Summary
Description
Executive Director
About HIPS
For more than 30 years, HIPS has been one of the nation's leading harm reduction organizations, standing at the intersection of public health, human dignity, advocacy, and community empowerment. Rooted in Washington, DC, HIPS works alongside individuals and communities impacted by sex work, drug use, homelessness, poverty, violence, and systemic inequities, including LGBTQIA+ youth and other historically marginalized populations—meeting people where they are with compassion, respect, and evidence-based care.
HIPS envisions a world where all people participating in street economies, including those engaged in sexual exchange and/or drug use can live healthy, self-determined lives free from stigma, violence, criminalization, and oppression. At the core of the organization's work is a deep commitment to harm reduction principles, anti-oppression, and leadership by people with lived experience.
Today, HIPS operates a dynamic and deeply community-centered model that combines direct services, advocacy, clinical care, outreach, and systems change. The organization's Center for Health and Achievement welcomes more than 2,000 client visits each month and provides access to primary care, HIV and Hepatitis C treatment, harm reduction-based substance use treatment, showers, laundry, meals, support groups, safer sex supplies, syringe services, and overdose prevention resources.
HIPS' mobile outreach teams and hotspot initiatives reach communities across Washington, DC seven days a week, delivering life-saving supplies, overdose prevention education, wound care, referrals, and support directly into neighborhoods and encampments. In 2025 alone, HIPS provided more than 40,000 services across its sites and street-based programs. The organization distributed over 13,000 naloxone doses, more than 10,000 fentanyl test strips, and hundreds of thousands of syringe services while simultaneously expanding access to housing navigation, peer support, and clinical care.
At a time when harm reduction organizations face increasing scrutiny, policy challenges, and funding uncertainty, HIPS continues to lead with courage and conviction. The organization has expanded services into new neighborhoods, secured a permanent home at 906 H Street NE, and strengthened its role as a trusted advocate and innovator within the national harm reduction movement.
HIPS is also in an important moment of organizational evolution. Through intentional investments in leadership development, equity-centered organizational practices, and infrastructure strengthening, the organization is building pathways for sustainable growth while preserving the community-rooted and client-centered culture that has defined HIPS for decades. The next Executive Director will join HIPS at a pivotal and energizing time—guiding an organization with a powerful legacy, a nationally recognized voice in harm reduction, and an unwavering commitment to honoring individual power and strength. Learn more about HIPS at hips.org.
The Opportunity
The Executive Director will serve as the chief executive and strategic leader of HIPS, partnering closely with the Board of Directors, staff leadership, community members, and external stakeholders to advance the organization's mission and long-term sustainability. This leader will steward an organization known for innovation, courage, and authenticity while navigating an increasingly complex public health and policy environment.
The Executive Director will oversee organizational strategy, operations, fundraising, advocacy, financial management, and external relations while fostering a culture grounded in equity, collaboration, transparency, and shared leadership. The successful candidate will be both visionary and operationally strong—someone who can inspire trust internally and externally while positioning HIPS for continued impact and growth.
This is an opportunity for a mission-driven executive to lead one of the most respected and community-centered harm reduction organizations in the country.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic and Organizational Leadership
- Provide visionary leadership in alignment with HIPS' mission, values, and strategic priorities
- Partner with the Board of Directors to shape and execute long-term organizational strategy
- Foster an organizational culture rooted in equity, anti-oppression, transparency, and community accountability
- Support leadership development and shared decision-making across the organization
- Maintain awareness of emerging trends, policy developments, and best practices within harm reduction and public health
- Provide leadership and mentorship to senior leaders across the organization, including direct supervision of the Director of Programs and the Director of Administration &
Culture, while helping to strengthen organizational capacity and leadership across key functions.
Community Engagement and Advocacy
- Serve as a visible and credible ambassador for HIPS in the local Washington DC community and nationally
- Expand HIPS's visibility, influence, and reputation by cultivating meaningful relationships across community, public health, philanthropic, advocacy, and policy sectors.
- Strengthen relationships with community members, advocates, government agencies, funders, and peer organizations
- Foster authentic engagement with the communities HIPS serves, creating opportunities for deeper connection, trust-building, and community partnership.
- Advance HIPS' advocacy agenda related to harm reduction, public health, decriminalization, and social justice
- Ensure that individuals with lived experience remain centered in organizational leadership and program development.
Fundraising and Financial Stewardship
- Lead and support diversified fundraising efforts, including institutional giving, government funding, philanthropy, and donor engagement
- Oversee organizational budgeting, financial planning, and long-term sustainability
- Partner with staff and the Board to ensure strong financial management and compliance practices
- Identify opportunities for strategic growth and resource development.
Programmatic Oversight
- Support the continued evolution and effectiveness of HIPS' direct service, outreach, advocacy, and clinical programs
- Ensure programs remain culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and community-driven
- Promote data-informed decision making, evaluation, and continuous improvement
- Champion innovation while maintaining fidelity to harm reduction values and practices.
Team and Culture Leadership
- Lead, mentor, and support a diverse and highly committed staff team
- Cultivate a healthy, collaborative, and values-aligned workplace culture
- Support systems and practices that promote staff development, equitable leadership pathways, and organizational sustainability
- Ensure effective organizational structures, policies, and people practices are in place to support continued growth.
Candidate Profile
We recognize that there is a spectrum of lived and professional experience that will set candidates up for success in this role. HIPS seeks a courageous, compassionate, and highly
relational leader who brings a demonstrated commitment to harm reduction, social justice, and community-centered leadership. The ideal candidate will possess a combination of strategic vision, operational excellence, fundraising capability, and the emotional intelligence necessary to lead in complex and evolving environments. While no one candidate will have every experience outlined in the position description, ideal candidates will display the following professional and personal qualities, skills, and characteristics:
People-Centered Leadership
HIPS is seeking a leader who can build strong relationships across the organization and community. The next Executive Director should be approachable, thoughtful, and emotionally
steady, especially during times of change. This person should listen carefully, value different perspectives, and create a workplace where people feel respected, supported, and connected. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong emotional intelligence and sound judgment, balancing accessibility and responsiveness with clear decision-making, organizational priorities, and healthy boundaries. They will be skilled at navigating competing needs and perspectives with transparency and empathy, helping build trust while creating clarity in complex situations. The ideal leader will take time to learn the people, culture, and relationships that make HIPS special.
Mission-Driven Alignment
The next Executive Director should lead with a deep commitment to harm reduction, dignity, and community care. HIPS values leaders who understand the importance of meeting people where they are and treating every person with compassion and respect. This role requires someone who can honor the organization's strong foundation while continuing to support innovation, advocacy, and community-centered work. Lived experience and connection to the mission are highly valued.
Financial and Organizational Stewardship
HIPS needs a leader who can help guide the organization through a changing funding and policy environment while supporting long-term sustainability. The next Executive Director should understand nonprofit finance, government grants, fundraising, and organizational operations. This person should be able to strengthen financial stability, support staff and programs, and make thoughtful decisions that balance mission, growth, and sustainability.
Transparent and Collaborative Communication
The next Executive Director should communicate clearly, honestly, and consistently across the organization. HIPS values a leader who keeps people informed, encourages collaboration, and creates space for open dialogue and feedback. Strong communication will be especially important as the organization continues to grow and evolve. The ideal candidate will help strengthen trust across teams by being visible, accessible, and transparent in both everyday communication and times of uncertainty.
Strategic Vision and Adaptability
HIPS is looking for a leader who can guide the organization through growth, change, and new opportunities while remaining grounded in its mission and values. The next Executive Director should be flexible, forward-thinking, and able to adapt to changing circumstances with calmness and clarity. This person should be able to balance day-to-day leadership with long-term strategic planning, helping HIPS continue building on its strong reputation, community relationships, and impact.
In addition, strong candidates will offer:
- Senior leadership experience within nonprofit, public health, advocacy, behavioral health, harm reduction, or community-based organizations
- Experience leading through organizational growth, complexity, and change
- A demonstrated commitment to anti-oppression, equity, and trauma-informed leadership practices
- Success in building partnerships across government, philanthropy, grassroots movements, and community stakeholders
- Experience securing and stewarding diverse funding streams
- Excellent communication, relationship-building, and public-facing leadership skills
- Deep respect for lived expertise and community-led approaches.
Individuals with lived experience and those from communities most impacted by the issues central to HIPS' mission are strongly encouraged to apply.
Compensation and Benefits
Salary for the role is $140,000. HIPS offers an excellent benefits package that includes: 100% employer-sponsored medical, dental, vision, and life plans for each employee, as well as accrued paid time off that begins accruing on your first day at HIPS.
Contact
DSG | Koya has been exclusively retained for this engagement, which is being led by Kim Dukes and Shelby Woods. Submit a compelling cover letter and resume by filling out our Talent Profile. All inquiries are strictly confidential.
DSG | Koya is committed to providing reasonab le accommodation to individuals living with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual living with a disability and need assistance
expressing interest online, please email NPSIpractice@dsgo.com. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.
Equal Opportunity & Workplace Commitment
HIPS is an equal opportunity employer committed to cultivating a workplace that reflects the communities it serves. The organization complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing fair employment practices. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
HIPS values the knowledge, skills, and qualifications acquired through engagement in sex work, drug use, and LGBTQIA+ communities and recognizes lived experience as an important form of expertise. The organization seeks to foster an inclusive environment that welcomes a broad range of professional, educational, and lived experiences. HIPS strongly encourages qualified people with disabilities, current and former sex workers, people who use drugs, transgender and gender-expansive individuals, veterans, and individuals from historically marginalized communities to apply. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, demonstrated skills, performance, potential, and other job-related considerations.
About DSG | Koya
DSG | Koya, a DSG Global company, is the nation's premier search firm dedicated to mission-driven leadership. Since its founding in 2004, DSG | Koya has had an exclusive focus on mission-driven clients and was founded on the belief that the right leader can transform an organization and have a deep and measurable impact on our world. DSG | Koya works with nonprofits & NGOs, responsible businesses, and social enterprises in local communities and around the world.
DSG Global is consistently recognized by Forbes on its top 10 list of "America's Best Executive Recruiting Firms" and is an industry leader in recruiting transformational leaders for a changing world. The firm is deliberately different in its approach, with best-in-class teams who have decades of experience in cultivating inclusive leaders, understanding the dimensions of diversity, and building equitable teams.
Learn more about DSG | Koya via the firm's website.
To apply, visit: https://www.dsgco.com/search/22962-hips-executive-director/
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