CEO (Chief Executive Officer)

Talence Group LLC•Portland, OR

7h•Hybrid

About The Position

This role requires some travel in Oregon across OCDC's 15-county service area, along with regular presence at OCDC's Wilsonville headquarters and Board and Policy Council meetings. Who our client is… Lead Oregon's largest Migrant and Seasonal Head Start organization at a moment when the work has never mattered more. For over 50 years, Oregon Child Development Coalition (OCDC) has shown up for the families that make Oregon's agricultural economy possible, meeting seasonal farmworker families where they are, and giving their children the same strong start in life as any other child in the state. Founded in 1971, OCDC now provides early childhood education, care, and family support services across 15 Oregon counties, serving more than 3,000 children and families annually through Migrant and Seasonal Head Start, Early Head Start, Oregon Prenatal to Kindergarten, Preschool Promise, Preschool for All, and home-visiting programs. Its 1,000+ staff across 37 locations don't just deliver services, they build trust with communities that have too often been overlooked. This is a rare chance to lead an organization at the center of two of the most consequential issues in the state: the well-being of Oregon's youngest children and the dignity of the families whose labor sustains its farms and food systems. Headquartered in Wilsonville, Oregon, OCDC serves a population that is majority seasonal farmworker families, alongside other low-income families and children with disabilities or developmental delays. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the CEO serves as OCDC's principal leader and spokesperson, providing the vision, strategy, and direction to advance the organization's mission and ensure its long-term sustainability. What our client needs… OCDC is looking for a nonprofit CEO who can lead a complex, federally and state-funded human services organization, someone skilled in organizational strategy, fiscal and regulatory stewardship, and building strong teams. This leader must be comfortable operating within a participatory governance model, partnering closely with a Board of Directors and structures where the people served have a formal voice in decisions, such as Parent Policy Councils. Just as important is the heart behind the skill set: genuine commitment to farmworker and low-income communities, and real cultural humility.

Requirements

10+ years of progressive leadership with organizations with at least $20M in budgets.
A demonstrated ability to set a clear organizational vision, anticipate future trends, and translate both into measurable, actionable priorities that drive accountability for results.
Experience leading executive teams in organizations of substantial size, motivating, retaining, and building culture across a large, dispersed workforce, where authority is earned more than it is positional.
Experience leading multi-site organizations, with the operational complexity that comes from managing across locations.
A demonstrated, sustained commitment to mission-driven or underserved communities, shown through leadership roles, board service, philanthropic involvement, or other meaningful community engagement.
Experience managing diverse and complex revenue streams, whether through grants and government contracts, earned revenue, private capital, or philanthropic funding.
Proven ability to rebuild organizational trust and credibility during times of change, strengthening relationships with employees, regulators, policymakers, and communities while fostering confidence in the organization’s leadership and direction.
Proven track record of leading through periods of significant change or turnaround, creating stability, strengthening organizational performance, and building a foundation for sustainable growth in a regulated environment.
Advanced financial management experience including budgeting, resource allocation, revenue diversification, and reserve rebuilding.
Demonstrated composure and sound judgment amid uncertainty, able to act decisively without complete information while adapting quickly as conditions change.
A track record of strengthening organizational performance and building a culture of continuous improvement, including during periods of significant change, disruption, or financial uncertainty.
Bachelor's degree required
Authentic cultural credibility with migrant, farmworker, and Latino communities.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree, or an equivalent record of enterprise leadership.
Direct experience with Head Start or comparable early childhood, education, or family-services programs, including working knowledge of the federal Head Start Program Performance Standards and Policy Council co-governance structures.
Bilingual English/Spanish fluency; dual-language program leadership experience.
A track record of shaping early-learning policy or funding at the state or federal level.
Experience growing sites, programs, or facilities, or leading comparable operational expansion.
Regional or West Coast ties.
Experience following a long-tenured or founder-style leader and leading a cultural transition.

Responsibilities

Establish, communicate, and drive OCDC's mission, vision, strategy, and values as a vital nonprofit community organization.
Partner with the Board of Directors and Parent Policy Council to develop strategic priorities and ensure effective governance.
Lead execution of OCDC's 2025–2029 Strategic Plan across all four priorities: Excellence in Programming, Supportive Organizational Infrastructure, Sustainable Financial Resources & Growth, and Responsive Organizational Communication.
Oversee organizational financial performance, budgeting, resource allocation, and risk management to support long-term sustainability.
Position OCDC for long-term growth and stability by strengthening financial reserves, expanding sustainable revenue opportunities, and diversifying funding beyond government grants.
Provide guidance and development to the executive leadership team, CFO, COO, Chief Human Resources Officer, and Chief Quality & Compliance Officer, ensuring alignment with OCDC's mission, vision, strategy, and goals.
Champion a comprehensive coaching and professional-development system that builds bench strength and organizational resilience at every level.
Build bridges across diverse cultures and have meaningful understanding of the migrant and seasonal farmworker communities OCDC serves.
Proactively build alignment, communication, and accountability across Central Office leadership and geographically dispersed operations.
Foster a culture aligned with OCDC's values that promotes belonging, well-being, accountability, innovation, and employee engagement.
Build and sustain relationships with the federal Office of Head Start, the Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care, state legislators, and county partners across the service area.
Provide steady, strategic leadership through an evolving federal funding and policy landscape, safeguarding program access and continuity for the families and communities served.
Represent OCDC with families, community organizations, regulatory and government agencies, funders, and the public to advance its mission and reputation.
Ensure delivery of high-quality, innovative, and compliant Migrant and Seasonal Head Start and other infant/toddler and pre-kindergarten programs and services.
Champion organization-wide continuous improvement and innovation initiatives that enhance program effectiveness.