Vice President of Operational Strategy

About Abode

Originating as a modest shelter-based organization nearly 38 years ago, Abode has expanded to become one of the Bay Area's largest and most influential housing and services providers. Our purpose is to eradicate homelessness by aiding low-income and unhoused individuals—including those with special needs—in securing stable, supportive housing. We advocate for eliminating the root causes of homelessness. As a Housing First agency, we prioritize connecting individuals swiftly to permanent housing by reducing or removing barriers and providing compassionate, non-judgmental services to ensure even the most vulnerable can access housing and support. Abode employs over 800 staff members and delivers services across eight Bay Area counties: Napa, Solano, Sonoma, Alameda, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz.

Role Overview

The Vice President of Operational Strategy is a senior strategic executive tasked with advancing Abode’s mission through fostering coordinated alignment among program divisions, administrative functions, data systems, compliance, finance, and organizational priorities. This role converts the strategic plan into unified action, guaranteeing that all programs and departments operate with shared objectives, defined priorities, and uniform performance metrics. The role involves identifying and supporting strategic growth opportunities including expansion to additional counties, new funding avenues, innovative service models, partnerships, and other initiatives aligned with our mission. Ideal candidates are systemic thinkers and collaborative strategists who can effectively bridge vision and execution while balancing mission commitment, financial sustainability, operational preparedness, compliance, and community impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive agency-wide strategic coordination across programmatic and administrative divisions such as compliance, data, finance, contracts, quality improvement, human resources, and communications.
• Translate organizational strategy into annual objectives, executive priorities, work plans, and decision-making frameworks.
• Develop and implement KPIs and OKRs integrated into dashboards and accountability systems.
• Collaborate with executives and directors to identify and overcome interdepartmental obstacles, fostering an efficient and cohesive organizational culture.
• Assess strategic expansion possibilities including geographic growth, funding opportunities, novel service approaches, partnerships, and other mission-aligned ventures.
• Conduct feasibility studies analyzing mission congruence, community needs, financial viability, partnership suitability, and risk factors.
• Assist in formulating go/no-go decisions for RFPs, county expansions, contract enlargement, pilots, and other strategic projects.
• Coordinate efforts among program, finance, development, compliance, data, and executive teams to optimize funding strategies and ensure operational support for new initiatives.
• Develop and maintain monitoring tools such as project plans, timelines, KPIs, risk logs, and executive reporting systems.
• Leverage data, program outcomes, financial reports, community trends, funder priorities, and operational input to drive evidence-based decisions.
• Support and manage partnerships with governmental agencies, healthcare entities, housing providers, peer organizations, coalitions, and other stakeholders.
• Prepare high-level briefings, board reports, opportunity analyses, strategy documents, presentations, and implementation guides.
• Ensure that growth initiatives align with mission, financial prudence, operational feasibility, and organizational values.
• Lead cross-functional meetings, planning sessions, and project teams to advance strategic initiatives from ideation through execution.
• Perform additional special assignments as required.

Compensation and Benefits

• Annual salary between $160,000 and $185,000, depending on experience.
• Flexible hybrid working arrangement with remote work supported; onsite presence as operationally necessary.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage for employees and agency contributions toward dependents' healthcare.
• 403(b) retirement plan featuring employer matching and contributions.
• 19 paid vacation days per year, increasing with service duration.
• 12 paid holidays annually.
• Paid leave for civic engagement.
• Opportunities for professional growth and collaboration with national leaders.
• Engagement within a motivated, mission-centered executive team focused on growth.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in public administration, business administration, public policy, social work, nonprofit management, urban planning, or a related discipline; master’s degree preferred.
• At least 8 to 10 years of progressively responsible leadership in nonprofit, public sector, housing, homelessness services, healthcare, social services, or government-funded program settings.
• Minimum of 5 years in senior management overseeing complex initiatives, cross-departmental projects, strategic planning, program development, or organizational growth.
• Proven experience in launching, expanding, or managing government-funded or community-based programs.
• Familiarity with collaboration among counties, cities, public agencies, philanthropy, healthcare systems, housing networks, or community stakeholders.
• Strong knowledge of nonprofit operational management, public funding mechanisms, performance monitoring, compliance, data systems, budgeting, and implementation.
• Ability to analyze intricate opportunities and create actionable recommendations balancing mission, risk, resources, finances, and capacity.
• Experience preparing executive communications, dashboards, reports, strategic memos, presentations, and board materials.
• Reliable transportation and willingness to travel within service regions as needed.
• Capability to meet background checks, health screenings, or funder-specific criteria pertinent to Abode’s programs.

Core Competencies

• Strategic thought leadership with aptitude to connect vision, measurable objectives, and day-to-day operations.
• Exceptional at fostering alignment among diverse teams, leadership levels, and external partners.
• Strong analytical capabilities with financial literacy to evaluate opportunities considering data, budgets, risks, community needs, and operational strength.
• Outstanding communication skills for preparing and delivering clear executive briefings, proposals, and implementation materials.
• High emotional intelligence, cultural sensitivity, discretion, and sound judgment.
• Effective multitasking, decision facilitation, momentum maintenance, and project execution skills.
• Collaborative and pragmatic leadership, focusing on growth, quality enhancement, and strategy implementation.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and aptitude for adopting new business systems and reporting tools.

Physical Requirements

• Effective interpersonal communication and the ability to read diverse documents.
• Manual dexterity for keyboard use and repetitive motions involving wrists, hands, and fingers.
• Ability to remain seated or standing for extended periods during desk or computer work.
• Availability for travel by car to various meetings and business activities within service areas.

Additional Information

This job description serves as a general guide and does not create a contract or employment guarantee. The organization reserves the right to modify the position as business needs dictate, with or without prior notice. Abode Services is an equal opportunity employer and maintains a drug-free workplace.