Comprehensive Position Profile

Cooper House - Executive Director

Reports to the BOD

Annual Budget: $3.9M

Total Staff: 27

Annual Salary: $190,000 - $220,000

Cooper House changes young children's lives and the trajectory of the entire family.  Founded in 2010, Cooper House is a Seattle-based organization focused on early childhood development, infant and early childhood mental health (IECMH), and family support.  In additon to direct transdiciplnary clinical services, Cooper House strengthens the broader early childhood workforce through a professional development program.  

Mission:

Cooper House supports the social emotional development of young children and increases family well-being by partnering with caregivers to strengthen early relationships and by building the skills and effectiveness of the Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) workforce. 

Cooper House works hard to create an environment where:

•       Babies and young children feel valued and understood

•       Parents feel successful and supported

•       Parents and children build a relationship fueled by trust, enjoyment and mutual understanding.

•       Professional colleagues experience support in their own skills and capacities as they work to help young children and families

 Executive Director Opportunity:

This is an extraordinary opportunity to guide one of the region’s leading integrated infant and early childhood mental health organizations through a landmark transition to nonprofit status.  As the Executive Director, you will help shape the future of Cooper House at a moment of significant possibility – building the infrastructure, funding, and visibility that will expand this life-changing care to more children and their families.  

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will oversee organizational leadership, operations, fundraising, external relations, and strategic planning while ensuring that Cooper House’s mission, culture, and clinical integrity remain at the center of all decisions.  The Executive Director must be able to understand the big picture while translating strategy into clear priorities, measurable goals, and sustainable systems that support staff and clients. 

Cooper House seeks a relational, strategic, and mission-driven leader who believes that the earliest years of life shape a person’s future.  The next Executive Director will serve as both steward and change agent, honoring a deeply human, clinically excellent model of care while helping advance its reach and impact.  This is a rare opportunity to lead an organization with a strong reputation, dedicated staff, and a clear sense of purpose into its next chapter, while centering diversity-informed practice in all aspects of the organization’s work. 

The ideal candidate will bring a commitment to relationship-centered leadership, an appreciation for the transformative power of early intervention, and the ability to inspire others around a shared vision for children and families.  They will be both relational and decisive; someone who listens deeply, builds trust intentionally, communicates clearly, and can confidently guide the organization through complexity and change. They will serve as a compelling ambassador for Cooper House, translating its highly specialized clinical model into a clear and inspiring vision for funders, advocates, community partners, and families alike.  Through thoughtful leadership and partnership, the Executive Director will help ensure that Cooper House continues to thrive as a trusted, innovative resource for the community while strengthening its capacity to meet the growing need for infant and early childhood mental health services.

Leadership Attibutes:

The successful candidate will bring a compelling combination of all or some of the following attributes:

• Demonstrated success leading organizational growth, transition, or transformation within nonprofit or mission-driven environment. 
•  A deep alignment with Cooper House’s mission and a belief in the transformative power of relationship-based care for very young children and their families.
• A collaborative and emotionally intelligent leadership style grounded in humility, trust-building, and transparency. 
• Strong strategic planning, operational, and financial management skills.
• Proven fundraising and external relationship-building experience. 
• Experience leading through change with steadiness, clarity, and compassion.
• A commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and culturally responsive practice. 
• Exceptional communication skills with the ability to translate complex ideas into clear and actionable direction. Effective public speaker - able to be the face and voice of the organization.
• A reflective stance and genuine curiosity about learning from staff, families, and community partners.
• The ability to balance mission, people, and business realities while making thoughtful, timely, and informed decisions. 
• Experience supporting high-performing teams and cultivating a healthy organizational culture.
• Comfort navigating complexity, ambiguity, and evolving organizational needs. 

This is a full-time salaried position with a salary range of $190,000 - $220,000, annually, DOE, requiring a willingness to work some evenings and weekends with occasional travel. This role requires frequent and regular in-person presence with staff, donors, and partners. Must be authorized to work in the United States.

To Be Considered

If you’re excited about this opportunity but don’t check every qualification listed, we still want to hear from you, and we encourage you to apply.

This role will remain open until filled with a priority deadline of August 7, 2026. Candidate materials are reviewed continuously, and screening interviews with Valtas will begin on a rolling basis in July. Cover letters (two pages or less) addressed to the Board of Directors, and a resume can be submitted as one document to Valtas.