Chief Executive Officer - BBB of Northern California

Job Description

Job Description

Small businesses are the backbone of the American economy, employing more than 62 million people and accounting for roughly 43% of GDP, yet long-term stability remains out of reach for many. For nearly 90 years, the Better Business Bureau has helped main-street entrepreneurs establish credibility, resolve consumer disputes, and access business development resources that owners focused on serving their customers rarely have the time or expertise to develop themselves. The need for that support is increasing as local businesses navigate economic uncertainty, shifting consumer expectations, and new questions about credibility in a digital marketplace. The BBB offers a trusted marketplace that unites willing and informed consumers and businesses, the very backbone of a capitalist society.

As CEO of the BBB in Northern California, you will deepen BBB's value as a partner in small business growth, considering market needs as you expand the organization's visibility and reach across the region, and ensure BBB remains a proactive leader in the communities it serves. Reporting to the Chair of the Board of Directors, you'll lead a hybrid staff of 60 and an annual budget of $9MM with $6MM in reserves.

You'll develop the strategy to grow revenue by attracting and retaining Accredited Businesses and guide your team to implement it by strengthening their capabilities in sales and relationship management through hands-on coaching, training, and clear expectations. Externally, you will position the organization as a visible and accessible partner in the business community, establish strategic alliances with aligned organizations, and use media engagement to build public awareness of what BBB does and the value of accreditation. You will apply a marketing mindset in everything you do, ensuring the BBB continues to be aware of what consumers need, responsive to the climate businesses are operating within, and capable of evolving to remain relevant during changing times.

You'll be joining the BBB network at a time of significant momentum. BBB Inc., the governing body for BBBs across North America, has recently undergone a major modernization with a refreshed brand rooted the enduring commitment to marketplace trust, paired with a technology transformation that is amplifying BBB's digital visibility nationwide. Local BBBs benefit directly from national support in marketing and branding, sales enablement, value proposition, and partnerships. Moreover, BBB is increasingly becoming recognized as a credible source in AI search results. Your opportunity is to leverage these resources effectively to help grow the number of trusted businesses and informed consumers across Northern California.

 

Key Focus Areas

• Staff Leadership : Foster a collaborative, mission-driven workplace. Align roles and expectations with strategic objectives, identify areas for training and professional growth, and holding staff accountable for results. Delegate to build capacity while maintaining oversight of key leadership functions. Exercise emotional intelligence in all interactions, including coaching and inspiring the staff, and managing change in a way that promotes each staff member to perform at their highest potential.
• Business Acumen: Drive revenue growth by attracting new Accredited Businesses and building a sales function that performs. Set acquisition targets, expectations, and accountability for results, and address performance gaps quickly. Evaluate the full sales process and put the right structures, coaching, and management practices in place to improve conversion and deliver more predictable results, keeping the approach aligned with current market conditions.
• Financial Management: Steward the organization's financial health and long-term sustainability. Develop and manage the annual budget with the Board and Finance Committee, strengthen budgeting and forecasting, and oversee the dues structure and financial policies. Provide financial analysis and timely reporting to the Board to identify and address risks early.

 

Other Responsibilities

In alphabetical order:

• Accredited Business Engagement. Ensure Accredited Businesses get consistent value from their relationship with BBB, strengthening engagement across the accreditation lifecycle—from onboarding through ongoing support—so they understand and directly benefit from accreditation. Improve communication, responsiveness, and support so BBB is seen as an active partner in their success, with retention following from the value delivered.
• Board Governance. Partner with the Board of Directors to set strategy, manage risk, and ensure legal and ethical compliance across BBB's operations. Draw on the Board's expertise, surface emerging issues, and provide analysis and recommendations that lead to actionable decisions with consistent follow-through. Serve as an ex officio member of Board committees. Keep policies and procedures consistent with BBB bylaws and BBB Inc. standards.
• Consumer Services. Oversee consumer-facing services—complaints, reviews, and dispute resolution—as a core part of BBB's value and safeguard the accuracy and integrity of the research and reporting the brand's credibility depends on. Ensure these services reinforce marketplace trust while helping Accredited Businesses resolve issues, improve customer relationships, and protect their reputations.
• Partnerships and Public Engagement. Build partnerships with external stakeholders (e.g., business associations, government entities, and major employers) to expand BBB's reach and create growth opportunities for Accredited Businesses. Serve as BBB's primary spokesperson and maintain a public presence through media engagement, community involvement, and outreach, so both businesses and consumers understand BBB's role and value.
• Strategy and Relevance. Lead the organization's strategic direction, ensuring BBB delivers tangible value to small businesses while strengthening its relevance in the broader marketplace. Identify emerging consumer and business needs and translate those into priorities for programs, services, and partnerships. Evaluate and refine offerings regularly based on measurable impact, so BBB stays useful as the market changes.

 

Work Environment, Salary, and Benefits

• We offer a hybrid work environment with some employees working remotely throughout Northern California, and others spending 2-3 days each week in our Sacramento, CA office location.
• The budgeted salary for this position is $225-275K plus bonus potential.
• We also offer benefits including paid holidays, PTO, medical, dental, and vision coverage, 401(k) with an employer match, and Life and long-term disability insurance.

 

Qualifications

• 15+ years of executive or senior management experience in nonprofit, business, or community organizations, with a track record of leading teams and delivering results.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience; an advanced degree is a plus.
• Proven B2B sales leadership, building and coaching a team that sells a service to business owners.
• Experience leading multiple business functions, such as finance, marketing (including digital strategy), operations and administration, and personnel.
• Ability to manage large budgets, with an emphasis on increasing income while controlling costs.
• Familiarity with California employment law, or the ability to come up to speed quickly.
• Demonstrated success building partnerships and engaging the community across government, chambers of commerce, business associations, and the corporate sector.
• Proven communication skills, with the ability to engage a wide range of audiences (e.g., board, staff, Accredited Businesses, community partners, government organizations) and to serve as the organization's primary spokesperson across media and public forums.
• A collaborative and approachable leadership style, with strong personal integrity and a genuine commitment to BBB's mission of marketplace trust.

 

About the Better Business Bureau

The Better Business Bureau is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing marketplace trust. Through business accreditation, dispute resolution, consumer education, and ethical standards, the BBB works to create a fair and trustworthy marketplace for businesses and consumers alike.

 

 

Staffing Advisors is committed to reducing bias in every aspect of the hiring process. We have long recommended a competency-driven approach to hiring. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. We encourage you to apply even if your experience is not a 100% match with the position description; we will consider people from a variety of backgrounds and career experiences.