Executive Director

Executive Director United Cerebral Palsy of the Inland Empire (UCPIE) Palm Desert, California The Opportunity Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will provide overall leadership for UCPIE's strategy, people, programs, finances, fundraising, community relationships, and operations. The organization employs approximately 363 employees, including a large field-based respite workforce, and the Executive Director will play a central role in strengthening connection, communication, and trust across the organization. The successful candidate will be a collaborative and visible leader who can: • Translate the Board's strategic priorities into measurable organizational goals and communicate those priorities clearly and transparently throughout the organization. • Lead, mentor, and develop a strong management team while strengthening a healthy, connected organizational culture, with particular attention to engagement across the respite workforce. • Ensure high-quality, person-centered programs and services while building strong partnerships with the individuals and families UCPIE serves. • Maintain strong financial stewardship, budget discipline, and long-term organizational sustainability. • Strengthen fundraising by protecting established donor relationships, expanding donors and sponsors, and partnering with the development team on a sustainable resource-development strategy. • Guide thoughtful development of new programs by evaluating community need, infrastructure, staffing, funding, regulatory requirements, and long-term financial sustainability. • Serve as a trusted partner to the Board of Directors, providing clear analysis, actionable information, and an executive-level summary of organizational and financial performance. • Represent UCPIE as a respected, energetic ambassador throughout the Inland Empire and build strong relationships with families, donors, community partners, and servicesystem stakeholders. What We're Looking For UCPIE is seeking a leader with a strong combination of executive presence, strategic thinking, operational discipline, relationship-building skills, and a collaborative, mentorship-oriented leadership style. The successful candidate will be a strong communicator and public speaker who listens and learns before implementing significant change. Ideal candidates will bring: • At least seven years of progressively responsible management and leadership experience, including significant supervisory responsibility. • Experience in nonprofit or human services leadership, with meaningful experience serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities strongly preferred. • Strong financial management and budgeting experience, including the ability to understand financial performance, manage within established budgets, and evaluate the financial sustainability of programs. • Experience working effectively with a Board of Directors and translating operational and financial information into clear, transparent, and actionable reporting. • Demonstrated fundraising, donor relations, sponsorship, grant development, or resource-development experience, including both stewardship of existing relationships and expansion of new funding sources. • Demonstrated experience developing or expanding programs in a regulated environment, with an understanding of the infrastructure, staffing, funding, compliance, and operational requirements necessary for successful implementation. • Exceptional communication, public-speaking, decision-making, and organizational skills, with the ability to build credibility across employees, families, donors, community partners, and the Board. • A demonstrated commitment to the rights, dignity, independence, inclusion, and quality of life of people with developmental disabilities. • Bilingual Spanish/English preferred. Knowledge of California's developmental-disability service system is highly desirable, including familiarity with the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act, the California Department of Developmental Services (DDS), Inland Regional Center, the Department of Rehabilitation, government-funded programs, and applicable federal, state, and local requirements. Experience working directly with Inland Regional Center is particularly valued. Familiarity with CARF accreditation, including survey preparation and corrective-action processes, is a plus. Leadership Style The successful candidate will be: • Mission-driven and values-centered • Strategic and thoughtful, with a willingness to spend time listening, learning, and understanding the organization • Financially and operationally strong • Collaborative, transparent, and mentorship-oriented • Accountable and decisive • Skilled at building trust with staff, including field-based respite workers, as well as the Board, donors, families, and community partners • Positive, engaging, and comfortable serving as the public face of the organization Location This position is based in Palm Desert, California, with regular engagement throughout the Inland Empire. Compensation Salary - $150,000 to $175,000, depending on qualifications and experience, plus the opportunity for a performance-based bonus tied to organizational goals. Benefits - Medical & Dental Insurance and a 401(k) retirement plan.