Description

The Organization

Under contract with the California Department of Developmental Disabilities (DDS), Tri-Counties Regional Center (TCRC) operates as one of 21 non-profit (501(c)3) providers of services and supports to people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) in the State (For more information Link Here.) With over 22,000 individuals with IDD and their families served in Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties, TCRC serves people of widely diverse cultures and languages. TCRC’s Vision is “Persons with developmental disabilities live fully and safely as active and independent members of their community.”  To achieve this Vision, TCRC employs approximately 600 staff and has an annual budget of $800 million. Please see the accompanying TCRC Organization Description and TCRC’s website for additional information: www.tri-counties.org

Job Title:     Executive Director

Reports to:  Tri-Counties Association for the Developmentally Disabled, Inc. (TCADD) Board of Directors

Direct Reports: Associate Executive Director, Chief Clinical Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Information Officer, Director of Services and Supports, Director of Training and Organization Development, Director of Community Development, Director of Human Resources, Executive Assistant. 

Job Summary

TCRC is an organization that serves and prioritizes people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families/caregivers, so the Executive Director must have applied knowledge of and relationships with people with IDD and the people who support them.

Under the policy direction of the TCADD Board of Directors, the Executive Director (ED): 

        Provides strategic, planning, organizational, fiscal, development, culture, and community leadership: 

§  in support of people with IDD and their families.

§  to the operations and programs of Tri-Counties Regional Center (TCRC).

§  for the TCRC staff and community, including service providers. 

        Maintains operations, administration, programs, services, personnel practices, and community relationships so that they are:

§  aligned with TCRC’s vision, mission, values, and strategic plan.

§  embedded in person-centered thinking practices.

§  implemented according to Board policy.in accordance with the law, regulations, and the provisions of the Regional Center’s contract and performance contract with the California Department of Developmental Services (DDS).

        Identifies emerging trends, opportunities, risks, and service needs affecting people with IDD and their service system.

        Ensures the Board has appropriate information, advice, and support to fulfill their policy, direction, and oversight roles.

        Builds relationships and acts as the representative of TCRC in the community, and at the State, and national levels.

As the leader of a publicly funded, highly regulated, non-profit (501(c)3) organization with unionized staff and diverse stakeholders, the Executive Director must be able to demonstrate:

        Experience managing a large, complex, highly regulated organization in a fast-moving, changeable environment characterized by competing priorities.

        Ability to work long hours, travel frequently, and ensure quick responsiveness to TCRC and community stakeholders.

        Extraordinary interpersonal skills grounded in person-centered values and collaborative leadership.

        Experience integrating the needs and perspectives of diverse populations and groups as factors into decision making processes as well as in the implementation of those decisions.

        Knowledge of The Lanterman Act (California State Welfare and Institutions Code §4500 et seq.), California Title 17 regulations, HIPAA, and relevant legal mandates, contracts, and State directives.

        Understanding of California’s developmental services and regional center system operations and funding streams. 

        Experience with government contracting, compliance, and reporting.

        Experience in labor relations and negotiations.

        A desire and willingness to make a long-term commitment to TCRC (10+ years).

The Board expects the Executive Director to be an authentic Servant Leader as well as a Manager, which the Board defines as the understanding and execution of complex day-to-day operations of a large person-centered agency. Leadership means working as an informed and dedicated colleague with the staff, service providers, advocacy groups, State Regional Center and DDS leadership, legislative leadership, and the people served. All of these stakeholders, as well as the Board, look to the Executive Director for vision, person-centered approach, and management style. The Board expects the Executive Director to be able to LEAD rather than command, INSPIRE rather than demand, and offer the SECURITY of a sure and steady hand.

Core Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

The ED provides vision- and mission-driven leadership to advance person-centered practices and to promote inclusion, independence, dignity, and quality of life for the people TCRC serves.

Serving as the Chief Executive Officer, the ED directs all aspects of TCRC functioning, including overseeing its employees (union and exempt) to complete the complex work of the Regional Center with integrity, transparency, and respect for all. The ED:

        Ensures the timely provision of the highest quality services to meet the range of people’s needs and makes these services available in a large, diverse geographic area with varying cultures.

        Serves as the public face of TCRC, advocating for people with IDD.

        Builds productive relationships with the community, local/State governments and agencies, State legislators, and others. 

        Collaborates with key stakeholders to define TCRC’s Strategic Plan, including long- and short-term strategic planning goals, measurable objectives, and operational implementation plans. Builds and gathers consensus for the Plan.

        Leads TCRC to make data-driven decisions in the short term and to plan for the future with analysis of Regional Center data, and relevant, related factors. 

        Actively develops and maintains a thorough knowledge of and strategic viewpoint on State and national events, political trends, values, etc., that may impact people supported by the IDD system and/or the operation of the Regional Center.

        Develops and implements procedures to assess needs and satisfaction with TCRC’s services; solicits and addresses opinions, issues, and concerns raised by people served or community members.

Mission-Focused Commitment

The ED is a visionary thinker who embraces the TCRC Vision and Mission, and who expands person-centered practices in the Regional Center and its community. The ED must also be a detail-oriented manager to assume responsibility for the daily management and administration of the Regional Center, its employees, and its resources. 

The ED:

        Drives TCRC’s mission by ensuring all operations, programs, personnel practices, policies, and daily decisions are aligned with the vision, mission and values.

        Engages TCRC and the TCRC communities, listening to concerns and ideas, demonstrating a commitment to serving individuals with IDD and their families.

        Invests in building positive relationships with all internal and external stakeholders:

§  Maintains the collaborative, inclusive, and person-centered culture of TCRC.  Foster an organizational culture grounded in integrity, transparency, accountability, equity, trust, and respect.

§  Promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging for all TCRC stakeholders.

§  Demonstrates emotional intelligence in connecting with others, relaying information, and developing messaging.

§  Possesses excellent relationship-building and political skills, as well as oral and written communication skills.

        Is comfortable with management of multiple regions and offices with diverse demographics and cultures and is expected to spend significant time in each office, traveling to each on at least a quarterly basis.

        Supports the development and training of Board of Directors to be knowledgeable, informed, and actively engaged in the oversight of the Regional Center.

Organizational and Operational Management

The Executive Director is a proactive leader with strong organizational and administrative skills, including demonstrated ability to lead, motivate, and develop a collaborative workforce in a union environment. The ED: 

        Oversees the effective administration of daily operations of TCRC. 

        Formulates sound, data-based programs and policies and organizes, coordinates, and directs and mentors staff to implement these successfully. 

        Demonstrates strong skills in fiscal management, program administration, resource development, human resources, strategic and operational planning, public relations, compliance, facilities, and information technology and security.

        Collaboratively sets overall TCRC goals, ensuring organization alignment to drive focused outcomes for people/families served, develops organizational support for these goals, and works with department heads to develop tactics to ensure effective implementation of initiatives, plans, and policies. 

        Analyzes information to make sound decisions on complex administrative and public relations problems.

        Consults with and seeks guidance from the expert Leadership Team on issues affecting TCRC or the people it serves, but is able to make difficult and unpopular decisions, aligned with TCRC’s mission, when necessary.

        Monitors organizational performance and implements corrective actions and process improvements when necessary. 

Personnel Management

The Executive Director assumes overall responsibility for TCRC’s recruitment, employment, training, supervision, evaluation, and termination of staff. The ED:

        Shows demonstrated experience and skill in all aspects of talent management – recruiting, hiring, and building a strong team while providing strong leadership, as well as ensuring proper support for all staff.

        Directs the development and implementation of a talent management system, including policies, procedures, practices, compensation plans, recruitment and selection efforts, performance appraisal and staff development procedures, team building, training, mentoring, coaching, succession planning, and other staff supports.

        Is responsible for labor and employee relations.

        Maintains a respectful, accountable, and person-centered employee culture.

         Selects, supervises, mentors, and coaches the Directors Team and is expected to develop a strong leadership team. Given the leadership team is relatively new and evolving, the Executive Director will need to emphasize relationship building, change management, and executive mentorship to support the development of a strong, cohesive, collaborative group of leaders.

Fiscal Oversight and Management

The Executive Director must possess financial management skills and experience managing complex, multi-million-dollar budgets from a single-source funder, as this person is responsible for overseeing the development and administration of annual operating, program, and purchase-of-service budgets. The ED: 

        Supports responsible stewardship of public funds and organizational resources.

        Ensures the expenses of the Center are maintained within the budget allocation from and per the regulations of the State Department of Developmental Services (DDS). 

        Creates and maintains operational and monitoring systems that ensure fiduciary accountability to the Board for all funds received and spent by TCRC.

        Ensures sound financial practices and internal controls are developed, implemented, and effectively managed so that TCRC’s financial resources, physical assets, and other properties are managed in accordance with the law, regulations, provisions of the contract with the State of California, audit recommendations, and responsible financial practices. 

        With the CFO, prepares financial, budget, and other management plans and develops detailed methods of implementation in alignment with the Strategic Plan and budget projections.

        Monitors TCRC financial performance and regularly and transparently reports to the Board of Directors on the Regional Center’s overall financial perspective, including both long- and short-term forecasts for financial sustainability.

        Work effectively with the Board, Union, and outside counsel to negotiate union contracts that are fair and reasonable for TCRC and its employees.

Government Relations and Contract Administration

The Executive Director is the public face of TCRC and serves as principal liaison to local, State, and federal representatives, including the DDS, TCRC’s single source government funder, Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), State legislators and other State representatives, as well as state-wide associations, advocacy organizations, and community partners. The ED:

        Builds relationships with, demonstrates respect for, and educates local and State leaders on TCRC specifically and people with IDD generally. 

        Negotiates with DDS, Medicaid’s Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) program, and other regulatory agencies on matters related to Regional Center interests.

        Ensures TCRC compliance with Board policies, ethical standards, privacy and confidentiality requirements, and all applicable federal, State, and local laws, contracts, regulations, policies, and performance standards.

        Leads the TCRC leadership team to interpret, manage, and report on compliance with DDS directives, including the DDS-regional center Performance Contract. 

        Reviews and prepares technical, narrative, and statistical reports and summaries. Requires ability to distill and interpret data.

        Maintains active membership and participation in the state-wide Association of Regional Center Agencies (ARCA). 

        Travels to and actively participates in state-level initiatives and bodies (such as advocacy groups and the Legislature) to promote the well-being of TCRC and the people it serves. 

Community and Provider Relations

The Executive Director represents TCRC within the community, serving as the Regional Center’s primary spokesperson. As services purchased for individuals and families total $782 million and are contracted through an extensive service provider community, the Executive Director must develop and maintain relationships with these valued partners. The ED is responsible for nurturing TCRC’s positive public image. The ED:

        Is accessible and responsive to the community, with frequent in-person presence throughout TCRC’s catchment area.

        Establishes and maintains positive, effective relationships and communication with people and families receiving services, service providers and provider groups, advocacy groups, educational institutions, healthcare organizations, and other local stakeholders, demonstrating respect for all.

        Actively collaborates with and educates community members to promote TCRC’s purposes, goals, programs, and to enhance Regional Center services and the role of people with IDD in TCRC’s communities.

        Advocates for policies and practices that support inclusion, equity, access, and quality community services for people with IDD in the TCRC communities.

Resource Development and Quality Assurance

The Executive Director leads the development of services in the TCRC area, ensuring that programs and services meet the needs of people and families served. The ED:

     Establishes and maintains policies and procedures that ensure the appropriate provision of services throughout the TCRC catchment area and that support development of state-of-the-art programs and services and protects the health and safety of people served.

     Establishes and maintains data-driven mechanisms for identifying unmet needs and targeting the resources to meet those needs.

     Gathers data on satisfaction among people and families who receive services, as well as to evaluate program effectiveness.

     Ensures monitoring of services effectiveness and quality, identifying areas for improvement, and implementing corrective actions as needed.

     Supports innovative and responsive service delivery systems and invests in continual quality improvement.

Governance and Board Relations

The Executive Director is the only employee of the Board of Directors, ensuring that the Board has comprehensive and succinct information regarding TCRC, as well as keeping the Board informed on recent DDS, state-wide, and national events and trends that may affect the Regional Center or the people it serves. The ED:

        Provides advice, counsel, and information to the Board, assisting them to set governing policies to monitor Regional Center performance. Recommends policies, programs, best practices, and action plans for the Board’s approval.

        Executes all directives, policies, and decisions of the Board. Negotiates agreements in furtherance of Board policies and programs when appropriate.

        Attends Board, Committee, and related meetings, providing technical assistance as well as timely and accurate information on organizational performance, financial health, compliance matters, strategic initiatives, and emerging issues.

        Represents the Board of Directors and serves as the liaison between the Board and staff, people/families served, service providers, and community stakeholders.

        Works to engage and strengthen the Board of Directors by supporting the recruitment, retention, and training of Board members.

        Develops open, honest, transparent, and respectful relationships and communication with the Board.

Working Conditions and Requirements

Full-time exempt position, headquartered in Santa Barbara, California. 

Availability

California regional center Executive Directors report working an average of 50-60 hours or more per week. While the Board of Directors leaves the day-to-day operations of the regional center to the Executive Director, the Board and the community expect the ED to operate as needed to demonstrate the highest level of commitment to the people served, service providers, and staff.  

As TCRC deals with people’s lives and operates in a quickly changing environment, the Executive Director must be available for urgent and time-sensitive matters outside normal business hours as needed.

Physical and Environmental Demands

Duties are primarily performed across TCRC’s 7 offices, with additional significant time spent in meetings in Sacramento and throughout the State. 

        Work includes extended periods of computer use, meetings, presentations, and community engagement activities. The Executive Director must be able to review, analyze, communicate, and report on substantial volumes of written material, including data, reports, and regulations, with or without reasonable accommodation. The role also requires the ability to use standard office technology, including computers, mobile devices, telephones, and common business software such as Microsoft Office.

        This role may involve extended periods of sitting, participating in and movement between meetings or site visits across offices and community locations. TCRC will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities, consistent with applicable law.

Travel

This position requires access to reliable transportation, related insurance, and the ability to travel regularly. 

Local: The three counties (Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo) of TCRC’s catchment area total approximately 8000 Sq Miles, though the travel distance from “end to end” is about 250 miles. The Board of Directors expects the Executive Director to have regular, in person (not virtual) contact with the staff, service providers, and people served and their families in the form of meetings, community events and “open houses.” Through these events the ED develops relationships with, and an understanding of, TCRC’s diverse populations, including people served and staff in each office.  

State: The Board expects the Executive Director to maintain participation and engagement in state-level efforts. 

Regular travel includes (but not limited to):

        Overnight and multi-day trips (averaging 50-70 nights each year) is required, both within and out of TCRC’s catchment area, to ensure connectivity to all TCRC communities and to maintain participation in state-level engagement. The selected candidate must be able to meet the travel requirements of the role, with or without reasonable accommodation.

        Commuting 12,000 – 18,000 miles a year visiting TCRC’s offices and attending community events as well as regional and state-level meetings.

Cognitive Demands

The Executive Director must be able to comprehend, digest, communicate, and report on large amounts of material such as data, reports, and regulations. 

Requirements

Candidate Qualifications and Experience

Education and Experience 

Minimum Education: A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in business, public, or health administration, social work, human services, public policy, education, or a related field is required; master’s or PhD is preferred. Multilingual skills are preferred to help meet of the needs of the communities served.

Leadership Experience: Minimum of 10 years of experience in executive or senior leadership positions in IDD, human services, healthcare, nonprofit management, or related fields, with California Regional Center experience highly preferred.  Ideal candidates will have experience with complex, multi-site non-profit organizations with governmental oversight.

Salary and Benefits

Competitive salary range from $265,000. - $330,000. annually plus benefits commensurate with experience. This range reflects TCRC’s good-faith estimate of the expected starting pay for this position at the time of posting. Comprehensive benefits are offered, including medical coverage and participation in the CalPERS retirement program, subject to plan terms and eligibility requirements.

Application Procedures, Recruitment Timeline

If you are interested in this dynamic and rewarding opportunity, please submit a letter of interest, no more than two pages, addressing the responsibilities and qualifications detailed in this job description, and a current resume of professional experience, educational background, and other pertinent information, by 5:00 pm, Friday, July 17, 2026. Email your letter of interest and resume as .doc, .docx, or .pdf attachments to [email protected] 

Paper applications will not be accepted. 

Resumes will be screened according to the qualifications outlined above. The most qualified candidates will be invited to a first interview. Top candidates will be invited to further interviews.

For confidential inquiries, feel free to contact our search consultant Ami Sullivan at (916) 258-5218 or email [email protected].

We are an equal opportunity employer.