Request for Proposals

Interim Executive Director – Aurora Commons

About Us

Aurora Commons (AC) is a nonprofit community space at 8914 Aurora Avenue North in Seattle. AC is the only brick-and-mortar presence on Aurora Avenue that has programming designed specifically for victims and survivors of commercial sexual exploitation (CSE), while also serving unhoused neighbors with food, rest, clothing, hygiene, advocacy, and community.

Since our founding in 2011, Aurora Commons has grown into a trusted hub of radical hospitality — a place of dignity, safety, and connection for neighbors who are unhoused, commercially sexually exploited, or living with substance use and mental health challenges.

Context / Key Information

Aurora Commons has an annual budget of ~ $2M and a staff of 20 FTE plus volunteers. We are deeply engaged with City of Seattle and King County contracts, private foundation partners, and individual donors.

The Executive Director will be stepping down in the late fall of 2025, and AC seeks an Interim Executive Director to guide and sustain the organization during this transition. The Interim ED will provide stability for staff and Board, maintain external relationships, and ensure continuity of operations, compliance, and funding.

Timeframe

Anticipated start date of November 10th (negotiable). Role will continue until the permanent hire of a new Executive Director, with an anticipated duration of 6-12 months.
Part to Full Time (up to 30+ hours per week) contract role. Availability for occasional evening/early morning meetings with Board, funders, or partners. This is a hybrid work arrangement, with the majority of work to be completed on-site, with the option of 1 day/week remote. 

Scope of Work

Board & Governance

  • Serve as primary liaison to the Board; provide monthly Interim ED reports (finance, staffing, programs, risk).

  • Support Board governance practices, including agendas, committee support, and recruitment.

  • Capture critical institutional, systemic and cultural information from the existing Executive Director, as well as senior leadership, to aid in transition.

  • Offer fresh perspective to address organizational challenges, support transition planning, and help the board and organization plan for its next permanent leader. 

  • Bridge leadership gaps, serving as a calm presence leader during a time of transition. 

Finance, Contracts & Risk

  • Monitor budget and cash flow; review monthly financials with the Treasurer.

  • Ensure grant and contract compliance (City, County, foundations); oversee timely reports/invoices.

  • Maintain insurance, risk protocols, and audit readiness.

Fundraising & External Relations

  • Co-Lead near-term revenue efforts: grant calendar, contract renewals, donor touchpoints, and event prep.

  • Partner with Development and Board on donor stewardship and cultivation.

  • Represent AC as a primary spokesperson with funders, partners, and community.

Programs, Outcomes & Equity

  • Oversee program delivery with trauma-informed, harm-reduction practices aligned with AC’s mission.

  • Track and report key outcomes (e.g., advocacy touches, housing connections).

  • Promote equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive care across programs.

People & Culture

  • Supervise program leads; hold (at minimum) bi-weekly check-ins; maintain steady communication and support.

  • Oversee hiring approvals, goal-setting, performance feedback, and staff well-being.

Partnerships & Systems Leadership

  • Maintain relationships with the City of Seattle, King County, and neighborhood partners.

  • As needed, represent AC in coalitions and policy conversations affecting homelessness and commercial sexual exploitation.

Operations & Facilities

  • Ensure day-to-day operations run smoothly (facility, safety, emergency/winter planning).

  • Oversee data systems and dashboards for Board and funders.

Candidate Profile

  • 7–10+ years senior leadership in social services, homelessness, or related fields; experience managing organizations of similar size and complexity (20+ staff, $2M+ budgets); interim or transitional leadership experience a plus.

  • Proven ability to manage $1–3M budgets and government contracts.

  • Track record in fundraising and donor relations (grants, contracts, major gifts, events).

  • Proven people leader with experience supervising teams of 20+ staff, fostering trauma-informed, harm-reduction oriented workplace culture, and demonstrating a strong DEI lens.

  • Excellent communicator with public-facing experience (media, councils, funders, coalitions).

  • Adaptive, calm, and systems-oriented, able to step in quickly as a contracted interim leader.

Deliverables

  • Monthly ED Dashboard (finance snapshot, staffing, outcomes, fundraising pipeline).

  • Up-to-date grant/contract calendar with status and next actions.

  • Transition memo and artifact handoff at engagement end.

Skills 

Experience with organizational development, organizations in transition, and preparing an organization for strategic planning process 

  • Ability to identify areas of needed organizational improvement and help to prioritize needed changes 

  • Nonprofit business management experience, including: 

    • General non-profit business experience 

    • Experience managing people and change 

    • Budgeting experience 

    • Fundraising skills and experience 

  • Project management skills 

  • Experience and skills in open and transparent communication 

  • Experience with conflict resolution 

  • Skills in building relationships with and supporting staff 

  • Respect for staff time and energy 

  • Experience with collaborative leadership and democratic workplaces 

  • Ability to work with a participatory management approach, involving input from appropriate parties, that leads to organizational decisions that are supported by, and supportive of, staff 

  • Ability to keep projects and work moving while also integrating input from staff 

  • Experience working in a dispersed, remote workplace with diverse programs 

  • Knowledge of cooperatives and cooperative development 

  • Experience working on and/or developing business models 

  • Experience with advocacy and public relations 

  • Competency with Teams, Zoom, and conducting remote meetings

Submission Details

Please send resume and brief proposal (weekly cadence, hourly rate or retainer, availability, relevant interim placements) to:
Laurie Olson
Chair, Board of Directors, Aurora Commons
chair@auroracommons.org

The Board anticipates structuring this as a contractor relationship with an Interim Executive Director. Proposals for employment relationships will also be considered.