Description

SUMMARY

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director serves as CASA Neighborhood’s chief executive and leads the organization’s overall management, financial health, programs, operations, and strategic direction. The Executive Director partners with the Board to advance CASA’s mission and strategic priorities and has broad authority for the day-to-day management and administration of the organization within Board-approved policies and budgets.

The Executive Director provides leadership across CASA’s prevention, youth leadership, community health, homelessness, policy and advocacy work; develops and manages public and private funding; oversees contracts and grants; leads staff; maintains strong community and governmental partnerships; and represents CASA with funders, public agencies, elected officials, community partners and the public.

LEADERSHIP EXPECTATIONS

The successful Executive Director will be a collaborative, adaptable and accountable leader who can move comfortably between high-level strategy and hands-on organizational work. The position requires sound judgment, initiative, strong communication, and the ability to build trust with staff, the Board, funders, public agencies, and community partners. The Executive Director must demonstrate a strong commitment to CASA’s mission and to serving communities with respect, inclusion, and responsiveness.

COMMITMENT TO INCLUSION

CASA Neighborhoods values diverse ideas and perspectives informed by lived experience, culture, background, and community. CASA strives to develop leadership, staff, volunteers, programs, communications and engagement practices that reflect and respond to the communities it serves and that support equity, inclusion and healthy communities.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

Organizational Leadership & Operations

• Provide overall executive leadership and day-to-day management of CASA Neighborhoods, ensuring programs, services, contracts and organizational activities advance the mission and strategic plan.
• Translate Board-approved strategic priorities into organizational goals, work plans and operational decisions, and regularly assess progress, opportunities and organizational needs.
• Maintain effective organizational systems, policies, procedures, facilities, technology, insurance, records, vendors and other administrative functions necessary for CASA’s operations.
• Identify and respond proactively to emerging opportunities, risks and issues affecting CASA, its programs, funding or reputation.
• Ensure compliance with applicable organizational policies, contractual requirements, and federal, state, and local requirements.

Board Governance & Leadership 

• Serve as the primary staff liaison to the Board of Directors and maintain a strong working partnership with Board leadership.
• Keep the Board informed of significant organizational, financial, staffing, contractual, programmatic, and strategic matters.
• Prepare or coordinate Board reports, meeting materials, and information needed for effective governance and decision-making.
• Support Board committees, recruitment, orientation, and development as appropriate.
• Implement Board-approved policies, budgets and strategic direction while exercising broad authority over routine organizational operations and management.

Financial Management & Organizational Sustainability 

• Provide overall fiscal leadership and oversight, including development and monitoring of the annual operating budget, cash flow, reserves, and financial position.
• Review monthly financial statements and projections prepared by fiscal staff and provide financial information and context to the Board.
• Oversee contract and grant invoicing, reimbursement requests, revenue tracking, expenditures, and other fiscal requirements associated with CASA Neighborhood’s funding.
• Maintain appropriate financial controls and work closely with fiscal staff, auditors and the Board to support accurate reporting, sound fiscal practices and organizational sustainability.
• Assess financial trends and funding risks and recommend operational or budget adjustments when needed.

Grants, Resource Development & Sustainability 

• Identify and pursue grant and funding opportunities that align with CASA Neighborhood’s mission, programs, and strategic priorities.
• Actively participate in grant development and writing in collaboration with staff and community partners, including development of program concepts, narratives, budgets and supporting materials.
• Oversee grant implementation, budgets, reporting, compliance, renewals, and funder relationships.
• Develop and maintain relationships with foundations, public agencies, and other funding partners.
• Pursue appropriate strategies to strengthen and diversify CASA’s revenue and long-term sustainability.

Contracts & Compliance 

• Negotiate, administer, and monitor city, county, state, and other public and private contracts and agreements.
• Maintain effective working relationships with contract officers, agency representatives and funding partners.
• Ensure contractual objectives, deliverables, reporting requirements, invoicing, and timelines are met.
• Coordinate staff responsibilities and resources necessary to fulfill contract and grant commitments.
• Address compliance questions, contract modifications, renewals, and performance issues as they arise.

Program & Community Leadership 

• Provide executive oversight of CASA Neighborhood’s programs and initiatives while empowering program staff to lead day-to-day implementation within their areas of responsibility.
• Ensure programs are responsive to community needs, aligned with CASA’s mission and funding requirements, and supported by appropriate staffing and resources.
• Support development of new programs and initiatives when they advance CASA’s strategic priorities and are operationally and financially feasible.
• Maintain sufficient knowledge of CASA’s program areas to provide leadership, represent the work externally, and support staff, while recognizing that subject-matter expertise may be developed over time.

Government, Policy, Advocacy & Community Relations 

• Represent CASA with elected officials, city and county staff, public agencies, schools, coalitions, community organizations, funders, and other partners.
• Participate in policy and advocacy efforts consistent with CASA’s mission and legal obligations, including meetings with decision-makers, public testimony, community education, and support for policy development.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships throughout East County and the broader region that strengthen CASA’s programs, influence, and community impact.
• Serve as a spokesperson for CASA when appropriate and ensure the organization maintains a credible, visible, and effective public presence.

Human Resources & Staff Leadership 

• Hire, supervise, support, and evaluate staff in accordance with organizational policies and applicable employment requirements.
• Establish clear expectations, delegate responsibility, and promote staff accountability, professional growth, and effective teamwork.
• Oversee compensation, benefits, personnel policies, workplace practices, and staff development in partnership with the Board, as required.
• Address personnel matters and organizational staffing needs, including restructuring or allocation of staff resources when necessary.
• Foster an organizational culture that supports collaboration, respect, inclusion, accountability, and CASA’s mission.

Partnerships, Communications & Organizational Development 

• Develop and strengthen partnerships that expand CASA’s impact, capacity, and opportunities.
• Assess potential collaborations and new initiatives for mission alignment, organizational capacity, financial feasibility, and strategic value.
• Oversee organizational messaging, communications, and public representation, including coordination of media, website, social media, and other outreach as appropriate.
• Protect and strengthen CASA’s reputation and ensure staff and organizational representatives communicate consistently and effectively.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible leadership or senior management experience in a nonprofit, public agency, community-based organization, or related setting.
• Demonstrated experience with nonprofit financial management, budgeting, grants, contracts and organizational operations.
• Experience developing grant proposals and managing grant- or contract-funded programs.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop staff, manage multiple priorities and make sound operational decisions.
• Strong written and oral communication, relationship-building, collaboration and public presentation skills.
• Experience working with public agencies, community partners, funders and diverse communities strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of community health, prevention, youth development, homelessness, policy advocacy, or related fields is desirable; the ability and willingness to develop subject-matter knowledge is essential.
• Master’s degree preferred. A bachelor’s degree with substantial relevant leadership experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience, will be considered.