal lives, in their families and in their careers.
The next Executive Director (E.D.) will build on our programmatic successes by sustaining the essentials while stewarding the next chapter of growth. Gracenter’s 2026 budget is just under $1 million, which is supported by the Good Shepherd Guild, generous individual donors, trusts and bequests, and grants. In addition, our fall gala has consistently raised 15% of our revenue each year. We are ready to grow—but we need the right person to help us do it wisely, sustainably, and in alignment with our values.
Individual Worth Mercy Reconciliation and Zeal
The Role
The Executive Director is responsible for the overall management of Gracenter, which includes: setting and leading the strategic direction with Board and staff; financial oversight; management of HR functions; fundraising; public relations and networking; oversight of programs, and board development. The E.D. provides leadership that upholds the values and mission of Gracenter, while ensuring the sustainability of the organization.
This is a mission-critical leadership role, reporting to the Board of Directors and supervising three professional staff: the Director of Programs, the Office Manager/Bookkeeper, and the Executive Assistant; as well as a Contract Grantwriter.
What You Will Accomplish
Fundraising and Resource Development (40%) - The E.D. will work in partnership with the Board, staff and the Good Shepherd Guild to maintain our current relationships and collaborations with our individual donors, local businesses, and charitable foundations, while developing new ways to increase our capacity and efficiency to meet the growing need for critical transitional services for women in recovery.
Organizational Leadership and Management (25%) - Lead, coordinate, and motivate the team, including nurturing the professional development and collegiality of staff. Ensure financial health, as well as full compliance with nonprofit business, legal, and HR policies and procedures.
Community Building & Marketing (25%) Serve as the voice of Gracenter—amplifying the needs of those we serve, building new relationships, and inspiring people to get involved. You’ll partner with donors, foundations, community organizations, and advocates to sustain and grow our work.
Board Partnership and Governance (10%) Support the work of the Board to set direction, provide transparency, and uphold organizational health and compliance.
Requirements
The Ideal Candidate
As Good Shepherd Gracenter’s Executive Director, you’ll lead with compassion, strong organizational skills, and strategic vision. Reporting to the Board and guiding an experienced team, you’ll ensure that women in recovery have the transitional support and guidance they need to create lasting change. You’ll shape our strategic direction, deepen partnerships, and ensure financial health while inspiring staff, donors, civic leaders, community partners, and advocates to provide long-term support for the center. With a track record in nonprofit leadership, fundraising, and team development, you’ll bring both head and heart to the role— balancing vision with hands-on execution to help Gracenter grow stronger.
Minimum Qualifications
Proven success with individual and institutional fundraising
Minimum of 5-7 years of progressive senior nonprofit leadership experience, including:
-Direct supervision of professional staff
-Budget oversight and organizational decision-making
-Operational leadership, HR, and compliance management
-Significant role in Board Partnership and Governance
-Oversight of programs for vulnerable populations Demonstrated team-building and leadership experience
Experience building and maintaining community partnerships
Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
Strong communication skills, including public speaking, writing, and storytelling
Knowledgeable, or demonstrated ability to quickly learn, about state and federal laws and regulations related to substance abuse programs
Desired Qualifications
Executive Director experience
LCSW certification
Program management experience in the field of substance use treatment
Possess, or working towards, drug and alcohol certification.
Familiarity with faith-supported organizations and programs
Experience working with programs that serve women-only
Knowledgeable about other nonprofit social service providers in the Bay area, particularly in San Francisco
Have a valid California driver’s license upon hire and have a vehicle
Qualities We Value
Strategic thinker who can keep their eye on the big picture
Receptive to Feedback and Learning
Supportive and passionate leader
Willingness to tackle complicated problems with flexibility, creativity and persistence
Collaborative people skills, including empathetic listening, honesty and transparency, clear communication and flexibility
Love for people and belief in their potential
The Details
This is a full-time, exempt, salaried position with a range of $125,000–$145,000, depending on experience. Good Shepherd Gracenter offers employer-subsidized health benefits including dental and vision, and a matching retirement contribution up to 5%. The role requires regular in-person presence on-site at the center, ideally 5 days a week, with occasional evening or weekend events. Benefits also include 10 days of vacation annually, and 12 paid holidays, including personal days.
Let Us Know You’re Interested
To apply, please send a single PDF that includes your resume and cover letter to: EDSearch@GSGracenter.org. In your letter, please describe how one of Gracenter’s core values (Individual Worth, Mercy, Reconciliation, or Zeal) has manifested in your work or life. We will be reviewing applications and conducting interviews on a rolling basis, with the goal of selecting our new Executive Director by June 30. Early applications are encouraged. Due to the anticipated volume of applicants, please do not contact us by phone or in person.
We Welcome You
Good Shepherd Gracenter is committed to building a team that reflects the diversity of our community. We welcome all applicants, including leaders who identify themselves as BIPOC, LGBTQIA+; have personal experiences of poverty, substance abuse, or homelessness; leaders with disabilities, and people of any faith. As a Good Shepherd agency, our hiring philosophy emphasizes that to be a “Good Shepherd” and/or “Mission-Oriented” it is not necessary to be either Catholic or Christian. Even if your experience doesn’t perfectly match every qualification, we encourage you to apply. You may be exactly who we’re looking for.