THE ORGANIZATION

For over 55 years, Meals on Wheels Orange County has delivered programs and services that reduce hunger and improve wellness for older adults so that they may live independently in the homes and communities they love.

Services

Meals on Wheels Orange County provides a broad range of services spanning a continuum of care, including:

Home-Delivered Meals: Three nutritious meals a day, five days a week, delivered to homebound seniors. Volunteers take time to chat with each client, checking in on them, and bringing a bright spot to their day.
Congregate Meals/Lunch Cafés: Hot, nutritious meals and socialization provided at senior and community centers. These may be the only meals seniors eat all day in the company of others.
Case Management Services: Professional assessment and care planning for frail older adults at risk of losing their independence.
In-Home Services: Personal Care, Homemaker, Chore services for frail older adults who otherwise could not remain in their homes.
Transportation: Safe, reliable rides for older adults to and from non-medical locations.
Adult Day Services: Social and medical care for adults living at home who need daytime assistance for health and safety.
Friendly Visitors: Volunteers bring hope and companionship to those in Orange County who need it most.
CalAIM Services - Medically-tailored Meals and Grocery Boxes: delivered to the homes of eligible members diagnosed with chronic diseases; Enhanced Care Management through a care manager who coordinates health and health‑related care for adults with complex needs, including physical, mental, and dental care, and social services.
Care Coordination Services delivered onsite in partnership with Affordable Housing Communities.

Meals on Wheels Orange County’s services are funded in part through a grant from the California Department of Aging and administered by the Orange County Office on Aging, and through municipalities, healthcare plans, collaboration partners, foundations, and the generous support of the community.

As part of its social enterprise services, Meals on Wheels Orange County subcontracts to other nonprofits to make and deliver meals for their programs. Further, Meals on Wheels co-packs commercial foods distributed through food brokers. The proceeds of these services help expand the nonprofit’s mission impact.

Mission

To nourish the wellness, purpose, and dignity of older adults and their families in our community.

Belief Statement

Meals on Wheels Orange County believes that all older adults:

Should be able to live with wellness, purpose, and dignity
Have the right to their own choices
Are deserving of nourishing meals tailored to their needs and preferences
Need meaningful relationships that prevent isolation and loneliness
Have the right to care that maintains health over the course of their lifetime

Furthermore, Meals on Wheels Orange County believes the community has a responsibility to provide solutions that reflect the diverse needs of all older adults.

For more information about Meals on Wheels Orange County, visit: https://www.mealsonwheelsoc.org/.

THE POSITION

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is responsible for providing vision, leadership, and direction for all aspects of Meals on Wheels Orange County (MOWOC). Reporting to a 16-member Board of Directors, the CEO will oversee the $20 million budget. The direct reports to the CEO are the Chief Financial & Administrative Officer, Chief Development Officer, Vice President of Care Services, Vice President of Social Services, Vice President of Food Services, Senior Director of Human Resources, and Executive Assistant.

Responsibilities

Strategic Planning & Execution

Drives the development and execution of the organization’s strategic vision, aligning short- and long‑range goals with the mission and Board priorities.
Identifies and pursues programmatic and social enterprise growth opportunities to expand the organization’s impact and reach.
Monitors and evaluates program outcomes to measure success and inform decision‑making.
Fosters a culture of continuous quality improvement throughout the organization.
Engages in ongoing research to anticipate changes in the landscape and inform future‑focused planning.

Fiscal Oversight & Administration

In partnership with the Chief Financial Officer, leads the annual budget process and ensures fiscal health through robust budget management.
Ensures strict oversight of government and health‑care funding compliance and ensures strong accounting and operational controls are in place.
Mitigates organizational risk by proactively managing legal and regulatory matters, leveraging internal and external expertise as needed.

Fundraising & External Relations

Serves as the primary spokesperson and advocate for the organization, building public awareness of its mission and impact.
In collaboration with the Chief Development Officer, develops and implements comprehensive fundraising strategies, including major gifts, grants, corporate sponsorships, and events.
Cultivates and maintains key relationships with government officials, industry leaders, donors, and other community partners to advance the mission and secure sustainable funding.
Represents MOWOC at public events, conferences, collaboratives, and in media opportunities.

Team Leadership & Culture

Provides direction and leadership, modeling organizational values and a high standard of professional ethics.
Builds and nurtures a culture of excellence, cooperation, and accountability, creating an environment that attracts, develops, and retains top talent.
Supervises and mentors a diverse team of direct reports, overseeing all hiring, disciplinary, and termination processes.
Ensures a culture of inclusion and equal opportunity across all levels of the organization.

Governance & Accountability

Partners closely with the Board of Directors to ensure effective governance and a shared commitment to the strategic plan.
Provides the Board and its committees with relevant and meaningful operational and financial reports.
Supports the Board in recruiting, onboarding, and engaging new members.
Develops and implements organizational policies, ensuring compliance with all legal, regulatory, and ethical standards.

Traits and Characteristics Desired

The ideal candidate will be a visionary and big‑picture thinker with a track record of success in strategizing and developing innovative services and solutions. The CEO should possess strong financial acumen to make effective decisions for the organization’s future. The ideal candidate will be well‑versed in current issues affecting aging services or other vulnerable communities, committed to implementing best practices for service delivery, and have a deep understanding of the political landscape.

The CEO will be a transparent and inspirational leader with a clear and consistent management style that fosters a collaborative, team‑oriented culture. This leader must be able to motivate, coach, and develop staff while meeting objectives, anticipating challenges, identifying issues, and developing solutions. A passion for supporting the community’s older adults, as well as empathy and compassion for the staff, are essential.

As an active and intuitive listener who fosters genuine relationships with staff, board members, donors, and community and government partners, it is essential for the CEO to engage with and build effective, collaborative relationships within Orange County including the Board of Supervisors. Additionally, the CEO should be adept at facilitating group discussions, decision‑making, and collective action.

The ideal candidate is a decisive and strong leader capable of guiding the organization to new heights. The ability to exhibit empathy, humility, compassion, integrity, honesty, trustworthiness, emotional intelligence, strong ethics, and fairness is important.

Career Track Leading to this Position

Ideal CEO candidates will have extensive leadership experience and subject matter expertise in human services, including aging services, health care, community organizing, mental and behavioral health services, social justice, and/or social determinants of health. Candidates from various sectors such as nonprofit, government, for-profit, senior care, hunger relief, social enterprise, assisted living, public policy or food services will be considered.

Candidates should have wisdom and prudence in financial resource deployment and sufficient fiscal management experience to be conversant with the fiduciary responsibilities of a complex organization. Familiarity with the process and accountability required for government funding is helpful.

Demonstrated success in fundraising, strategic planning, innovation and transformational change, and board relations will be highly valued. A proven record of building and sustaining effective partnerships with diverse constituencies, including businesses, government officials and entities, community organizations, private foundations and donors, and other community partners is also highly valued.

Compensation & Additional Considerations

The annual salary range for this position is $310,000–$360,000 plus bonus. Relocation assistance, if needed, is negotiable. A comprehensive and competitive benefits package will be provided.

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