SCGA Junior Golf Foundation, Executive Director - LA2050

The SCGA Junior Golf Foundation was founded in 1983 through a gift from the PGA Championship, which was played at Riviera Country Club. It is the charitable arm of the Southern California Golf Association (SCGA), which is one of the nation’s oldest and largest amateur golf associations. The mission of the SCGA Junior Golf Foundation is to develop an inclusive golf community that enables kids to thrive on and beyond the course. The Foundation believes that every kid in Southern California, no matter their circumstance, should have the opportunity to pursue the game and experience the positive impact that it can have.

Serving a vast and diverse geographic area, the Foundation’s reach mirrors that of the SCGA—spanning hundreds of golf facilities and communities across Southern California. Its work is deeply embedded in the region’s golf ecosystem, requiring ongoing engagement with member clubs, municipalities, golf course operators, and youth-serving partners throughout these communities.

Executive Director: SCGA Junior Golf Foundation Today

The SCGA Junior Golf Foundation is one of the most successful junior golf organizations in the country, utilizing the game as a platform for youth development. Its programs reach more than 17,000 young people annually across 140 facilities, including 11 programming locations, creating safe, welcoming spaces where kids build character, discover their strengths, and grow both on and off the course. While golf is the vehicle, the mission goes far deeper - equipping juniors with life skills, mentorship, scholarships, and community support that open doors to opportunity. Rooted in a commitment to inclusivity and equity, the Foundation is changing the face of the game by making it accessible to all families, regardless of background. Its culture is described as passionate, family-like, and innovative, with staff, Board members, and community partners united by a deep sense of purpose and belief in the power of this work.

Today, the organization stands at a pivotal and exciting stage—ready to build on a legacy of extraordinary growth and write its next chapter. With momentum from a successful $3M U.S. Open campaign, along with an extraordinary $20M raised towards the Maggie Hathaway Golf Course Renewal Project, strong grassroots support, and trusted partnerships and community organizations, the Foundation has the credibility and resources to expand its reach even further across Southern California. There is a clear opportunity to strengthen Board alignment, tap into corporate partnerships, and broaden fundraising beyond Los Angeles, all while continuing to innovate in programming and impact.

Given the breadth of SCGA’s footprint and the complexity of operating across so many cities, municipalities, and golf communities, the Foundation’s work is inherently relational. The ability to cultivate and sustain partnerships across these diverse constituencies—ranging from local course operators to national golf bodies and youth development organizations—is central to its ongoing success.

An inspiring force quietly shaping junior golf, the SCGA Junior Golf Foundation is on the cusp of even greater visibility and influence, positioned to transform more lives and inspire the next generation of golfers and leaders.

Leadership Opportunity

The SCGA Junior Golf Foundation seeks a visionary Executive Director to build on its momentum and guide the organization into its next era of growth. The next leader will join a respected, mission-driven organization with a seasoned Board and a dedicated staff of more than 25, leading programming, operations, and development while advancing a culture that values both excellence and inclusion. This is an opportunity to strengthen the Foundation’s reach, diversify partnerships, and ensure golf remains a catalyst for opportunity and equity across Southern California.

This is a uniquely external-facing role - one that demands a visible, active presence across Southern California’s golf and civic landscape. The Executive Director will spend significant time in the field, connecting with golf communities, attending events, meeting with civic and industry leaders, and representing the Foundation among SCGA’s vast network of partners. Success will depend on the ability to build trust and visibility across these many touchpoints, ensuring that SCGA Junior remains a recognized and respected leader in the golf and youth development space.

Candidate Profile

The next Executive Director of the SCGA Junior Golf Foundation will be a dynamic and mission-driven leader with a demonstrated passion for youth development and junior golf. The successful candidate will thrive in a relationship-intensive environment and bring the energy, flexibility, and presence required to represent the Foundation across Southern California’s diverse golf communities. They will possess the credibility to engage leaders across the golf industry—professionals, course operators, associations, and fellow youth development organizations—while maintaining the authenticity and accessibility that define the SCGA Junior Golf Foundation’s culture.

The ideal candidate will bring a bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university (advanced degrees or certifications in management, nonprofit leadership, or development are valued) and seven to ten years of nonprofit management and development experience. They will demonstrate excellent oral and written communication skills, strong interpersonal abilities, and the organizational and analytical skills needed to manage a growing and complex enterprise. First Aid and CPR training are required.

Grounded in values and driven by results, the Executive Director will demonstrate the following core competencies:

Mission-Driven with Commitment to Youth Development

At the core of the Foundation’s work is a commitment to kids. The next Executive Director must have a heart for kids and recognize that the mission is about more than playing golf—it is about building social-emotional skills and developing juniors as people. They will care deeply about equity and access for historically excluded communities, aligning with the Foundation’s values and approach. More than empathy, this leader must bring a proven track record of creating cultures of human development—building the capacity of young staff while fostering the growth of youth participants. With high emotional intelligence, they will be approachable, welcoming, and authentic, able to tell stories that connect donors and partners without being overly transactional. This leader will carry forward the culture of care and human development that has anchored the Foundation’s success.

Strategic Vision and Growth Orientation

The next Executive Director will be a visionary leader who can set bold goals for the next three, five, and ten years while honoring the strong foundation that has been built. They will lead the development of a new strategic plan, constantly thinking about better ways to do things and futureproofing the organization through new partnerships, expanded corporate engagement, and innovative approaches to fundraising and programming. Together, they will continue the vital work of strengthening and expanding their efforts, deepening the relationship with the SCGA, and charting a shared path forward that is ambitious, inclusive, and mission-centered.

Fundraising Excellence and Donor Engagement

The Executive Director will lead fundraising efforts, with much of the work focused on building relationships and securing resources to advance the mission. The next leader must bring proven results as a fundraiser with the ability to develop personal strategies that inspire giving. They will be comfortable engaging with high-net-worth donors and building long-term relationships across corporations, community partners, and the golf ecosystem. The Executive Director will be able to inspire support for the program by telling the Foundation’s story with authenticity, highlighting the impact on juniors, communicating why the work matters for the future of golf, and capturing the emotions that motivate giving. With authenticity and presence, they will sustain existing supporters while expanding into new corporate and event-based opportunities such as the Legacy Golf Council initiative and tournaments that fuel the mission.

Organizational and People Leadership

The Executive Director must be an independent leader who can provide clarity, vision, and stability to a talented staff team. They will champion and invest in staff, ensuring professional growth and maintaining a culture that is supportive, inspirational, and growth-oriented. As the organization continues to mature, the Executive Director will strengthen systems and structures while honoring the team’s mission-first approach. They must be highly organized and efficient, able to prioritize in a demanding role that spans donor meetings, events, and Board engagement. This leader will mentor staff, keep them inspired despite limited resources, and draw the best out of a seasoned Board while respecting governance boundaries.

Golf Knowledge and Cultural Fluency

The Executive Director should bring a strong understanding of the game and credibility within the golf community. Because golf is both the Foundation’s platform and its culture, the leader must be able to engage comfortably with donors, Board members, and partners around the sport. While being a skilled golfer is certainly a plus, what matters most is the ability to connect authentically and carry cultural fluency within the golf community. The Executive Director should also bring awareness of key industry trends across men’s, women’s, and junior golf, along with an understanding of how the Southern California golf landscape operates—from municipal courses to private clubs. This grounding in golf will enable the leader to both honor tradition and harness the sport’s influence for broader youth development.

Board Relations, Political Savvy, and Relational Navigation

The Executive Director must bring both confidence and diplomacy to navigate a complex environment. They will engage Association stakeholders with confidence while cultivating strong, collaborative relationships with the SCGA Board, CEO, and shared services. Effective Board partnership will require excellent communication and facilitation skills: preparing Board members with the right information at the right time, setting clear expectations for governance versus management, and leveraging members’ expertise and networks to advance the mission. The Executive Director will demonstrate the judgment to manage up, providing candid counsel and thoughtful recommendations while also listening deeply and building consensus. Skilled in negotiation, they will recognize the complexities of Board governance and thoughtfully address areas of collaboration or tension while keeping the common mission at the center.

This requires the ability to “read the room” and adapt to varied audiences—from parents and program participants to six-figure donors and Board members. Flexible and politically astute, the Executive Director will navigate ambiguity with clarity and tact, ensuring that all stakeholders remain aligned and engaged. With situational awareness, relational fluency, and proven skill in managing Board dynamics, they will position the Foundation as a respected and trusted partner within and beyond the golf community.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Foundation Management and Leadership

• Working with the foundation Board and the SCGA, develops and implements the strategic plan and vision of the foundation

• Working with the foundation President, manages the operations, meetings, and development of the foundation Board

• Oversight for the operations of the foundation, including all staff, budgeting/finance, communications, marketing, development, and programming

• Serves as the primary liaison and ambassador of the foundation to the community, partners, supporters, and constituents

• Working closely with the SCGA communications and marketing department, manages all internal and external messaging, communications, collateral, marketing, etc.

• Focuses on the continued growth and development of the organization

• Manages business relationships and monitors all contracts and agreements to which the Foundation is a party

• Participates on the executive staff of the SCGA and provides guidance and leadership with respect to the SCGA and its Foundation

• Develops, implements, and is accountable for the strategic plan?

• Development and Fundraising Management

• Responsible for the development plan, including all strategy, growth, and execution to achieve a total income of at least $3.75M

• Serves as the primary development officer for the foundation and develops networks, relationships, and partnerships to maintain and grow the resources of the foundation

• Manages all development activities with a goal to steward current donors and attract new donors to support the foundation

• Provides reporting and is accountable to the Board for all development and donor activities

• Program Development and Management

• Provides oversight and leadership on all programming activities, ensuring that the activities align with the foundation’s strategy and mission, including growing the game and creating positive youth development outcomes

• Prioritizes the safety of all participants and staff in all activities

• Oversees the development of assessments, outcomes, and reporting to track and improve the impact of all foundation programming and provides appropriate reporting to the Board and supporters on a regular basis

Compensation and Benefits

Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The salary for this role is up to $250,000 with a generous benefits package.

Contact

DSG | Koya has been exclusively retained for this engagement. Express interest in this role by filling out our https://talent-profile.dsgco.com/search/v2/22532 or emailing the search team directly at SCGA_JGF_ED@koyapartners.com. 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 NonprofitSearchOps@divsearch.com. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.
SCGA Junior Golf Foundation 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 https://www.dsgco.com/industry/nonprofit-and-social-impact/.

Reporting to the SCGA Junior Golf Foundation Board of Directors, the Executive Director will serve as the recognized leader and trusted partner within the golf community, driving both strategic vision and operational excellence. The Executive Director will champion fundraising and programmatic/industry leadership, ensuring that initiatives align with the Foundation’s mission and impact. With fundraising as a key focus, the ED will expand corporate partnerships, engage high-profile donors across philanthropy, business, and the golf community, and tell the Foundation’s story in ways that inspire giving and sustain long-term relationships.

Equally critical will be the Executive Director’s role in advancing human development, both internally and externally. The Foundation’s staff is young, dynamic, and committed, and the youth it serves are equally full of potential. The ED will be accountable for fostering a culture of growth, mentorship, and accountability across all segments of the organization. Internally, they will invest in staff development, creating pathways for learning and leadership while building a workplace where people thrive. Externally, they will ensure that every young person who comes through the program experiences golf not only as a sport, but as a platform for personal growth, character-building, and opportunity.

This is a rare opportunity for a leader with a record of achievement in fundraising and organizational growth, coupled with credibility in golf and a passion for youth development, to unify stakeholders, strengthen ties with the SCGA, and position the Foundation for lasting impact as one of the nation’s most respected junior golf organizations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities