Chief Strategy & Operations Officer

Family Service Agency of Santa Barbara County; Santa Barbara (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 145,000; Full time

Job summary

Family Service Agency of Santa Barbara County is seeking a collaborative Chief Strategy & Operations Officer to join our Executive Leadership Team, reporting to the CEO and shaping strategic vision while ensuring operational excellence across the organization.

This executive will oversee operations, human resources, compliance, risk management, and strategic initiatives to strengthen services for diverse communities throughout Santa Barbara County.

Qualifications

• Master's degree and at least six years of senior management in human services, or bachelor's with at least ten years.
• Experience in leadership, budgeting, and staff supervision.
• Valid California driver's license and ability to travel Santa Barbara County.
• Background check completed successfully.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the CEO to advance organizational strategy and long-term planning.
• Lead operations and human resources to ensure compliance and workforce excellence.
• Develop systems, policies, and processes to support growth and accountability.
• Coach and develop high-performing leaders and teams.
• Guide budgeting, resource planning, and strategic initiatives.
• Serve as Privacy Officer, ensuring HIPAA and data privacy compliance.
• Oversee crisis response planning and organizational risk management.
• Build relationships with partners, funders, stakeholders, and public agencies.
• Represent FSA and identify opportunities for partnership, innovation, expansion.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Budget planning

Program development

Performance management

Change management

Communication skills

Relationship building

Problem solving

Diversity & inclusion

Trauma-informed practices

Education

Master's degree in Organizational Management, Public Administration, Social Work, or related

Bachelor's degree with 10+ years senior management in human services

Job description

Lead Organizational Excellence. Drive Strategic Growth. Strengthen Communities.

Grow, Succeed, and Make an Impact at FSA

If you're a thoughtful and visionary leader who is ready to make a lasting difference, we invite you to apply.

Family Service Agency (FSA) is seeking a collaborative, mission-driven Chief Strategy & Operations Officer (CSOO) to join our Executive Leadership Team.

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, you will play a critical role in shaping and executing FSA's strategic vision while ensuring operational excellence across the organization. This executive leader will oversee organizational operations, human resources, compliance, risk management, and strategic initiatives that strengthen FSA's ability to serve diverse communities throughout Santa Barbara County.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced nonprofit or human services leader who is passionate about building strong teams, driving innovation, fostering organizational growth, and creating meaningful community impact.

At FSA, we are committed to being a trauma-informed and resilience-oriented organization that values diversity, inclusion, collaboration, and the well-being of both our clients and staff.

What You'll Do

As a key member of FSA's Executive Leadership Team, you will:

• Partner with the CEO and senior leadership to advance organizational strategy and long-term planning.
• Lead operational and human resources functions to ensure organizational effectiveness, compliance, and workforce excellence.
• Develop and strengthen systems, policies, and processes that support growth, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Coach, develop, and support high-performing leaders and teams across the agency.
• Guide organizational budgeting, resource planning, and strategic initiatives.
• Serve as FSA's Privacy Officer, ensuring compliance with HIPAA and data privacy requirements.
• Oversee crisis response planning, preparedness, and organizational risk management efforts.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with community partners, funders, stakeholders, and public agencies.
• Represent FSA throughout the community and help identify opportunities for partnership, innovation, and expansion.

Who You Are

You are a strategic and results-oriented leader with the ability to balance big-picture thinking with operational execution. You excel at building relationships, developing talent, navigating complexity, and creating systems that allow organizations to thrive.

You bring:

• Strong leadership experience in human services, nonprofit management, public administration, or a related field.
• Demonstrated success leading teams, managing operations, and driving organizational change.
• Experience with strategic planning, budgeting, program development, and performance management.
• Exceptional communication, relationship-building, and problem-solving skills.
• A commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, cultural humility, and trauma-informed practices.
• Sound judgment, integrity, adaptability, and a collaborative approach to leadership.

Position Requirements

Qualifications

Required:

• Master's degree in Organizational Management, Public Administration, Social Work, or a related field and at least six years of senior management experience in human services; OR Bachelor's degree in a related field and at least ten years of senior management experience in human services.
• Experience in organizational leadership, program management, budgeting, and staff supervision.
• Valid California Driver's License, proof of automobile insurance, and reliable transportation.
• Ability to travel throughout Santa Barbara County.
• Successful completion of a background check.

Preferred:

• Bilingual in English and Spanish.
• Familiarity with trauma-informed care and community-based services.
• Experience working within complex nonprofit or human services organizations.

Why Join FSA?

For more than a century, Family Service Agency has been dedicated to strengthening families and building healthier communities. As Chief Strategy & Operations Officer, you will have the opportunity to help shape the future of a respected organization while empowering staff, strengthening operations, and expanding our impact throughout Santa Barbara County.

Family Service Agency is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all employees feel valued, respected, and empowered to succeed.

Classification, Hours and Pay Rate:

• This position is full-time, salaried/exempt.
• Benefits include: medical (Choice of HMO and PPO offered), dental, vision, life insurance, flexible spending accounts, and a 403(b) retirement plan with an annual company contribution. Generous vacation, holiday, and sick leave also offered.
• The pay range for this position is $120,000 to $145,000 per year.

Full-Time/Part-Time Full-Time

Shift -not applicable-

Position Chief Strategy and North County Programs Officer

Exempt/Non-Exempt Exempt

Req Number MAN-26-00001

Location Santa Barbara County

About the Organization

Family Service Agency (FSA) has long been regarded as one of Santa Barbara County's most reliable and effective nonprofit human service organizations. Our mission is to strengthen and advocate for families and individuals of all ages and diversities, helping to create and preserve a healthy community. We are committed to providing services where they are needed most: in the community. Eighty percent of our services are delivered on school campuses, at community centers and in clients' homes. Our programs, which serve more than 25,000 people annually, combine clinical expertise, bilingual and bicultural staff, and close collaboration with other agencies. At FSA, all services are provided free or on a sliding fee/donation scale and no one is denied assistance because of an inability to pay.

EOE Statement

We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

This position is currently accepting applications.