Founded in 1955, St. Mary's is the largest and one of the most respected human services providers in the San Joaquin County area, dedicated to addressing the homelessness and poverty crisis through a comprehensive, client-centered approach. Through direct services and strategic partnerships, we offer an encompassing range of critical services including nutritional, shelter, medical, dental, hygiene, and mental health care, ensuring our clients are supported from intake and assessment through stabilization and movement into permanent supportive housing. As the city's key partner in addressing homelessness and state mandates, we operate 24/7 and served over 5,000 clients last year, many of whom are some of the most vulnerable members of the community.
This is an exciting time of tremendous growth at St. Mary's. In just two years, we've expanded from a $3M operating budget and 35 staff members to a $9M budget with a team of 115 by including the critical shelter services. And our growth continues: in early 2025 we will open two new interim housing facilities with the Pathways Project and the new Zeiter Center, positioning St. Mary's as San Joaquin County's first end-to-end provider of homeless services and supports. While we are primarily funded by public grants and contracts, we are actively working to again grow our philanthropic efforts from $1M to $2M within the next three years. With our trauma-informed approach and a focus on long-term solutions, we are committed to further growth to better serve our community. For additional information, please visit: https://smcares.org/
LEADERSHIP & CULTURE
Our team of 115 dedicated staff members, projected to grow to 190+ by Q1 of 2025, is united by a shared commitment to our mission and strong history in the community. Many of our staff members, which includes former clients, have firsthand experience with the challenges we aim to address, and they bring both passion and empathy to their roles. While we are not religiously affiliated, we honor our roots from our founder, Father Alan McCoy, who served as the pastor of Stockton's St. Mary's Church, and we are deeply committed to serving all people with dignity, respect, and compassion.
Despite the tremendous growth in our services-expanding to include emergency shelter, stable housing initiatives like the Pathways Project, and the Zeiter Center-St. Mary's has maintained its warm, family-like culture. Our nearly 70-year-old organization remains closely connected to its historical values and the community we serve. The heart of our success lies in our team, many of whom have been with us for decades. Our senior leadership team, with an average tenure of over 17 years, is highly experienced and committed to fostering innovation, while our programs team is equally seasoned and capable. Guided by a supportive and dedicated Board of Directors, the CEO will oversee this strong leadership team, including the Sr. Director of Programs, Sr. Director of Finance and Administration, and Sr. Director of Operations, ensuring that we continue to innovate while staying true to our mission.
LOCATION
This is an onsite position based at our campus located at 545 W Sonora St, Stockton, CA 95203.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) serves as the visionary leader and public face of the organization, driving St. Mary's mission to transform the lives of individuals experiencing homelessness. This role requires a dynamic leader who can attract community support, continue elevating the organization's profile, and build strong partnerships with donors, government agencies, and community stakeholders. The CEO will develop and implement strategic initiatives that enhance program effectiveness and expand the organization's reach, while ensuring financial sustainability through the management of diverse and complex revenue streams, including grants, donations, and billable services.
The CEO is also responsible for cultivating a high-performing organizational culture by attracting, retaining, and developing talent across all levels of the agency. Working closely with the Board of Directors, the CEO will shape policy, drive the organization's strategic vision, and ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations. As a passionate advocate for the homeless population, the CEO will inspire staff, volunteers, and the broader community to engage in the agency's mission, creating lasting impact through leadership, collaboration, and innovation.
Year 1 priorities for the role include:
Meet with stakeholders, including San Joaquin County and Stockton City officials, to establish augmented working relationships.
Conduct a thorough assessment of St. Mary's, including organizational structure, business operations, systems, internal controls, policies, and procedures; ensure our team has the training, skills, and resources to support current and ongoing growth.
Update and reassess the business plan to reflect the integration of new facilities and programs, coupled with a longer-term vision and strategy for sustainability and operational excellence.
Integrate additional capacity of the Zeiter Center and Pathways Programs (scheduled to begin delivering services in 2025, which will provide 400 emergency shelter beds and ancillary care) while maintaining the standard of care that the reputation of St. Mary's maintains in the community.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Lead organizational development by assessing programs and policies, and implementing a strategic, sustainable vision for the future.
Become well-informed about community and homelessness issues, expectations, and available resources.
Evaluate and improve the organization's management processes, including policies, controls, HR, and staff retention strategies.
Direct the hiring and evaluation of staff, promoting a culture of professional development and high performance within the organization.
Ensure the continued effective operation of the organization's comprehensive support services for homeless, disadvantaged, and vulnerable individuals.
Collaborate closely with the Board of Directors, providing guidance and insight to support effective governance, policy development, and long-term planning.
Cultivate strong relationships with community stakeholders and act as the chief spokesperson for the agency, enhancing its public image.
Secure, manage, and maintain diverse revenue sources and grants, ensuring proper documentation, billing, and reporting.
Lead the development and execution of fundraising strategies, including government, foundation, and corporate grants, to secure diverse revenue streams.
Collaborate with other nonprofit agencies and community groups to effectively address the needs of the homeless and disadvantaged populations.
BACKGROUND PROFILE
Progressive leadership experience at the C-Suite or senior management level, with a proven ability to build and lead high-performing teams.
Strong financial acumen with the ability to make sound decisions within budget constraints, including experience managing revenue streams and grants, while adhering to internal controls.
Experience in leading nonprofit or government organizations with 100+ employees, with an understanding of scaling and growth in the nonprofit sector.
Demonstrated success in fund development, including donor stewardship, grant applications, and special event management.
Visionary leadership style focused on strategic direction and growth.
Ability to inspire and foster commitment in others, with a passion for the organization's mission.
Experience with public and private grant processes, including application, billing, audits, and compliance.
Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build strong internal and external relationships.
Strong understanding of administrative principles, including program development, budgeting, and employee supervision.
Knowledge of social, political, and environmental issues that impact community program administration, particularly those related to homelessness.
Experience in developing a successful culture around donations and donor relations.