Description
About Business For Good San Diego
Business For Good (BFG) San Diego is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that activates the San Diego business community around social impact, policy advocacy, and community investment. We sit at the intersection of commerce and conscience — convening business leaders, shaping policy, and driving meaningful change across our region.
After six months of volunteer board leadership and a period of organizational reflection, BFG is ready for its next chapter. We are creating this Chief Executive Officer (CEO) role to establish dedicated executive leadership for the first time since 2018 — bringing on a visionary, entrepreneurial leader to stabilize our financial foundation, deepen our community partnerships, and scale our impact across San Diego.
The Opportunity
This is a rare chance to shape a growing, mission-driven organization from the inside out, and contribute to its long-term stability . The incoming CEO will step into an organization with strong mission clarity, an engaged board, and defined goals — and will have the mandate to build on that foundation with purpose and ambition.
The right candidate will be equally at home in a boardroom and at a community event, equally comfortable building a fundraising pipeline and crafting a compelling public narrative. This is a hands-on, relationship-intensive role for a leader who thrives at the intersection of business and social good.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Vision & Organizational Leadership
Partner with the Board of Directors to develop and execute BFG's strategic plan, ensuring alignment between mission, programs, and resources
Serve as the primary driver of organizational growth, identifying opportunities to deepen impact, create and expand programs, and position BFG as an indispensable voice in the San Diego business community
Establish organizational infrastructure, policies, and systems that support a high-performing, mission-aligned team
Provide regular, transparent reporting to the Board on organizational health, progress, and emerging challenges, with minimum frequency of reporting determined by the Board
Fundraising & Financial Sustainability
Lead BFG's fundraising strategy, diversifying revenue across membership dues, corporate sponsorships, grants, events, and earned income, ensuring a balanced budget
Personally cultivate and steward relationships with major donors, funders, and corporate partners
Develop and manage annual operating budgets in partnership with the Treasurer and Board, ensuring fiscal responsibility and long-term sustainability
Pursue and secure new grant opportunities, including government, foundation, and philanthropic sources
Design and execute an earned revenue strategy that reduces dependency on any single funding stream
Community & Business Partnership Building
Serve as BFG's primary relationship holder with San Diego's business, civic, philanthropic, and government communities
Grow and retain BFG's membership base, deepening value for existing members and attracting new ones
Build and sustain partnerships with chambers of commerce, trade associations, CDFIs, and other mission-aligned organizations
Represent BFG at community events, coalitions, convenings, and public forums
Advocacy & Policy
In partnership with the Advocacy Committee, advance BFG's policy priorities at the local, regional, and state levels
Build relationships with elected officials, city and county staff, and other decision-makers
Position BFG as a trusted, credible voice on issues at the intersection of business community and social impact
Communications & Public Presence
Serve as BFG's primary spokesperson and public face, communicating its mission and impact with clarity and conviction
Oversee BFG's communications strategy across all channels — digital, media, events, and stakeholder outreach
Cultivate media relationships and ensure BFG's story is told compellingly and consistently
Develop and distribute annual impact reports, bi-monthly member communications, and donor stewardship materials as requested by the board
Team & Operations Leadership
Lead, develop, and inspire a small, defined team — setting a culture of accountability, collaboration, and mission alignment
Oversee day-to-day operations, including use of platforms for membership management, communications, budget operations, and more
Ensure compliance with all 501(c)(3) regulatory requirements, financial controls, and governance best practices
Coordinate closely with board committees including Advocacy, Finance/Treasurer, Communications, and Operations
Ensure grant deliverables are accurately and timely met
What We're Looking For
Required Qualifications & Skills
8+ years of progressively responsible leadership experience in a nonprofit, association, chamber of commerce, social enterprise, or mission-driven organization
Demonstrated success in fundraising, revenue diversification, and donor or sponsor relationship management
Ability to use digital screens and platforms uninterrupted for prolonged periods of time
Strong financial acumen, including experience managing budgets, preparing Annual Reports, and reporting to a Board of Directors
Proven ability to build and sustain authentic relationships with diverse stakeholders — business leaders, community members, elected officials, and funders
Track record of building partnerships, creating tangible value for multiple stakeholders
5+ years of experience managing direct reports, part-time employees, and/or contractors
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Team-oriented and highly collaborative personality, open to receiving and acting on constructive feedback to drive organizational improvement.
Ability to quickly learn new tech platforms and familiarity with office programs including Google, Slack, Canva, Quickbooks, and more
Commitment to continuous learning and dedication to personal and professional growth
Preferred Qualifications
Familiarity with San Diego's business, social impact, civic, and philanthropic landscape
Experience leading or working within a 501(c)(3) membership organization or chamber of commerce
Background in public policy, advocacy, or government relations
Experience with membership management and/or customer relationship management platforms (GrowthZone or similar)
Track record of scaling a small organization — growing revenue, staff, and community presence
Confident and compelling public speaker
Who Thrives in This Role
An entrepreneurial self-starter who can build systems while also rolling up their sleeves
A connector who genuinely enjoys relationship-building across sectors and communities
A strategic thinker who can hold the big picture while managing real operational complexity
Someone who believes deeply that business can and should be a force for good in the world
A communicator who can inspire members, motivate a team, and move funders to invest
Compensation & Work Environment
Business For Good San Diego offers a competitive compensation package commensurate with experience. Salary range is $90,000-$110,000, and benefits details will be shared with qualified candidates during the hiring process.
This is a full-time, remote position based in San Diego, CA. The CEO should expect regular in-person presence for events, member engagement, and community representation. Some evening and weekend availability is required.
Disclaimer:
The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. It is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their supervisor in compliance with federal and state laws.
All job requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities, provided the essential functions can still be met. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees. Business for Good San Diego is committed to complying with the California Fair Employment and Housing Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Applicants and employees with disabilities who require reasonable accommodation to perform the essential functions of the position are encouraged to contact Business for Good San Diego to engage in the interactive process to identify effective accommodations.
Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities. To perform this job successfully, the employee must possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently. Continued employment remains on an “at-will” basis.
Requirements
Required Qualifications & Skills
8+ years of progressively responsible leadership experience in a nonprofit, association, chamber of commerce, social enterprise, or mission-driven organization
Demonstrated success in fundraising, revenue diversification, and donor or sponsor relationship management
Ability to use digital screens and platforms uninterrupted for prolonged periods of time
Strong financial acumen, including experience managing budgets, preparing Annual Reports, and reporting to a Board of Directors
Proven ability to build and sustain authentic relationships with diverse stakeholders — business leaders, community members, elected officials, and funders
Track record of building partnerships, creating tangible value for multiple stakeholders
5+ years of experience managing direct reports, part-time employees, and/or contractors
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Team-oriented and highly collaborative personality, open to receiving and acting on constructive feedback to drive organizational improvement.
Ability to quickly learn new tech platforms and familiarity with office programs including Google, Slack, Canva, Quickbooks, and more
Commitment to continuous learning and dedication to personal and professional growth
Preferred Qualifications
Familiarity with San Diego's business, social impact, civic, and philanthropic landscape
Experience leading or working within a 501(c)(3) membership organization or chamber of commerce
Background in public policy, advocacy, or government relations
Experience with membership management and/or customer relationship management platforms (GrowthZone or similar)
Track record of scaling a small organization — growing revenue, staff, and community presence
Confident and compelling public speaker
