Chief Executive Officer

Korn Ferry has partnered with our client on their search for the role,
Chief Executive Officer.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) provides visionary, compassionate, and strategic leadership to advance CARC’s mission of empowering individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live with dignity, purpose, and belonging. Accountable to the Board of Directors, the CEO stewards CARC’s values, culture, and long‑term direction to ensure that residential supports, day habilitation, vocational programs, clinical services, and community partnerships operate at the highest standards of care, compliance, and client experience.

This leader is responsible for organizational and financial sustainability through strong fiscal management, regulatory excellence, and thoughtful oversight of CARC’s Medicaid‑based funding model, including rebasing cycles, licensing requirements, and internal controls.

As CARC enters its next chapter, the CEO will guide the development of core infrastructure, strengthen communication systems, and cultivate a culture of trust, accountability, and collaboration across a 24/7 operation. In partnership with the Board of Directors and its committees, the CEO will implement policies, support sound governance, deepen community and state‑level relationships, and diversify revenue streams to position CARC for long‑term resilience.

This includes growing program funding, overseeing public relations efforts, and proactively addressing potential legal, regulatory, or compliance challenges.

With humility, clarity, and a people‑centered approach, the CEO will learn CARC’s programs, workforce dynamics, and highly structured ICF/IID regulatory environment while leveraging strong leadership and interpersonal skills to unify the organization and strengthen staff engagement. The CEO also serves as CARC’s chief ambassador, building meaningful connections with families, employees, donors, volunteers, partners, and the broader Carlsbad community. In doing so, this next leader will honor CARC’s legacy while advancing a future in which individuals with disabilities experience opportunity, respect, and joy, and CARC continues to thrive as a trusted and essential resource for generations to come.

The CEO will step into an inspiring moment as CARC approaches its next era of operational strength, cultural revitalization, and organizational modernization. With a 50‑year legacy rooted in family advocacy and a unique campus‑based model, CARC now has the opportunity to deepen cohesion across its residential, vocational, clinical, and day habilitation programs while strengthening systems, communication, and culture.

At the same time, CARC is ready to modernize its operations. Opportunities include upgrading technology infrastructure, improving HR and onboarding systems, expanding training capacity, and increasing clarity around roles, processes, and cross‑team alignment. And, the organization’s Medicaid‑based funding and the realities of a challenging local labor market underscore the need for strategic financial stewardship, revenue diversification, community partnerships, and strengthened board governance.

The CEO will join a trusted and beloved community institution uniquely known for its clients, its sense of family, and its deeply rooted mission. With compassionate leadership, strong business acumen, and an ability to build trust across a dispersed workforce, this next leader will unite people, strengthen systems, and position CARC for continued excellence and long‑term sustainability.

The responsibilities below reflect the broad and meaningful scope of leadership required to guide CARC into its next chapter.

• Lead the development, communication, and execution of CARC’s strategic direction in partnership with the Board of Directors, staff and other stakeholders.
• Drive a clear organizational vision grounded in CARC’s mission, values, and commitment to high‑quality, person‑centered care.
• Strengthen organizational cohesion across residential, day services, clinical supports, and vocational programs to ensure alignment and…