What is the average Executive Director salary for Santa Cruz, CA?
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As of June 01, 2026, the average Executive Director salary in Santa Cruz, CA is $315,304. The chart below represents localized salaries for some of our most popular Executive Director job titles in Santa Cruz, CA. Salaries can vary greatly depending on numerous factors, including position, location, years of experience, and level of education. Salary.com’s team of Certified Compensation Professionals analyzed survey data collected from thousands of HR departments at companies of all sizes and industries to compile a range of salaries for various Executive Director job titles in Santa Cruz, CA. Apply your personal criteria to one of the job titles below to get your personalized salary estimate.
Executive Director Salaries in Santa Cruz, CA
| Job Title | Salary | Hourly Rate | Location | Date Updated |
| Insurance Agency Executive Director | $311,076 | $149.56 | Santa Cruz, CA | June 01, 2026 |
| Foundation Executive Director | $238,548 | $114.69 | Santa Cruz, CA | June 01, 2026 |
| Information Technology Director | $238,955 | $114.88 | Santa Cruz, CA | June 01, 2026 |
| Non-Profit Program Executive Director | $212,456 | $102.14 | Santa Cruz, CA | June 01, 2026 |
| CEO - Non-Profit Organization | $417,780 | $200.86 | Santa Cruz, CA | June 01, 2026 |
| Treasurer I | $290,635 | $139.73 | Santa Cruz, CA | June 01, 2026 |
| VP of Facilities Management | $266,566 | $128.16 | Santa Cruz, CA | June 01, 2026 |
| Executive Assistant III | $107,380 | $51.63 | Santa Cruz, CA | June 01, 2026 |
| Executive Assistant I | $86,357 | $41.52 | Santa Cruz, CA | June 01, 2026 |
| Executive Assistant II | $97,708 | $46.98 | Santa Cruz, CA | June 01, 2026 |
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Leads enterprise insurance agency operations by establishing strategic direction, operational policies, and growth initiatives supporting organizational profitability and market expansion objectives. Develops long-term business strategies, agency governance frameworks, and sales leadership programs to strengthen operational performance and competitive positioning. Oversees regional and branch leadership teams while directing budgeting, forecasting, staffing, and operational planning activities across the agency organization. Evaluates enterprise performance metrics, regulatory developments, and market trends to guide strategic decision-making and business investments. Collaborates with executive leadership, insurance carriers, regulatory agencies, and external business partners to support organizational growth and compliance initiatives. Champions customer experience, operational excellence, and continuous improvement programs across all agency functions and distribution channels. Requires a bachelor's degree. Requires NIPR State Licensure. Typically reports to top management. Manages a business unit, division, or corporate function with major organizational impact. Establishes/implements overall direction and strategic initiatives for the given major function or line of business. Typically requires 10+ years of progressive leadership experience. Has extensive knowledge of the overall departmental function. Insurance Agency Executive Director Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:SVP of Insurance Agency Operations, Insurance Agency Executive Director
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Develops and leads the vision, strategic planning, financial management, fundraising, and grantmaking operations that support the overall objectives of a foundation. Sets the overall goals for fundraising campaigns and program initiatives. Represents the foundation to the public and media to communicate its mission, values, and accomplishments. Maintains positive relationships with foundation stakeholders, including the board of directors, grantees, community leaders, donors, and prospective donors. Oversees the budget, distribution of foundation funds, and investment strategies to ensure the financial sustainability required to fulfill the foundation's mission. Ensures all foundation activities comply with applicable laws, reporting requirements, and regulations. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to board of directors/trustees. Manages a departmental function within a broader corporate function. Develops major goals to support broad functional objectives. Approves policies developed within various sub-functions and departments. Typically requires 8+ years of managerial experience. Comprehensive knowledge of the overall departmental function. Foundation Executive Director Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Foundation Operations and Development Director, Foundation President, Head of Foundation, Foundation Executive Director
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Directs the implementation and administration of information systems and equipment in accordance with organizational policies and goals. Develops internal procedures and guidelines to diagnose and resolve technical issues across different systems and technologies, including hardware, software, and networks. Analyzes high-level business needs and researches new technologies to identify and select IT hardware and software products to support internal business processes. Evaluates methodologies, processes, and specifications of an organization's IT systems to develop an IT strategy and roadmap and ensure computer equipment, hardware, and software operate in alignment with organizational needs and standards. Plans and designs an organization's network infrastructure including LANs, WANs, and wireless networks and monitors network performance. Oversees IT projects through their entire lifecycle to ensure completion is on-time and within budget and provides technical guidance to resolve complex issues. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to senior management. Manages a departmental sub-function within a broader departmental function. Creates functional strategies and specific objectives for the sub-function and develops budgets/policies/procedures to support the functional infrastructure. Typically requires 5+ years of managerial experience. Deep knowledge of the managed sub-function and solid knowledge of the overall departmental function. Information Technology Director Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Information Systems (IS) Director, Information Technology (IT) Executive Director, IT Department Director, IT Operations Director, Information Technology Director
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Provides leadership, direction, and resources to implement non-profit programs and develop the teams that support the organization's mission, vision, and goals. Ensures that programs operate efficiently and pursues opportunities to expand and develop new programs. Utilizes data-driven analysis and forecasting to measure and evaluate the performance of programs, assesses needs, and ensures that program objectives are achieved. Creates and executes a strategic development plan to help the organization meet its operational and fundraising goals. Responsible for the success of special events, community outreach initiatives, and fundraising activities. Acts as a spokesperson and represents the programs at events. May oversee the grant process. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to top management. Manages a departmental sub-function within a broader departmental function. Creates functional strategies and specific objectives for the sub-function and develops budgets/policies/procedures to support the functional infrastructure. Typically requires 5+ years of managerial experience. Deep knowledge of the managed sub-function and solid knowledge of the overall departmental function. Non-Profit Program Executive Director Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Senior Director Non-Profit Programs, Top Program Executive (Non-Profit), Vice President - Non-Profit Programs, Non-Profit Program Executive DirectorCategory : Non-Profit and Social Services
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Provides the overall vision, leadership, strategy, and execution of all programs and initiatives of a non-profit organization. Develops, plans, and directs the policies and objectives to meet short and long-term strategic goals. Ensures appropriate governance and controls. Identifies and delivers value to stakeholders. May require an advanced degree. Typically reports to board of directors. Top level management. Aligns the company's long-term vision with actionable plans. Responsible for building relationships with key stakeholders, including the board of directors, investors, partners, and regulators. Provides overall vision, direction, and leadership for an organization. Develops organizational strategic initiatives and guides business operations. Defines key metrics and sets KPIs for organization. Typically requires extensive leadership experience in senior management or executive roles. Has extensive industry and/or operational knowledge. Past leadership of a company or business unit, including overall P&L responsibility. CEO - Non-Profit Organization Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Chief Executive Officer - Non-Profit Organization, Chief Non-Profit Executive, Executive Director - Non-Profit, CEO - Non-Profit Organization
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Guides the overall direction, coordination, and operation of the organization's treasury department. Develops the strategic vision and direction for the treasury function. Directs and manages treasury activities of an organization including financial forecasting and mitigating risk. Ensures financial transactions, policies, and procedures fulfill the organization's objectives, needs, and regulatory body requirements. Responsible for the corporate banking, credit, and investment functions. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to top management. Manages a departmental function within a broader corporate function. Develops major goals to support broad functional objectives. Approves policies developed within various sub-functions and departments. Typically requires 8+ years of managerial experience. Comprehensive knowledge of the overall departmental function. Treasurer I Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Associate Vice President of Treasury, Associate Vice President of Treasury Operations, Executive Director of Treasury, Treasurer I
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Leads overall operations and develops the strategy and policies to deliver design, planning, implementation, construction, and maintenance of an organization's facilities and properties. Plans and allocates the capital, equipment, and operating budget to support current operations and long-term facility plans. Ensures the reliability of all building mechanical, electrical, fire/life safety, plumbing, and waste management systems. Reviews and negotiates contract terms and conditions for contractors selected for facility projects and the delivery of services. Establishes building operations policies, procedures, and service standards to comply with all local laws and regulations. May be responsible for additional facility-related functions like food services, security, safety, environmental, or administrative services. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to top management. Manages a departmental function within a broader corporate function. Develops major goals to support broad functional objectives. Approves policies developed within various sub-functions and departments. Typically requires 8+ years of managerial experience. Comprehensive knowledge of the overall departmental function. VP of Facilities Management Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Executive Director of Facilities, Vice President of Facilities Management, VP of Facilities Operations, VP of Facilities Operations and Property Management, VP of Facilities Management
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Provides multi-faceted administrative support and assistance to ensure effective use of an executive's time and productive interactions with staff and the public. Handles a wide range of administrative and support tasks and independently initiates and implements processes to manage projects, information, and people. Manages the executive's schedule, meeting preparations, follow-up tasks, and complex travel arrangements. Conducts research and information gathering on behalf of the executive and prepares summaries and reports. Develops positive and strategic relationships at all levels of the organization. Uses discretion, judgment, and knowledge of the organization to facilitate the executive's activities and maintain confidentiality. May be responsible for directing and deploying support staff or other resources. Typically requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to c-suite executive. Work is generally independent and collaborative in nature. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Typically requires 4-7 years of related experience. Executive Assistant III Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Executive Administrative Assistant III, Executive Assistant and Project Coordinator III, Executive Secretary III, Executive Assistant IIICategory : Administrative, Support, and Clerical
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Provides multi-faceted administrative support and assistance to ensure effective use of an executive's time and productive interactions with staff and the public. Handles a wide range of administrative and support tasks and independently initiates and implements processes to manage projects, information, and people. Manages the executive's schedule, meeting preparations, follow-up tasks, and complex travel arrangements. Conducts research and information gathering on behalf of the executive and prepares summaries and reports. Develops positive and strategic relationships at all levels of the organization. Uses discretion, judgment, and knowledge of the organization to facilitate the executive's activities and maintain confidentiality. May be responsible for directing and deploying support staff or other resources. Typically requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to an executive. Work is closely managed. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience. Executive Assistant I Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Executive Administrative Assistant I, Executive Assistant and Project Coordinator I, Executive Secretary I, Executive Assistant I
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Provides multi-faceted administrative support and assistance to ensure effective use of an executive's time and productive interactions with staff and the public. Handles a wide range of administrative and support tasks and independently initiates and implements processes to manage projects, information, and people. Manages the executive's schedule, meeting preparations, follow-up tasks, and complex travel arrangements. Conducts research and information gathering on behalf of the executive and prepares summaries and reports. Develops positive and strategic relationships at all levels of the organization. Uses discretion, judgment, and knowledge of the organization to facilitate the executive's activities and maintain confidentiality. May be responsible for directing and deploying support staff or other resources. Typically requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to an executive. Occasionally directed in several aspects of the work. Gaining exposure to some of the complex tasks within the job function. Typically requires 2-4 years of related experience. Executive Assistant II Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Executive Administrative Assistant II, Executive Assistant and Project Coordinator II, Executive Secretary II, Executive Assistant IICategory : Administrative, Support, and Clerical