Job Description

OVERVIEW OF THE JOB

The CEO is an experienced and dynamic senior leader with the vision, expertise, and compassion needed to steward an organization that serves an exceptionally vulnerable population in San Diego and Riverside Counties. This leader is an inspiring and effective communicator with the ability to engage, motivate, and collaborate with an array of internal and external stakeholders including but not limited to Board members, staff, community leaders, individual donors, grant-makers, CASA allies, and other stakeholders in the child welfare system. Adept at continuous improvement, the CEO is an experienced fundraiser and advocate with a deep understanding of how to lead and manage all aspects of a mission-driven nonprofit organization. The successful candidate has a passion for the work and a familiarity with the challenges and opportunities inherent in leading an organization that seeks to protect the rights and well-being of marginalized children.

Among the CEO's many duties, this leader is responsible for:

Strategic and Collaborative Leadership

• Building a positive workplace culture that fosters cohesion and innovation among diverse staff and volunteers throughout San Diego and Riverside Counties
• Engaging program and administrative staff in transparent, supportive conversations that energize staff and produce new strategies for approaching the work
• Working with stakeholders throughout San Diego County, Riverside County, and the State of California to identify and foster collaborative efforts that positively affect the well-being of abused and neglected children
• Stewarding change within the organization through visionary and strategic work that builds upon the integrity and quality of the existing work

External Relations and Fundraising

• Raising the visibility of Voices for Children and increasing awareness of the needs of abused and neglected children through public speaking, promotional activities, and media messaging that inspires engagement
• Collaborating with the Chief Philanthropy Officer to craft and oversee an agency-wide fundraising plan that includes large-scale donor events
• Fostering relationships with individuals, corporations, government agencies, and foundations to promote Voices' work and secure resources to support it
• Advocating at the state and local levels for policies and resources that address the needs of at-risk children

Management

• Operating with integrity, transparency, and accountability in all interactions with internal and external stakeholders
• Overseeing the organization's financial and operational activities in partnership with senior staff
• Providing ongoing strategic recommendations to the Board based on new programmatic and funding opportunities, trends in the field, staff input and expertise, creativity, financial analysis, and risk assessment
• Working closely with the Board to ensure that programmatic, fiduciary, and legal compliance responsibilities are fulfilled in a transparent and responsible manner

QUALIFICATIONS

• A passion for and commitment to addressing the needs of abused and neglected children
• A track record of successfully stewarding a mission-driven organization
• The ability to monitor and oversee the operations of a nonprofit organization
• Proven executive-level experience leading teams and communicating, negotiating, and collaborating with diverse internal and external stakeholders
• The ability to speak persuasively to audiences of all types
• Preferred: Graduate degree in a related field such as law, social work, psychology, management, or another relevant field

Salary range: $225,000-$250,000 with additional bonus incentives and generous benefits

Applications without a cover letter will NOT be accepted.

Application Deadline: August 14, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. PDT

Top Reasons to Work at VFC

We take pride in our extraordinary employees and their team spirit. Our staff members are dedicated to helping children in foster care and supporting the work of our CASA volunteers.

• We work in a supportive team environment and we set a high bar for ourselves in regard to professionalism and work ethic.
• We truly do make a difference in people's lives. As an advocacy organization, every day we work to improve the lives and outcomes for abused and neglected children in foster care.
• We are privileged to supervise and support talented and committed CASA volunteers.
• We rely on our creativity and problem-solving skills to find solutions to the challenges and limitations of the child welfare system.
• VFC offers opportunities for growth and career development in many areas, including public speaking and leadership.
• We have ample opportunities to increase our advocacy skills and knowledge of the child welfare system through conferences and workshops.
• Our employees play an instrumental role in developing our vision and pioneering new ways to meet the needs of the children we serve.
• We enjoy full health benefits, including dental and optical, and a 403(b) retirement plan.
• We enjoy 13 paid holidays (including all court holidays) in addition to vacation time off.