POSITION SUMMARY
West Business Development Center (West Center) is seeking a dynamic CEO to guide the organization into a new era of impactful leadership. This role offers a unique opportunity to champion rural economic development, foster investment in underserved areas, and drive small business growth through innovative technical assistance and collaborative relationships in rural Northern California. The CEO will be a highly visible leader and prominent advocate, building and nurturing partnerships across local, regional, state, and national levels to elevate the organization’s profile and extend its influence in driving sustainable economic growth.
Reporting directly to the Board of Directors, the CEO will oversee the strategic and operational aspects of West Center, supervising direct reports and leading a dedicated team. The ideal candidate will embody West Center’s core values of inclusiveness, optimism, respect, collaboration, and integrity. They will possess a collaborative and strategic mindset, guiding the organization with a balance of visionary leadership and hands-on operational management. This role requires a strong commitment to advancing economic equity, empowering diverse business communities, and positioning West Center as a leader in rural, climate-forward economic development.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Leadership & Strategic Vision
Funding & Communications
Community & Policy Engagement
Fiscal Oversight
SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
POSITION REQUIREMENTS
Compensation
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMITMENT
West Business Development Center is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We adhere to the principles of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and California labor laws, striving to provide a fair and inclusive workplace.
ABOUT WEST CENTER
West Center envisions a thriving, sustainable rural economy and a high quality of life for all residents. Our mission is to advance rural economic prosperity by partnering with entrepreneurs and communities to drive business success and growth. For 36 years, West Center has delivered technical assistance to entrepreneurs throughout Northern California. Our mission is to advance rural economic prosperity by partnering with entrepreneurs and community organizations to drive rural business success and growth. We host both the Mendocino Women’s Business Center (WBC) and Mendocino Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and are engaged in numerous regional activities and state and federal partnerships that promote economic innovation and development. Our demonstrated success is based on years of serving thousands of small businesses annually through a combination of no-cost professional counseling and training, underpinned by our mission to spur growth within the diverse industries of our region. Our expertise in facilitating business development across all stages – from startup to expansion and innovation – is unparalleled. We are poised to make a significant impact on our region through the acceleration of blue economy and working lands enterprises. As a Sector Investment Coordinator for the California Jobs First Initiative, we recently developed a regional blue economy sector report which outlines economic strategies to bolster the economy through transformational projects and diverse funding strategies. By fostering essential public-private partnerships to emerging entrepreneurs and accelerating the expansion of existing businesses within the rural redwood region, we are outlining ways to create a fertile ground for business success, driving economic development and enhancing the quality of life in our rural region.