Leadership Council San Mateo County, Executive Director

Job Description

Job Description

ABOUT LEADERSHIP COUNCIL SAN MATEO COUNTY 

Leadership Council San Mateo County strengthens leaders and fosters public-private sector relationships to spark innovation, civic engagement, and positive impact across the region.

Founded in 2020, Leadership Council SMC was built on the belief that strong, connected communities are cultivated through cross-sector relationships, shared purpose, intentional leadership, and sustained effort. In just a few years, it has grown from a start-up nonprofit into a respected countywide civic leadership organization with strong program demand, a growing alumni network, and deep relationships across sectors.

The organization is now preparing for a transition from founder-led leadership to a professional Executive Director model. The Executive Director will direct all efforts to grow and sustain LCSMC’s impact and ensure a clear path to long-term financial stability.

To learn more about Leadership Council San Mateo County, please visit  

THE LEADERSHIP COUNCIL SMC WAY 

Our culture is central to how we work, and the next Executive Director should understand and model it:

• We prepare deeply so we can show up fully.
• We communicate with clarity, consistency, and care.
• We build trust through relationships and belonging.
• Equity is embedded in our approach.
• We lead together with intention and accountability.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Executive Director will provide strategic, financial, relational, and cultural leadership as Leadership Council SMC enters its next phase of growth. This highly relational role is well suited for a trusted convener, experienced fundraiser, and disciplined organizational leader who is energized by civic leadership and cross-sector collaboration, and who moves at a pace suited to a maturing organization. The Executive Director will also need the judgment to remain a credible, nonpartisan convener, engaging on important county issues while staying above the political fray. 

The Executive Director will work closely with the Board committees, founding Co-Presidents, staff, alumni, sponsors, and community partners to guide the organization to a successful and ever-evolving future.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Strategic Leadership & Organizational Growth: Partner with the Board of Directors to implement, monitor, and refine Leadership Council SMC’s strategic plan, helping the organization evolve from founder-led to professionally led. Assesses growth opportunities with discipline, ensures new initiatives align with mission, community needs, organizational capacity, and financial sustainability. Builds systems and structures that enable growth while preserving relationships, quality, culture, and mission. Leads with an equity-centered, community-responsive lens. 
• Fund Development & Financial Sustainability: Leads and grows a diversified revenue strategy across foundations, corporate sponsors, government partners, individual and alumni giving, and earned revenue. Cultivates and stewards major funders and donors directly, and activates Board members as fundraising partners. Ensures long-term financial stability.
• Program & Community Impact: Oversees the Leadership CORPS and Emerging Leaders Immersion Programs, LEAD Local, and the Community Acceleration Projects (CAP) model, ensuring quality, relevance, and financial sustainability. Serves as a credible, welcoming public presence at programs, preserving the sense of belonging and connection that defines the participant and alumni experience, and uses participant and alumni feedback to guide what to grow, simplify, or sunset.
• People, Board & Governance: Leads, coaches, and develops the staff team, building a culture of trust, transparency, and accountability. Serves as the primary staff partner to the Board, preparing clear materials and supporting effective governance. Stewards the alumni network as a source of connection, leadership, and support.
• External Relations & Operations: Represents Leadership Council SMC as a trusted ambassador with public officials, funders, private sector partners and community partners. Oversees budgeting, financial reporting, compliance, and operational systems. Guides communications and storytelling that build stakeholder trust, especially through the transition.

FIRST YEAR PRIORITIES

• Build trust with staff, Board, founders, alumni, and partners.
• Work with the founders and Board to clarify transition timelines and decision rights.
• Learn the Immersion Program model deeply enough to protect quality while shifting away from founder dependence.
• Develop a fund development plan with near-term and long-term targets.
• Establish a strong Board partnership and clear internal systems for reporting and accountability.

The Board and founders are committed to giving the incoming Executive Director a real runway to learn before being expected to operate independently.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS 

Required

• 5-10 years of nonprofit leadership experience (ED, CEO, or senior leadership level).
• Strong fund development track record, including donor cultivation, stewardship, and institutional fundraising.
• Experience managing staff and building a healthy team culture.
• Experience working effectively with a nonprofit board.
• Strong financial management and communication skills.

Preferred

• Knowledge of San Mateo County or a similar regional cross-sector environment.
• Experience with leadership development, civic education, or cohort-based programs.
• Experience leading an organization through founder transition or organizational change.
• Prior participation in Leadership Council SMC or a comparable program.

DESIRED LEADERSHIP QUALITIES

• Builder — A strategic thinker who can take a strong young organization into its next stage of maturity, distinguishing mission-aligned growth from distracting opportunity.
• Convener — A relationship-centered leader who understands that trust is Leadership Council SMC's most important currency, and can build relationships with leaders across sectors.
• Operator — A disciplined leader who turns ideas into plans, budgets, and results, and a collaborative manager who develops staff and creates clarity without micromanaging.
• Steady Hand — A leader who navigates ambiguity and transition with humility, decisiveness, and follow-through, respecting the organization's founding history while bringing fresh perspective.
• Communicator — A clear, confident communicator and compelling ambassador for LCSMC, grounded in respect for public service, civic leadership, and cross-sector collaboration.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP

The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors, and during the transition will work closely with the founding Co-Presidents on knowledge transfer and continuity.

Benefits

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Based in San Mateo County with regular in-person presence required; some remote flexibility may be available. This position offers a competitive salary range of $175,000 - $180,000, and a competitive benefits package including health insurance and PTO. More details can be provided upon request.

TO APPLY

Please submit a resume online at

Leadership Council SMC is committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and equitable organization, and strongly encourages applications from candidates of all backgrounds and lived experiences, including those who reflect the diversity of San Mateo County.