Chief Executive Officer

COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES OF LOS ANGELES

(CASA/LA)

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER 

ABOUT CASA LA

CASA/LA improves the lives of children in the child welfare system by pairing them with a trained volunteer who advocates for their safety, permanency, and well-being and seeks to reduce and reverse the effects of child abuse and neglect. Nowhere in the nation is the need greater than in Los Angeles County, where over 18,000 children are under the jurisdiction of the Dependency Court. CASA of Los Angeles strives to serve over 1,300 of these children and youth with advocacy services and is on a strategic path to serve 10,000 children and youth within ten years. The key to these efforts is growth in the number of people who know about CASA/LA, the number of volunteers recruited and trained each year, revenue raised from individuals, foundations, corporations and government sources, and adequate staffing to support volunteer growth and fundraising efforts.

The CASA program is a proven, reliable, and economically efficient model of advocacy and support with a budget of over $6 million, a staff of over 50 full-time employees, and over 500 CASA volunteers:

Mission: CASA of Los Angeles (CASA/LA) organizes the community to take action and advocate for children and families in LA County’s overburdened child welfare and juvenile justice systems.

Vision: CASA/LA’s vision is a Los Angeles in which all children and families impacted by the child welfare and juvenile justice systems have equitable access to the resources and support they need to thrive.

Core Values: Deep Love, Justice, Authenticity & Integrity, Accountability and Respect.

ABOUT THE POSITION

CASA/LA seeks a skilled Chief Executive Officer (CEO) inspired by and committed to, the organization’s mission, vision, and core values. The CEO reports directly to the Board of Directors and is responsible for implementing, supervising, and evaluating CASA/LA’s strategic plan, ensuring that the organization has the resources to meet its goals, and stewarding those resources effectively.

The CEO is supported by the leadership team of a Development, Program, Financial, Recruitment & Outreach Officer, as well as other key staff or similar positions, and over 40 full-time employees. The CEO will provide hands-on management and leadership of the organization internally and serve externally as the voice of CASA/LA in advocating for the foster children of LA County via fundraising, marketing, recruitment, and educational purposes.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership

• Lead the organization’s growth and development according to the strategic plan, which include expanding the number of youth served, growing CASA/LA’s presence across LA County, and ensuring financial sustainability.
• Assess the management team, staff, and CASA/LA volunteers to ensure that the organization is effectively structured and staffed, including overseeing performance measures and monitoring results.
• Supervise the Development, Program, Financial, Recruitment & Outreach Officers and other key staff who are responsible for the management of day-to-day operations.
• Implement policies adopted by the Board of Directors and maintain the organization’s accountability to its mission and core values.
• Work with the Financial Officer to continue to develop sound financial, technology, human resources, and risk management procedures.

Board Relations and Board Development

• Maintain and cultivate strong relationships with the Board of Directors, committees, and advisory councils.
• Prepare for and attend all board meetings and committee meetings, as appropriate.
• Communicate regularly with the Board of Directors about the operations and financial health of the organization to ensure the realization of CASA/LA’s mission.
• Assist in a collaborative Board recruitment process.

Fundraising & Resource Development

• Collaborate with the Board of Directors and development staff to create and implement successful short-term and long-term fund development plans.
• Serve as the primary liaison with all major donors and funders.
• Develop and promote planned and legacy gifts, as well as successful fundraising campaigns.
• Partner with the Development Director to leverage relationships to personally drive six and seven-figure partnerships, gifts, and grants.

Financial Administration

• Work with the Financial Officer and leadership team to develop and manage the organization’s approved budget.
• Oversee the budget and control expenses once the budget is approved by the Board of Directors.
• Ensure efficient and transparent stewardship and management of CASA/LA’s resources.

Program Management

• Provide vision and oversight of achievement for all goals, objectives, and activities outlined in the strategic plan and the memorandum of understanding with the Los Angeles Superior Court.
• Ensure that children and youth in the foster care system receive the best level of services available from CASA/LA.
• Develop and maintain solid working relationships with the presiding judges of Los Angeles County Dependency Court, all bench officers, and with the state Judicial Council, Awareness of the Memorandum of Understanding.
• Maintain a working knowledge of best practices, significant developments, and trends in the fields of child welfare, trauma-informed care, LGBTQIA youth, transitional youth, juvenile justice, early childhood development, and laws relating to child welfare, foster care, and juvenile justice.
• Ensure quality implementation of the organization’s goals and strategies across all programs.

Community, Government, and Public Relations:

• Build, cultivate, and maintain effective relationships with a range of public and nonprofit agencies including Dependency Court, the Department of Children and Family Services, Children’s Law Center, and other social services and child welfare organizations.
• Communicate and collaborate frequently with judges, attorneys, county administrators, law enforcement, other officials, and influencers.
• Serve on or appoint representatives to serve on appropriate external committees.
• Serve as chief spokesperson for the organization and maintain media relationships.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of ten years of responsible executive experience, including a proven record of success.
• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g. nonprofit management, business administration, sociology, or a related discipline), advanced degree preferred.
• Experience with managing the day-to-day operations of nonprofit organizations.
• Experience working with volunteers, managing a large staff, and navigating relationships with the external constituency.
• Possesses the political/fundraising relationships needed to meet CASA/LA’s goals.
• Strong experience developing and managing budgets.
• Successful experience with individual, corporate, government, and foundation fundraising.
• Ability to perform the position with a high degree of professionalism and integrity.
• Awareness of the impact of systemic racism within the child welfare, dependency, and juvenile court systems.
• Caring, charismatic, innovative, and a forward-thinking leader with exceptional interpersonal skills.
• An astute leader with the ability to inspire and motivate others.
• Genuine and compelling enthusiasm for CASA/LA and its mission.
• Direct professional and/or lived experience in the child welfare or juvenile justice sector, a plus.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

The salary range is $170,000 to $190,000 based on experience.

Benefits include:

• Up to $535/month toward medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Employer-paid Basic Life and AD&D insurance
• A variety of voluntary benefits, such as supplemental life and disability plans, accident and critical illness coverage, pet insurance, and legal/ID protection
• Access to Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Commuter Spending Accounts (CSA), Health Savings Account (HSA), and an employer-sponsored Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) for employees who waive coverage
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to support emotional and mental well-being
• Robust time off benefits, including generous vacation, sick leave, paid holidays, and organizational closure days

CASA of Los Angeles is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to fostering diversity and inclusion. CASA of Los Angeles promotes equal opportunity for all employees and applicants. In doing so, we comply with local, state, and federal laws and regulations to ensure an equal employment opportunity for everyone. We don’t discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, ancestry, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, disability, citizenship, military service obligation, veteran status or any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws. Our policies and personnel practices are intended to ensure that all of us are treated equally with regard to recruiting, hiring, and advancement, and our decisions on employment are made to further the principle of equal employment opportunities for employees. 

Envision Consulting was retained by CASA of Los Angeles to search for their Chief Executive Officer.

Applicants needing accommodation for any part of the application process may contact Envision Consulting at 626.889.7905 to request and arrange for assistance.