Chief Executive Officer, Chabot Space & Science Center; Oakland

Overview

Chabot Space & Science Center (Chabot) is a nonprofit science center that serves Oakland and the greater Bay Area as a place for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) learning and engagement. Its mission and vision are to inspire and educate learners of all ages about the Universe and planet Earth.

Chief Executive Officer – Chabot Space & Science Center

Chabot is led by a 25-member Board of Directors with a current annual budget of $6.4 million. The Chief Executive Officer oversees a full-time staff of 46 and 80 active volunteers. For more information, visit Chabot’s website: https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

Chabot intends to elevate and amplify its mission of serving the community with a focus on the future. The organization remains committed to upholding its 142-year legacy while reimagining the science center experience for future generations. It will build upon its legacy as an observatory and science center with the Oakland Space Academy (OSA), creating a workforce development pipeline into the aerospace and technology sectors.

OSA extends into the 13th-14th year, focusing on rigorous hard and soft skills development and industry internships and apprenticeships. The goal is to provide employment opportunities in the Bay Area aerospace industry, focusing on students from economically impacted areas of Oakland. OSA will leverage partnerships with Oakland high schools, the aerospace industry, NASA Ames Research Center, and longstanding partnerships with the City of Oakland and community-based organizations.

Chabot continues to re-imagine the science center experience with increased focus on facilitated learning experiences and community engagement in museum programming, including a robust calendar of events and festivals.

• Shape, guide, and execute the organization’s vision for the future in partnership with the Board.
• Lead in a way that builds on Chabot’s history while redefining the 21st‑century science center’s impact.
• Ensure a nimble organizational culture and a financially healthy and sustainable organization.
• Build teams, structures, and systems to support an impactful institution.
• Develop durable relationships with partners, donors, stakeholders, board, staff, and other constituencies.
• Apply nonprofit fundraising knowledge and practices to support the organization’s goals.
• Provide high‑level decision making and implement best organizational practices, including experiences in education, workforce development, and lifelong learning where relevant.
• Navigate a complex urban environment with diverse socio‑economic conditions and assimilate quickly into the local community.

• Progressive leadership and management experience with a track record of leading organizational change.
• Experience fostering change to maintain nimble operations and financial health.
• Experience building teams, structures, and systems to support an impactful institution.
• Experience building durable relationships with partners, donors, stakeholders, board, staff, and other constituencies.
• Knowledge of nonprofit fundraising strategies and practices.
• Background in organizations supporting formal or informal education, workforce development, and/or lifelong learning.
• Ability to engage with communities in the Bay Area and similar urban environments.

The Chabot Space & Science Center offers a competitive salary and benefits package. Salary range: $250,000–$275,000 per year, commensurate with experience. Benefits include vacation days, paid holidays, medical/vision/dental insurance, and a 401(k) with employer match, among others.

To apply, confidentially submit a current resume and cover letter to Kittleman & Associates. The cover letter should showcase your passion for Chabot’s vision and mission, as well as organizational impact in current or prior roles. We are reviewing applications as they arrive; for best consideration, please ensure your application arrives on or before February 1, 2026.

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