Chief Executive Officer

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

ABOUT OPTIMIST YOUTH HOMES & FAMILY SERVICES 
Founded in 1906, Optimist Youth Homes and Family Services is one of Los Angeles’ oldest and most trusted foster care–focused nonprofit organizations. For more than a century, Optimist has stood beside vulnerable youth and families, guided by compassion, equity, and a commitment to building stability, belonging, and brighter futures. 

With a budget of $18M, Optimist serves over 1,800 youth and families each year across Los Angeles County, with program sites in Highland Park, Woodland Hills, the Antelope Valley, and the San Fernando Valley. Through a continuum of care that focuses on both prevention and healing, Optimist helps families stay together and empowers youth to thrive. 

Optimist supports children and families through every stage of the foster care journey. By providing wraparound services, counseling, and parenting support, the organization helps families address challenges and prevent foster care placements. For youth already in care, Optimist offers housing, adoption services, and transition programs that build stability, independence, and brighter futures. 

ABOUT THE ROLE 

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is the chief strategist, culture leader, and external ambassador for Optimist Youth Homes & Family Services. Reporting to the Board of Directors and leading a dedicated Executive Leadership Team, the CEO will guide Optimist through a period of organizational evolution, building on its legacy while positioning the agency for a sustainable and impactful future. The CEO brings a strong strategic and systems-thinking lens, consistently connecting day-to-day decisions to long-term organizational vision, impact, and financial health. 

The CEO is a business-minded nonprofit leader, pairing a deep commitment to youth and families with strong financial, operational, and asset-management acumen. As a visible and accessible presence, the CEO builds trust with our staff, Board, funders, public partners, and community stakeholders. The CEO leads with a strong equity and trauma-informed lens, fosters an inclusive and high-performance culture, and communicates with clarity, integrity, and accountability. 

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES 

Strategic Leadership & Vision 

• Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive strategic plan to guide Optimist’s growth, sustainability, and mission delivery. 
• Align programs, operations, and staff culture around a shared organizational vision. 
• Assess and adapt services to meet the evolving needs of youth and families in foster care and community-based programs. 
• Position Optimist as a thought leader and collaborator in the child welfare and behavioral health landscape. 

Organizational Management & Culture 

• Oversee all programs, services, and operations to ensure quality, impact, and regulatory compliance. 
• Foster a trauma-informed, inclusive, and values-based culture that empowers staff and promotes professional growth. 
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with the Board of Directors and Executive Leadership Team through transparent communication and mutual trust. 
• Implement best practices in continuous quality improvement (CQI) and operational efficiency. 

Financial Stewardship & Asset Management 

• Provide strategic oversight of Optimist’s $18M budget, ensuring fiscal accountability and sustainable operations. 
• Manage and leverage the organization’s significant real estate holdings for maximum mission alignment and financial return. 
• Diversify revenue streams beyond government contracts, developing creative business and social enterprise models. 
• Oversee accurate financial reporting and compliance with funding requirements. 

Fundraising & Resource Development 

• Drive a comprehensive fundraising strategy that includes institutional giving, major donors, corporate partnerships, and special events. 
• Cultivate new and existing relationships with foundations, corporations, and government funders. 
• Build a major donor pipeline and strengthen relationships with individual supporters. 
• Partner with the Board to expand unrestricted revenue and philanthropic visibility. 

External Relations & Community Engagement 

• Serve as the primary spokesperson and ambassador for Optimist, elevating its visibility in Los Angeles and beyond. 
• Strengthen relationships with local, state, and national partners, including DCFS, DMH, and peer agencies. 
• Represent Optimist in policy discussions, coalitions, and professional associations to influence the future of youth and family services. 
• Ensure consistent, compelling messaging and brand alignment across all communications. 

QUALIFICATIONS 

• A minimum of ten years of experience in progressively responsible roles within a nonprofit agency. 
• Prior experience serving as a CEO is strongly preferred. 
• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g. nonprofit management, business administration, or a related discipline).   
• A business mindset with a proven track record in managing a strategic planning process, resulting in improved efficiency, program effectiveness, and sustainability of organizational budget. 
• Extensive experience in nonprofit leadership, including budgeting and accounting, financial statements, financial projections and fundraising and donor relations. 
• Familiarity in the field of mental health, foster care, and children’s services.  
• Experience working with the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services and Department of Mental Health or similar agency strongly preferred. 
• Proven fundraising success with individual donors, foundations, and corporate partnerships, resulting in overall organizational growth. 
• Demonstrated success managing teams, supervising staff, and fostering a productive, motivated work environment. 
• A deep passion for the mission and core values of Optimist.   

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS 

The annual salary range for this position is $265,000 - $290,000. Benefits include generous PTO, medical, dental and vision insurance, and retirement plan with employer match. This is an in-person role based in Los Angeles, CA.

Optimist Youth Homes & Family Services (OYHFS) is an equal opportunity employer committed to employment practices that are free of discrimination. All candidates for employment will be considered solely on the basis of merit, competence, and qualifications; consideration will not be influenced in any manner by an individual’s race, color, religion, national origin, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability (physical or mental), medical condition (including AIDS/HIV status), or age. 

Envision Consulting has been retained by Optimist Youth Homes & Family Services to conduct the search for their Chief Executive Officer. 

Applicants needing accommodation for any part of the application process may contact Envision Consulting at 626.889.7905 to request and arrange for assistance.