Chief Executive Officer

About Business For Good San Diego

Business For Good (BFG) San Diego is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that activates the San Diego business community around social impact, policy advocacy, and community investment. We sit at the intersection of commerce and conscience — convening business leaders, shaping policy, and driving meaningful change across our region.

After six months of volunteer board leadership and a period of organizational reflection, BFG is ready for its next chapter. We are creating this Chief Executive Officer (CEO) role to establish dedicated executive leadership for the first time since 2018 — bringing on a visionary, entrepreneurial leader to stabilize our financial foundation, deepen our community partnerships, and scale our impact across San Diego.

The Opportunity

This is a rare chance to shape a growing, mission-driven organization from the inside out, and contribute to its long-term stability . The incoming CEO will step into an organization with strong mission clarity, an engaged board, and defined goals — and will have the mandate to build on that foundation with purpose and ambition.

The right candidate will be equally at home in a boardroom and at a community event, equally comfortable building a fundraising pipeline and crafting a compelling public narrative. This is a hands-on, relationship-intensive role for a leader who thrives at the intersection of business and social good.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Vision & Organizational Leadership

• Partner with the Board of Directors to develop and execute BFG's strategic plan, ensuring alignment between mission, programs, and resources
• Serve as the primary driver of organizational growth, identifying opportunities to deepen impact, create and expand programs, and position BFG as an indispensable voice in the San Diego business community
• Establish organizational infrastructure, policies, and systems that support a high-performing, mission-aligned team
• Provide regular, transparent reporting to the Board on organizational health, progress, and emerging challenges, with minimum frequency of reporting determined by the Board

Fundraising & Financial Sustainability

• Lead BFG's fundraising strategy, diversifying revenue across membership dues, corporate sponsorships, grants, events, and earned income, ensuring a balanced budget
• Personally cultivate and steward relationships with major donors, funders, and corporate partners
• Develop and manage annual operating budgets in partnership with the Treasurer and Board, ensuring fiscal responsibility and long-term sustainability
• Pursue and secure new grant opportunities, including government, foundation, and philanthropic sources
• Design and execute an earned revenue strategy that reduces dependency on any single funding stream

Community & Business Partnership Building

• Serve as BFG's primary relationship holder with San Diego's business, civic, philanthropic, and government communities
• Grow and retain BFG's membership base, deepening value for existing members and attracting new ones
• Build and sustain partnerships with chambers of commerce, trade associations, CDFIs, and other mission-aligned organizations
• Represent BFG at community events, coalitions, convenings, and public forums

Advocacy & Policy

• In partnership with the Advocacy Committee, advance BFG's policy priorities at the local, regional, and state levels
• Build relationships with elected officials, city and county staff, and other decision-makers
• Position BFG as a trusted, credible voice on issues at the intersection of business community and social impact

Communications & Public Presence

• Serve as BFG's primary spokesperson and public face, communicating its mission and impact with clarity and conviction
• Oversee BFG's communications strategy across all channels — digital, media, events, and stakeholder outreach
• Cultivate media relationships and ensure BFG's story is told compellingly and consistently
• Develop and distribute annual impact reports, bi-monthly member communications, and donor stewardship materials as requested by the board

Team & Operations Leadership

• Lead, develop, and inspire a small, defined team — setting a culture of accountability, collaboration, and mission alignment
• Oversee day-to-day operations, including use of platforms for membership management, communications, budget operations, and more
• Ensure compliance with all 501(c)(3) regulatory requirements, financial controls, and governance best practices
• Coordinate closely with board committees including Advocacy, Finance/Treasurer, Communications, and Operations
• Ensure grant deliverables are accurately and timely met

What We're Looking For

Required Qualifications & Skills

• 8+ years of progressively responsible leadership experience in a nonprofit, association, chamber of commerce, social enterprise, or mission-driven organization
• Demonstrated success in fundraising, revenue diversification, and donor or sponsor relationship management
• Ability to use digital screens and platforms uninterrupted for prolonged periods of time
• Strong financial acumen, including experience managing budgets, preparing Annual Reports, and reporting to a Board of Directors
• Proven ability to build and sustain authentic relationships with diverse stakeholders — business leaders, community members, elected officials, and funders
• Track record of building partnerships, creating tangible value for multiple stakeholders
• 5+ years of experience managing direct reports, part-time employees, and/or contractors
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Team-oriented and highly collaborative personality, open to receiving and acting on constructive feedback to drive organizational improvement.
• Ability to quickly learn new tech platforms and familiarity with office programs including Google, Slack, Canva, Quickbooks, and more
• Commitment to continuous learning and dedication to personal and professional growth

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with San Diego's business, social impact, civic, and philanthropic landscape
• Experience leading or working within a 501(c)(3) membership organization or chamber of commerce
• Background in public policy, advocacy, or government relations
• Experience with membership management and/or customer relationship management platforms (GrowthZone or similar)
• Track record of scaling a small organization — growing revenue, staff, and community presence
• Confident and compelling public speaker

Who Thrives in This Role

• An entrepreneurial self-starter who can build systems while also rolling up their sleeves
• A connector who genuinely enjoys relationship-building across sectors and communities
• A strategic thinker who can hold the big picture while managing real operational complexity
• Someone who believes deeply that business can and should be a force for good in the world
• A communicator who can inspire members, motivate a team, and move funders to invest

Compensation & Work Environment

Business For Good San Diego offers a competitive compensation package commensurate with experience. Salary range is $90,000-$110,000, and benefits details will be shared with qualified candidates during the hiring process.

This is a full-time, remote position based in San Diego, CA. The CEO should expect regular in-person presence for events, member engagement, and community representation. Some evening and weekend availability is required.

Disclaimer:

The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. It is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their supervisor in compliance with federal and state laws.

All job requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities, provided the essential functions can still be met. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees. Business for Good San Diego is committed to complying with the California Fair Employment and Housing Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Applicants and employees with disabilities who require reasonable accommodation to perform the essential functions of the position are encouraged to contact Business for Good San Diego to engage in the interactive process to identify effective accommodations.

Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities. To perform this job successfully, the employee must possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently. Continued employment remains on an “at-will” basis.