Executive Director

Position Title: Executive Director

Application Instructions: To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter to View email address on click.appcast.io. CALICO is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and respectful workplace. We welcome and encourage applicants from all backgrounds and experiences.

Organization Overview: Since 1997, CALICO (Child Abuse Listening, Interviewing, and Coordination Center) has served as Alameda County's Children's Advocacy Center, bringing together law enforcement, child welfare, medical, mental health, prosecution, and victim advocacy professionals to provide a coordinated response to child abuse.

CALICO's mission is to provide a safe, child-focused environment for forensic interviews while facilitating a collaborative multidisciplinary response that places the needs of children and families first. Each year, CALICO serves approximately 500–600 children, adolescents, and adults with developmental disabilities who have experienced abuse, neglect, exploitation, or exposure to violence.

Through collaboration, coordinated services, and compassionate support, CALICO helps reduce trauma for children, strengthens investigations, and connects children and families with the medical, therapeutic, advocacy, and legal resources they need to begin healing.

Position Description: The Executive Director provides strategic leadership and overall management of CALICO, ensuring the organization's mission, vision, and policies are effectively implemented. As the chief executive of a nonprofit children's advocacy center, the Executive Director oversees all aspects of agency operations, including forensic interview and family support services, financial management, fundraising, human resources, compliance, and community partnerships.

The Executive Director fosters strong multidisciplinary collaboration among law enforcement, child welfare, medical, mental health, prosecution, and other partner agencies to ensure a coordinated response to child abuse throughout Alameda County. The position also provides leadership and administrative oversight for the Children's Advocacy Centers of California (CACC), supporting and strengthening the statewide network of children's advocacy centers.Serving as the organization's primary representative, the Executive Director builds and sustains funding, cultivates strategic partnerships, and promotes CALICO's mission within the community while ensuring the long-term sustainability and success of both CALICO and CACC.

Key Responsibilities:

• Administrative Leadership: Provides leadership and direction for the organization in partnership with the Board of Directors. Implements Board policies, keeps the Board informed, supports board development, and leads strategic planning to advance the organization's goals.
• Fund Development: Serves as CALICO's chief fundraiser and leads a comprehensive strategy to grow and diversify revenue from government grants and contracts, foundations, corporations, individual donors, and events. Personally cultivates, solicits, and stewards major donors and institutional funders, and sets annual fundraising goals supported by a tracked prospect pipeline. Partners with the Board to expand its fundraising role, oversees grant writing and reporting, and builds the development staff and systems needed for long-term financial sustainability.
• Financial Management: Oversees the organization's finances, including budgeting, financial reporting, grant and contract management, audits, and compliance. Monitors financial performance and works toward operating reserve goals.
• Operations: Oversees day-to-day operations to ensure high-quality, trauma-informed services for children and families. Maintains effective systems, monitors program performance, protects the confidentiality of client and case information, and ensures compliance with organizational policies and National Children's Alliance accreditation standards.
• Program Development: Leads the design, implementation, and evaluation of new and expanding programs, including a new pilot program and government contract, to ensure they meet their goals, requirements, and timelines.
• Human Resources: Leads recruitment, hiring, supervision, performance management, and professional development for staff and volunteers. Promotes a positive workplace culture and ensures compliance with employment laws and organizational policies.
• Community Relations and Advocacy: Represents CALICO and the Children's Advocacy Centers of California (CACC) in the community and advocates for the Children's Advocacy Center model. Builds relationships with funders, government agencies, community organizations, and other stakeholders to strengthen support for the mission.
• Multidisciplinary Collaboration and Innovation: Strengthens partnerships with multidisciplinary agencies throughout Alameda County to improve outcomes for children and families. Identifies opportunities for growth and innovation and fosters a collaborative, trauma-informed workplace culture.

Qualifications:

• Educational Background: An advanced degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Nonprofit Management, Public Policy, Social Work, or a related field is preferred. Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered.

Experience:

We are open to a range of leadership backgrounds. Candidates must bring:

• Senior leadership experience in a nonprofit or public sector organization (preferably in children’s advocacy, child welfare, victim services, or a related field), or
• Significant experience (5+ years) in a high-responsibility, high-stakes environment with increasing leadership responsibilities.
• A proven track record scaling programs or significant service growth and expansion.
• Experience managing county contracts, grants, and fundraising.

Successful candidates will demonstrate experience in strategic planning, organizational leadership, fundraising, financial management, and working with a Board or senior leadership team. Experience building partnerships with community organizations, government agencies, and multidisciplinary stakeholders is highly valued. Knowledge of trauma-informed and child-centered practices is preferred.

Skills:

Strong leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills. Ability to collaborate with diverse stakeholders, manage complex operations, and make sound decisions in a fast-paced environment. Experience with fundraising, grant management, budgeting, and organizational planning is required. Must demonstrate integrity, emotional intelligence, and sound judgment.

Schedule:

This is a full-time, on-site leadership role with a Monday through Friday schedule. Occasional evening and weekend work is required. Remote work is limited and approved only when necessary to meet organizational needs.

Additional Requirements:

• Valid California driver’s license, reliable transportation, and automobile insurance, and ability to travel throughout Alameda County and California.
• Successful completion of a background check.

Why Join Us?

CALICO is a well-established Children’s Advocacy Center that has served Alameda County for nearly 30 years, supported by an experienced staff and strong multidisciplinary partners.

This is a highly independent leadership role with significant opportunity for impact, growth, and initiative. We are seeking a motivated leader who is comfortable taking ownership, solving problems, and growing the organization with support from a dedicated team. Commitment to CALICO’s mission, strong relationship-building skills, and the ability to lead collaboratively are essential to this role.

To Apply:

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter to View email address on click.appcast.io. CALICO is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and respectful workplace. We welcome and encourage applicants from all backgrounds and experiences.

Annual Salary: Up to $160,000 - $200,000, depending on experience. The organization and Board are committed to ongoing efforts to strengthen and expand long-term funding to support organizational sustainability and leadership capacity.

Benefits: CALICO offers a benefits package to support the health and well-being of our employees. Our benefits are designed to provide employees with access to essential coverage while supporting a healthy work-life balance. These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision Care

For your Financial Future

• 403(b) Plan with company match

For your Work/Life Balance:

• 14 paid holidays
• Floating holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Wellness days
• Please note: these benefits may be subject to change in the Company’s sole discretion.

Next Steps: Qualified candidates will be asked to complete a questionnaire. Candidates who are selected to move forward will first interview with the Board President, then with staff, and then with the Board of Directors. We hope to fill the position in a timely manner.*

**This is the anticipated hiring process and may be adjusted based on the needs of the organization.