ED

Executive Search – Executive Director

Downtown Los Angeles, CA

Sterling Search Inc. has been exclusively retained to recruit the new Executive Director (ED) for Central City Neighborhood Partners (CCNP) in Downtown Los Angeles

CCNP is a collaborative non-profit of more than 20 community-based organizations, businesses, and educational and governmental entities working together to implement programs and policies that create systemic change and empower low-income families to crate pathways out of poverty.

Since its founding in 1994,
CCNP has played a pivotal role in advancing systemic change to benefit low-income youth and their families through CCNP's one-stop delivery system model. It has long served as the cornerstone of support—a second home—for communities in the Westlake, Pico-Union, and surrounding areas that have faced historic neglect and economic hardship. Driven by a passionate, long-tenured staff deeply rooted in the mission, CCNP fosters meaningful partnerships with local organizations, volunteers, funders, and government officials. Together, they champion innovative solutions and advocate tirelessly for the needs of low- and very low-income residents, ensuring that equity, dignity, and opportunity remain at the heart of everything they do. 

OUR MISSION

To advance economic opportunities of low income

families by fostering partnerships and

supporting positive community change.

The foundation is based on Community, Collaboration, and Systemic Change. CCNP uplifts the voices, experiences, and lives of individuals/families through a multi-generational approach offering comprehensive programming to income-qualifying households. CCNP has three main departments that include interactive and supportive programs that engage whole families:

Under the Department of Family and Youth Services,
CCNP runs the Westlake and Koreatown Family Source Centers, providing comprehensive services designed to support families and promote upward mobility. These services include intensive case management, financial education and coaching, housing stability assistance, and other essential resources for households. CCNP's Youth Programming is dedicated to empowering youth and young adults, offering academic tutoring, leadership development, field trips, healthy lifestyle workshops, and various other forms of support.

The Department of Essential Services
includes the Learning Communities Program and the Food Security Program. The Learning Communities Program focuses on outreach, education, and personalized navigation support on key community topics, utilizing Promotoras, Youth Ambassadors, and staff to engage directly with community members. The Food Security Program is designed to provide access to nutritious food, organizing food pop-ups throughout Council Districts 1 and 10, as well as a weekly food distribution on Thursdays, famously known as Thursday@CCNP, where individuals can receive fresh produce and access to other resources.

Under the Department of Empowerment and Advocacy,
CCNP runs the Financial Opportunity Center and the VITA Program. The Financial Opportunity Center offers free services such as financial coaching, career coaching (including resume writing, job search assistance, interview preparation, and digital literacy), and income support services. The VITA Program provides free year-round tax preparation services for individuals and families.

WomenAndCommunity (WAC)
is a groundbreaking Promotora initiative serving the heart of Los Angeles, including the Central City, Westlake, and Pico Union neighborhoods—some of the city's most underserved areas. Aligned seamlessly with CCNP’s mission, WAC empowers Promotoras—Spanish-speaking community health educators—who reach out to some of the hardest to reach populations and serve as vital bridges between health services and the communities that need them most. By training local residents to become health educators and grassroots leaders, WAC offers a proven model for reaching populations that are often overlooked, fostering both health literacy and community resilience.

THE OPPORTUNITY

After 15 years of dedicated service to CCNP—including the past seven as Executive Director—Margarita Alvarez Gomez will be retiring at the end of 2025. Her tenure has been marked by visionary leadership and transformative growth, and she is truly going out on a high note. Under her guidance, CCNP has flourished into a thriving organization with an annual revenue of approximately $6 million and a committed team of about 65 staff members. The organization’s funding portfolio reflects its strength and reach, with approximately $3.5 million from the City of Los Angeles, $1 million in private contributions, and the remainder supported through a variety of other grants.

Having established a strong foundation, CCNP is widely recognized as a trusted agency—frequently consulted for its ability to deliver some of the most effective and impactful services in the region. The 2023–2024 years were particularly memorable for CCNP, as it marked a pivotal turning point. Not only did it embrace new opportunities that expanded its reach and impact, officially operating in a third location, but it also took significant steps in restructuring CCNP to better align with its mission.

2024’s Impact

$ 4,928,021

Financial Security

As CCNP continues to expand its reach and deepen its impact,
the next phase of development has been thoughtfully shaped by a robust strategic planning process conducted in 2023. This forward-looking roadmap identifies key priority areas that will guide CCNP’s evolution and strengthen its capacity to serve the community. These focus areas include:

• Human Capacity: Attract, develop, and retain committed employees that reflect the community
• Diversification of funds: To maintain a diverse base of unrestricted and restricted funds to support CCNP’s current and future programs and operations
• Strengthen Board & Volunteers: Recruit and engage innovative and passionate volunteers and board members committed to furthering the mission of CCNP
• Infrastructure & Systems: Ensure that the facilities and infrastructure are sufficiently designed to provide the most effective services to the community
• Marketing & Visibility: Grow awareness of CCNP’s work in the community and as leader in the field; and have efficient and meaningful communications with all key populations

This pivotal Executive Director role demands a dynamic leader with a bold vision and entrepreneurial drive. The ideal candidate will excel in forging robust relationships, both internally with the board and staff, and externally with key stakeholders. They will possess the strategic acumen to chart CCNP’s programmatic and fiscal future, ensuring sustainable growth and impact. Central to its leadership will be the cultivation of an organizational culture that champions innovation, recognition and inclusiveness.

Position Description:

The Board of Directors is seeking an ED who will be charged with building on CCNP’s track record of success by further developing the organization’s vision and achieving its goals for enhancing the impact of its programs, continued financial stability, and ongoing community engagement.

The new Executive Director (ED) will serve as the public face of CCNP, representing the organization with authenticity, integrity, and vision to the community and all its stakeholders. To succeed in this role, the ED must bring a deep passion for CCNP’s mission and fully immerse themselves in the fabric of the community—building meaningful relationships and earning the trust and respect of those CCNP serves, including local government officials, funders, partners, Promotoras, and the broader public. Internally, the ED will foster strong connections with staff and the Board of Directors, cultivating a culture of collaboration and shared purpose. This is a highly visible leadership role that requires a team-oriented mindset, unwavering dedication to the mission, and a willingness to step in and “do what needs to be done.

Leadership

• Works closely with the Board of Directors, establishing a shared vision for the future of the organization and developing and managing appropriate goals and strategies to advance the mission and growth of CCNP.
• Oversees the development and implementation of short- and long-range asset and fiscal strategic planning initiatives to ensure that current and future services and fiscal goals/needs are clearly identified and addressed.
• Leads a collaborative process with the Board of Directors and its committees, executing decisions effectively and ensuring that the Board of Directors and its committees are informed of critical developments in a timely and effective manner.
• Inspires through best practices and goals.
• Guides the increased awareness and impact of CCNP, clearly articulating its mission, vision, services, and strategic direction.
• Models respectful, collaborative, and empowering interactions with the Board of Directors, staff, volunteers, partners, donors, and the community CCNP serves.
• Fosters an inclusive work environment, with a proven ability to collaborate effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
  

External Affairs / Public Relations / Funding

• Serves as chief fundraiser sustaining current funding levels and actively expanding networks from which new funding can be cultivated across a diverse mix of corporate, foundation, individual, public-sector funders, etc.
• Builds and stewards successful relationships with funders including private, corporate, and local government.
• Builds and nurtures relationships with community groups, local government, and peer nonprofits to assess evolving community needs, identify strategic partnership opportunities, and advance collaborative advocacy efforts in support of the organization’s mission.
• Leads strategic communications, marketing, public relations, and media outreach to elevate CCNP’s brand, amplify its messaging, and increase public awareness of its mission and impact
  

Program Management & Quality Assurance

• Oversees programmatic staff to ensure the effective implementation of programs and services for CCNP clients.
• Monitors program outcomes and impact, making data-informed decisions to improve services and meet the needs of the community.
• Stays informed about best practices and trends and incorporates them into the organization's programs.
  

Human Resources

• Oversees human resources and ensures the organization is compliant with all federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
• Manages and implements an effective performance management system for all employees, which includes setting objectives and evaluation on an annual basis.

• Engenders a collaborative environment which encourages staff opportunities for growth within the organization.
• Defines and executes the strategy of effectively mobilizing volunteers in support of the organization.
  

Financial and Risk Management

• Oversees the preparation of the annual budget for the Board of Directors’ financial management, allocation, and expenditure controls for the operations of the organization.
• Oversees the development, implementation, and evaluation of objectives, policies/procedures, and operations for contract service areas to ensure maximum revenue reimbursement and funder compliance.
• Oversees the management of information technology functions including systems applications and development, database administration, and financial systems.
• Responsible for proper compliance and risk management, ensuring strict contract compliance with funder requirements.
  

Administration and Operations

• With the Board Chair, coordinates the efforts and initiatives of CCNP’s Board of Directors, its Board Committees, Board retreats and strategic planning; recruits diverse, talented, and experienced new Board members; encourages and plans Board members’ involvement in a range of the organization’s activities including development of the strategic plan, fundraising, financial oversight, program review, etc.
• Develops and recommends policies and procedures as requested by the Board of Directors, implements approved Board policies, program goals, and objectives, and works collaboratively to enable the Board, its committees, and individual board members to fulfill their governance functions.
• Directs day-to-day operations and oversees the administration, coordination, and implementation of organizational policies, procedures, strategic planning, and services.
• Regularly provides concise reports to the Board on the state of the organization (key compliance issues, program delivery and outcomes, revenue and expenses, and related administrative matters toward the development and execution of the organization’s mission, policy, and procedures).
• Oversees facilities management and safety.
• Executes all other reasonable duties as assigned by the Board of Directors.
  

Qualifications:

• Bilingual English/Spanish.
• Bachelor's degree required; graduate degree preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of senior leadership experience in a nonprofit organization, serving a similar population to that which CCNP serves.
• Experience in acquiring, writing, managing and stewarding (compliance, auditing, reporting, etc.) government grants.
• Proven track record in fundraising, with a history of securing philanthropic gifts from individuals, corporations, and foundations.
• Demonstrated experience in financial management, staff oversight, and strategic planning.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and inspire a wide range of stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and manage a diverse team effectively.
• Experience working with a Board of Directors and knowledge of nonprofit governance best practices.
• Passion for the mission of CCNP and a commitment to serving and advocating for the community and people it serves.
  

The position offers a salary range of $150,000
to $180,000 with a comprehensive benefits package that includes 100% health, vision and dental for employees and their dependents.

TO APPLY, CLICK HERE

Please send resumes to

Sterling Search, Inc.

Sarah@sterlingsearchinc.com

Cell phone: 949 903 2891