Hiring: Executive Director

Seeking Visionary New Executive Director
California Center for Cooperative Development (CCCD)

Based in Davis, CA (Hybrid) | Full-time, Exempt | $110,000–$120,000
Apply by May 21, 2026

 

Table of Contents

Position Summary
Required Qualities, Skills, & Experience
     Desired Qualities, Skills, & Experience
Key Responsibilities
     Leadership & Strategic Planning
     Fundraising & Resource Development
     Program Development & Oversight
     Partnership Building & Advocacy
     Organizational Management
     Board Relations
Employment & Benefit Details
     Work Requirements
     Compensation & Benefits
Our Timeline
How to Apply

Position Summary

We believe in the power of cooperation to build more just, sustainable, and democratic communities. The California Center for Cooperative Development (CCCD) is dedicated to the development, growth, and support of cooperative businesses. For almost  two decades, CCCD has provided technical assistance, education, and resources to support cooperatives, foster economic democracy, and cultivate community resilience and sustainable development across California. We work with many cooperative sectors, including housing, childcare, agriculture, worker, electric, and consumer, and we connect the various sectors and industries to one another. Now, CCCD is entering an exciting new chapter and we’re looking for our next Executive Director to help shape the future of cooperative development in California.

This position requires a visionary leader with a passion for cooperative development, strong organizational management skills, and the ability to enhance our financial base, including the continued transition to increased funding from philanthropic grants and individual donors, as well as the maintenance and cultivation of organizational partnerships with diverse communities and sectors. The Executive Director is CCCD’s chief executive officer and is responsible for the overall leadership, fundraising, management, and strategic direction of the organization. The Executive Director will work closely with the Board of Directors, staff, and key stakeholders to advance the mission of CCCD.

As a 501(c)3 California Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation, the California Center for Cooperative Development's purpose is "to foster and promote statewide understanding of cooperatives and how they can be used to address community issues, problems, and concerns; provide education and technical assistance to workers, consumers, renters, and others wishing to form cooperatives; and to encourage cooperation and coordination among various types of cooperatives, and between cooperatives and other community institutions such as government agencies and nonprofit organizations."

Our Timeline: We are accepting applications through 11:59pm PST on May 21st, 2026. We expect to conduct multiple rounds of interviews from June 2nd  through July 2nd. The anticipated start date for this position is late August.

How to Apply: Please click this link to apply, or find a link to our Application Form at the bottom of the job description.
Important: Make note of the resume upload instructions located at the top of the application form!

See below for more detail about the specific responsibilities we hope this person will fill at CCCD.

Required Qualities, Skills, & Experience

  • At least 5 years of leadership experience in the nonprofit sector, cooperative development, or mission-driven organizations.
  • ​Proven experience in fundraising, including philanthropic grant writing, relationship building, or securing diverse revenue streams.
  • Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing sustainable financial management strategies.
  • Experience in managing and developing programs and teams in a collaborative, mission-driven environment.
  • Demonstrated commitment to cooperative principles and knowledge of cooperative models, structures, and values.
  • Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills, grounded in emotional intelligence and maturity, with the ability to build trust, collaborate across diverse stakeholders, navigate conflict constructively, and lead with empathy, clarity, and composure under pressure.
  • Ecosystem thinker with the ability to balance overarching strategy with practical implementation.
  • Ability to drive a car and travel throughout California, and use air travel across the US as needed.

Desired Qualities, Skills, & Experience

  • Extensive experience in the cooperative ecosystem, working with cooperatives, a cooperative development organization, and/or lived experience as a member of a cooperative.
  • ​Strong budgeting and financial analysis.
  • Bachelor’s or advanced degree in a related field (cooperative development, business, nonprofit management, community development, etc.)
  • Experience in public policy, legislative advocacy, and government relations.
  • Experience working with social, economic, environmental, climate, and/or racial justice movements, disadvantaged communities, or cooperative development organizations.
  • Experience implementing new or innovative technological, organizational, interpersonal, and other tools into organizations that have increased the organization’s impact.
  • Spanish language proficiency.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Strategic Planning

  • Guide the long-term strategic direction of CCCD, in collaboration with the Board and staff.
  • ​Identify emerging needs and opportunities in the cooperative development ecosystem.
  • Foster a positive organizational culture that encourages teamwork, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Fundraising & Resource Development

  • Develop and lead fundraising strategies that develop long term, philanthropic partnerships, and increase  funding from individual  and corporate donors and earned income revenue.
  • ​Cultivate and maintain relationships with philanthropic organizations, government agencies, individual supporters, and cooperative partners.
  • Oversee budgeting and financial planning with a focus on long-term sustainability.

Program Development & Oversight

  • Oversee the development and execution of mission-aligned programs and services that meet the needs of the movements and sectors served by cooperative development.
  • Provide leadership to CCCD staff in the design, implementation, and evaluation of cooperative technical assistance, education, and outreach programs.
  • ​Ensure high-quality delivery of cooperative development programs across diverse sectors, including agriculture, housing, worker, electric, and consumer cooperatives that can be replicated and/or are scalable.

Partnership Building & Advocacy

  • Build and maintain strategic partnerships with local, state, and national cooperative organizations, government entities, and community based organizations.
  • ​Advocate for public policies that support cooperative development at the local, state, and federal levels.
  • Represent CCCD publicly at conferences, events, in the media, and with policymakers to raise awareness about the significance  of cooperatives and their benefits.

Organizational Management

  • Provide inspirational leadership to staff, promoting a collaborative, caring, and high-accountability environment.
  • ​Develop clear expectations with staff regarding program priorities, role clarity, and clear decision making structures.
  • Manage and develop a high-performing team, fostering professional growth and ensuring effective execution of CCCD’s programs and operations.
  • Oversee operational functions, including budgeting, financial management, human resources, and compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.

Board Relations

  • ​Support the Board of Directors in fulfilling its fiduciary duties and governance responsibilities.
  • Serve as a liaison between the Board and staff, ensuring that the Board is kept informed of the organization’s progress, challenges, and needs.
  • Assist in recruiting, training, and nurturing board members to ensure effective governance and engagement.

Employment & Benefit Details

Work Requirements

The above job description reflects the general nature and level of work expected of the Executive Director. It is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Below are some of the initial work requirements of this position:

  • 40 hours of work per week, varying depending on organizational needs.
  • Initially, a minimum of 3 days per week of in-office work at our headquarters in Davis, CA,  and/or out of the office work (if traveling for conferences, work related events, etc)
  • Travel across California and the United States for conferences, meetings, retreats, and the like. California driver's license required.

Compensation & Benefits

  • Starting Salary Range (decided by the CCCD Board depending on background and qualifications): $110,000 - $120,000.
  • ​Life Insurance: CCCD provides a $100,000 Life Insurance Policy.
  • Paid Time Off: Each year, the Executive Director accrues 16 days of compensated vacation time, 12 days of compensated sick leave, and is provided 13 paid holidays. Unused vacation can be accrued up to a maximum of 80 hours and unused sick leave can be accrued up to a maximum of 160 hours.
  • Health Insurance:  We offer Kaiser Permanente's Bronze 60 High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) HMO and the option to supplement the premium to upgrade to other Kaiser Plans or an Anthem Blue Cross Plan.
  • Retirement: After six months of employment, the ED will become eligible for employer retirement contributions of 8% of the ED’s salary.
  • Professional Development: Mentorship and support will be provided by members of the CCCD Board to the new Executive Director and a Board approved budget for professional development coaching and support. “Professional development” refers to any learning activity intended to improve or deepen this new Executive Director’s skills, knowledge, abilities, and behavior as they relate to their present or future role at CCCD.

Our Timeline

We are accepting applications submitted on or before 11:59pm Pacific time on May 21st, 2026. We expect to conduct multiple rounds of interviews, with first round interviews beginning June 2nd. The anticipated start date for this position is late-August.

How to Apply

Please click this link to apply!
Important: Make note of the resume upload instructions located at the top of the application form!
Applications are due on or before May 21st, 2026. Applications received after this date will not be considered. Note: We are NOT requesting references for the initial application, but will be required during the second round.

We strongly encourage applicants from historically marginalized communities to apply. We’re committed to building an organization—and a cooperative movement—that reflects the vibrant diversity of California!