It's been a wretched start for the Hawks who haven't won any of their 11 league games so far.
With just two points on the board, the returning manager knows he must act fast to keep the club in the division.
After tumbling out of the FA Cup on Saturday to Oxford City, King saw for himself the size of the task ahead.
The former Lewes and Northwich boss, who left the club over a year and a half ago, quit his role at Dagenham to take on the challenge.
He said: "I honestly wouldn't have come back to Whitehawk if I didn't think we could turn this around.
"It's a great club with fantastic fans but we need to start getting results.
"I have always believed in my ability and I think I can keep the club in the league.
"It's about finding the right players and getting the players working together."
King faces a difficult first test in the National League South on Saturday when one of the early promotion chasers, St Albans City, come to the Enclosed Ground.
The new manager said: "It's all about that first win. We need to get some momentum."