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THE ORGANIZATION 

Established in 1973, Interface Children & Family Services is the region’s most comprehensive nonprofit social services agency providing direct, responsive, wrap-around services to address the complex needs of clients and our local community.

As a critical safety net for children and families, Interface provides 30 distinct programs across seven core program areas including mental health & trauma treatment, domestic violence & child abuse prevention, youth crisis & homelessness, human trafficking prevention & intervention, justice services, and 211 information & assistance in 31 California counties.

Today, Interface serves tens of thousands of local individuals annually, assists 250,000+ callers through the 211 call center across the state, and continues to earn the respect of individuals, businesses, government entities, and foundations, which provide grants, donations, and in-kind services to ensure that the work of Interface is sustained. Interface's revenue is diverse, comprised of approximately 25% federal funding, 25% state funding, 25% county government contracts, and 25% from other non-governmental contracts and fundraising activities. This funding diversity requires experienced community engagement, and sophisticated cost allocation and compliance capabilities to meet varied funder requirements while maintaining operational efficiency. 

Interface works collaboratively with many other service providers. With collaboration, Interface best provides family support, domestic violence intervention, outreach, and youth activities, as well as prevention and counseling within economically challenged communities. Interface has established a foundation of violence prevention and mental health by embedding five family-strengthening objectives into its programs:

Help parents develop resiliency

Help families develop a support system

Help families secure practical help when they need it

Teach parents how to raise healthy children

Help children to develop socially and emotionally

Mission

Strengthening children, families, individuals, and communities to be safe, healthy, and thriving through comprehensive social services.

Vision

Safe communities where individuals thrive through a network of care providers who uplift the dignity, well-being, and future of all.

Values

• The following shared core values will guide Interface’s staff, volunteers, and Board of Directors:
• Integrity. Acting with principle, honesty, and authenticity in everything we do.
• Quality. Pursuing highly effective and innovative services that positively impact communities.
• Compassion. Responding to all with caring services that support and encourage.
• Respect. Honoring the dignity of every human being and treating others with the highest professional regard.
• Community. Collaborating with friends, families, and communities to jointly build responsive systems of care.

Interface as a Community Innovator

First domestic violence shelter in our region

First local runaway & homeless youth shelters

First 211 Information and Assistance Program in California

First to lead a coordinated response and shelter for adult victims of human trafficking

Only domestic violence shelter to protect family pets

To learn more about Interface Children & Family Services, please visit https://www.icfs.org/.  

THE POSITION

Interface is seeking a visionary, collaborative, and strategic leader to serve as its next Chief Executive Officer. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the CEO will provide clear strategic direction and overall organizational leadership by articulating a compelling vision, setting priorities, and empowering the senior leadership team. The next CEO will be expected to lead through a changing funding and policy environment, foster open communication and collaboration across the organization, and position Interface to meet evolving community needs.

With more than 140 full-time employees, the CEO will lead an experienced six-member executive team composed of the Chief Financial Officer, Chief Human Resources Officer, Community Information Officer, Regional Program Officer, Chief Development Officer, and Director of Mental Health & Trauma Treatment. 

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

General Management

• Provide overall leadership and administration of Interface's programs, activities, and services in accordance with the highest standards of contemporary nonprofit management, while maintaining a clear focus on mission impact, organizational resilience, and community responsiveness. 
• Implement policies and procedures adopted by the Board of Directors and ensure that organizational decisions are communicated clearly, consistently, and transparently. 
• Lead the recruitment, development, support, and evaluation of the organization's employees, with direct responsibility for the six-member executive team. Build leadership capacity throughout the organization and create meaningful opportunities for professional growth and advancement.
• Create and sustain a transparent, inclusive, and collaborative work environment that attracts, retains, and motivates high-quality staff and volunteers. Promote open communication, trust, accountability, and respect across programs and departments, particularly during periods of organizational change. 
• Oversee the development, maintenance, and monitoring of the organization's administrative and fiscal systems, including the annual operating budget. Ensure rigorous financial planning, scenario analysis, internal controls, and compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, contracts, and generally accepted accounting principles. Maintain a strong focus on long-term financial stability and sustainability. 
• Provide leadership for the organization's volunteer support system, including Board and advisory council engagement, recruitment, development, and meaningful opportunities for community involvement.

Leadership, Board Relations & Organizational Culture

• Serve as the primary liaison between the organization and the Board of Directors. Keep the Board fully informed about the condition of the organization and key factors affecting it, with particular emphasis on program quality, financial integrity, organizational risk, and accountability. Provide the Board and its committees with timely information and thoughtful recommendations to support effective governance and decision-making. 
• Partner with the Board of Directors and executive team to identify emerging issues, opportunities, and strategic choices. Demonstrate sound judgment and the willingness to make difficult decisions in the best interests of the mission, staff, clients, and organization. 
• Establish and maintain strong, cooperative relationships with social service providers, government entities, community groups, funders, and other partners. Be visible, accessible, and actively engaged with staff and the communities Interface serves. 
• Ensure contract compliance across all funded programs and maintain accountability for service quality, outcomes, and responsible use of resources.

Fund Development

• In collaboration with the Chief Development Officer, ensure that adequate resources are available to carry out Interface's mission. Set clear priorities, monitor progress toward fund development goals, and strengthen the organization's case for support. 
• Advance the financial stability of the organization by sustaining and diversifying revenue across government contracts, foundation grants, individual and corporate contributions, major gifts, special events, deferred giving, fee-for-service opportunities, and other appropriate sources. Build relationships with donors and funding partners while reducing overreliance on any single funding stream. 
• Ensure appropriate systems are in place to track donor activity, collect pledges, evaluate fundraising performance, and support effective donor communication, stewardship, and recognition.

Planning

• In cooperation with the Board of Directors, staff, and volunteer leadership, execute and periodically reassess the 2023-2028 Strategic Plan. Translate the organization's vision into clear priorities and measurable goals, while remaining adaptable to changes in community need, public policy, technology, and the funding environment.
• Regularly review programs, services, organizational capacity, and staffing to ensure quality, viability, and responsiveness to current and emerging community needs. Balance innovation and growth with disciplined assessment of resources, impact, and sustainability.

Community Relations

• Demonstrate a genuine and active interest in Ventura County and the broader communities served by Interface. Maintain strong relationships with community organizations, funding sources, government agencies, elected officials, and other key partners. 
• Strengthen Interface's visibility and public presence by clearly communicating the organization's mission, impact, needs, and value to community stakeholders, funders, donors, and the public. 
• Represent Interface at meetings and activities at the local, state, and national levels, serving as a credible and compelling ambassador for the organization and the people it serves.

CAREER TRACK LEADING TO THIS POSITION

The strongest candidates will bring progressive senior leadership experience in nonprofit human services or a closely related field and demonstrate readiness to lead a complex, multi-service organization as CEO. Experience in children and family services, behavioral health, community-based services, or other publicly funded human services settings is highly relevant. Knowledge of California and/or Ventura County, including its communities, public systems, and funding environment, is highly valued.

Successful candidates will have demonstrated experience in strategic planning and organizational growth, leading and developing high-performing interdisciplinary teams, and building durable partnerships with government, funders, community organizations, and other stakeholders. Experience securing and managing government contracts and grants and navigating complex public funding environments is important. Prior service as a CEO or Executive Director is welcome but is not required if the candidate has demonstrated executive-level scope, judgment, and readiness for the role.

Relevant expertise may include child and youth development, healthcare, mental and behavioral health, community organizing, social justice, social determinants of health, direct service delivery, or other fields that contribute to a strong understanding of the needs of children, families, and communities. Familiarity with California's Medi-Cal system, Medicaid policy, and related regulatory frameworks is beneficial.

The ideal candidate will have a strong command of fiscal stewardship and the fiduciary responsibilities of a chief executive. Experience managing complex budgets, allocating resources strategically, planning for financial uncertainty, and ensuring organizational sustainability is essential, as is familiarity with the accountability and regulatory requirements associated with county, state, and federal funding.

Demonstrated success in strategic planning, continuous improvement, organizational change, and board relations will be highly valued. The CEO should have a record of sustaining trusted relationships with diverse constituencies, including businesses, elected officials, government entities, community organizations, private foundations and donors, managed care partners, and education leaders. Strong communication skills and the ability to represent an organization credibly and persuasively are essential.

EDUCATION

A graduate degree in social work, human services management, nonprofit management, or a related field is highly preferred. Significant and successful senior leadership experience in a complex human services or mission-driven organization may be considered equivalent to an advanced degree.

COMPENSATION & ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS

The annual salary range for this position is $250,000-300,000. Relocation assistance, if needed, is negotiable. A comprehensive and competitive benefits package will be provided.

The CEO is expected to have a regular presence in the office and be available for frequent in-person meetings with staff, Board members, community partners, funders, and other stakeholders.

Successful background and criminal clearances are required and must be maintained, including but not limited to California Department of Justice (DOJ), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Child Abuse Index, and Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) requirements. Proof of a valid California driver's license, reliable transportation, automobile insurance, and driving approval as required by Interface's insurer.