Executive Operations and Governance Director

The California Endowment is seeking a Executive Operations and Governance Director reporting to the CEO and will be based in our Los Angeles Office.

We expect to accept applications until August 14 2026. However because we review candidates as they apply the role may be filled before this date. To ensure your application is considered in the first wave of interviews please submit your materials as soon as possible.

The California Endowment (The Endowment) is a private statewide health foundation established in 1996 whose mission is to expand access to affordable quality health care for underserved individuals and communities and to promote fundamental improvements in the health status of all Californians. We envision a California that leads the nation as a powerful and conscientious voice for wellness inclusion and shared prosperity.

Headquartered in downtown Los Angeles the Endowment has regional offices in Sacramento Oakland Fresno and San Diego with staff working throughout the state. We challenge the conventional wisdom that medical settings and individual choices are solely responsible for peoples health. We believe that health happens in neighborhoods schools and with prevention.

Position Summary:

The Execute Operations and Governance Director serves as a core member of the Leadership Team and a key partner to the President & CEO. This is a true thinkerdoer role best suited to someone who can engage as a strategic partner while also ensuring that work moves forward with structure clarity discipline and follow-through.

The Director operates as an extension of the President & CEO helping to translate priorities into actionable plans preparing them for high-impact engagements and ensuring alignment and execution across the organization. At the same time the Director advances cross-functional initiatives that require enterprise coordination bringing structure momentum and accountability to complex work.

With an enterprise-wide lens the Director connects strategy leadership governance and execution.

Key Responsibilities:

President & CEO Partnership and Leverage

• Partners closely with the President & CEO on ensuring internal enterprise-wide work is organized coordinated and advanced.
• In partnership with Leadership Team ensures the President & CEO is well-prepared for internal and external engagements including:
  • Briefing materials talking points and synthesis of key issues
  • Framing of decisions trade-offs and stakeholder dynamics
• Attends key meetings and engagements with the President & CEO synthesizing discussions identifying critical insights and ensuring timely follow-through on commitments and decisions.
• At the direction of the President and CEO represents the President & CEO in internal and external settings.
• Supports the CEO and CSO in grantmaking efforts as directedBS1.

External Engagements Communications & Stakeholder Interface

• Serves as key liaison and coordinates with Communications Government Affairs & Policy the Executive Assistant to the President & CEO and others to support the President & CEOs external presence and relationships including:
  • Speaking engagements partnerships and field leadership
  • Engagement with community leaders grantees and stakeholders
• Tracks and ensures follow-through on meeting/event commitments and action items communicates any key insights to appropriate team members.

Board Engagement and Governance

• Partners with the President & CEO to prepare for board meetings committee meetings retreats and governance discussions.
• Supports the development of board-facing materials and discussions that surface key decisions and trade-offs.
• Ensures the President & CEO is positioned to engage the board with clarity and strategic focus.
• Tracks and ensures follow-through on board actions and commitments.
• Oversees the board liaison and their work to ensure successful board meetings and supporting materials.

Strategic Translation and Decision Support

• Leads the development of strategic and aligned organizational work plans and budgets in coordination with senior staff and the Finance Department.
• Translates CEO and Leadership Team priorities into actionable and measurable workplans with clear ownership and accountability.
• Synthesizes complex inputs into structured decision-ready insights.
• Clarifies trade-offs dependencies sequencing resources considerations and implications of key decisions.
• In Partnership with senior staff tracks enterprise priorities and proactively surfaces emerging risks gaps and opportunities.

Enterprise Execution and Project Leadership

• Leads high-priority cross-functional initiatives and projects from concept through implementation.
  • Defines clear scopes timelines ownership and success metrics
  • Drives disciplined follow-through across teamsensuring commitments are met
  • Identifies and addresses interdependencies bottlenecks and execution risks
  • Ensures accountability and timely implementation of enterprise work
• Promotes a culture of accountability bringing consistency and rigor to how work gets done across the organization.

Leadership Team Effectiveness and Operating Rhythm

• Develops Leadership Team meeting agendas to ensure focus clarity and outcomes.
• Develops tools and resources to keep the Leadership Team organized and ensure progress on enterprise-wide work.
• Establishes systems for decision tracking accountability and follow-up.
• Reinforces enterprise-wide thinking vs. siloed execution.
• Supports leaders in aligning their work to shared priorities and sequencing.

Cross-Functional Integration and Alignment

• Serves as a central connector across departments and senior staff.
• Aligns initiatives to reduce duplication and fragmentation.
• Facilitates coordination and shared ownership of outcomes.
• Ensures consistent communication and shared understanding of priorities and progress.

Systems Process and Performance Management

• Introduces and reinforces lightweight systems and tools that support execution and visibility.
• Tracks progress on enterprise priorities and establishes visibility into status and risks.
• Builds organizational capacity for project management and follow-through.
• Drives continuous improvement efforts that strengthen the organizations ability to execute on its mission and strategic goals.

Desired Knowledge Skills & Abilities:

• Trusted partner
• Relentless follow-through ensuring work moves from idea to completion
• Strong strategic judgment and ability to connect details to enterprise priorities
• Influence without authority across senior leaders and teams
• Exceptional synthesis and communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple complex initiatives simultaneously
• Exercises discretion and sound judgment in high-stakes contexts

Orientation and Style

• Operates comfortably as both a behind-the-scenes driver and as a visible representative as needed
• Brings low ego high accountability; focused on outcomes over ownership
• Navigates ambiguity while creating structure clarity and forward motion
• High emotional intelligence; builds trust across diverse internal stakeholders

Key Experiences

• Trust-Based Philanthropy (TBP): Deep understanding of and commitment to The Endowments values ensuring that all engagements with staff partners and grantees are rooted in trust transparency and shared power. Champions TBP as a guiding principle in organizational processes and decision-making.
• Board Relations and Governance: Strong understanding of board governance nonprofit leadership and effective governance structures.
• Strategic Communications and Stakeholder Engagement: Ability to effectively communicate complex projects priorities and insights across multiple stakeholders ensuring alignment and clarity in decision-making.
• Project and Process Management: Expertise in planning organizing and executing cross-functional projects using industry-standard project management tools ensuring accountability efficiency and continuous improvement.
• Performance Metrics and Data-Driven Decision-Making: Ability to define and track KPIs develop dashboards and leverage technology to monitor enterprise-wide initiatives
• Coaching & Capacity Building: Skilled in mentoring and training team members in process optimization project execution and the effective use of data-driven insights to improve operations.

Minimum Experience:

• Minimum 7 years of experience in strategy operations consulting or program leadership
• Experience working closely with senior executives and boards
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional initiatives in complex environments
• Experience supporting external engagements partnerships or communications
• Background in philanthropy public health or policy environments preferred

Salary Range:

Target Hiring Range: $172584 - $215730

Full Salary Range: $172584 - $258876

Compensation offers are determined based on the candidates relevant experience market data and internal equity. Most offers fall within the target hiring range with the full salary range reserved to support growth and progression over time in the role.

TCE Benefits and Perks

• Shared medical and dental premiums for employees and eligible dependents
• 100% employer-paid benefits: vision life and AD&D STD LTD and employee assistance program
• Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Reimbursement towards gym fees and/or wellness program and mental health care
• 9-80 schedule with synchronized off days
• Hybrid work schedule available for most positions
• 11 paid holidays paid winter holiday closure
• Generous paid time off (PTO)
• 401k plan with generous employer match and contributions
• Matching gifts program
• Paid parking or public transportation subsidy
• Professional development and training opportunities
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Monthly BYOD stipend

The California Endowments goal is to hire qualified staff reflecting the rich diversity of all Californians. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to advancing health and racial equity in California. We are committed to creating a work environment in which all individuals are valued and respected. We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds. We define diversity in broad terms to include race ethnicity age gender religion sexual orientation gender identity and expression disability geography socio-economic status veteran status and prior criminal history in accordance with local state and/or federal laws.

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