Chief Executive Officer in Watsonville, California at Pajaro Valley Prevention

About Us:

Since 1991, Pajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance (PVPSA) has supported the health and well-being of youth and families throughout the Pajaro Valley. The organization provides comprehensive health education, mental health services, substance use prevention and intervention, and direct counseling to students and families, including those served by the Pajaro Valley Unified School District (PVUSD), the largest school district in Santa Cruz County and extending into North Monterey County.

PVPSA pioneered a dedicated nonprofit-agency model built around its unique partnership with the local school district. Over more than three decades, the organization has expanded its partnerships across cities, counties, and public and private organizations to address critical community issues including substance use, gang prevention, mental health, school expulsions, and educational outcomes.

At the heart of PVPSA’s work is a commitment to prevention and early intervention. Using an upstream public health approach, the organization works to address the social determinants of health and strengthen community health and wellness through direct services, prevention and intervention programs, community partnerships, and health-related public policy advocacy. Today, PVPSA’s dedicated team works alongside schools, families, and community partners to create healthier environments and better outcomes for local youth and families.

Summary of Position:

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) serves as PVPSA’s senior executive leader and is responsible for the overall strategic direction, organizational health, financial sustainability, and impact of the organization. The CEO will join PVPSA at an important point in its evolution. This leader will have the opportunity to strengthen organizational infrastructure, cultivate a positive and accountable culture, deepen community relationships, and position PVPSA for long-term sustainability and impact.

The CEO will be a visible and engaged leader both within the organization and throughout the greater Watsonville community. They will work closely with staff, the Board, funders, government partners, school districts, and community stakeholders to advance PVPSA’s mission and ensure the organization remains responsive to the evolving needs of the youth and families it serves.

Success in this role will require a leader who can move comfortably between strategy and execution, setting a clear organizational direction while remaining connected to the people, partnerships, programs, and operational realities that make the work possible.

This is an onsite position based in Watsonville, CA.

Core Job Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership & Organizational Management

• Partner with the Board of Directors to establish and advance PVPSA’s strategic direction, priorities, and long-term goals.
• Translate organizational strategy into clear priorities, measurable objectives, and actionable plans.
• Provide overall leadership and oversight of PVPSA’s programs, operations, finances, people, and organizational infrastructure.
• Assess organizational needs and strengthen systems, structures, policies, and processes to support PVPSA’s continued effectiveness and sustainability.
• Foster organizational adaptability and guide the team effectively through change, growth, and evolving community needs.
• Identify and proactively manage organizational, operational, financial, and reputational risks.
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, contracts, funding requirements, and organizational policies.

People & Culture

• Build and sustain a joyful, collaborative, inclusive, and accountable organizational culture grounded in PVPSA’s mission and values.
• Lead, support, coach, and develop the senior leadership team, establishing clear expectations and accountability for organizational and individual performance.
• Foster strong communication and collaboration across programs and functions.
• Build trusted relationships with employees at all levels of the organization and maintain a visible, accessible leadership presence.
• Oversee organizational approaches to talent development, performance management, succession planning, and employee engagement and retention.
• Partner with organizational leaders to ensure effective human resources practices and a positive employee experience.

Fund Development & External Relations

• Serve as a visible and compelling ambassador for PVPSA and its mission.
• Develop and maintain productive relationships with public agencies, funders, foundations, community organizations, schools, businesses, and other key stakeholders.
• Lead efforts to strengthen and diversify funding, with particular emphasis on government, county, state, foundation, grant, contract, and other institutional funding opportunities.
• Partner with grants and program staff to identify funding opportunities, strengthen proposals, and ensure effective stewardship and compliance with grants and contracts.
• Represent PVPSA at community events, meetings, coalitions, and other forums where the organization’s voice and presence are important.
• Ensure PVPSA is represented in the relationships and conversations that influence resources, partnerships, and services for the communities it serves.

Financial Stewardship & Organizational Sustainability

• Provide strategic oversight of PVPSA’s financial health in partnership with finance leadership and the Board.
• Supervise development and management of the annual budget and ensure resources are aligned with organizational priorities.
• Regularly assess financial performance, revenue, expenditures, and organizational sustainability and use financial information to inform decision-making.
• Ensure strong financial controls, reporting practices, and accountability for organizational resources.
• Provide leadership and oversight related to organizational audits and ensure timely resolution of findings or areas requiring improvement.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen and diversify PVPSA’s revenue base.

Programs, Quality & Impact

• Ensure PVPSA’s programs remain responsive to community needs, financially sustainable, and positioned to achieve meaningful outcomes.
• Partner with program and clinical leaders to establish goals, evaluate performance, and continuously strengthen service quality and impact.
• Use data, outcomes, community feedback, and organizational performance measures to inform strategic and operational decision-making.
• Support a culture of continuous improvement, learning, accountability, and evidence-informed practice.
• Ensure programmatic commitments and contractual requirements are effectively monitored and fulfilled.

Community & Partnership Development

• Deepen PVPSA’s relationships throughout Watsonville, Santa Cruz County, Monterey County, and the broader Pajaro Valley.
• Strengthen relationships with schools and educational partners.
• Build trust and collaboration with community leaders, public agencies, nonprofit partners, funders, and other stakeholders.
• Listen to and engage community members to ensure PVPSA remains responsive to local priorities and emerging needs.
• Identify opportunities for collaboration that expand PVPSA’s reach, resources, and impact.

Board Partnership & Governance

• Develop a strong, transparent, and collaborative partnership with the Board of Directors.
• Keep the Board informed of organizational performance, financial health, emerging opportunities, significant risks, and other matters necessary for effective governance.
• Provide the information, analysis, and recommendations necessary to support informed Board decision-making.
• Partner with the Board on strategic planning, organizational sustainability, community engagement, and resource development.
• Support an effective governance model in which the Board provides strategic oversight and guidance while organizational leadership manages day-to-day operations.

Position Requirements:

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, public administration, social work, behavioral health, healthcare administration, education, human services, or a related field.
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible leadership experience, including at least two (2) years in a senior leadership role with significant responsibility for organizational strategy, operations, programs, people, and/or financial performance.
• Progressive leadership experience within a nonprofit, community-based, human services, healthcare, education, social services, or similarly mission-driven organization.
• Demonstrated experience leading teams and supervising managers and/or senior leaders.
• Experience developing and implementing organizational strategy and translating strategic priorities into measurable action.
• Strong financial acumen, including experience with organizational budgets, financial reporting, resource allocation, and financial decision-making.
• Demonstrated experience with fund development, grants, contracts, government funding, and/or institutional fundraising.
• Experience building and maintaining relationships with community partners, government agencies, funders, and other external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to lead organizational change, strengthen systems and processes, and build accountability.
• Strong communication, relationship-building, conflict-management, and decision-making skills.
• Demonstrated cultural humility and ability to lead effectively within a diverse community and workforce.
• Experience partnering with a Board of Directors or similar governing body.

Preferred Qualifications

• Clinical training or licensure, such as an LCSW, or significant experience working with clinical programs and teams.
• Experience in behavioral health, human services, youth and family services, education, prevention services, or a related field.
• Experience with program evaluation, quality improvement, compliance, and risk management.
• Established familiarity with Watsonville, the Pajaro Valley, Santa Cruz County, Monterey County, and/or the surrounding community and stakeholder landscape.
• Bilingual and/or bicultural capabilities relevant to the communities PVPSA serves.

Compensation: $170,000-$210,000 annually

Benefits: PVPSA offers employer-sponsored, competitive health benefits for employees and their families, including medical, dental, and vision coverage. Employer-sponsored retirement plan and life insurance plan; flexible spending account available, along with other benefits. 13 paid holidays. In addition to company-wide Holidays, employees are eligible for one Mental Health/ birthday Floating Holiday, prorated to employees’ work hours. 21 days of Paid Time Off (PTO) are also provided.

Schedule: Full time

Location: Onsite in Watsonville, CA

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

PVPSA provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. PVPSA complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the organization has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.