About Covenant House California
Covenant House California is a nonprofit organization serving young people ages 18–24 who are overcoming homelessness and human trafficking by providing sanctuary and comprehensive supportive services. CHC is deeply committed to meeting young people where they are and walking alongside them toward stability, healing, and independence.
California is home to nearly one-third of all young people experiencing homelessness in the United States, with an estimated 12,000 youth unhoused on any given night. CHC is well-positioned to help address this crisis through a bold vision and holistic approach that centers the dignity, strengths, and potential of young people. By serving a diverse population and influencing systems and policy at the statewide level, CHC delivers high-quality, youth-centered services while continuing to expand its reach and impact across California.
Covenant House California provides sanctuary and support by addressing homelessness when it begins - when hope and possibility are still strong. The organization empowers young people to harness their own strengths so they can leave homelessness behind for good. As an affiliate of Covenant House International (CHI), the largest primarily privately funded charity in North and Central America serving young people experiencing homelessness and survivors of trafficking, CHC is part of a proven model with more than 50 years of impact across over 30 cities in the United States, Canada, and Latin America. Grounded in the belief that no young person deserves to be homeless, CHC ensures that young people in California have access to shelter, food, clothing, education, and - most importantly - love, opportunity, and a path forward. CHC ensures shelter, love, and opportunity for California’s young people through:
Immediacy
Covenant House immediately meets the basic needs of youth experiencing homelessness through a nourishing meal, a shower, clean clothes, medical attention, and a safe place to sleep.
Sanctuary
Covenant House provides a safe haven from the hardships of homelessness. We recognize the fundamental worth of every human being and create a safe setting where all youth – regardless of life experience or identity – are served without judgement.
Value Communication
Covenant House leads by example to demonstrate that caring relationships are based on love, trust, respect, and honesty.
Structure
Covenant House provides the stability and structure necessary to build a positive future.
Choice
Covenant House fosters confidence; encouraging young people to believe in themselves and make informed choices for their lives.
Today, Covenant House California serves more than 1,340 young people annually through the work of approximately 190 highly committed team members across sites in Southern California (Los Angeles and Anaheim) and Northern California (Oakland, Santa Clara, and Hayward), with an annual operating budget of $25 million. CHC’s doors are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In the past year, the organization reached 1,340 young people through its core programs and services, all provided at no cost to those served.
CHC takes a comprehensive approach to addressing youth homelessness, offering far more than shelter alone. Its signature housing programs are complemented by a robust suite of supportive services, including medical and mental health care, educational support, and pathways to employment. These services are designed to ensure that a young person’s experience with homelessness is brief and nonrecurring. Across all sites, CHC strives to deliver a full continuum of care, either directly or through strong referral networks and partnerships. Multidisciplinary teams work collaboratively to create safe, inclusive, and outcomes-based environments that support young people in achieving lasting stability and independence.
Learn more about CHC at www.covenanthousecalifornia.org.
The Opportunity
Reporting to the Chief Program Officer, the Senior Vice President, Northern California will provide visible, mission-driven leadership across a dynamic region that includes Oakland, Hayward, and Santa Clara. The SVP will oversee a complex portfolio of programs, people, facilities, and community partnerships, ensuring Covenant House California’s commitment to serving young people experiencing homelessness is reflected throughout the region. Following a period of leadership transition, this leader will have the opportunity to strengthen culture, build trust, and provide stability while helping shape the next chapter of impact across Northern California. Grounded in equity, inclusion, and anti-oppressive practices, the successful candidate will bring the humility, adaptability, and cultural awareness needed to lead effectively across diverse communities and programs.
Covenant House California seeks a collaborative and compassionate leader who can inspire confidence, serve as a trusted thought partner, and foster an environment where staff feel supported, valued, and empowered. The ideal candidate will bring experience leading complex, mission-driven organizations, building high-performing teams, and overseeing multi-site operations while navigating workforce and youth-related challenges. They will possess the emotional intelligence to balance accountability with empathy, address challenges directly, and unite diverse teams around a shared vision. Operating at both the strategic and community levels, the Senior Vice President will support leaders, strengthen partnerships, cultivate supporters, and represent Covenant House with donors, public officials, and community partners. This is an opportunity for a servant leader, strategic thinker, and skilled communicator to make a lasting difference in the lives of vulnerable youth while ensuring every young person who enters Covenant House is met with dignity, opportunity, and hope.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership and Management
- Serve as an active member of the CPO’s management team.
- Serve as an active member of the CEO’s Executive Leadership Team
- Oversee the management of all programmatic and operational (including facilities) activities of the three Covenant House California Bay Area sites.
- Develop and execute a management and leadership strategy to ensure the day-to-day supervision and development of direct reports and their staff.
- Serve as the Youth Protection & Safety Officer to ensure safety policies, procedures, and protocols are followed with fidelity.
- Collaborate with People & Culture Team and senior leadership to Foster a culture of results, collaboration, responsibility, and accountability while inspiring and motivating staff.
Community Relationships and Partnership Development
- Serve as a compelling spokesperson for Covenant House California’s vision, strategy and programs among staff, volunteers, donors, key stakeholders, and the community at large.
- In conjunction with the agency’s fund development team, deepen and expand relationships with diverse funding partners, government agencies, public partners, and community groups.
- Participate in Covenant House California’s advocacy efforts at the local, state, and national levels.
Program Development, Optimization, and Delivery
- Oversee site supervision and direction of all Bay Area administrative and program areas ensuring excellence in service delivery.
- Lead new residential and non-residential program and service development including the Covenant House International Model of Care approach to serving youth experiencing homelessness.
- Collaborate with designated site directors and their management teams to ensure consistent quality support and coverage for 24/7 residential programs.
- Project management in regard to opening new sites and site expansion projects already in process.
- Work collaboratively with QA team and program leadership to develop, monitor, and comply with data integrity plans while ensuring objectives and metrics meet CHI and funder (local and state) benchmarks.
Fiscal Management
- Collaborate with CEO, CPO, and CFAO to develop, manage, and monitor Northern California operational budget.
- Strategically link revenues and resource allocation to meet program and budget expectations.
- Present financial progress reports to CPO as well as support the empowerment of direct reports to understand, work within, and inform the development of program budgets annually.
Strategic Planning
- Collaborate with CPO to Lead and develop CHC Northern CA program and direct service strategic priorities and budget process annually.
- Supervise implementation of the plan, goals, and objectives.
- Integrate and evaluate program and demographic data sets in collaboration with the QA team.
- Ensure compliance with quality assurance requirements.
- Use program outcome data to ensure ongoing program improvement.
Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate will be a mission-driven, values-centered leader with at least seven years of progressive experience in human services, including significant work with youth, and five or more years of senior leadership experience overseeing staff, budgets, operations, and organizational performance. A bachelor's degree is required; a master's degree is preferred. Experience in trauma-informed care, mental health, and/or social work is highly desirable. Experience in a residential program is also highly preferred.
In addition to these qualifications, the successful candidate will demonstrate the following leadership competencies, skills, and personal qualities necessary to advance Covenant House California’s mission and strengthen its impact across Northern California.
People-Centered Leadership and Staff Development
Demonstrates a deep commitment to supporting staff, developing leaders, and fostering a culture where people feel valued and supported. Understands how to effectively lead and develop managers and directors, providing the coaching, mentorship, and strategic guidance needed to help others grow. Creates an environment where staff are empowered to perform at their best while serving vulnerable youth. Has a proven track record of strengthening retention, building high-performing teams, and cultivating a culture of collaboration and growth.
Relational Leadership and Emotional Intelligence
Leads with humility, empathy, transparency, and self-awareness, fostering meaningful relationships with youth, staff, and community partners. Builds trust through an approachable and authentic leadership style and demonstrates the emotional intelligence to navigate complex interpersonal dynamics and support individuals impacted by trauma. Cultivates a culture of respect, care, and belonging while remaining calm and composed under pressure. Communicates clearly and effectively, ensuring staff feel informed and connected during both day-to-day operations and challenging situations.
Integrity, Accountability, and Courageous Conversations
Demonstrates integrity through fairness, consistency, and principled decision-making. Approaches difficult conversations with courage, honesty, and respect, addressing challenges directly while maintaining the dignity of all involved. Fosters a culture of accountability grounded in transparency and shared responsibility, balancing empathy with clear expectations. Earns credibility by following through on commitments, ensuring equitable treatment across teams and sites, and applying sound judgment and critical thinking to complex decisions.
Adaptive Leadership and Cultural Agility
Thrives in complex environments where communities, programs, and team dynamics vary significantly. Recognizes and respects the unique cultures, histories, and needs of diverse communities, adapting leadership approaches to meet each context effectively. Demonstrates cultural humility, values diverse perspectives, and remains open to learning and innovation. Brings a strong commitment to equity, anti-oppressive practices, and the lived experiences of the youth and communities served. Leads change with empathy and clarity, helping teams navigate transitions while maintaining engagement, stability, and high-quality service delivery.
Operational Excellence and Strategic Execution
Provides strong operational leadership across multiple sites, programs, contracts, and funding streams while maintaining a clear focus on mission impact. Ensures compliance and effective execution, balancing day-to-day operational demands with long-term strategic priorities. Demonstrates strong financial, administrative, and analytical acumen, including oversight of budgets, grants, contracts, audits, and program performance. Builds systems and processes that enhance organizational effectiveness while empowering leaders to succeed independently. Effectively manages competing priorities, establishes meaningful performance metrics, and executes strategies that drive measurable results. Identifies opportunities to strengthen systems, improve operational effectiveness, and support sustainable organizational growth.
Community Partnership and Organizational Ambassadorship
Serves as a visible and credible ambassador for Covenant House California, building strong relationships with funders, public agencies, community partners, and other key stakeholders across Northern California. Effectively represents the organization’s mission, programs, and impact while navigating complex political, funding, and community landscapes. Connects authentically with diverse audiences and strengthens the organization’s reputation, partnerships, and long-term community presence. An exceptional communicator, this leader is comfortable serving as a public-facing representative of the organization and engaging stakeholders through compelling written and verbal communication.
Compensation and Benefits
Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The anticipated salary range for this role is $150,000-180,000, accompanied by a comprehensive and generous benefits package. CHC is committed to supporting the health, well-being, and financial security of its employees. Full-time staff are eligible for benefits upon hire, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and long-term disability coverage, as well as a pension plan, tax-deferred annuity, and generous paid time off.
This is an opportunity to join a dynamic and mission-driven organization that is making a profound difference in the lives of youth experiencing homelessness and trafficking across California. Covenant House California’s mission is to provide young people ages 18–24 with safety, joy, hope, and opportunities to move forward and thrive. Employees are part of a supportive, values-driven culture dedicated to creating lasting impact for some of the state’s most vulnerable youth.
Contact
DSG | Koya has been exclusively retained for this engagement. Express interest in this role by filling out our Talent Profile or emailing the search team directly at [email protected]. All inquiries and discussions are strictly confidential.
DSG | Koya is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals living with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual living with a disability and need assistance expressing interest online, please email [email protected]. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.
Covenant House California is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ+ applicants.
About DSG | Koya
DSG | Koya, a DSG Global company, is the nation’s premier search firm dedicated to mission-driven leadership. Since its founding in 2004, DSG | Koya has had an exclusive focus on mission-driven clients and was founded on the belief that the right leader can transform an organization and have a deep and measurable impact on our world. DSG | Koya works with nonprofits & NGOs, responsible businesses, and social enterprises in local communities and around the world.
DSG Global is consistently recognized by Forbes on its top 10 list of “America’s Best Executive Recruiting Firms” and is an industry leader in recruiting transformational leaders for a changing world. The firm is deliberately different in its approach, with best-in-class teams who have decades of experience in cultivating inclusive leaders, understanding the dimensions of diversity, and building equitable teams.
Learn more about DSG | Koya via the firm's website.