Executive Director

Executive DirectorSterling Search Inc. has been exclusively retained to recruit for the Executive Director for the Los Alamitos Education Foundation (LAEF):Enhancing Educational ExcellenceLAEF is the non-profit partner of Los Alamitos Unified School District. We provide enrichment classes and grants that benefit EVERY STUDENT, at every level, in every school. After-School and Summer Enrichment Classes inspire students, unlock passion, and keep them learning.Mission:To build durable relationships that help fund our vision, share our knowledge, and prepare every child in our district for college and beyond.Vision:LAEF is the trusted partner through which the community engages with the Los Alamitos Unified School District to measurably improve student achievement results. LAEF provides both significant funding to the district in critical areas impacting all students, and educational enrichment opportunities for every student.LAEF is a thriving 501(c)(3) nonprofit with approximately $2 million in annual revenue and $1.2 million in reserves, reflecting both financial stability and strong stewardship. The organization is supported by a dedicated, cohesive Board of Directors—each member personally invested as a donor—alongside a high-performing team deeply committed to advancing its mission.At its core, LAEF is a beloved cornerstone of the community—embraced by families, trusted by district leadership, and supported by the broader business community. In a district that ranks among the lowest in per-pupil state funding in Orange County, LAEF plays a critical and indispensable role in ensuring students have access to enriched educational opportunities. This collective commitment underscores LAEF's reputation as a true community treasure with rigorous academics and award winning arts programs.Complementing these efforts, recent bond measures have enabled the modernization of school facilities, creating a powerful intersection of enhanced learning environments and programmatic excellence. Together, these strengths position LAEF for continued growth, impact, and deeper community engagement.LAEF has been guided by a long-serving and dedicated Executive Director whose leadership has positioned the organization as a strong, stable, and highly respected community asset. Building on this legacy, LAEF is seeking a new Executive Director who will embrace its values and vision while leading the organization into its next phase of growth and expanded impact.While the majority of LAEF's funding is generated through earned revenue—with approximately $400,000 raised annually through fundraising—there is a compelling opportunity to further diversify and strengthen its philanthropic portfolio. With such a solid foundation already in place, the next leader has the opportunity to thoughtfully build and expand fundraising efforts, elevating individual and institutional giving to support sustained growth and long-term community impact.This is a rare opportunity for a visionary nonprofit executive with a demonstrated track record of building diversified fundraising portfolios to lead the organization into its next phase of growth and impact.Position SummaryThe Los Alamitos Education Foundation (LAEF) seeks a strategic, community-centered Executive Director to lead a high-performing education nonprofit that serves as the sole nonprofit partner to the Los Alamitos Unified School District.LAEF delivers enrichment programming and critical funding that benefits every student, at every level, across all schools, through a hybrid model of fee-based programs and philanthropic support.The Executive Director will lead a mature and growing organization that operates after-school and summer enrichment programs at scale and funds grants, mental health initiatives, and innovation across all campuses.This role requires a dynamic, multi-faceted leader who can:Oversee a complex program delivery organization, including classes, instructors, and logisticsServe as the chief fundraiser and community ambassador, driving philanthropic growthProvide strong nonprofit organizational leadershipKey Responsibilities:Organizational Leadership & StrategyLead execution of LAEF's mission to enhance educational excellence and improve student outcomes across the districtPartner with the Board of Directors to drive strategic planning, growth, and long-term sustainabilityBalance earned revenue (program fees) with contributed revenue (donations, grants, sponsorships)Program Oversight & GrowthOversee all LAEF programs, including:After-school enrichment programsSummer Enrichment Institute (SEI), serving hundreds of students annuallyCamps, clinics, and specialty classes led by independent contractorsEnsure programs are high-quality, financially viable, and aligned with district prioritiesExpand access through scholarships and inclusive programmingFundraising & Revenue DevelopmentServe as chief fundraiser, leading all development efforts including:Individual giving (including Leadership Circle donors)Corporate partnerships and sponsorshipsGrants and institutional funding/Signature fundraising eventsGrow major donor programs and deepen community investmentBuild "durable relationships" that sustain long-term funding pipelinesCommunity Engagement & External RelationsAct as the public face of LAEF in the communityCultivate strong relationships with Parents and families, Local businesses and sponsors, Civic and philanthropic organizationsStrengthen LAEF's visibility and brand as a trusted education partnerDistrict Partnership & Stakeholder AlignmentMaintain close collaboration with district leadership, principals, and educatorsEnsure LAEF programs directly support school-site needs, including: STEAM initiatives, Mental health and wellness support, Instructional enrichment and innovation fundingTeam & Operations ManagementLead and develop a small, high-impact staff team and large seasonal workforceOversee instructors, vendors, and program staff across multiple school sitesEnsure operational excellence across scheduling, staffing, compliance, and logisticsMarketing & CommunicationsOversee marketing strategy to drive program enrollment and donor engagementManage communications across digital platforms, newsletters, and community outreachSupport storytelling that demonstrates impact and drives givingFinancial Management & ComplianceDevelop and manage annual budget, ensuring both program profitability and mission investmentOversee financial reporting, forecasting, and resource allocation with the assistance of an outsourced bookkeeping/CPAEnsure compliance with nonprofit, school district, and state requirementsIdeal Candidate Profile The ideal candidate reflects a blend of education leadership, nonprofit management, and fundraising expertise.Required Qualifications:6+ years of progressive leadership experience in nonprofit, education, or related sectorProven success in fundraising and donor developmentExperience managing programs, staff, and multi-site operationsStrong relationship-builder with the ability to engage diverse stakeholdersDemonstrated ability to balance mission impact with financial sustainabilityHighly Valued Experience:Background in education (teaching, school leadership, or district collaboration)Experience running fee-based programs or earned revenue modelsActive involvement in professional or community organizations (e.g., fundraising or civic groups)Grant writing and program development expertiseExperience supporting STEAM, enrichment, or youth development initiativesLeadership Competencies:Strategic and execution-orientedCommunity-connected and highly visibleEntrepreneurial with a growth mindsetOperationally strong and detail-orientedMission-driven with a focus on student impact and accessCompensationThis position offers an annual salary of $150,000 to $180,000, based upon qualifications and experience and benefits that include 6 sick days, 17 holidays and 12+ days of vacation time, 403B with 3% match. Health Insurance fully paid by LAEF with optional dental at employee cost.To apply please contact:Sarah View email address on click.appcast.io