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Associate Executive Director Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Executive Director

Santa Barbara, CA · On-site

$265 - $330/hr

... Associate Executive Director, Chief Clinical Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Information Officer, Director of Services and Supports, Director of Training and Organization Development ...

Executive Director

Ojai, CA · On-site

$120 - $180/hr

Hire and supervise employees, ensuring adequate staffing of quality associates * Foster creativity ... Two years of executive director or related administrator experience * Ability to read and interpret ...

Human Resources Director

San Diego, CA · On-site

$145 - $155/hr

Presents findings to Associate Executive Director, along with suggestions on next steps * Resolves employee disputes and grievances fairly and efficiently * Oversees employee classification and ...

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Associate Executive Director information

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How much do associate executive director jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 26, 2026, the average hourly pay for associate executive director in California is $25.27, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.91 and $26.59 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an associate executive director?

Associate Executive Directors are senior leaders who support the Executive Director in managing an organization’s operations, programs, and strategic initiatives. They often oversee specific departments or projects, help implement policies, and ensure the organization's goals are met efficiently. In many cases, they serve as second-in-command and may act on behalf of the Executive Director when needed. Their role requires strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an associate executive director?

To thrive as an Associate Executive Director, you need strong leadership, organizational management, and strategic planning skills, often supported by a bachelor’s or master’s degree in business, nonprofit management, or a related field. Familiarity with budgeting software, CRM systems, and data analysis tools, along with relevant certifications like Certified Association Executive (CAE), is typically required. Exceptional communication, problem-solving, and relationship-building skills help you effectively lead teams and collaborate with stakeholders. These competencies are crucial for driving organizational success, ensuring operational efficiency, and advancing mission-driven goals.

What are some common challenges faced by an associate executive director in managing cross-functional teams?

As an Associate Executive Director, one of the main challenges in managing cross-functional teams is ensuring clear communication and alignment among departments with different priorities. Balancing organizational objectives while addressing the varying needs and perspectives of team members requires strong interpersonal and negotiation skills. Additionally, adapting leadership style to fit diverse teams and resolving conflicts in a timely manner are crucial for maintaining productivity and morale. Regular check-ins, transparent goal-setting, and fostering a collaborative culture can help overcome these challenges.

What is the difference between Associate Executive Director vs Program Director?

AspectAssociate Executive DirectorProgram Director
CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor’s degree; often prefers a master’s in management, nonprofit administration, or related fieldsUsually requires a bachelor’s degree; a master’s degree is a plus but not always required
Work EnvironmentNonprofit organizations, associations, or large institutions; involved in strategic planning and high-level managementProgram-specific settings within nonprofits, government agencies, or corporations; focuses on program development and implementation
Employer & Industry UsageCommonly used in nonprofit and association sectors; reports to the Executive Director or BoardUsed across various sectors including nonprofits, education, and healthcare; reports to senior management or Executive Director

The Associate Executive Director and Program Director roles share some credentials and work environments but differ mainly in scope. The Associate Executive Director typically handles broader organizational responsibilities, while the Program Director focuses on specific programs. Both roles are vital in nonprofit management but serve different strategic and operational functions.

What are the most commonly searched types of Executive Director jobs in California?

The most popular types of Executive Director jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Associate Executive Director jobs in California?

For Associate Executive Director jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities in California are hiring for Associate Executive Director jobs?

Cities in California with the most Associate Executive Director job openings:

Infographic showing various Associate Executive Director job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 23% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $52,557 per year, or $25.3 per hour.

Executive Director

Santa Barbara, CA • On-site

$265 - $330/hr

Other

Re-posted 19 days ago


Job description

The Organization

Under contract with the California Department of Developmental Disabilities (DDS), Tri-Counties Regional Center (TCRC) operates as one of 21 non-profit (501(c)3) providers of services and supports to people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) in the State (For more information Link Here.) With over 22,000 individuals with IDD and their families served in Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties, TCRC serves people of widely diverse cultures and languages. TCRC’s Vision is “Persons with developmental disabilities live fully and safely as active and independent members of their community.” To achieve this Vision, TCRC employs approximately 600 staff and has an annual budget of $800 million. Please see the accompanying TCRC Organization Description and TCRC’s website for additional information: www.tri-counties.org

Job Title

Executive Director

Reports to

Tri-Counties Association for the Developmentally Disabled, Inc. (TCADD) Board of Directors

Direct Reports

Associate Executive Director, Chief Clinical Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Information Officer, Director of Services and Supports, Director of Training and Organization Development, Director of Community Development, Director of Human Resources, Executive Assistant.

Job Summary

TCRC is an organization that serves and prioritizes people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families/caregivers, so the Executive Director must have applied knowledge of and relationships with people with IDD and the people who support them.

Under the policy direction of the TCADD Board of Directors, the Executive Director (ED):

  • Provides strategic, planning, organizational, fiscal, development, culture, and community leadership:
    • in support of people with IDD and their families.
    • to the operations and programs of Tri-Counties Regional Center (TCRC).
    • for the TCRC staff and community, including service providers.
  • Maintains operations, administration, programs, services, personnel practices, and community relationships so that they are:
    • aligned with TCRC’s vision, mission, values, and strategic plan.
    • embedded in person-centered thinking practices.
    • implemented according to Board policy.in accordance with the law, regulations, and the provisions of the Regional Center’s contract and performance contract with the California Department of Developmental Services (DDS).
  • Identifies emerging trends, opportunities, risks, and service needs affecting people with IDD and their service system.
  • Ensures the Board has appropriate information, advice, and support to fulfill their policy, direction, and oversight roles.
  • Builds relationships and acts as the representative of TCRC in the community, and at the State, and national levels.

As the leader of a publicly funded, highly regulated, non-profit (501(c)3) organization with unionized staff and diverse stakeholders, the Executive Director must be able to demonstrate:

  • Experience managing a large, complex, highly regulated organization in a fast-moving, changeable environment characterized by competing priorities.
  • Ability to work long hours, travel frequently, and ensure quick responsiveness to TCRC and community stakeholders.
  • Extraordinary interpersonal skills grounded in person-centered values and collaborative leadership.
  • Experience integrating the needs and perspectives of diverse populations and groups as factors into decision making processes as well as in the implementation of those decisions.
  • Knowledge of The Lanterman Act (California State Welfare and Institutions Code §4500 et seq.), California Title 17 regulations, HIPAA, and relevant legal mandates, contracts, and State directives.
  • Understanding of California’s developmental services and regional center system operations and funding streams.
  • Experience with government contracting, compliance, and reporting.
  • Experience in labor relations and negotiations.
  • A desire and willingness to make a long-term commitment to TCRC (10+ years).

The Board expects the Executive Director to be an authentic Servant Leader as well as a Manager, which the Board defines as the understanding and execution of complex day-to-day operations of a large person-centered agency. Leadership means working as an informed and dedicated colleague with the staff, service providers, advocacy groups, State Regional Center and DDS leadership, legislative leadership, and the people served. All of these stakeholders, as well as the Board, look to the Executive Director for vision, person-centered approach, and management style. The Board expects the Executive Director to be able to LEAD rather than command, INSPIRE rather than demand, and offer the SECURITY of a sure and steady hand.

Core Responsibilities Strategic Leadership

The ED provides vision- and mission-driven leadership to advance person-centered practices and to promote inclusion, independence, dignity, and quality of life for the people TCRC serves.

Serving as the Chief Executive Officer, the ED directs all aspects of TCRC functioning, including overseeing its employees (union and exempt) to complete the complex work of the Regional Center with integrity, transparency, and respect for all. The ED:

  • Ensures the timely provision of the highest quality services to meet the range of people’s needs and makes these services available in a large, diverse geographic area with varying cultures.
  • Serves as the public face of TCRC, advocating for people with IDD.
  • Builds productive relationships with the community, local/State governments and agencies, State legislators, and others.
  • Collaborates with key stakeholders to define TCRC’s Strategic Plan, including long- and short-term strategic planning goals, measurable objectives, and operational implementation plans. Builds and gathers consensus for the Plan.
  • Leads TCRC to make data-driven decisions in the short term and to plan for the future with analysis of Regional Center data, and relevant, related factors.
  • Actively develops and maintains a thorough knowledge of and strategic viewpoint on State and national events, political trends, values, etc., that may impact people supported by the IDD system and/or the operation of the Regional Center.
  • Develops and implements procedures to assess needs and satisfaction with TCRC’s services; solicits and addresses opinions, issues, and concerns raised by people served or community members.
Mission-Focused Commitment

The ED is a visionary thinker who embraces the TCRC Vision and Mission, and who expands person-centered practices in the Regional Center and its community. The ED must also be a detail-oriented manager to assume responsibility for the daily management and administration of the Regional Center, its employees, and its resources.

The ED:

  • Drives TCRC’s mission by ensuring all operations, programs, personnel practices, policies, and daily decisions are aligned with the vision, mission and values.
  • Engages TCRC and the TCRC communities, listening to concerns and ideas, demonstrating a commitment to serving individuals with IDD and their families.
  • Invests in building positive relationships with all internal and external stakeholders:
    • Maintains the collaborative, inclusive, and person-centered culture of TCRC. Foster an organizational culture grounded in integrity, transparency, accountability, equity, trust, and respect.
    • Promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging for all TCRC stakeholders.
    • Demonstrates emotional intelligence in connecting with others, relaying information, and developing messaging.
    • Possesses excellent relationship-building and political skills, as well as oral and written communication skills.
  • Is comfortable with management of multiple regions and offices with diverse demographics and cultures and is expected to spend significant time in each office, traveling to each on at least a quarterly basis.
  • Supports the development and training of Board of Directors to be knowledgeable, informed, and actively engaged in the oversight of the Regional Center.
Organizational and Operational Management

The Executive Director is a proactive leader with strong organizational and administrative skills, including demonstrated ability to lead, motivate, and develop a collaborative workforce in a union environment. The ED:

  • Oversees the effective administration of daily operations of TCRC.
  • Formulates sound, data-based programs and policies and organises, coordinates, and directs and mentors staff to implement these successfully.
  • Demonstrates strong skills in fiscal management, program administration, resource development, human resources, strategic and operational planning, public relations, compliance, facilities, and information technology and security.
  • Collaboratively sets overall TCRC goals, ensuring organization alignment to drive focused outcomes for people/families served, develops organisational support for these goals, and works with department heads to develop tactics to ensure effective implementation of initiatives, plans, and policies.
  • Analyzes information to make sound decisions on complex administrative and public relations problems.
  • Consults with and seeks guidance from the expert Leadership Team on issues affecting TCRC or the people it serves, but is able to make difficult and unpopular decisions, aligned with TCRC’s mission, when necessary.
  • Monitors organisational performance and implements corrective actions and process improvements when necessary.
Personnel Management

The Executive Director assumes overall responsibility for TCRC’s recruitment, employment, training, supervision, evaluation, and termination of staff. The ED:

  • Shows demonstrated experience and skill in all aspects of talent management – recruiting, hiring, and building a strong team while providing strong leadership, as well as ensuring proper support for all staff.
  • Directs the development and implementation of a talent management system, including policies, procedures, practices, compensation plans, recruitment and selection efforts, performance appraisal and staff development procedures, team building, training, mentoring, coaching, succession planning, and other staff supports.
  • Is responsible for labour and employee relations.
  • Maintains a respectful, accountable, and person-centered employee culture.
  • Selects, supervises, mentors, and coaches the Directors Team and is expected to develop a strong leadership team. Given the leadership team is relatively new and evolving, the Executive Director will need to emphasise relationship building, change management, and executive mentorship to support the development of a strong, cohesive, collaborative group of leaders.
Fiscal Oversight and Management

The Executive Director must possess financial management skills and experience managing complex, multi-million-dollar budgets from a single-source funder, as this person is responsible for overseeing the development and administration of annual operating, program, and purchase-of-service budgets. The ED:

  • Supports responsible stewardship of public funds and organisational resources.
  • Ensures the expenses of the Center are maintained within the budget allocation from and per the regulations of the State Department of Developmental Services (DDS).
  • Creates and maintains operational and monitoring systems that ensure fiduciary accountability to the Board for all funds received and spent by TCRC.
  • Ensures sound financial practices and internal controls are developed, implemented, and effectively managed so that TCRC’s financial resources, physical assets, and other properties are managed in accordance with the law, regulations, provisions of the contract with the State of California, audit recommendations, and responsible financial practices.
  • With the CFO, prepares financial, budget, and other management plans and develops detailed methods of implementation in alignment with the Strategic Plan and budget projections.
  • Monitors TCRC financial performance and regularly and transparently reports to the Board of Directors on the Regional Center’s overall financial perspective, including both long- and short-term forecasts for financial sustainability.
  • Work effectively with the Board, Union, and outside counsel to negotiate union contracts that are fair and reasonable for TCRC and its employees.
Government Relations and Contract Administration

The Executive Director is the public face of TCRC and serves as principal liaison to local, State, and federal representatives, including the DDS, TCRC’s single source government funder, Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), State legislators and other State representatives, as well as state-wide associations, advocacy organisations, and community partners. The ED:

  • Builds relationships with, demonstrates respect for, and educates local and State leaders on TCRC specifically and people with IDD generally.
  • Negotiates with DDS, Medicaid’s Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) program, and other regulatory agencies on matters related to Regional Center interests.
  • Ensures TCRC compliance with Board policies, ethical standards, privacy and confidentiality requirements, and all applicable federal, State, and local laws, contracts, regulations, policies, and performance standards.
  • Leads the TCRC leadership team to interpret, manage, and report on compliance with DDS directives, including the DDS-regional center Performance Contract.
  • Reviews and prepares technical, narrative, and statistical reports and summaries. Requires ability to distil and interpret data.
  • Maintains active membership and participation in the state-wide Association of Regional Center Agencies (ARCA).
  • Travels to and actively participates in state-level initiatives and bodies (such as advocacy groups and the Legislature) to promote the well-being of TCRC and the people it serves.
Community and Provider Relations

The Executive Director represents TCRC within the community, serving as the Regional Center’s primary spokesperson. As services purchased for individuals an