Monarch School Project, Chief Executive Officer

ORGANIZATION

Looking for a dynamic executive to lead a national model of education, care, and community.

Monarch School is the only K–12 public school in the nation exclusively dedicated to educating unhoused youth. Since 1987, Monarch has demonstrated what is possible when education, compassion, and partnership come together to break the cycle of poverty and housing insecurities. Through a unique public private partnership between the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) and the Monarch School Project (MSP), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Monarch provides a comprehensive, trauma-informed learning environment that supports nearly 300 students and their families each year.

Students receive an accredited education alongside wraparound supports for the entire family that address academic growth, social and emotional well‑being, and essential life skills development. Monarch integrates academics with trauma‑informed care, strength‑based practices, developmental relationships, and restorative approaches—creating a learning environment where every student is known, supported, and empowered to thrive in school and beyond.

Our state‑of‑the‑art campus features classrooms, arts and athletic facilities, counseling spaces, and family engagement areas. Monarch’s holistic services include clinical mental health care, a family resource center, regular family dinners, and alumni support programs that sustain connection and growth well beyond graduation.

At Monarch, we believe that supporting students, families, and alumni together builds the foundation for lasting community transformation—replacing instability with opportunity and empowering every individual to thrive.

To learn more about Monarch School Project, please visit (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

Reporting to a 15‑person Board of Directors and managing a $7 million dollar budget, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) will lead Monarch School Project into its next chapter, stewarding a 67,000‑square‑foot, $20 million campus and a dedicated multidisciplinary team. This leader will strengthen financial sustainability, advance Monarch’s trauma‑informed educational model, and deepen partnerships across San Diego and beyond in response to the urgent reality that more than 233,000 young people in California experience housing instability or are unhoused.

The CEO will be a visible, hands‑on leader, deeply present on campus and building authentic relationships with students, families, staff, and community partners.

The ideal candidate is mission driven and heart led, with a deep personal connection to Monarch’s work. This leader combines compassion with strong business acumen and a strategic mindset focused on long‑term sustainability. This person is equally comfortable in donor boardrooms and school classrooms. They are a trust builder and bridge builder who fosters and maintains relationships across staff, partners, and the Board.

They lead with empathy and equity, centering wellness and belonging, and serve as a visible and relational presence with students, families, and the broader community. Calm and courageous in the face of change, they make values‑aligned decisions and adapt in complex environments. They are organized with excellent follow‑through and planning, and they are flexible about working evenings and weekends to meet the needs of the community.

This deeply relational leader inspires others through presence, authenticity, integrity, and vision.

Anticipated focus allocation:

• Fundraising & Financial Sustainability – 35%
• Organizational Culture, Staff Development & Partnership Alignment – 25%
• Board, Governance, & External Relations – 20%
• Strategic Planning & Program Alignment – 20%

• Lead the organization’s revenue strategy by expanding and diversifying funding streams, including major donors, foundation and corporate partnerships, and digital campaigns, while strengthening and deepening relationships with existing supporters.
• Design and execute a multi‑year fundraising and sustainability plan that replaces sun setting funders and secures long‑term commitments.
• Serve as Monarch’s chief spokesperson and…