National Growth & Partnerships Leader

First Place for Youth; Los Angeles (CA); Hybrid; USD 170,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and wellness benefits

Retirement plans

Paid holidays

Job summary

First Place for Youth in Los Angeles seeks a Chief Strategy and Expansion Officer to drive nationwide growth, build strategic partnerships, secure public funding, and shape foster-youth policy. You will partner with the CEO and executive team to define growth strategy, recruit a national team, and serve as a national ambassador.

You will align cross‑sector initiatives, engage government stakeholders, and oversee multi-state operations.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree (required); Master’s, JD, or advanced degree preferred.
• 8+ years of progressive senior leadership in child welfare, human services, or a related field — with experience managing multi-level teams and driving organizational growth.
• 5+ years leading business development for a government-contracting organization, with demonstrated success in revenue growth and program expansion across multiple states.
• Deep knowledge of the foster care system, extended foster care policy, and the landscape of services for transition-age youth.
• Strong command of public sector funding mechanisms, particularly Title IV-E and workforce development streams.
• Experience as a member of an executive leadership team, with a proven ability to manage multi-site, multi-state operations.
• Exceptional communication skills — you can move a room, articulate a compelling case for First Place for Youth, and simplify complex policies for any audience.
• An entrepreneurial mindset: you see opportunity, take initiative, and execute with both urgency and care.
• Prior program budget management experience is required for this role
• Availability for occasional evening and weekend work and some travel as needed.

Responsibilities

• Drive National Expansion: Develop and execute expansion strategy into new states and regions.
• Build Strategic Partnerships & Secure Public Funding: Cultivate relationships with government officials and leaders to secure funding; lead government contracting strategy; partner on grants.
• Advance Policy & Advocacy: Represent First Place for Youth on boards and coalitions; monitor legislation; advocate for systems change.
• Lead & Develop the National Team: Develop a high-performing national and policy team; foster culture and collaboration.
• Measure What Matters: Define and track KPIs; use data to inform market prioritization and partnerships.

Skills

8+ years leadership

Cultural competency

Govt contracting business development

Foster care knowledge

Public funding knowledge

Executive leadership team

Excellent communication

Entrepreneurial mindset

Program budget management

Availability for evenings/weekends/trx

Vacation/sick/holidays benefit

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Advanced degree preferred (Master’s/JD)

Tools

Computer/Software skills

Job description

First Place for Youth in Los Angeles seeks a Chief Strategy and Expansion Officer to drive nationwide growth, build strategic partnerships, secure public funding, and shape foster-youth policy. You will partner with the CEO and executive team to define growth strategy, recruit a national team, and serve as a national ambassador.

You will align cross‑sector initiatives, engage government stakeholders, and oversee multi-state operations.