Executive Director

Description

Application Procedures, Recruitment Timeline: If you are interested in this dynamic and rewarding opportunity, please submit a letter of interest, no more than two pages, addressing the responsibilities and qualifications detailed in this job description, and a current resume of professional experience, by 5:00pm SEPTEMBER 13, 2026. Email your letter of interest and resume as .doc, .docx, or .pdf attachments to [email protected] 

Paper applications will not be accepted. 

Resumes will be screened according to the qualifications outlined above. The most qualified candidates will be invited to a first interview. Top candidates will be invited to further interviews. 

For confidential inquiries, feel free to contact our search consultant Ami Sullivan at (916) 258-5218 or email [email protected].

We are an equal opportunity employer.

About North Bay Regional Center

North Bay Regional Center (NBRC), one of 21 regional centers located throughout California, is a private non-profit (501(c)3), started as a grass roots movement to assist persons with intellectual disabilities — and their families — in identifying and developing services and programs within their communities that help them lead more independent lives. The regional centers were established by the Lanterman Act (California Welfare & Institutions Code §4500 et seq.) and are regulated by Title 17 of California’s Government Code. Regional centers serve as the point of entry into the State’s developmental services delivery system, providing life-long services and supports to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. 

North Bay Regional Center was incorporated in 1972 and proudly serves the needs 13,000 children and adults with developmental disabilities in the linguistically and culturally diverse communities of Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties. NBRC is guided by a dedicated Board of Directors and supported by approximately 400 staff and 1,500+ service providers. Our mission is to empower, respect and serve each child and adult with or with the potential for a developmental disability, while promoting the health and well-being of each individual, their families, and our community. 

Servant Leadership is Ultimately an Act of Stewardship.

At North Bay Regional Center, the Executive Director is entrusted with far more than the leadership of a complex organization. The Executive Director is entrusted with helping create the conditions in which individuals with developmental disabilities, families, employees, service providers, community partners, and future leaders can flourish together.

This opportunity calls for a leader who understands that operational excellence and human dignity are inseparable—that responsible stewardship of public resources, thoughtful leadership of people, and meaningful relationships all contribute to the same purpose: supporting individuals to live lives of their own choosing as valued members of their communities.

As North Bay Regional Center looks toward its next chapter, we seek a leader who is inspired by that responsibility and who believes, as we do, that leadership is ultimately measured not by authority, but by the opportunities it creates for others.

Executive Director Position Description

Position Title: Executive Director

Reports To: Board of Directors

Supervises: Executive Team (which currently includes: Chief Financial Officer, Director of Case Management, Director of Clinical and Intake, Director of Community Services, Director of Equity and Engagement, Director of Administrative Services, Executive Assistants)

FLSA Status: Exempt

Position Summary (Definition and Nature of Work)

The Executive Director serves as the Chief Executive Officer of North Bay Regional Center and is accountable to the Board of Directors for the overall leadership, performance, and stewardship of the organization.

Working at the Board’s direction, the Executive Director advances the organization's mission by providing strategic leadership, ensuring operational excellence, safeguarding the responsible stewardship of public funding, and fostering an organizational culture that reflects integrity, accountability, collaboration, and person-centered practices.

The Executive Director leads a complex organization operating within California's developmental services system and is responsible for ensuring that North Bay Regional Center fulfills its statutory responsibilities under the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act and is responsive to the individuals, families, employees, service providers, and the communities it serves.

The Executive Director recognizes that organizational excellence is achieved when strong systems support strong relationships, and when those relationships strengthen organizational performance. Through thoughtful leadership, sound judgment, and responsible stewardship, the Executive Director ensures that North Bay Regional Center remains a trusted partner and a high-performing organization committed to improving the lives of people with developmental disabilities.

For additional context and NBRC’s vision of leadership, please see the companion document, “Our Philosophy of Leadership”.

Responsibilities of this Position

Executive Accountabilities

The Executive Director is entrusted with the overall stewardship of North Bay Regional Center and is accountable for ensuring that the organization fulfills its mission, operates with integrity, and remains responsive to the communities it serves.

The Executive Director provides leadership that:

• Advances the mission, vision, values, and strategic direction established by the Board of Directors (developed in partnership with community members).
• Ensures the delivery of high-quality, person-centered services in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, contractual requirements, and ethical standards.
• Aligns strategy, operations, people, and resources to achieve organizational priorities and continuously improve organizational effectiveness and efficiency.
• Strengthens organizational capacity through sound leadership, workforce development, succession planning, operational improvement, and responsible stewardship of financial and public resources.
• Cultivates an organizational culture characterized by trust, accountability, responsiveness, collaboration, learning, and respect.
• Builds enduring partnerships with individuals receiving services, families, employees, service providers, community organizations, governmental agencies, advocacy organizations, and other stakeholders.
• Represents North Bay Regional Center with credibility, professionalism, and integrity while strengthening public confidence in the organization and its mission.
• Furthers strong relationships with state leaders, including the Department of Developmental Services (DDS), the Association of Regional Center Agencies (ARCA), and state Legislatures. 

Strategic Leadership

The Executive Director provides strategic leadership that positions North Bay Regional Center to fulfill its mission today while preparing thoughtfully for the future.

Working under the guidance of the Board of Directors and executive leadership team, the Executive Director establishes organizational priorities that respond to emerging opportunities, evolving community needs, changing regulatory requirements, and the long-term sustainability of the organization. Strategic leadership requires balancing innovation with stability, ensuring that change strengthens—rather than distracts from—the organization's mission and person-centered values.

The Executive Director is responsible for:

• Leading the implementation and ongoing evaluation of the organization's strategic plan and long-range priorities.
• Anticipating emerging trends, legislative developments, service delivery challenges, and opportunities that may affect the organization's future.
• Aligning organizational resources, operational priorities, and leadership initiatives with strategic objectives established by the Board of Directors.
• Promoting thoughtful innovation while ensuring organizational readiness, fiscal responsibility, and continuity of high-quality services.
• Establishing measurable organizational goals and performance indicators that support continuous improvement and organizational accountability.
• Working to further organizational fluidity and adaptability to meet the changing dynamics and state directives that drive the operational work of the regional center.
• Fostering a culture of strategic thinking, organizational learning, and continuous improvement throughout the organization.

Operational Leadership

The Executive Director provides executive oversight for all organizational operations, ensuring that North Bay Regional Center consistently delivers high-quality, person-centered services in an effective, efficient, and legally compliant manner.

The Executive Director is responsible for integrating operational excellence with the organization's mission by strengthening systems, improving organizational responsiveness, supporting informed decision-making, and creating an environment where employees have the tools, resources, and leadership necessary to succeed.

The Executive Director ensures that operational systems support meaningful relationships and that organizational processes improve—not hinder—the experience of individuals receiving services, families, employees, service providers, and community partners.

Primary responsibilities include:

• Ensuring compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, regulations, contractual requirements, Board policies, and Department of Developmental Services directives.
• Providing executive oversight for all organizational programs, services, administrative functions, and support operations.
• Promoting operational effectiveness through process improvement, organizational responsiveness, timely decision-making, and continuous evaluation of organizational performance.
• Establishing and modeling organizational systems that support accountability, quality assurance, risk management, and continuous quality improvement.
• Monitoring organizational performance through data evaluation including quality indicators, performance measures, and stakeholder experience to guide executive decision-making.
• Ensuring organizational readiness to respond effectively to emerging issues, organizational risks, public health emergencies, and changing service delivery needs.
• Promoting collaboration across departments to improve communication, coordination, and consistency throughout the organization.
• Strengthening organizational effectiveness through the thoughtful integration of technology, innovation, and operational best practices.

Financial Stewardship

The Executive Director serves as the chief steward of North Bay Regional Center's financial resources and is accountable for ensuring the organization's long-term fiscal health, integrity, and sustainability.

Recognizing that public resources are entrusted to the organization in support of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families, the Executive Director ensures that financial decisions reflect sound stewardship, transparency, accountability, and alignment with the organization's mission and strategic priorities.

The Executive Director is responsible for:

• Developing and administering the organization's annual operating budget in partnership with the Board of Directors and executive leadership.
• Ensuring responsible stewardship and effective management of all financial resources, assets, contracts, and public funds entrusted to the organization.
• Maintaining financial systems and internal controls that support accountability, transparency, regulatory compliance, and sound fiscal management. Including:

1. Monitoring financial performance. 
2. Implementing strategies that promote long-term financial sustainability.
3. Managing resource allocation in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and organizational policies.
4. Ensuring completion and compliance with independent audits, fiscal reviews, and timely implementation of recommendations and corrective actions when needed.
5. Maintaining accurate financial reporting and timely communication with the Board.

Organizational Leadership & Culture

The Executive Director provides leadership that strengthens organizational performance while cultivating an environment in which people, relationships, and systems work together to advance North Bay Regional Center's mission.

Recognizing that organizational culture is intentionally shaped through leadership, the Executive Director establishes clear expectations, promotes shared accountability, develops leadership throughout the organization, and ensures that organizational practices consistently reflect the values of integrity, inclusion, responsiveness, collaboration, learning, and respect.

The Executive Director creates an environment in which employees understand how their work contributes to the organization's mission, are empowered to solve problems, encouraged to innovate, supported in their professional growth, and held accountable for achieving high standards of performance.

Primary responsibilities include:

• Providing visible, accessible, and values-based leadership throughout the organization.
• Aligning organizational priorities, structures, and operational practices with the strategic direction established by the Board.
• Strengthening organizational responsiveness by promoting timely communication, thoughtful decision-making, and consistent follow-through.
• Building organizational capacity through leadership development, succession planning, employee engagement, and continuous learning.
• Leading organizational change in ways that strengthen both operational effectiveness and organizational culture.
• Using performance measures, organizational data, and quality outcomes to guide decision-making and continuous improvement.
• Modeling ethical leadership, sound judgment, professionalism, and responsible stewardship in all responsibilities.
• Ensuring that organizational systems support meaningful relationships and that meaningful relationships strengthen organizational performance.

Governance & Board Partnership

The Executive Director serves as the Board of Directors' sole employee and principle partner, supporting the Board in fulfilling its governance responsibilities while respecting the distinct roles of governance and executive management. The Executive Director develops and maintains a relationship with the Board that is characterized by transparency, trust, mutual respect, and shared commitment to the organization's mission. Through thoughtful communication and sound executive leadership, the Executive Director ensures that the Board has the information, analysis, and recommendations necessary to make informed policy and governance decisions.

The Executive Director is responsible for:

• Implementing the strategic direction, policies, and priorities established by the Board of Directors, while ensuring organizational compliance with applicable legal, regulatory, contractual, and fiduciary responsibilities.
• Providing timely, accurate, and meaningful information regarding organizational performance, strategic opportunities, financial stewardship, regulatory developments, and emerging risks.
• Advising the Board on matters affecting the long-term health, effectiveness, and sustainability of the organization.
• Supporting strategic planning, governance development, Board education, and continuous improvement in governance practices.
• Fostering a productive partnership between the Board and executive leadership that promotes thoughtful governance, organizational stability, and effective decision-making.

Community & Government Leadership

The Executive Director serves as North Bay Regional Center's principal ambassador and representative, building trusted relationships that strengthen community partnerships, advance the organization's mission, and promote opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities to fully participate in community life.

The Executive Director recognizes that many of the opportunities and challenges facing individuals and families require collaboration across organizations, systems, and communities. Through authentic relationships, effective advocacy, and thoughtful partnership, the Executive Director strengthens the organization's ability to fulfill its mission and respond to emerging community needs.

The Executive Director is responsible for:

• Representing North Bay Regional Center with credibility, professionalism, and integrity at the local, regional, statewide, and national levels.
• Building and sustaining collaborative relationships with individuals receiving services, families, service providers, community organizations, advocacy groups, educational institutions, healthcare organizations, employers, local governments, and state agencies.
• Serving as the organization's principal liaison with the California Department of Developmental Services and other governmental and regulatory agencies.
• Promoting collaboration that expands opportunities for community inclusion, employment, housing, education, healthcare, transportation, and other resources that improve quality of life.
• Strengthening the service provider network, supporting provider capacity, timely service authorizations, and dependable, on-time payment as essential elements of person-centered service delivery.
• Advocating for public policies and system improvements that support individuals with developmental disabilities and strengthen California's developmental services system.
• Strengthening North Bay Regional Center's reputation as a trusted community partner through responsive communication, collaborative leadership, and responsible organizational stewardship.
• Building public understanding of the organization's mission, responsibilities, services, and strategic priorities.

Requirements

Working Conditions and Requirements

Education and Experience: 

• Bachelor’s degree or Masters in business administration, health administration or closely related field from an accredited college or university and ten years of increasing responsibility at the Executive Management level of an organization supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, human service needs, or similar experience; graduate degree preferred. 

Knowledge Base:

• Proven applied knowledge of, and experience with, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities; preferably experience in the California Developmental Disabilities System.
• This position requires knowledge of the Lanterman Act (California State Welfare and Institutions Code), Title 17, and relevant legal mandates, contracts, and State directives.
• Working knowledge of government contracting, compliance, state and federal funding regarding California’s regional center system.

Demonstrated Skills and Experience:

• Ability to blend of practical, policy, and administrative experience.
• Proven leadership of, and skills in, fiscal management, resource development, strategic and operational planning, and public relations. 
• Previous experience and skill in leading talent management teams, building a strong team while providing strong leadership, ensuring proper training, coaching and development, and support.
• Proven excellent people skills and oral and written communication skills in one-on-one communications, as well as in communications with individuals supported by the regional center, the Board of Directors, staff, service providers, community stakeholders and members, state and federal government representatives, legislators, the media, etc. 
• Ability to establish and maintain effective professional relationships with individuals in the Department of Developmental Services, vendor community, community-based organizations, and advocacy groups. 
• Capacity to make difficult and unpopular decisions that are aligned with the mission of the Center.
• Capability to formulate sound programs and policies and to organize, coordinate and direct staff successfully in carrying them out.
• Ability to analyze and make sound decisions on complex administrative and public relations problems and communicate both derived data and decisions.
• Prior experience working with, and reporting to a Board of Directors is preferred.  
• Prior experience working in a unionized environment is preferred.  
• Fluid adaptability to changing environmental and technological factors.
• Fluency in a language in addition to English is preferred but not required.
• Proficient in the use standard office technology, including computers, mobile devices, telephones, and common business software such as Microsoft Office.

Working Conditions

• Full-time exempt position, headquartered in Napa, California. This position is primarily based onsite; however limited hybrid work may also be available.
• Duties are primarily performed in the regional center offices and out in the community. This position mandates access to reliable transportation, and related insurances, and the ability to travel locally, within the catchment area, and out of town for overnight or multi-day trips regularly.
• This position requires flexibility in hours to meet the needs of regional center constituency and may require work completed outside of regular business hours. Work includes extended periods of computer use, meetings, presentations, and community engagement activities.

Physical Requirements

• This position typically includes sitting for long periods, frequent independent local travel, occasional travel elsewhere in, and outside, of California, and occasional lifting of items. 
• Common physical tasks include:

1. Sitting at a desk and using a computer for several hours at a time.
2. Traveling by car or plane to attend meetings and conferences.
3. Movement during meetings, events, and presentations.
4. Occasional lifting and carrying boxes of supplies or event materials weighing up to 20 pounds.
5. Communicating clearly in person, over the phone, and in video calls.

NBRC will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities, consistent with applicable law.

Salary and Benefits:  This is a full-time exempt position with a competitive salary range of $230,000 - $270,000 annually, commensurate with experience. Comprehensive benefits are offered, including participation in the CalPERS retirement program and CalPERS medical plans, subject to plan terms and eligibility requirements. Salary and benefits will be negotiated with the candidate finalists.

Application Procedures, Recruitment Timeline: If you are interested in this dynamic and rewarding opportunity, please submit a letter of interest, no more than two pages, addressing the responsibilities and qualifications detailed in this job description, and a current resume of professional experience, by 5:00pm SEPTEMBER 13, 2026. Email your letter of interest and resume as .doc, .docx, or .pdf attachments to [email protected] 

Paper applications will not be accepted. 

Resumes will be screened according to the qualifications outlined above. The most qualified candidates will be invited to a first interview. Top candidates will be invited to further interviews. 

For confidential inquiries, feel free to contact our search consultant Ami Sullivan at (916) 258-5218 or email [email protected].

We are an equal opportunity employer.