Executive Director - Southern California Chapter

Job Title: Executive Director, Southern California Chapter

Department: Chapter Impact

Location: Orange County, California

Reports to: Vice President, Chapter Impact & Outposts

Direct Reports: Yes

Classification: Exempt

Anticipated Pay Range At Commencement of Employment: $106,000 - $146,000

Blue Star Families

Blue Star Families is the largest nonprofit dedicated to making military life better for families. Each year, we support over 1.5 million military- and veteran-connected family members through a national network of 450,000+ members and local chapters in communities across the country.

Our mission is simple and bold: We make military life awesome for families. 

We listen, share, partner, and act to deliver evidence-based, data-driven solutions that work for real people. We’re a lifestyle organization, a friend and neighbor, and a trusted partner. Our approach is collaborative, human-centered, and designed with the whole family in mind.

A Blue Star Family is one with an immediate family member — a spouse, parent, or child — actively serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, including the Guard and Reserves. These families face unique challenges: frequent relocations, deployments, career disruption, and isolation. We respond with research-informed programs that create connection, build resilience, and foster a true sense of belonging.

We serve with urgency but build trust over time — because change happens at the speed of trust. Whether we’re driving spouse employment, supporting caregivers, or helping communities welcome military families, we strive for upstream solutions.

Who We’re Looking For:

• Bold thinkers. Fast movers. Smart collaborators. People who want to build, lead, and drive measurable change — and who care deeply about making an impact that matters.

What You’ll Do Here:

• Solve complex challenges with data, heart, and humility
• Build cross-sector partnerships that get things done
• Help military families feel at home wherever they live

If you're ready to work in a high-performance, mission-driven environment — and to make life better for those who serve — Blue Star Families is where you belong.

General Description

The Executive Director (ED) is the senior-most leader of the Chapter, responsible for local strategy, sustainable revenue, community impact, and team performance. The ED leads a metropolitan region (Maryland) and supports satellite program delivery in adjacent locations.

Reporting directly to the VP of Chapter Impact & Outposts, the ED oversees staff, volunteers, budget, fundraising, program execution, community engagement, and the Chapter’s long-term sustainability. This role requires a high-capacity, externally focused executive who excels at strategic partnerships, six-figure fundraising, board leadership, and cross-functional coordination.

The ED ensures BSF’s mission is delivered with excellence, inclusion, belonging, accountability, and measurable outcomes that align with the organization’s strategic goals and national KPIs.

This is a high-visibility, high-trust, executive-level role—ideal for a leader who thrives in complex ecosystems, navigates multiple stakeholders, and drives meaningful change.

As a fully remote organization, we rely on scheduled in-person gatherings to foster alignment, collaboration, and organizational culture. This role requires the ability to travel out of town overnight several times per year for staff offsites, planning retreats, and company-wide events. These gatherings are essential for connection, brainstorming, and staying strategically aligned across teams. Participation is required as a core part of the role.

Residency Requirement: Must reside within the Chapter’s primary metropolitan area (minimum three consecutive years) or have extensive experience in the area and be willing to relocate to reside in the area .

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising & Revenue Leadership

• Develop and execute a Chapter Sustainability Plan tied to annual revenue, long-term growth, and metropolitan-market opportunity.
• Secure major gifts from corporations, philanthropies, foundations, and high-net-worth individuals (HNWI).
• Partner with the Development Team and National team on joint fundraising strategy and pipeline development.
• Lead stewardship and storytelling efforts that reinforce BSF’s virtuous circle: deliver → measure → communicate → fund → scale.
• Expand diversified revenue streams: corporate sponsorships, foundations, workplace giving, government opportunities, and community campaigns.
• Own annual fundraising goals; oversee stewardship that increases renewal rates and multi-year commitments.

Executive Leadership & Chapter Operations

• Lead the Chapter’s full operational portfolio, including staff, volunteers, programs, budget, and community partnerships.
• Serve as the senior BSF representative in the metropolitan region—driving a high standard of professionalism, visibility, and community trust.
• Manage, coach, and develop the Program Director/Manager and volunteer corps; ensure program delivery is aligned, supported, and resourced.
• Manage and facilitate excellence in national program execution (Welcome Week, MFLS, NTS/Nourish the Service, etc.).
• Implement BSF’s data-driven evaluation model in partnership with National Programs & Applied Research teams.
• Ensure compliance with BSF operational policies, fiscal management, KPIs, and risk mitigation practices.

Advisory Board & Stakeholder Engagement

• Recruit, develop, and steward a high-performing, strategic local Advisory Board that supports fundraising, visibility, and community leadership.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with VIPs, elected officials, military installation leaders, philanthropic champions, and corporate executives.
• Leverage senior-level relationships to open doors, advance BSF’s strategic priorities, and elevate the Chapter’s regional presence.
• Represent BSF at community events, convenings, coalitions, and multi-sector partnership tables.

Community Building & Cross-Sector Partnerships

• Become recognized as a ‘Thought Leader’ in the local community, solving problems for military families with systemic solutions
• Build a robust ecosystem of civic, military, corporate, nonprofit, and philanthropic partners that strengthens military family belonging.
• Serve as the Chapter’s chief ambassador to advocate for military-connected families using MFLS insights and BSF research.
• Work closely with the Program Director/Manager to connect families with relevant resources and community supports.
• Identify strategic opportunities for regional expansion, innovative programming, and alignment with partnerships.

Communications, Storytelling & Brand Stewardship

• Deepen BSF’s local presence through compelling storytelling, brand-consistent communications, and partnership visibility.
• Collaborate with Marketing/Comms to amplify Chapter impact through digital content, media, and thought leadership.
• Serve as a strong, articulate voice for military families in public forums and local media (as appropriate).
• Perform other duties as assigned. 

Required experience, skills, background

• Bachelor’s degree or 7+ years of progressively responsible experience in community development, nonprofit leadership, or strategic partnerships.
• 5+ years of management experience, including direct staff leadership.
• Proven ability to secure significant philanthropic gifts (six-figure required).
• Demonstrated success in growing an organization, business unit, or major initiative.
• Exceptional executive communication skills—written, verbal, public speaking, and stakeholder engagement.
• Experience managing an advisory board or similar governance structure.
• Strong organizational management capability: budgeting, planning, KPI accountability, and team development.
• Ability to work effectively across diverse groups, cultures, and sectors.
• Mission-driven mindset with integrity, humility, emotional intelligence, and a strong sense of urgency.
• Willingness to work nights/weekends for essential community events; <25% travel.
• Ability to lift and carry supplies and equipment up to 30 lbs.

Desired experience, skills, background

• Experience using CRM systems; Salesforce a plus.
• Understanding of military culture and the lived experience of military families.
• Knowledge of the Blue Star Families ecosystem and/or BSF programs.
• Understanding of the collaborative network of nonprofits in the Southern California area

More About Blue Star Families

Blue Star Families empowers military and Veteran families to thrive by connecting them with their civilian neighbors — both people and organizations — to create strong communities of mutual support. We believe we're all stronger when we take care of one another.

Our groundbreaking research is raising the nation's awareness of the unique challenges of military family life. With the help of neighbors across the country, Blue Star Families is overcoming the isolation and alienation of frequent moves, deployments, and reduced support from the government. Our innovative programs are solving specific challenges for military families, including fighting economic insecurity with resources that foster spouse career development, creating family strength with rich family programming, and providing critical peer support for caregivers, whose numbers are only increasing.

Blue Star Families is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. 

EEO Policy

Blue Star Families is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Why Blue Star Families?

Virtual/remote nonprofit organization that moves with you (position specific)
Career growth opportunities
Excellent benefits (403(b) with matching, Flexible Spending, Medical Insurance, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, Communications Allowance, and more)
Permanent Change of Station (PCS) Leave for Active-Duty Military Spouses
On-the-job professional development training
Front-line opportunity to positively impact the military experience
Competitive salaries
Workplace flexibility