The Grief Center Serving Southwest Colorado (GCSC)
Executive Director Job Posting
April 2026
Position Overview: The Executive Director (ED) serves as the chief executive officer of The Grief Center Serving Southwest Colorado (GCSC), reporting to the Board of Directors. This role provides strategic, operational, financial, and relational leadership during a pivotal transition from founder-led leadership to long-term, sustainable organizational capacity. The ED will steward GCSC’s mission of providing compassionate, accessible grief support to individuals, families, and children, particularly in rural, tribal, and underserved communities, while strengthening internal systems, diversifying revenue, and preparing the organization for its next chapter of leadership.
Organizational Context: GCSC delivers grief support through strong community partnerships with schools, healthcare providers, tribal communities, and social service organizations across the Four Corners region. GCSC achieves its vision by adhering to four core values: Commitment, Communication, Collaboration, and Compassion. Therapists and facilitators use evidence based practices for both grief and trauma, based in a philosophical framework of honoring the lived experience of our clients. We believe that no one should have to grieve alone. The next Executive Director will build on trusted relationships while bringing steady leadership, strategic vision, and operational discipline to support growth, sustainability, and continuity of services.
Key ResponsibilitiesLeadership & Organizational Stewardship
Financial Sustainability & Fundraising
Board Partnership & Governance
Vision, Strategy & Change Management
Operations, Staffing & Infrastructure
Community Engagement & Partnerships
Core Leadership Qualities
Qualifications & ExperienceRequired Experience
Preferred Experience & Background
Clinical Credentials
Additional Desired Skills
Location & Work Environment: This position is based in Durango, Colorado, and requires regular travel throughout the Four Corners region (La Plata, Archuleta, Montezuma, San Juan counties) to visit partner organizations, schools, and tribal communities. The role includes occasional evening and weekend activities for community events and programs.
Compensation & Benefits
To Apply Please submit the following materials to [email protected]
Anticipated Start Date: mid-July to early August, 2026
The Grief Center Serving Southwest Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, including those with lived experience with grief and loss.
Executive Director Job Posting
April 2026
Position Overview: The Executive Director (ED) serves as the chief executive officer of The Grief Center Serving Southwest Colorado (GCSC), reporting to the Board of Directors. This role provides strategic, operational, financial, and relational leadership during a pivotal transition from founder-led leadership to long-term, sustainable organizational capacity. The ED will steward GCSC’s mission of providing compassionate, accessible grief support to individuals, families, and children, particularly in rural, tribal, and underserved communities, while strengthening internal systems, diversifying revenue, and preparing the organization for its next chapter of leadership.
Organizational Context: GCSC delivers grief support through strong community partnerships with schools, healthcare providers, tribal communities, and social service organizations across the Four Corners region. GCSC achieves its vision by adhering to four core values: Commitment, Communication, Collaboration, and Compassion. Therapists and facilitators use evidence based practices for both grief and trauma, based in a philosophical framework of honoring the lived experience of our clients. We believe that no one should have to grieve alone. The next Executive Director will build on trusted relationships while bringing steady leadership, strategic vision, and operational discipline to support growth, sustainability, and continuity of services.
Key ResponsibilitiesLeadership & Organizational Stewardship
- Lead GCSC through a founder transition with steadiness, empathy, and clarity, establishing personal leadership presence while honoring organizational legacy.
- Model mission-centered, values-driven leadership grounded in compassion, equity, and relational practice.
- Foster a healthy organizational culture that supports staff wellbeing, collaboration, accountability, and trust.
Financial Sustainability & Fundraising
- Serve as GCSC’s chief fundraiser, leading strategy for diversified revenue including grants, individual giving, partnerships, and events.
- Strengthen donor relationships through authentic engagement, storytelling, and community presence.
- Ensure fiscal health through sound budgeting, financial oversight, and transparent communication with the Board.
Board Partnership & Governance
- Cultivate a strong, transparent partnership with the Board of Directors based on trust, shared accountability, and open communication.
- Support the Board in fulfilling its governance responsibilities through timely reporting, strategic framing, and capacity-building.
- Partner with the Executive (or Governance) Committee on Board development, recruitment, and succession planning.
Vision, Strategy & Change Management
- Lead strategic planning and annual goal-setting processes that align mission, programs, staffing, and financial resources.
- Balance inclusive, collaborative decision-making with the ability to make timely, clear decisions when consensus is not achievable.
- Guide the organization through change with calm, stabilizing leadership while advancing a compelling long-term vision.
Operations, Staffing & Infrastructure
- Build, supervise, and retain a skilled and diverse staff team with appropriate infrastructure to support growth and geographic reach.
- Ensure administrative, financial, and operational systems are effective, compliant, and sustainable.
- Oversee HR operations.
- Craft policies and procedures as needed.
- Partner with the Program & Clinical Manager to ensure clear role delineation and strong coordination between clinical and administrative leadership.
Community Engagement & Partnerships
- Act as a visible, approachable ambassador for GCSC with community partners, families, donors, and stakeholders.
- Strengthen and formalize partnerships with schools, tribes, hospice, healthcare providers, and community organizations.
- Increase community awareness, education, and destigmatization of grief through outreach and public engagement.
Core Leadership Qualities
- Deep compassion and understanding of grief and mental health: Demonstrated empathy for bereaved individuals, families, and children, and understanding of grief’s long-term impacts.
- Collaborative, relational leadership: Values team input, builds trust, and leads through inclusion while maintaining decisiveness.
- Steady, emotionally grounded leadership: Ability to lead with equanimity and reassurance during transition and uncertainty.
- Commitment to equity and access: Dedication to serving underserved rural, tribal, and culturally diverse communities.
- Strong presence and engagement: Ability to be fully present with staff, families, and community members.
- Advocacy: Committed to fostering justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of our organization
Qualifications & ExperienceRequired Experience
- Minimum 5–7 years of nonprofit leadership experience in senior roles.
- Demonstrated success in organizational leadership, strategy, and operational management.
- Experience building or strengthening nonprofit infrastructure and sustainability.
- Strong grant-writing with demonstrated success of grant awards
- Fluent in Google Workspace platforms, Adobe, Quickbooks Online and CRM management systems, able to create and interface across these multiple platforms.
- Bachelor’s degree required.
Preferred Experience & Background
- Experience in grief support, mental health, counseling, or trauma-informed services.
- Lived and/or professional experience with grief and loss.
- Experience working with rural, tribal, and culturally diverse communities, including Spanish-speaking populations.
- Nonprofit fundraising and revenue diversification experience.
- Master’s degree in nonprofit management, social work, counseling, public health, or related field.
Clinical Credentials
- Clinical credentials in mental health or related fields are preferred but not required.
- Candidates must demonstrate understanding of grief-informed practice and the legal and ethical considerations of mental health service delivery.
- Clinical oversight will be supported by a Program & Clinical Manager role.
Additional Desired Skills
- Financial management and budgeting
- Staff supervision and human resources management
- Program development and evaluation
- Marketing, communications, and public representation
- Business and operational acumen
Location & Work Environment: This position is based in Durango, Colorado, and requires regular travel throughout the Four Corners region (La Plata, Archuleta, Montezuma, San Juan counties) to visit partner organizations, schools, and tribal communities. The role includes occasional evening and weekend activities for community events and programs.
Compensation & Benefits
- Salary range: $85,000 - $95,000, commensurate with experience.
- Benefits include: health insurance, retirement plan with employer contribution, professional development support, hybrid work environment, paid time off (PTO), and flexible scheduling.
To Apply Please submit the following materials to [email protected]
- Cover letter describing your interest in the position and relevant experience
- Current resume
- Three professional references
Anticipated Start Date: mid-July to early August, 2026
The Grief Center Serving Southwest Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, including those with lived experience with grief and loss.
