Executive Director

Leadership

Provide enthusiastic leadership, inspiration, strategic direction, focus, and long-term vision for the organization.

Be the lead fundraising champion and spokesperson, ambassador, and advocate for Friends of the Children–San Diego.

Build trust across staff, board, community partners, families, and donors. Model professionalism and high ethical standards throughout the organization.

Recruit, develop, and lead a high-performing team.

Prioritize, cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors, foundations, and corporations, including local and regional funding opportunities that deepen community investment.

Represent the organization throughout San Diego's philanthropic, civic, business, and nonprofit communities.

Empower program staff to implement and sustain strategic partnerships and collaborations that advance program outcomes.

Cultivate quality feedback loops for program participants (youth, caregivers).

Maintain alignment of the organizational structure and staffing to maximize effectiveness and results.

Collaborate with, and benefit from, National team Finance and Operational resources to maximize effectiveness.

Roles & Responsibilities

Work closely with the National CEO and National staff to ensure that Friends of the Children–San Diego and National are working together as collaborators, that the program is administered with fidelity, and to promote and grow the mission locally and across the county.

Partner with the Board on fundraising and explore and develop diversified revenue opportunities that strengthen long-term sustainability.

Develop and execute strategic plans, annual operating plans, budgets, revenue and expense projections, and growth initiatives.

Monitor organizational performance and proactively manage risk.

Ensure fidelity to the Friends of the Children model and ensure the resources necessary to uphold program excellence.

Support and empower program leadership in delivering exceptional service and outcomes for youth and families.

Monitor outcomes and foster continuous improvement.

Maximize organizational effectiveness without compromising program and organizational performance.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• Ten or more years of progressively responsible executive leadership experience in nonprofit or related environments is desired.
• A passionate appreciation for child development, youth outcomes, and long-term mentoring models.
• Significant fundraising experience and demonstrated ability to successfully secure major gifts and diversify revenue streams.
• Strong executive presence and credibility with donors, board members, community leaders, and public stakeholders.
• Established relationships and credibility within San Diego County, or a demonstrated record of quickly building trusted relationships with philanthropic, business, civic, and community leaders, is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated success leading an organization and motivating others within a fast-paced, start-up work environment.
• Strategic thinker with experience building, scaling, launching, and leading organizational growth initiatives.
• Demonstrated success leading across fundraising, operations, finance, strategy, and people leadership.
• Cultural competence and sensitivity when working with diverse communities and family structures.
• Exceptional listening skills and an approachable, empowering leadership style.
• Outstanding storytelling, written and verbal communication skills, and public speaking abilities.
• Exceptional decision-making, organizational, and time management, delegation, and follow-up skills.
• Effective leadership and supervisory skills; ability to collaboratively set goals, provide direction, ensure accountability, and motivate others to achieve and overcome barriers.