Executive Director of Center for Nonprofit Leadership

Posting Details

Position Information

Position Title
Executive Director of Center for Nonprofit Leadership

Position Category
Staff (Exempt)

FLSA
Exempt

FTE
1.0

Location

Basic Function

Under the general supervision of the Dean of the School for Professional and Continuing Studies, the Executive Director provides strategic, entrepreneurial, sector and operational leadership for the Center for Nonprofit Leadership. The position is responsible for advancing the CNL's mission, financial sustainability, regional partnerships, and organizational impact while serving as a trusted resource, convener, and advocate for the nonprofit sector throughout Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties

Representative Duties

• Serve as a regional thought leader and trusted voice for the nonprofit sector, advancing its visibility, effectiveness, and recognition as essential civic and economic infrastructure. E
• Set overall strategic direction and manage financial operations of the Center's annual budget and portfolio of programmatic activities in accordance with university polices. E
• Provide day-to-day leadership and supervision to the Center staff including assessing job performance, troubleshooting issues, identifying professional development needs, and providing mentorship & support. E
• Provide executive leadership to staff, Advisory Board members, committees, and volunteer faculty, fostering a collaborative, high-performing culture and effective organizational practices. E
• Review and refine the Center's theory of change and overarching business model to reflect changing needs and realities in the local nonprofit environment. E
• Cultivate, establish and sustain cross-sector partnerships with philanthropic institutions / leaders, businesses, government agencies, universities, and nonprofit leaders to advance shared priorities and collective impact. E
• Lead research, sector assessments, and data-informed initiatives that identify emerging nonprofit challenges, inform capacity-building strategies, and influence regional dialogue and investment. E
• Provide subject matter expertise to inform and shape the Center's programming, strategic initiatives and capacity building efforts. Influence content, design, sequence and style of all programmatic efforts. E
• Coordinate the Center's overall communications strategy and publication calendar. Provide editorial oversight of all Center publications. Develop & implement key messaging on the impact of Center efforts. E
• Build and sustain authentic collaborative relationships with diverse cross-sector leaders, professional associations, institutional partners and academic institutions. E
• Serve as lead presenter and facilitate workshops and learning opportunities benefiting the local nonprofit sector. Develop and deliver tailored training opportunities and informational presentations for organizations, their boards of directors and stakeholders as requested. E
• Guest lecture periodically at Cal Lutheran and other institutions of higher education. E
• Serve on committees and task-force efforts in the community aligned with the Center's priorities. E
• Position the Center for Nonprofit Leadership as a key philanthropic leader and capacity building provider of choice in the region E
• Lead a diversified revenue strategy encompassing earned income, membership, institutional philanthropy, corporate sponsorships, individual giving, and endowment development and stewardship to fund the CNL annually. E
• Staff leadership to the CNL Development Committee and develop the annual fundraising plan with input from University Advancement. E
• Develop general operating support and program-specific grant proposals and requests for funding; manage foundation & corporate relations including grant reporting requirements. E
• Cultivate and steward individual donors. E
• Collaborate with University Advancement Division colleagues to strategically integrate and leverage multiple avenues of funding in support of the CNL's general operations and strategic plan. E
• Prepare and maintain records and reports related to assigned activities. E
• Prepare timely reports to funding sources on grants received or in process; prepare and maintain records and reports related to assigned activities. E
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

E = Essential Duties

Knowledge Of

• University mission, goals, and objectives
• Nonprofit governance, organizational development and capacity building
• Philanthropic trends, nonprofit sector challenges
• Diversified revenue models, financial sustainability and strategic partnerships
• Strategic planning
• Fundraising
• Proposal and report writing
• Grant writing
• Ventura and Santa Barbara County philanthropic community.
• Entrepreneurial and creative thinking
• Computer and database applications
• Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy
• Technical/creative writing skills
• Oral and written communication skills

Ability To

• Take primary responsibility for diverse number of projects and to complete them in a timely manner.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships, work effectively with volunteers
• Fundraise
• Communicate and coordinate efforts with other departments and staff
• Plan and design special project activities and timelines
• Present information in a coherent and compelling fashion
• Conduct and facilitate group sessions
• Prepare and deliver oral presentations
• Plan and organize work, meet schedules and deadlines
• Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action
• Operate a computer terminal
• Prioritize and balance a variety of tasks simultaneously
• Travel frequently and reliably to multiple locations throughout Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties, including multiple destinations within the same workday.
• Maintain a high level of confidentiality

Minimum Qualifications

Any combination equivalent to: A bachelor's degree with at least seven years of executive leadership and management experience of a nonprofit organization with experience with institutional fundraising.

Preferred Qualifications

Board of Director experience. Affiliations with state and local boards (e.g. CalNonprofits, Association of Fundraising Professionals Santa Barbara & Ventura Counties Chapters)

Licenses and other requirements

Valid CA driver's license

Physical Abilities

Detect to understand appropriate written correspondence; operate a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer; communicate to exchange information in person, in writing, on the telephone and by email; stationary position for extended periods of time; move or transport light objects; position self to store and/or retrieve files

Environment

Office environment; adjusted schedule to include evening and weekend hours; extensive local and regional travel required, typically three to five days per week throughout Ventura County, with regular travel to Santa Barbara County for fundraising activities, meetings, workshops, and community events.

Hiring Range
$125,000-$145,000

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number
Staff005782022

Number of Vacancies

Desired Start Date
01/11/2027

Position End Date

Open Date
11/11/2026

Close Date
12/02/2026

Open Until Filled
No

Application Procedure/Special Instructions