President and CEO
San Diego Center for Children
The San Diego Center for Children (SDCC) is one of the nation’s most established and respected nonprofit providers of children’s mental and behavioral healthcare. Founded in 1887, SDCC has built a legacy of clinical excellence and compassionate care, serving more than 1,000 children, teens, and families each day across a comprehensive continuum of services. With over 400 staff, nine program sites, and a 12-acre therapeutic campus, the organization delivers integrated care spanning outpatient services, school-based programs, residential treatment, foster youth support, and a WASC-accredited K–12 nonpublic school.
SDCC operates at the forefront of a growing national crisis in youth mental health, offering culturally responsive, evidence-based care grounded in its values of Welcoming, Excellence, Collaboration, Optimism, Wellness, and Compassion. Its impact is measurable and nationally recognized, with strong clinical outcomes, top-tier accreditations, and high marks for transparency and stewardship. Financially stable, with a $31 million operating budget and diversified revenue streams, the organization is positioned to expand its reach and deepen its impact across Southern California.
The Opportunity
The President and Chief Executive Officer will lead SDCC into its next chapter following a thoughtful leadership transition. This is a moment of opportunity to build on a strong foundation while shaping a bold vision for growth, innovation, and expanded community impact.
Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the CEO will serve as the organization’s chief strategist, ambassador, and advocate, guiding a talented leadership team and aligning stakeholders around a shared vision for the future.
This role calls for a leader who can balance operational excellence with entrepreneurial thinking. The CEO will advance a forward-looking strategic plan, strengthen and diversify revenue streams, and elevate the organization’s visibility and influence across the region. With responsibility for a complex service model and a broad set of external relationships, the next leader will champion SDCC’s mission while building transformational partnerships with donors, policymakers, and community leaders.
This is a rare opportunity to lead a mission-driven organization at scale, where the impact is immediate, measurable, and deeply human.
The salary range for this position is $310,000 to $340,000, including a performance-based bonus.
The Lindauer Team Leading This Search
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