WHO WILL THRIVE IN THIS ROLE?We are looking for a strategic and highly organized leader who enjoys bringing people, priorities, and complex projects together. They are comfortable working closely with senior leadership and the Board, balancing long-term planning with the day-to-day priorities that keep important work moving forward. They bring sound judgment, strong project management skills, and the ability to build trusted relationships across the organization and in the community. They can see the big picture while staying attentive to the details and can confidently move important work from ideas to action. Most importantly, they are collaborative, thoughtful, and committed to helping The Center grow, strengthen its operations, and advance its mission.
POSITION SUMMARYThis Senior Team position reports directly to the Deputy CEO and is part of the Senior Team. Working closely with the Chief Executive Officer, this position covers four primary areas of responsibility: partnering with the CEO and Board of Directors to vision; planning for The Center's long-term future, including real estate, programmatic, operational, and sustainability components; partnering with the CEO on short- and medium-term executive priorities, including CEO fundraising and directing overall relations with the Board of Directors, including overall responsibility for Board fundraising; and leading the Facilities team across Center sites. The CAO will also attend and actively participate in Senior Team meetings, focusing on strategic initiatives to move the organization forward in being recognized as a San Diego institution. This is primarily an onsite position.
The position requires outstanding project management skills in complex and long-term projects, discretion, sound judgment, a working understanding of governance, real estate development, and organizational strategy, and an elevated capacity for understanding role clarity and making executive-level decisions.
PRIMARY ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIESSPACE EXPANSION PROJECT MANAGEMENT Foundation & Decision-Making Support- Serve as the CEO's primary staff partner on all expansion-related work; manage follow-ups, decision logs, and project communications on the CEO's behalf.
- Build the project's management infrastructure: budget tracking, master schedule, risk register, consultant contract tracker, and Board/funder reporting cadence, integrated with The Center's existing MOCHA project management tool.
- Partner with the CIO in relationship-building with City of San Diego planning staff, the Council district office, and key community stakeholders.
- Coordinate with the Senior and Development/Communications teams to build alignment and respective planning for the future.
EXECUTIVE PLANNING & CEO SUPPORTExecutive Priorities and Project Management- The CAO's executive-planning work is in service of exploring Center expansion and other long-term strategies of The Center.
- Direct special projects and executive priorities as assigned, including Board and Board Committee priorities and cross-departmental projects otherwise unassigned to a Center department. Partner with the CEO to design project plans and evaluate implementation.
- Support designing and hosting quarterly Senior Team retreats, including agendas and briefing materials and post-retreat actions, to ensure short-term, medium-term, and long-term priority alignment.
VP Corporate Governance to the Board of Directors- Lead the design and execution of an annual Board strategic priority in partnership with the CEO, deepening the Board's engagement in fundraising and long-term planning; align efforts with the CEO, Chief Impact Officer, Sr. Director of Development, and individual Board members to drive expanded fundraising outcomes and Board engagement
- Drive Board, Committee, and task force performance against strategic timelines; shape meeting agendas and materials in partnership with the CEO and Committee Chairs to keep governance work focused on strategic priorities
- Serve as a strategic voice to the Board, reporting monthly on progress toward the strategic plan and expansion goals, and positioning governance as a driver of organizational momentum
- Report to the Board of Directors monthly on progress toward strategic plan and expansion project goals to the Board of Directors.
Senior Team Participation & Fiscal Support- Share responsibilities for cultivating a cohesive, positive Center culture and mentoring emerging Center leaders with a special focus on co-producing with the other members of the senior team, the skills development of the Leadership Team (The Center's senior directors). Works as part of leadership to provide in-building coverage.
- Support the annual budget development process for expansion-related and CEO office cost centers, organizing review schedules with the CEO, Senior Team, and Finance Committee.
- Serve as a conduit between the Senior Team and broader staff on both expansion and executive planning matters.
Facilities Provide strategic and operational leadership for The Center's Facilities Department, ensuring safe, compliant, and well-maintained physical spaces that support program delivery across all sites. Key responsibilities include:
- Directs strategic planning and long-term space utilization across all Center sites, including capital improvement priorities, to ensure facilities support organizational growth and mission delivery.
- Develops, manages, and monitors facilities operating and capital budgets; approves major expenditures and negotiates/oversees vendor contracts for maintenance, janitorial, security, and repair services.
- Ensures organizational compliance with California building codes, ADA requirements, fire and life-safety regulations, and applicable health and safety standards across all facilities.
- Supervises Facilities Department staff and management, establishing performance standards, maintenance protocols, and work order systems that ensure timely, effective response to program and site needs. Produce and oversee the department budget.
- Mitigate risk to The Center and our staff by ensuring safety procedures and related compliance measures.
- Partner with Programs, HR, Development, and IT leadership to align facility operations with service delivery needs, community events, and active capital or construction projects.
LEADERSHIP & CULTURE FACILITATION- Demonstrate administrative and leadership acumen in finance, budgeting, information systems utilization, and problem resolution.
- Promote, model, and ensure fairness and equity for everyone in all interactions.
- Promote the agency's Welcoming Culture in all program interactions, processes, and functions.
- Provide guidance and direction in the development and execution of work plans and projects.
CULTURAL COMMITMENT- Commitment to creating and sustaining a Welcoming Center where all are respected and valued.
- Maintain a willingness to structure and execute "courageous conversations" to address difficulties in working relationships, conducted with honesty, integrity, and professionalism.
- Create a positive, proactive environment for all people at The Center by addressing issues of harassment, discrimination, or lack of respect immediately.
- Exhibit cooperation and courtesy and assist in creating a positive public image for The Center and a productive work environment.
- Ensure the safety and well-being of all The Center clients, visitors, staff, and volunteers; promptly report any repair or maintenance issues.
AGENCY REPRESENTATIVE- Represent The Center at community and industry activities as appropriate and/or directed by the C-team, including planning commission hearings, funder convenings, and community meetings related to the expansion.
- Ensure that agency programs and activities you are involved in consistently reflect The Center's commitment to excellence and exceeding expectations.
QUALIFICATIONS- Education and/or Experience: 7+ years of leadership required, senior team level leadership preferred; experience working directly with Board of Directors or governing body required; advanced degree strongly preferred
- Professional Experience:
- Project management experience spanning either real estate development/capital projects or executive-level organizational operations required.
- Experience managing consultants, contractors, and cross-functional teams through multi-year processes.
- Strong financial literacy: comfortable reading pro formas, sources-and-uses tables, and development or departmental budgets.
- Exceptional organizational, written, and verbal communication skills; comfortable serving as an extension of the CEO and interfacing with a Board of Directors.
- PMP, real estate development certificate, or nonprofit management credential a plus but not required.
- Other Skills: Experience with LGBTQ+ communities, marginalized communities, or nonprofit multi-site organizations is a plus.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS- Compensation: The salary range for this position is $155,000 - $170,000 per year and is commensurate with experience. This is a Full-Time, Exempt position.
- Benefits: The CENTER offers a robust benefits package, inclusive of Competitive Pay Scales, 401(k) Retirement Plan (with company match), Full Medical, Dental, Vision, and Chiropractic Health Coverage, Out-of-Pocket Optional Coverage for Spouses, Domestic Partners, and Dependent Children, Full-time and Part-Time Schedules, Generous Vacation and Holiday Benefits, Professional Training & Development Experiences, Opportunities for Promotion & Advancement
