Executive Director at Diabetes Camping & Educational Services

Executive Director at Diabetes Camping & Educational Services

Join to apply for the Executive Director at Diabetes Camping & Educational Services role at Riverwalker Talent

Base pay range: $100,000.00/yr - $120,000.00/yr

About Us: Diabetes Camping and Educational Services (DCES) is a nonprofit organization with a 75‑year legacy of serving children, teens, and families living with Type 1 diabetes. We provide annual support to 500 campers from Southern California and beyond through Camp Conrad Chinnock and related programs, offering life‑changing experiences, education, and support that empower young people to thrive while building lifelong connections.

About the Role: DCES seeks an innovative, mission‑aligned Executive Director to lead the organization through its next chapter of growth and impact. The Executive Director will serve as the face of the organization, focusing on fundraising and donor development, increasing camper enrollment, and building strong community partnerships. The role requires collaboration with the Board of Directors, the Executive Camp Director, and senior staff to ensure financial sustainability aligned with DCES’s mission.

Located in the San Bernardino Mountains with satellite offices in Los Angeles and Orange County, this hybrid position has a primary work location in our Orange County office.

Key Responsibilities:

• Build and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy with a focus on major gifts, grants, events, and individual giving.
• Lead planning and execution of DCES’s signature Gala to ensure strong donor participation, sponsorship engagement, and revenue growth.
• Cultivate and steward relationships with donors, foundations, corporate partners, and community stakeholders.
• Generate off‑season revenue opportunities using our facilities.
• Partner with the Board to expand DCES’s donor base and secure sustainable funding for camp programs.
• Articulate the organization’s mission, vision, and strategic direction.

Camper Enrollment & Community Outreach:

• Lead efforts to increase enrollment at Camp Conrad Chinnock and other programs.
• Build partnerships with hospitals, clinics, schools, and diabetes‑focused organizations to raise awareness and strengthen referral pipelines.
• Develop marketing and outreach strategies to engage new families.
• Oversee the Camp’s website, social media channels, and promotional materials.

Leadership & Operations:

• Provide leadership and strategic direction to staff, board, and volunteers.
• Oversee financial management, budgeting, and reporting in collaboration with the Executive Camp Director, Board Treasurer, and Finance Committee.
• Ensure compliance with nonprofit governance standards and regulations.
• Foster a culture of inclusivity, compassion, and community aligned with the camp’s mission and values.
• Develop off‑season programs for campers, families, and community.

What We Need From You:

Required:

• Proven success in fundraising, donor cultivation, and nonprofit revenue generation (5+ years of experience or comparable transferable skills).
• Strong financial acumen, organizational management, and strategic planning skills.
• Exceptional communication and relationship‑building skills.
• Track record of using marketing, community outreach, and connection to build partnerships and achieve KPIs.
• Commitment to and passion for serving children, families, and communities affected by Type 1 diabetes.

Strongly Preferred:

• Experience leading major fundraising events (Galas, auctions, donor recognition events).
• Experience in community outreach, marketing, or enrollment growth.
• Leadership experience in a nonprofit, youth development, healthcare, or camp setting.

Nice to Have:

• Lived experience with Type 1 diabetes or a connection to the community.
• Former Executive Director experience.

What We Offer You:

• Hybrid schedule: partially remote role with a working office in Orange, CA; occasional travel to camp both on and off‑season.
• Base salary $100,000‑$120,000 (commensurate with experience); performance bonuses and raises based on fundraising revenue growth and organizational impact goals.
• Benefits: medical, vision, and dental insurance with full employer coverage; 3% retirement match; paid sick leave and paid time off.
• Opportunity to make a lasting impact on the lives of children and families living with diabetes.

How to Apply:

Riverwalker Talent has been retained to support this search and initial screening interviews. To apply, please complete the application form. In lieu of a cover letter, you will answer four short‑answer questions and upload your resume.

• Share an example of a fundraising success story. What were you responsible for and what was the outcome?
• Explain your budget management skills and experiences that would help you succeed in this role.
• How do you envision leveraging your experiences to support the growth of DCES?
• What draws you to this role and the mission at DCES?

What to expect: We will be collecting applications until Monday, January 5, 2026 , and screening interviews will begin in January.

We follow California’s Fair Chance Act. A criminal background check is conducted only after a conditional offer of employment is made. A conviction does not automatically disqualify a candidate; all findings are reviewed through an individualized assessment consistent with state law.