Chief Executive Officer (San Francisco)

About LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired

LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired, headquartered in San Francisco, is one of the largest and most established comprehensive blindness organizations in North America. Founded in 1902, our mission is to promote independence, community, and equity, created by and with blind and low vision people. LightHouse delivers a broad range of direct services, including independent living skills training such as orientation and mobility, braille, and digital literacy; employment and workforce development programs; early childhood services through Little Learners; and community-based social and cultural programming.

LightHouse also operates several social enterprises and innovation initiatives across multiple Northern California locations, including its San Francisco headquarters, Enchanted Hills Napa, Earle Baum Center in Santa Rosa, and the Sirkin Center in Alameda. The Media and Accessible Design Lab (MAD Lab) produces tactile, braille, and audio materials. The Accessible User Experience (AUX) team partners with companies and organizations nationwide to create inclusive digital experiences. LightHouse Eco, based at the Sirkin Center in Alameda, manufactures environmentally friendly cleaning products and tissue packets, with 75% of its workforce comprised of individuals who are blind or low vision.

The Earle Baum Center serves as a regional hub offering low vision clinical services, programs, and community engagement for individuals across Sonoma, Napa, Lake, Mendocino, and surrounding counties. Enchanted Hills Camp, one of our flagship programs since 1950, takes place at LightHouse’s Enchanted Hills Napa property; each summer, EHC provides confidence‑building accessible camp experiences for hundreds of blind and low vision children, youth, adults and their families from across the country. EHN also operates as a year‑round destination for retreats, corporate gatherings, weddings, conferences, and community events, all while providing vocational employment training for people who are blind or low vision.

At LightHouse, we take pride in knowing that our employees reflect the community we serve, with approximately 45% identifying as blind or low vision. Through its integrated model of services, workforce development, and social enterprise, LightHouse is advancing a future where blind and low vision individuals can live independently and fully participate in all aspects of society. Each year, LightHouse serves approximately 3,000 individuals by providing education, training, advocacy, and community for blind and low vision individuals across California.

The Opportunity

The Board of Directors seeks a dynamic and grounded Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead LightHouse through a critical period of renewal and growth. Reporting to the Board and supervising an experienced C‑Suite, the CEO will serve as the organization’s strategic leader, responsible for advancing mission impact while strengthening fundraising, financial sustainability, organizational culture, and external engagement.

This is an inflection point for LightHouse. Constituents across the organization and community are aligned in their desire for a leader who can bring clarity of vision, internal and external trust, and position the organization for long‑term success.

The next CEO will:

• Strengthen the organization’s financial position, lead fundraising, and develop a clear, diversified revenue strategy.
• Build, maintain, and improve organizational culture and morale following a period of change.
• Establish and execute a focused, actionable strategic direction.
• Elevate LightHouse’s visibility, partnerships, and role in the broader disability and accessibility ecosystem.
• Lead with transparency, empathy, and accountability while making difficult decisions when needed.

As the public face of LightHouse, the CEO will serve in a highly visible, mission‑critical role—requiring a leader who brings both strategic discipline and relational leadership, balancing vision with operational rigor.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic & Organisational Leadership

• Provide visionary, mission‑driven, and results‑oriented leadership for the organization.
• Establish clear strategic priorities and guide execution with discipline and accountability.
• Strengthen organisational structure, leadership alignment, and decision‑making processes.
• Lead through change with transparency, building trust while advancing necessary transformation.

Fundraising, External Leadership & Partnerships

• Serve as the primary external ambassador, elevating LightHouse’s visibility and reputation.
• In partnership with a high‑performing Development team, manage fundraising strategy and execution, engaging donors, foundations, and institutional partners.
• Build and strengthen relationships across the blindness, disability, and broader community sectors.
• Expand partnerships that increase impact, access, and innovation.

Financial Stewardship & Sustainability

• Strengthen financial operations and address current and long‑term sustainability challenges.
• Develop and execute a clear revenue strategy, including diversification across funding streams.
• Ensure strong fiscal management, budgeting, forecasting, and compliance.
• Align resource allocation with mission priorities and program effectiveness.

Mission Stewardship & Program Excellence

• Ensure programs reflect best‑in‑class service delivery for individuals who are blind or visually impaired.
• Balance mission expansion with operational discipline and program quality.
• Strengthen systems for evaluating impact and outcomes.
• Maintain deep alignment with the needs and perspectives of the community served.

Organisational Culture & People Leadership

• Foster trust, morale, and engagement across staff, union, and other stakeholders.
• Promote a culture rooted in transparency, respect, and inclusion.
• Lead with authenticity and strong listening skills, valuing input across all levels of the organisation.
• Develop and retain a high‑performing, mission‑aligned team.

Governance & Board Partnership

• Partner closely with the Board to ensure strong governance and strategic alignment.
• Provide clear, timely, and thoughtful communication to support effective decision‑making.
• Support the Board in advancing organisational priorities and long‑term planning.

Candidate Profile

LightHouse recognises that candidates will bring a range of experiences. While no individual will embody every qualification, strong candidates will demonstrate many of the following:

Strategic & Operational Leadership

• Proven ability to lead organisations through periods of financial and organisational transition.
• Strong strategic thinking paired with execution discipline.
• Comfort making difficult decisions while maintaining trust and transparency.

Fundraising & External Engagement

• Demonstrated fundraising capability or clear evidence of ability to lead resource development efforts.
• Skilled relationship builder with donors, partners, and community stakeholders.
• Comfortable serving as a visible, outward‑facing leader and advocate.

Mission Alignment & Community Connection

• Deep connections and personal familiarity with the blind and visually impaired community.
• Ability to engage authentically with the community and reflect its needs in organisational strategy.
• Experience in disability, rehabilitation, education, healthcare, or adjacent sectors is valued but not required.

Financial & Business Acumen

• Demonstrated experience managing budgets, financial challenges, and resource allocation.
• Ability to develop sustainable revenue models and align operations with financial realities.
• Experience navigating complex funding environments, including public and private sources.

Change Management & Organisational Development

• Track record of leading organisational change while maintaining stability and morale.
• Ability to assess organisational strengths and challenges before implementing change.
• Experience strengthening teams, structures, and internal systems.

People‑Centred Leadership

• Transparent, empathetic, and values‑driven leadership style.
• Strong communicator and listener who builds trust across diverse stakeholders.
• Commitment to inclusive leadership and fostering a positive workplace culture.
• Diplomacy and relational aptitude to maintain positive internal and external engagement with both staff and unions.

Compensation and Benefits

Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience, with an anticipated range of $320,000 - $350,000, along with a comprehensive benefits package.

Location

This is a San Francisco Bay Area‑based position with a hybrid work policy.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

LightHouse is an equal opportunity employer. LightHouse policy and the law prohibit discrimination and harassment based on an individual’s race, ancestry, religion or religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), colour, age (40 and over), sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin (including language use restrictions), marital status, medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics), physical or men]]> <