Notice of Opportunity: OCCOG Executive Director
The Orange County Council of Governments (OCCOG) Invites Applications for the Position of Executive Director
ABOUT OCCOG:
The Orange County Council of Governments (OCCOG) is a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) that serves as the subregional planning agency for the County of Orange and its 34 cities. OCCOG provides a unified regional platform where local governments collaborate to influence policy, secure resources, and advance shared priorities in housing, transportation, land use, and sustainability. Through active participation in OCCOG, member cities gain direct access to tools, advocacy, and technical support that strengthen local planning efforts and ensure that Orange County’s distinct voice is represented in federal, state, and regional decision-making processes. For additional information on OCCOG’s programs, policies, and advocacy, visit www.occog.com.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR:
The OCCOG Board of Directors seeks a qualified individual to serve as the OCCOG Executive Director. The Executive Director is the chief administrative and strategic leader of the OCCOG. Under the policy direction of the OCCOG Executive Committee and Board of Directors, the Executive Director is responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations, managing staff consultants, and implementing the organization's budget, programs, and strategic initiatives.
Key responsibilities include advancing regional planning efforts in housing, transportation, land use, and sustainability; coordinating technical and policy input from member cities and agencies; overseeing member engagement and retention; and directing OCCOG’s legislative and intergovernmental affairs. The Executive Director also ensures compliance with state mandates, manages regional coordination with the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), and provides technical resources and support to cities and the county.
As OCCOG’s primary spokesperson and advocate, the Executive Director maintains high-level relationships with elected officials, city managers, planners, and other local, regional, and state stakeholders. The Executive Director currently oversees a small team that includes part-time staff and contracted professionals and is directly accountable to the OCCOG Executive Committee and full Board of Directors.
IDEAL CANDIDATE
The ideal candidate is a strategic, engaging leader with a deep understanding of regional planning, intergovernmental collaboration, and public policy. This individual will bring a creative, solution- oriented mindset to addressing complex housing, transportation, and land use challenges, and will be skilled at aligning diverse stakeholders around a shared vision for Orange County’s future.
A seasoned professional with a track record of integrity and results, the successful candidate will be a diplomatic, yet assertive leader who communicates transparently and consistently with the Executive Committee, Board of Directors, staff, and external partners. Responsiveness, political acumen, and the ability to foster trust across jurisdictions and disciplines are essential.
The next Executive Director must be adept at navigating sensitive policy issues in a non-partisan manner while respecting and defending the principles of local control that define OCCOG’s mission. The Executive Director will bring clarity, balance, and confidence to regional advocacy efforts, including OCCOG’s role in Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA), Regional Transportation Plan and Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS), and legislative engagement.
As OCCOG continues to grow in influence and impact, its future Executive Director must possess both a deep appreciation for the organization’s accomplishments and a vision for elevating its role in regional governance. A collaborative, passionate, and proactive leader will be essential in guiding OCCOG through its next chapter of strategic relevance and member-focused service.
The individual will serve as an independent contractor to the OCCOG Board of Directors and is expected to serve in a part-time (hourly or flat retainer) capacity. OCCOG will consider retaining a firm to provide the services, provided a member of the firm is identified as the person proposed to serve in the capacity of Executive Director.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Serve as Executive Director to the OCCOG Board of Directors and attend SCAG policy and governing board meetings and SCAG Subregional Coordinators meetings representing the OCCOG subregion.
Protect Orange County interests in SCAG’s development of the RTP/SCS and the RHNA allocation to local jurisdictions in the six-county SCAG region;
Protect the local, bottom-up development of the Orange County Projections (OCP), which represents Orange County’s official growth forecast for local, countywide and regional planning;
Adopt a growth forecast, which is now required by statute to be used for RHNA allocations and for regional transportation planning (RTP); and,
ESSENTIAL DUTIES CONTINUED:
Provide input and recommendations on new requirements relating to Senate Bill 375 and its requirements for a Sustainable Communities Strategy (SCS) that seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by shifting future and higher-intensity growth near transit stations and facilities.
Manage all state and federal grants awarded to OCCOG to ensure compliance with grant requirements, adherence to budget and deadlines, execution of the work, and quality of all work products.
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES:
Provide direction and oversee execution of work and quality of work products for all consultants’ contract staff. This includes oversight of the Clerk of the Board to ensure the timely, complete and accurate preparation of all meeting agendas and minutes.
Ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations pertaining to the OCCOG. Coordinate with OCCOG General Counsel and provide direction as needed.
Prepare and execute annual OCCOG work plan. Align annual work plan with regional planning milestones and activities including RTP/SCS and RHNA development timelines.
Maintenance of Board roster, OCCOG TAC, stakeholder and other distribution lists. Maintain database/matrix for Boards, stakeholders, committees, TAC (e-mail, mail lists).
Coordination with partner agencies including CDR, OCTA, City of Irvine, TCA and others for facility usage, electronic and physical file and equipment storage, and other resources as needed by the OCCOG.
Maintain and oversee California Council of Governments (CalCOG) participation for OCCOG. Conduct periodic Strategic Plan updates under Board direction.
Monitor state and federal legislation that could impact OCCOG focused on the agency’s core functions of land-use, housing and transportation, in accordance with OCCOG's legislative goals and objectives and work with OCCOG Board to develop a clear legislative platform.
GOVERNANCE:
Maintain and update OCCOG governance and guiding documents, including JPA agreements, MOUs, bylaws, etc.
Conduct elections for OCCOG Board officer positions. Conduct elections for SCAG District Representatives/OCCOG Board members pursuant to SCAG bylaws and instructions. Conduct appointments for Orange County region SCAG policy committee members when a vacancy occurs. Conduct appointment process for other external appointments, such as SAWPA representation, as needed.
FISCAL MANAGEMENT & BUDGET OVERSIGHT
The Executive Director shall assume full ownership of OCCOG’s annual budget process and fiscal stewardship. Key responsibilities include:
Annual Budget Development: Lead the preparation of OCCOG’s annual fiscal year budget in alignment with the organization's strategic goals and programmatic priorities. This includes gathering inputs from staff, analyzing past financial trends, and forecasting anticipated revenues and expenditures.
Ongoing Budget Management: Actively manage and monitor the budget throughout the fiscal year, ensuring alignment with approved allocations. Track expenditures, identify variances, and take corrective action as necessary to maintain a balanced budget.
Financial Reporting: Provide timely and accurate budget reports to the Board of Directors and Executive Committee. Translate complex financial data into clear, actionable insights for both internal and external stakeholders.
Compliance and Fiscal Responsibility: Ensure all budgetary activities comply with applicable federal, state, and local regulations as well as organizational policies. Maintain robust internal controls and promote sound fiscal practices.
Forecasting and Planning: Conduct mid-year reviews and multi-year budget forecasts to support long-range financial planning and sustainability.
Conduct procurements for OCCOG consultants: Provide oversight and resources pursuant to OCCOG Board-adopted policies.
Coordinate with OCCOG Treasurer/Bookkeeper: provide oversight for the accounting and management of all OCCOG Financial activity including:
Accounts payable processing Check register
Audit support
Grant reporting/tracking support (OCTA will remain federal grant administrator for OCCOG) Development and oversight of OCCOG Budget
Invoicing of OCCOG dues
Invoicing of Center for Demographic Research fees (with OCCOG dues)
Invoicing of Orange County Data Acquisition Partnership (OCDAP) participation fees
TECHNICAL SUPPORT:
Provide support to OCCOG’s Technical Advisory Committee including but not limited to: Assist OCCOG TAC Chair with meeting location/facilitation
Assist with OCCOG TAC agenda development
Staff report development for OCCOG TAC (for items going to OCCOG Board) Participation in monthly SCAG Plan and Programs TAC meetings
Participation in technical analysis of various documents/processes
TECHNICAL SUPPORT CONTINUED:
Provide or facilitate technical support for OCCOG policy discussions
Provide or facilitate technical support for RHNA, RTP/SCS and AQMP document preparation on behalf of OCCOG.
Participation in CDR Management Oversight Committee and/or CDR TAC meetings as requested Represent OCCOG in regional technical and executive-level staff meetings including the
Technical Working Group (TWG) and other working groups and forums, Subregional Directors meeting, Subregional Coordinators meetings, etc.
Attend SCAG-hosted technical workshops including annual demographic workshop or economic workshop.
Attend monthly SCAG Regional Council and SCAG policy committee meetings and prepare Board to effectively participate in same.
Identify potential funding opportunities for OCCOG.
OUTREACH/COMMUNICATIONS
Prepare and execute a comprehensive Communications Plan, to be updated every 18-months.
Oversee the work of the marketing and communications contract staff to execute the elements of the Plan. Ensure OCCOG brand guidelines are followed and all identity documents are current. Specific elements of the plan include but may not be limited to:
Design and maintain OCCOG website.
Development of flyers, agendas, meeting notes, sign-in sheets, presentations. Develop OCCOG or policy area fact sheets as needed.
Oversee communication efforts for OCCOG including social media and electronic newsletters.
Media outreach as needed.
Design and conduct public participation plans/programs as needed.
High level coordination with Orange County City Manager’s Association, ACC-OC, California League of Cities, and other ex-officio partner organizations.
Work with various groups and coalitions as needed.
COMPENSATION
The Board of Directors, as part of a contractual agreement considered at the time of appointment (expected September 25, 2025), would determine the compensation at either an appropriate hourly rate or flat monthly retainer not to exceed approximately $100,000 to $125,000 per year. The contract would include a “not to exceed” amount in terms of the number of hours charged to OCCOG per month. Appropriate mileage/travel costs would be reimbursed.
No health insurance, deferred compensation or retirement benefits will be offered. It is recommended that the term of the initial Executive Director contract is from date of appointment through July 1, 2026. A contract extension would be an option at that time.
APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS
Ideal candidates will have government management experience with a minimum of ten years relevant work experience and preferably would hold a degree in Public Policy, Public Administration or related field. The cover letter can include the applicant’s personal vision and understanding of OCCOG as well as relevant leadership and experience they will bring to the position. Application materials will be screened in relation to the criteria described in this brochure. Candidates deemed to be the most highly qualified will be invited to participate in the selection process. The selection process will include phone interviews with the most qualified candidates and final interviews with the Executive Committee. Appointment is subject to completion of a thorough background and reference checks.
LOCATION
OCCOG’s office is in Mission Viejo, California. This position works remotely but candidate must live in Orange County
WORK SCHEDULE
OCCOG’s normal business hours are generally Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. The position of Executive Director requires a flexible schedule, with working hours varying. Attendance at some evening meetings and attendance at non-working hour events is usually required. The Executive Director is likely to always be on call or called upon to respond to inquiries, situations, or challenges at any time.
APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS OPEN UNTIL FILLED | APPLY IMMEDIATELY
To apply for this exciting career opportunity, please send a compelling cover letter and your detailed resume electronically to OCCOG Clerk of the Board, Kathryn Morrison at kathryn@occog.com.