Job Description

Chief Executive Officer

Optimist Youth Homes & Family Services

Los Angeles, California

The Moran Company is pleased to partner with Optimist Youth Homes & Family Services in Los Angeles, California to recruit the organization’s next Chief Executive Officer.

Organizational Overview

The mission of Optimist Youth Homes & Family Services is to support children and youth and their families, in and at risk of foster care, to build hope and achieve bright futures through wellness, education, relationships and career-focused services and resources. Optimist started from humble beginnings in 1914 as the Strickland Home for Boys. In the early 1920s, the home and local Optimist Clubs began working together to financially support the organization and in 1934 with the assistance of the Los Angeles Optimist Club it grew to be the Optimist Boys’ Home and Ranch. In 1999, the organization changed its name to the current DBA, Optimist Youth Homes & Family Services, to better reflect the breadth of services and constituents being served.

Optimist has a rich heritage and an enduring commitment to serving youth in and at risk of foster care through innovative programs and services. It has stood as a beacon of hope, addressing the evolving needs of young people – often vulnerable and marginalized – through education, counseling, housing support and resources. 

Today, the organization operates with an $18M annual budget and 135 employees and provides a full continuum of care aimed at supporting the diverse needs of youth and families throughout the Los Angeles region. Mental health resources are available to young people experiencing emotional, psychological or behavioral challenges.  Optimist’s wraparound services help families provide a safe and nurturing home for vulnerable people – especially Transition Age Youth aging out of the foster care system – for economic success. Short-term housing options are currently available to those young people who turn to Optimist with limited options or needing significant care, including youth who have been victims of commercial sexual exploitation. As the needs of youth and families in and at risk of foster care continue to evolve, Optimist will continue to adapt its service delivery to meet those needs. 

The agency is looking for its next dynamic entrepreneurial leader to steer the agency into new funding sources, programming opportunities and creative ideas for repurposing its significant real estate assets. 

Learn more about the organization at

Key Responsibilities and Attributes

The Chief Executive Officer is responsible to the Board of Directors and oversees all operations of Optimist, focusing on priorities that serve the organization's mission. The CEO is responsible for implementing the vision and executing the policies established by the Board of Directors, assuming full accountability for operational issues and all management decisions. Key responsibilities include: 

• Directing the agency’s programs, services and activities.
• Representing the agency in the community and within the Optimist organization.
• Preparing, recommending, and presenting an annual budget for Board consideration and approval, keeping the Board informed of financial needs and operating within the established budget.
• Participating at the community, state and national level in activities related to child welfare and mental health.
• Working with the Board on successful fundraising and revenue generation strategies.
• Ensuring COA and other regulatory compliance. 
• Supporting and promoting a trauma-informed culture throughout the organization.
• Working to promote and support diversity, inclusion, and equity at all levels in the   organization.

The ideal candidate for this position will be:

• A Strategic Visionary: Possesses a demonstrated ability to envision the organization’s strategic future including funding, service needs, repurposing of real estate assets/ facilities and communicating the vision to and gain alignment with all stakeholders.
• An Experienced Leader: Brings an established record of success as a seasoned executive leader with high emotional intelligence and ability to adapt to change, communicate with the board, internal stakeholders (staff) and external stakeholders with high integrity and ethics.
• A Collaborative Partner: Possesses and prioritizes the ability to develop strong relationships with city, county, state, federal and other stakeholders, keeping abreast of the changing policy landscape of the child welfare sector. 
• An Effective Ambassador: Skilled communicator with the Board, staff and external stakeholders. As a primary organizational representative, demonstrates exceptional interpersonal skills and a positive approach. Develops and nurtures partnerships with a variety of stakeholders and interests, working toward common goals.
• A Financial Steward: Brings strong fundraising skills and demonstrated success in the cultivation and solicitation of donors, fundraising events, and grants as well as financial skills and acumen, and the ability to read and interpret complex financial reports. 
• An Effective Manager: Experienced in managing and motivating staff and volunteer teams involved with multiple programs at multiple locations, and forging a shared consensus about future direction.
• Quality Focused: Understands and respects the CQI process and provides leadership to ensure best practices are being implemented.
• Business Minded: Experienced in managing assets and generating positive cash flow to support facilities and services.

Expected Professional Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in a field related to the organization’s mission and services. A Master’s Degree is preferred.
• 5-7+ years of executive leadership experience is expected, with at least 5 years of experience in a related field.
• Experience administering services to families, adults, youth and/or children.
• The skills to oversee human resources and financial management matters.
• The ability to work effectively and proactively with other providers, and local, state and federal entities.  

Compensation

The annual salary range for this position is $265,000 - $290,000. Benefits include:

• 3 weeks (120 hours) of vacation per year
• 12 paid holidays per year
• 9 paid sick days per year
• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Retirement Plan with 5% employer match
• Basic Life Insurance and AD&D – 100% employer paid
• Optional Supplemental Health, Life, AD&D, Disability Insurance – 100% employee paid

Statement of Non-Discrimination

Optimist Youth Homes & Family Services is committed to the principles of equal employment. We are committed to complying with all federal, state, and local laws providing equal employment opportunities, and all other employment laws and regulations. It is our intent to maintain a work environment that is free of harassment, discrimination, or retaliation based on an individual's race (including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), color, religion, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, marital status, reproductive health decision-making, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), gender (including gender identity and gender expression), age (40 years and over), sexual orientation, veteran and/or military status, protected medical leaves (requesting or approved for leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act or the California Family Rights Act), domestic violence victim status, political affiliation, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Application Process

The search for the new Chief Executive Officer is being conducted for Optimist by The Moran Company. To apply for this position, submit a cover letter and resume to Dacia Moore through the secure online portal. Resume should include all professional education and experience, dates of employment (month and year) and position/title and organization names. Cover letter should articulate relevant experience and fit within the stated preferences of the position.

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