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Exec Director Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Executive Director

Napa, CA · On-site

$230 - $270/hr

The Executive Director is entrusted with helping create the conditions in which individuals with developmental disabilities, families, employees, service providers, community partners, and future ...

Executive Director

San Diego, CA · On-site

$145K - $165K/yr

Executive Director Friends of the Children - San Diego San Diego, California The Moran Company is pleased to partner with Friends of the Children-San Diego to recruit the organization's first ...

The Executive Director is entrusted with helping create the conditions in which individuals with developmental disabilities, families, employees, service providers, community partners, and future ...

The Executive Director is entrusted with helping create the conditions in which individuals with developmental disabilities, families, employees, service providers, community partners, and future ...

The Executive Director is entrusted with helping create the conditions in which individuals with developmental disabilities, families, employees, service providers, community partners, and future ...

Executive Director

Santa Barbara, CA · On-site

$265 - $330/hr

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 ...

Executive Director

San Diego, CA · On-site

$145 - $165/hr

Executive Director Friends of the Children - San Diego San Diego, California The Moran Company is pleased to partner with Friends of the Children-San Diego to recruit the organization's first ...

Executive Director

Stockton, CA · On-site

$145K - $165K/yr

Executive Director Friends of the Children - Stockton Stockton, California The Moran Company is pleased to partner with Friends of the Children - Stockton to recruit the organization's next Executive ...

Executive Director

Redwood City, CA · On-site

$310 - $360/hr

The Executive Director serves as the Chief Executive Officer of C/CAG, providing strategic leadership and organizational direction to advance the C/CAG Board of Directors' vision and priorities.

Executive Director

Sacramento, CA · On-site

$189K - $210K/yr

Reporting to the Governing Board, the Executive Director oversees the Agency's approximately 60 employees and an annual budget of approximately $20 million, working alongside elected officials, healt ...

Executive Director

San Bernardino, CA · On-site

$90K - $100K/yr

Become the Next Executive Director of Rolling Start, Inc. (San Bernardino, Inyo & Mono Counties) ABOUT ROLLING START, INC. Rolling Start, Inc. is a nonprofit Center for Independent Living (CIL) that ...

Executive Director

Santa Maria, CA · On-site

$90 - $140/hr

The Executive Director serves as chief administrative officer, responsible for managing and directing internal business operations and public Board hearings of the District that are consistent with ...

Executive Director

San Bernardino, CA · On-site

$90K - $100K/yr

Become the Next Executive Director of Rolling Start, Inc. (San Bernardino, Inyo & Mono Counties) ABOUT ROLLING START, INC. Rolling Start, Inc. is a nonprofit Center for Independent Living (CIL) that ...

Executive Director at Inter Tribal Sports Share on X Print Application Deadline 10/10/2026 12:00 AM Pacific Date Posted 8/11/2026 Contact Steve Lopez 951-634-8227 Number of Openings 1 Salary Pay ...

The Executive Director also provides directions and guidance to the Yurok Council as it carries out its governance functions. Under guidance of the Yurok Tribal Council the incumbent is responsible ...

Executive Director

Klamath, CA · On-site

$128K - $194K/yr

The Executive Director also provides directions and guidance to the Yurok Council as it carries out its governance functions. Under guidance of the Yurok Tribal Council the incumbent is responsible ...

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Exec Director information

What does an executive director do?

An Executive Director is the senior leader responsible for overseeing the daily operations, strategic planning, and overall management of an organization or nonprofit. They work closely with the board of directors to set goals, manage staff, ensure financial stability, and represent the organization to stakeholders and the public. Executive Directors play a vital role in fundraising, policy development, and ensuring that the organization's mission is effectively carried out.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an executive director, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Executive Director, you need strong leadership, strategic planning, financial management, and organizational expertise, often supported by an advanced degree in business, management, or a related field. Familiarity with budgeting software, CRM systems, and regulatory compliance tools is typically required. Exceptional communication, decision-making, and relationship-building skills help set successful Executive Directors apart. These abilities are vital for driving organizational success, ensuring operational efficiency, and fostering a positive and productive workplace culture.

What are some typical challenges executive directors face when leading a nonprofit organization?

Executive Directors in nonprofit organizations often encounter challenges such as balancing limited resources with program demands, managing diverse stakeholder expectations, and maintaining consistent fundraising efforts. They also need to foster a positive organizational culture, ensure compliance with regulations, and build strong relationships with the board of directors. Navigating these challenges requires strong leadership, adaptability, and excellent communication skills to keep the organization focused on its mission and long-term sustainability.

What is the difference between Exec Director vs Program Manager?

AspectExec DirectorProgram Manager
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree often in business, nonprofit, or related field; advanced degrees preferredBachelor's degree in relevant field; certifications like PMP can be advantageous
Work EnvironmentExecutive offices, boardrooms, nonprofit or corporate settingsProject sites, office environments, client meetings
Employer & Industry UsageNonprofits, large corporations, associationsVarious industries including tech, healthcare, nonprofit
Primary FocusOverall organizational strategy, governance, fundraisingManaging specific projects, timelines, and deliverables

The main difference between an Exec Director and a Program Manager lies in scope and responsibilities. The Exec Director oversees the entire organization, focusing on strategy, governance, and high-level operations. In contrast, the Program Manager handles specific projects within the organization, ensuring successful execution. Both roles require leadership skills and relevant credentials, but their focus areas and impact levels differ significantly.

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

The most popular types of Exec jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Exec Director jobs?

Cities in California with the most Exec Director job openings:

Infographic showing various Exec Director job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution.

Executive Director

Napa, CA • On-site

Socket.dev
Network Security • 1 - 10 employees

$230 - $270/hr

Other

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

Description

About North Bay Regional Center

North Bay Regional Center (NBRC), one of 21 regional centers located throughout California, is a private non-profit (501(c)3), started as a grass roots movement to assist persons with intellectual disabilities — and their families — in identifying and developing services and programs within their communities that help them lead more independent lives. The regional centers were established by the Lanterman Act (California Welfare & Institutions Code §4500 et seq.) and are regulated by Title 17 of California’s Government Code. Regional centers serve as the point of entry into the State’s developmental services delivery system, providing life‑long services and supports to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.

North Bay Regional Center was incorporated in 1972 and proudly serves the needs 13,000 children and adults with developmental disabilities in the linguistically and culturally diverse communities of Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties. NBRC is guided by a dedicated Board of Directors and supported by approximately 400 staff and 1,500+ service providers. Our mission is to empower, respect and serve each child and adult with or with the potential for a developmental disability, while promoting the health and well‑being of each individual, their families, and our community.

We value:~ Belonging ~ Compassion ~ Dignity and Respect ~ Honesty and Integrity ~ Humility ~

Servant Leadership is Ultimately an Act of Stewardship.

At North Bay Regional Center, the Executive Director is entrusted with far more than the leadership of a complex organization. The Executive Director is entrusted with helping create the conditions in which individuals with developmental disabilities, families, employees, service providers, community partners, and future leaders can flourish together.

This opportunity calls for a leader who understands that operational excellence and human dignity are inseparable—that responsible stewardship of public resources, thoughtful leadership of people, and meaningful relationships all contribute to the same purpose: supporting individuals to live lives of their own choosing as valued members of their communities.

As North Bay Regional Center looks toward its next chapter, we seek a leader who is inspired by that responsibility and who believes, as we do, that leadership is ultimately measured not by authority, but by the opportunities it creates for others.

Executive Director Position Description Position Title:

Executive Director

Reports To:

Board of Directors

Supervises:

Executive Team (which currently includes: Chief Financial Officer, Director of Case Management, Director of Clinical and Intake, Director of Community Services, Director of Equity and Engagement, Director of Administrative Services, Executive Assistants)

FLSA Status:

Exempt

Position Summary (Definition and Nature of Work)

The Executive Director serves as the Chief Executive Officer of North Bay Regional Center and is accountable to the Board of Directors for the overall leadership, performance, and stewardship of the organization.

Working at the Board’s direction, the Executive Director advances the organization's mission by providing strategic leadership, ensuring operational excellence, safeguarding the responsible stewardship of public funding, and fostering an organizational culture that reflects integrity, accountability, collaboration, and person‑centered practices.

The Executive Director leads a complex organization operating within California's developmental services system and is responsible for ensuring that North Bay Regional Center fulfills its statutory responsibilities under the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act and is responsive to the individuals, families, employees, service providers, and the communities it serves.

The Executive Director recognizes that organizational excellence is achieved when strong systems support strong relationships, and when those relationships strengthen organizational performance. Through thoughtful leadership, sound judgment, and responsible stewardship, the Executive Director ensures that North Bay Regional Center remains a trusted partner and a high‑performing organization committed to improving the lives of people with developmental disabilities.

For additional context and NBRC’s vision of leadership, please see the companion document, "Our Philosophy of Leadership".

Responsibilities of this Position Executive Accountabilities

The Executive Director is entrusted with the overall stewardship of North Bay Regional Center and is accountable for ensuring that the organization fulfills its mission, operates with integrity, and remains responsive to the communities it serves.

The Executive Director provides leadership that:

  • Advances the mission, vision, values, and strategic direction established by the Board of Directors (developed in partnership with community members).
  • Ensures the delivery of high‑quality, person‑centered services in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, contractual requirements, and ethical standards.
  • Aligns strategy, operations, people, and resources to achieve organizational priorities and continuously improve organizational effectiveness and efficiency.
  • Strengthens organizational capacity through sound leadership, workforce development, succession planning, operational improvement, and responsible stewardship of financial and public resources.
  • Cultivates an organizational culture characterized by trust, accountability, responsiveness, collaboration, learning, and respect.
  • Builds enduring partnerships with individuals receiving services, families, employees, service providers, community organizations, governmental agencies, advocacy organizations, and other stakeholders.
  • Represents North Bay Regional Center with credibility, professionalism, and integrity while strengthening public confidence in the organization and its mission.
  • Furthers strong relationships with state leaders, including the Department of Developmental Services (DDS), the Association of Regional Center Agencies (ARCA), and state Legislatures.
Strategic Leadership

The Executive Director provides strategic leadership that positions North Bay Regional Center to fulfill its mission today while preparing thoughtfully for the future.

Working under the guidance of the Board of Directors and executive leadership team, the Executive Director establishes organizational priorities that respond to emerging opportunities, evolving community needs, changing regulatory requirements, and the long‑term sustainability of the organization. Strategic leadership requires balancing innovation with stability, ensuring that change strengthens—rather than distracts from—the organization's mission and person‑centered values.

The Executive Director is responsible for:

  • Leading the implementation and ongoing evaluation of the organization's strategic plan and long‑range priorities.
  • Anticipating emerging trends, legislative developments, service delivery challenges, and opportunities that may affect the organization's future.
  • Aligning organizational resources, operational priorities, and leadership initiatives with strategic objectives established by the Board of Directors.
  • Promoting thoughtful innovation while ensuring organizational readiness, fiscal responsibility, and continuity of high‑quality services.
  • Establishing measurable organizational goals and performance indicators that support continuous improvement and organizational accountability.
  • Working to further organizational fluidity and adaptability to meet the changing dynamics and state directives that drive the operational work of the regional center.
  • Fostering a culture of strategic thinking, organizational learning, and continuous improvement throughout the organization.
Operational Leadership

The Executive Director provides executive oversight for all organizational operations, ensuring that North Bay Regional Center consistently delivers high‑quality, person‑centered services in an effective, efficient, and legally compliant manner.

The Executive Director is responsible for integrating operational excellence with the organization's mission by strengthening systems, improving organizational responsiveness, supporting informed decision‑making, and creating an environment where employees have the tools, resources, and leadership necessary to succeed.

The Executive Director ensures that operational systems support meaningful relationships and that organizational processes improve—not hinder—the experience of individuals receiving services, families, employees, service providers, and community partners.

Primary responsibilities include:

  • Ensuring compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, regulations, contractual requirements, Board policies, and Department of Developmental Services directives.
  • Providing executive oversight for all organizational programs, services, administrative functions, and support operations.
  • Promoting operational effectiveness through process improvement, organizational responsiveness, timely decision‑making, and continuous evaluation of organizational performance.
  • Establishing and modeling organizational systems that support accountability, quality assurance, risk management, and continuous quality improvement.
  • Monitoring organizational performance through data evaluation including quality indicators, performance measures, and stakeholder experience to guide executive decision‑making.
  • Ensuring organizational readiness to respond effectively to emerging issues, organizational risks, public health emergencies, and changing service delivery needs.
  • Promoting collaboration across departments to improve communication, coordination, and consistency throughout the organization.
  • Strengthening organizational effectiveness through the thoughtful integration of technology, innovation, and operational best practices.
Financial Stewardship

The Executive Director serves as the chief steward of North Bay Regional Center's financial resources and is accountable for ensuring the organization's long‑term fiscal health, integrity, and sustainability.

Recognizing that public resources are entrusted to the organization in support of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families, the Executive Director ensures that financial decisions reflect sound stewardship, transparency, accountability, and alignment with the organization's mission and strategic priorities.

The Executive Director is responsible for:

  • Developing and administering the organization's annual operating budget in partnership with the Board of Directors and executive leadership.
  • Ensuring responsible stewardship and effective management of all financial resources, assets, contracts, and public funds entrusted to the organization.
  • Maintaining financial systems and internal controls that support accountability, transparency, regulatory compliance, and sound fiscal management. Including:
  1. Monitoring financial performance.
  2. Implementing strategies that promote long‑term financial sustainability.
  3. Managing resource allocation in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and organizational policies.
  4. Ensuring completion and compliance with independent audits, fiscal reviews, and timely implementation of recommendations and corrective actions when needed.
  5. Maintaining accurate financial reporting and timely communication with the Board.
Organizational Leadership & Culture

The Executive Director provides leadership that strengthens organizational performance while cultivating an environment in which people, relationships, and systems work together to advance North Bay Regional Center's mission.

Recognizing that organizational culture is intentionally shaped through leadership, the Executive Director establishes clear expectations, promotes shared accountability, develops leadership throughout the organization, and ensures that organizational practices consistently reflect the values of integrity, inclusion, responsiveness, collaboration, learning, and respect.

The Executive Director creates an environment in which employees understand how their work contributes to the organization's mission, are empowered to solve problems, encouraged to innovate, supported in their professional growth, and held accountable for achieving high standards of performance.

Primary responsibilities include:

  • Providing visible, accessible, and values‑based leadership throughout the organization.
  • Aligning organizational priorities, structures, and operational practices with the strategic direction established by the Board.
  • Strengthening organizational responsiveness by promoting timely communication, thoughtful decision‑making, and consistent follow‑through.
  • Building organizational capacity through leadership development, succession planning, employee engagement, and continuous learning.
  • Leading organizational change in ways that strengthen both operational effectiveness and organizational culture.
  • Using performance measures, organizational data, and quality outcomes to guide decision‑making and continuous improvement.
  • Modeling ethical leadership, sound judgment, professionalism, and responsible stewardship in all responsibilities.
  • Ensuring that organizational systems support meaningful relationships and that meaningful relationships strengthen organizational performance.
Governance & Board Partnership

The Executive Director serves as the Board of Directors' sole employee and principle partner, supporting the Board in fulfilling its governance responsibilities while respecting the distinct roles of governance and executive management. The Executive Director develops and maintains a relationship with the Board that is characterized by transparency, trust, mutual respect, and shared commitment to the organization's mission. Through thoughtful communication and sound executive leadership, the Executive Director ensures that the Board has the information, analysis, and recommendations necessary to make informed policy and governance decisions.

The Executive Director is responsible for:

  • Implementing the strategic direction, policies, and priorities esta