Tustin, CA

Executive Director

Sterling Search, Inc. has been exclusively retained to recruit the new

Executive Director of the Tustin Public Schools Foundation (www.tpsf.net).

Make Your Mark Leading a Solid Non-Profit to the Next Level of Organizational Maturity and Growth

TPSF seeks a visionary leader who will drive the organization's growth, expand its impact, and ensure its long-term sustainability. The Foundation has benefited from stable leadership and strong community recognition. The next ED will build on this foundation to expand fundraising and organizational infrastructure.  

The previous ED with the Board of Directors has been successful in creating sustainable revenue streams with grossed revenue in excess of $2,100,000 in the last fiscal year and holds an investment balance of approximately $4,000,000, which consists of an endowment and general funds. Much of the funds raised are from several annual events that have become a popular staple in the community’s annual calendar.

Although TPSF has built sustainable revenue streams, it has had little focus on building its operational and administrative infrastructure. The new ED will be a “roll up your sleeves” individual who has an entrepreneurial spirit and the capacity to put new efficient business and performance management systems in place.  In addition, the new ED will bring a track record of growing revenue either in a for-profit environment with a demonstrated sales background and/or as a fundraiser, having successfully built diverse revenue streams. .

ABOUT TUSTIN PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION (“TPSF” or “Foundation”) 

The Tustin Public Schools Foundation offers and organizes a variety of programs that foster and celebrate educational excellence. The Foundation funds programs that serve nearly 22,000 K-12 students at 30 Tustin Unified schools in Tustin, North Tustin, Irvine, and parts of Santa Ana. They achieve this through five primary programs:

MISSION

To mobilize the community and its resources to further excellence in Tustin Unified Schools.

  • Scholarships—Whether it is participating in an after-school sports program or going to college, TPSF funds these and other dreams. These awards are available to all students with multiple scholarships awarded to many first-generation students.

  • Grants—In 2024, thanks to broad community support, TPSF was able to fund more than 100 grants. Many were awarded to Title I schools to promote equitable access to instructional materials, enrichment programs, and student support services.

  • Summer Academy—Two or four week half-day sessions are available for Kindergarten through High School students with scholarships available for Title 1 students.

  • Robotics—TPSF is proud to support robotics programs at each of Tustin Unified’s 10 secondary and 18 elementary schools.

  • After School Sports Initiative—These programs promote student wellness, teamwork, and belonging while ensuring that students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds have access to extracurricular opportunities regardless of financial circumstances..

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Transformational Leader: Demonstrated success in leading organizational growth and transformation within business or nonprofit settings, with a proven ability to scale impact, navigate change, and drive measurable results during periods of significant evolution.

  • Revenue Success: Demonstrated accomplishments in business sales and/or fundraising, with success in securing significant funding. Expertise in grant and/or proposal writing is a plus.

  • Operational Excellence: Established history of assessing, designing, and implementing efficient business and operational systems that strengthen organizational infrastructure, enhance productivity, and support scalable growth. Deep understanding of business or nonprofit operations, financial management, and program development.

  • Visionary: Leader with the ability to set ambitious goals, develop actionable plans, and inspire stakeholders to achieve them.

  • Relationship Driven: Exceptional relationship-building skills with the ability to engage and mobilize diverse donors. Able to build trust quickly, maintain meaningful connections, and actively steward long-term relationships with key stakeholders. Ability to bring people together, communicate with clarity and warmth, and nurture relationships that drive organizational success.

  • Strategic-Thinker: Strong strategic planning and decision-making skills.

  • Bachelor's degree required.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Growth & Leadership

  • Develop and execute a bold, forward-thinking strategic plan that expands TPSF’s reach, impact, and financial sustainability.

  • Identify new opportunities for growth, including innovative partnerships, programs, and funding sources.

Board Relations & Governance

  • Work with Board leadership to strengthen Board philanthropy participation and donor engagement expectations.

  • Provide clear, data-driven updates on progress toward strategic goals and organizational performance.

Financial Management

  • Evaluate and implement strong financial systems and processes to effectively manage and report clear financial goals.

  • Oversee financial planning, budgeting, and stewardship to ensure fiscal health and maximize resources for impact.

Fundraising

  • Develop a diversified strategy, including major gifts, corporate sponsorships, grants, planned giving, annual giving, special events, and other innovative revenue streams.

  • Identify and cultivate prospective donors and work to engage them in TPSF programs and events with the purpose of asking them to give financially to the organization.

Program Innovation & Expansion

  • Develop and implement a comprehensive set of programmatic best practices and a scalable blueprint that includes clear operational plans, measurable outcomes, and consistent evaluation frameworks to ensure quality, impact, and alignment with organizational goals.

  • Enhance and scale existing programs while identifying and developing new initiatives that align with community needs.

Staff Leadership & Development

  • Design and implement a performance management system that drives accountability, continuous improvement, succession planning and strategic alignment, while cultivating a high-performing, mission-driven team rooted in innovation, collaboration, and commitment to excellence.

  • Provide professional development opportunities that empower staff and volunteers to contribute effectively to the Foundation’s growth.

Community Engagement & Advocacy

  • Act as the primary ambassador for TPSF, building meaningful relationships with donors, corporate partners, educational leaders, TUSD board members, and the broader community.

  • Expand TPSF’s visibility through strategic communications, public relations, and digital engagement.

Operational Excellence & Compliance

  • Evaluate and implement a full range of efficient systems, technology, and processes to enhance productivity and effectiveness.

  • Ensure adherence to all legal and regulatory requirements related to nonprofit governance and operations.

Success Indicators (Year 1–3)

  • Increase revenue diversification beyond events and deepen major donor relationships

  • Establish a multi-year fundraising/major gifts roadmap

  • Build annual goals around donor pipeline development and stewardship

  • Recruit and onboard new Board, committee, or volunteer leaders

  • Strengthen financial forecasting and reporting infrastructure

This role requires occasional evening and weekend work as needed to support business operations and events.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

This position offers a base salary range of $165,000 - $185,000, plus benefits, based upon qualifications and experience.

Please contact Sarah Agee for a confidential conversation and to learn more about this opportunity.

Phone: (949) 903-2891
Email: Sarah@SterlingSearchInc.com

Any resumes sent or telephone calls made to TPSF will be redirected to Sterling Search Inc.

Tustin Public Schools Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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