Executive Director

Company Description

Homework Central is a community-based, educational non-profit located in San Mateo, CA. We provide free after-school tutoring and support to elementary school students. Our mission is to empower students facing structural inequities through academic assistance, family engagement, and community resources. We currently operate four on-campus homework sites, serving approximately 125 students in six classrooms, three hours daily during the school year, Monday through Friday. We strive to bring all of our students up to grade level in reading and math before they start middle school, and to create a confident community of life-long learners. In 2026 Homework Central is celebrating its 28th year of operation.

Role Description

Homework Central is at an inflection point. There is a need in the San Mateo Foster City School District alone to serve many multiples of similar students, if Homework Central can scale up its fundraising and operational capacity. The next Executive Director will have the opportunity to deepen program impact, strengthen sustainable funding, and expand partnerships in San Mateo County while building on the strong legacy of the past 28 years. The Executive Director will ideally have both a passion for educational equity for children and possess the leadership skills to guide Homework Central through the capacity building needed in this next phase. The Executive Director needs to be both strategic and executional, leading both the planning for future change and the school year operations of the organization. Success will come from developing an exceptional and accountable team, promoting Homework Central and securing sufficient funding commitments, and excellence in implementing impactful and measurable programming.

Reports to: Board of Directors; direct supervisor is Board Chair.

Full time / Exempt. Salary of $135,000 - $160,000 per year.

Benefits: Medical insurance or medical reimbursements negotiable, paid time off and sick leave, retirement savings through CalSavers available.

Hybrid: Remote / at-home office, with some on-site obligations at schools in San Mateo.

Qualifications

1. Fundraising expertise and track record in growing fundraising base: executing a development plan, grant writing, marketing and communications, community/donor engagement, and organizing fundraising events.
2. Excellence in oral and written communications as primary external representative with the public, donor community and other stakeholders.
3. Background and experience with organizations that educate elementary and/or middle school students. Ability to operate effectively in a public school district is a strong plus.
4. Ability to lead all operational aspects of a non-profit, from supervision and development of staff, to development of and adherence to an annual budget, volunteer recruitment, community relations, program development and measurement, and administrative and compliance functions.
5. Accountability to deadlines, measurement and results. Ability to both plan and execute. Adaptability and ability to work well under pressure.
6. Collaborative execution and leadership. Ability to work well both with board members and junior staff. Leader and team builder with HR experience, and experience managing external contractor staff (bookkeeper, accountant, IT, etc.).
7. Cultural awareness and knowledge of the immigrant, low-income, and bilingual communities that Homework Central primarily serves. Spanish language skills a plus.
8. Experience with and understanding of small business / non-profit systems: Google Workspace, Quickbooks, ADP, banking, digital marketing and fundraising platforms, etc.

Responsibilities

1. Build partnerships and relationships with current and new funders including individuals, corporations, foundations, school districts, local governments, faith communities, and civic organizations.
2. Provide leadership on all fundraising efforts, including regular community outreach, donation appeals, grant writing, annual spring fundraising event, and more.
3. Oversee staff oversight and foster teamwork. Lead and develop effective teams.
4. Develop operational plans that meet the mission and vision of the organization and aspirations for change and growth, and then oversee day-to-day operations and administration.
5. Oversee implementation and evaluation of programs and services. Regularly evaluate and track progress of programs and measure successes that can be effectively communicated to the Board of Directors and the public.
6. Ensure HR and other statutory compliance for non-profit organizations.
7. Monitor spending and cashflow to ensure funds are spent appropriately.
8. Prepare an annual plan and budget for each fiscal year in collaboration with the Finance Committee, and report on plan progression vs. budget to the Board of Directors monthly.
9. Support Board priorities and initiatives and serve as ex-officio member of both Homework Central Board and any Board defined sub-committees.
10. Prepare and distribute materials to the Board in advance of monthly Board meetings, e.g. Executive Director report, staff reports, etc.

How to apply

All inquiries and candidate submissions, including resumes and LinkedIn profiles should be directed to searchcommittee@smhwc.org.

Medical insurance or medical reimbursements negotiable, paid time off and sick leave, retirement savings through CalSavers available. Hybrid: Remote / at-home office, with some on-site obligations at schools in San Mateo.