Description

CALIFORNIA ASSISTED LIVING ASSOCIATION

Position Profile for Chief Executive Officer

Sacramento, California

Overview

The California Assisted Living Association (CALA), California’s largest and most influential association dedicated exclusively to Residential Care Facilities for the elderly and Continuing Care Retirement Communities, is seeking a visionary, high-impact leader to serve as its next executive. This is a rare opportunity to lead an organization that is not only shaping the future of senior living in California but is widely recognized as the model that other states and organizations across the country strive to emulate.

CALA is at the forefront of advocacy, innovation, and industry leadership in one of the fastest-growing sectors in human services.  We are seeking a dynamic executive with a passion for advancing elder care, a sophisticated understanding of policy and advocacy, and the presence to engage and influence lawmakers, regulators, and key stakeholders at the highest levels. The ideal candidate is both a strategic visionary and an operational leader—someone who can inspire teams, cultivate powerful relationships, and drive meaningful impact for hundreds of thousands of residents across the state.

Founded in 1995, CALA has grown into a powerhouse organization representing more than 660 senior living communities, collectively serving over 90,000 residents. Its membership spans the full spectrum of care—from intimate, six-bed residential homes to large, world-class communities serving up to 350 individuals. Across this diversity, CALA members are united by a shared commitment to excellence, innovation, and elevating the standard of care for older adults.

This is more than a leadership role—it is an opportunity to shape the future of an essential industry, elevate the lives of older adults, and lead an organization that sets the national standard for assisted living.

About the Position

CALA is seeking a mission-driven, relationship-oriented Chief Executive Officer to lead the organization.

The CEO will provide strategic, operational, and external leadership for CALA, working closely with the Board of Directors, staff, members, legislators, like-minded associations, and public partners (e.g., governing agencies such as the Department of Social Services). The CEO represents the association, and its members publicly, stewards relationships with partners and supporters, ensures strong internal operations, and advances the organization’s mission to strengthen and sustain the Assisted Living, Memory Care and CCRC models of care as integral components of long-term care for California’s older adults.  

The CEO leads a growing and dedicated team while engaging deeply with association members, government agencies, lawmakers, and vendors. This role is both hands-on and strategic, balancing organizational oversight with industry advancement and community engagement in a high-impact organization.

Key Priorities

The new CEO will initially spend time listening and learning, understanding the organization’s internal dynamics and community needs, and building relationships and trust with the staff,board and legislative and governing partners, to better understand CALA’s strengths, challenges, opportunities and position in the elder care industry.Building upon these foundational relationships, the new CEO will need to address the following key priorities in their first 18 months:

Relationship Building: an emphasis on the importance of establishing a deep, collaborative and impactful partnership with government partners (e.g., Legislators and the Department of Social Services (DSS) along with building trust with CALA board members and staff.

Political Advocacy and Regulatory Strategy: The role requires a sophisticated understanding of the lobbying efforts throughout California and specifically within the Sacramento landscape, while ensuring the organization’s status as a leader in government and regulatory affairs.

Risk Mitigation: The lack of Tort reform and a steady increase in litigation pose a serious threat to member organizations, particularly those operating in California. Creating a strong and sound strategy to proactively advocate on behalf of providers to navigate this threat will be a central theme in connecting with and creating value for membership.

Organizational Culture & Talent: Following on the heels of two long-tenured leaders, this role will require the ability to fortify the collaborative culture across staff, while filling existing vacancies with complimentary skills to build a well-rounded team.

Requirements

Essential Qualifications,Skills and Attributes

Education and Experience

• A minimum of B.A. degree in public policy administration, nonprofit management, or equivalent experience.  Advanced degree preferred but not required. CAE certification is preferred but not required.
• 5 years of progressive and successful senior level experience and success, preferably in a California state association and experience working with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.
• Significant experience in legislative and regulatory affairs, with management of an advocacy program, preferably one representing small to very large service providers.
• Familiarity and/or experience with Tort reform preferred.
• Experience with major organizational transitions.
  

Skills and Attributes

• Excellent relationship-builder: A visible leader, an active community participant who can build trust quickly and represent the CALA with credibility across providers, governing agencies and lawmakers.
• Strategic thinker: Demonstrated success analyzing and forecasting trends, and history of development and execution of strategies resulting in meaningful change (e.g., advocacy, CALA business development and strategy).
• Proven business acumen and people leadership: A steady, organized manager who can lead a small team with clarity, create structure and accountability, and support high performance in a collaborative culture.
• Strong listener with high emotional intelligence: Approachable, grounded, and able to build confidence through thoughtful listening, humility, and calm leadership under pressure.
• Skilled communicator and public speaker: A clear, compelling storyteller who can tailor messaging to different audiences and advocate effectively for the CALA mission and industry.
• Adaptable: Capable of responding effectively to changing conditions and competing priorities.
  Demonstrated financial acumen, with the ability to interpret budgets and financial reports, and support responsible decision-making and long-term sustainability.
• Knowledgeable with AI, including baseline usage and potential for its use within the organization.
• Experience working effectively with a Board of Directors comprised of senior executives.
  

Compensation

$245,000 - $275,000 depending on experience.

 Benefits include:

• Annual incentive bonus up to 20%
• Paid time off: 10 days paid vacation and 8.6 days sick per year
• 9 Paid Holidays
• Retirement Plan with an employer contribution of 3%
• Employer Paid Life insurance
• Ongoing learning through trainings and conference opportunities to encourage professional growth and continued development
• Hybrid Schedule: 80/20 [4 days in office/1 remote]

Application Process

The California Assisted Living Association has retained Glick Davis & Associates, LLC to facilitate this search on their behalf.

To apply, interested candidates should e-mail their cover letter and resume as a single PDF file to: CALA@glickdavis.com

The position is open until filled.

Inclusiveness:

The California Assisted Living Association is an equal-opportunity employer and believes that every employee has the right to work in surroundings that are free from all forms of arbitrary discrimination.

California Assisted Living Association is committed to providing an inclusive workplace that includes people of diverse backgrounds and fully utilizes their talents to achieve its mission. We are committed to fostering and supporting a workplace culture inclusive of people regardless of their race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, marital status, age, physical abilities, political affiliation, religious beliefs, or any other non-merit fact, so that all employees feel included, equal, valued and supported.