Unite Oregon

Executive Director

Job Description

Reports to: Board of Directors

Salary: $140,000 - $160,000

Department: Administration

Hours: Full-time, Exempt, 40 hours

Work Location: Hybrid work environment available after boarding (at least 3 days per week in office or other chapter offices, with required travel across the state to meet with elected officials, other leaders, and community members as necessary).

Benefits: 100% Employer-paid medical/dental for employees, sick leave, PTO, retirement (see benefits for full details)

About Unite Oregon

Unite Oregon is a 501(c3) grassroots community organization with chapters in Multnomah, Washington, Clackamas counties, and the Rogue Valley. We believe that all people can become leaders and agents of change in the areas of racial justice, immigrant and refugee rights, affordable housing, and living wages. Unite Oregon is building a unified intercultural movement for justice in our state.

Currently, we are in a period of transition, recovering from financial challenges brought on by the pandemic, significant shifts in federal funding and policies, changes in board leadership and composition, and restructuring within the senior leadership team. These shifts have contributed to staff uncertainty, requiring strong, strategic leadership to guide the organization forward.

We are seeking an experienced professional to develop and implement a new strategic plan, strengthen board and senior leadership capacity, and unite staff and board members in advancing the organization’s mission in an efficient, effective, and impactful way.

The incoming Executive Director will also navigate fundraising challenges in light of federal funding changes, build relationships with state and local policymakers, and lead the organization toward long-term financial sustainability. Most importantly, they will play a key role in refocusing Unite Oregon on its core mission of grassroots organizing and community power-building. These efforts will be deeply rooted in our organizational values.

About You

You are a bold and visionary leader with a deep commitment to social justice, equity, and substantial experience in grassroots organizing. Grounded in the lived experiences of the communities Unite Oregon serves, you bring a strong track record of movement-building, policy advocacy, and nonprofit leadership. You thrive in a multicultural, multilingual environment, fostering inclusion and solidarity across diverse communities.

You thrive on building coalitions that drive lasting impact, forging strong partnerships with policymakers, community organizations, and funders to advance Unite Oregon’s mission. Your leadership is both collaborative and decisive, empowering teams while holding accountability to mission and values, strengthening internal operations, and ensuring long-term sustainability.

With a strategic mindset and a hands-on approach, you excel at leading teams, directing change, and driving impactful campaigns. You lead with integrity, adaptability, accountability, and a relentless drive for justice, ensuring that Unite Oregon remains a powerful force for advocacy and community-led change. Passionate about developing leaders and amplifying community voices, you believe in leading from within—working alongside staff, partners, and community members to create transformative change.

Our next Executive Director will be someone who understands and embraces this complexity, and who can lead an organization rooted in deep relationships, strategic policy advocacy, community power-building, and intersectional equity.

Position Summary/Priorities

Unite Oregon is seeking a visionary and strategic Executive Director (ED) to lead an influential social and racial justice organization that unites communities across languages, cultures, and identities to build a more equitable Oregon. The ED will lead a growing team of approximately 50 staff, 80% of whom are Black, Indigenous, People of Color, immigrants and refugees, rural communities, and people experiencing poverty. The ideal candidate is a dynamic communicator, strong leader, and innovative strategist with a deep commitment to social justice, who can effectively navigate Oregon’s evolving political and advocacy landscape.

Under the direction and in partnership with the Board of Directors, while reporting to the Board Co-Chairs, the ED is responsible for implementing the organization’s new strategic plan, strengthening financial sustainability of a $3.6 million budget, $6.1 million of assets to manage, and fostering an inclusive, mission-driven culture. They will direct organizational development, fundraising, and advocacy efforts, while maintaining strong relationships with government agencies, philanthropic partners, nonprofits, businesses, and culturally specific communities. The ED will also provide leadership and oversight to four (4) key senior staff, the Deputy Director, Finance Director, Communications Director, and Development Director—while inspiring and supporting a diverse, dedicated team.

This is an opportunity for a transformational leader to build on Unite Oregon’s strong foundation, drive sustainable growth, and amplify the voices of historically underrepresented communities.

Key Responsibilities

Organizational Leadership & Board Governance

• Lead, coach, develop, and sustain Unite Oregon’s team (staff, board, advisory committee, members, and supporters) by fostering a collaborative work environment that supports, motivates and retains a qualified, diverse staff through diversity, equity, and inclusion processes.

• Champion equity-driven leadership practices, including regular performance evaluations, feedback loops, and professional development to support staff growth and accountability.

• Ensure the effective systems and continued development of inclusive and equitable organizational structures and policies to achieve strategic goals, measure programmatic success and make sure the tools, systems, training, and support necessary are in place to effectively fulfill our mission.

• Develop, maintain, and support a strong and engaged Board of Directors to ensure alignment with organizational goals, secure necessary resources, and actively participate in strategic direction-setting.

• Work collaboratively with Unite Oregon’s board and staff to create, direct and implement a new strategic plan in alignment with the organization's mission, as well as cultivate and support a strong practice of engaging on critical organizational goals.

Political Advocacy, Fundraising & Partnerships

• Lead in collaboration with the development team, board members, and key staff in the continued refinement of a comprehensive fundraising strategy—including major gifts, grants, membership, government funding, and special campaigns—to meet or exceed annual goals and ensure long-term sustainability.

• Deepen existing and establish new relationships with community members, community organizations, elected officials, political partners, news media, and funders (both locally and nationally) to develop shared plans, coalitions, and messaging, as well as support Unite Oregon’s mission, values, and strategic goals.

• Leverage deep knowledge of Oregon’s civic and political landscape to expand and maximize organizing, advocacy, and coalition-building efforts that identify emerging innovations in racial justice, policy opportunities, and trends.

• Represent Unite Oregon’s transformational work and build an intercultural base in local, state, and national advocacy spaces, including campaigns, policy initiatives, and leadership coalitions

Fiscal Management

• Responsible for the financial health, reviewing monthly financial reports, and guiding long-term financial sustainability planning.

• Oversee and support the Fiscal Director in managing Unite Oregon’s finances, investments, annual operating budget, and related operational systems.

• Provide fiscal oversight and accountability to the Board of Directors, maintaining open communication about financial position and risk management.

• Ensure transparent, compliant, and strategic financial planning aligned with organizational goals and grant requirements.

Minimum Qualifications

(please note that each qualification regarding years of experience does not need to be additive)

• Demonstrated lived experience reflective of the communities Unite Oregon serves, including but not limited to immigrant, refugee, rural, low-income, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, or Muslim communities, as well as experience working in Oregon’s unique social, political, and economic environment.

• 5+ years of senior nonprofit leadership experience of 10+ employees, including supervision of directors/managers, with a strong track record of leading teams, budgets, and organizational growth.

• 5+ years proven experience working on issues related to UO’s mission/vision with a deep commitment to social justice, equity, and community power-building, leading within intercultural, multilingual, and cross-class environments.

• 4+ years of experience developing and executing fundraising strategies with the board and development team and carrying a portfolio of major and individual gifts.

• Experience developing, managing, and providing fiscal oversight of $ 1 M+ budgets in collaboration with boards and finance staff.

• Experience developing, implementing, and evaluating a successful strategic plan in alignment with mission and community needs that enables sustainable maturation and growth of the organization.

• Experience working with nonprofit boards, cultivating stakeholder relationships, and building coalitions with community-based organizations, funders, and government partners.

• Proven leadership and understanding of local and state-level policy landscapes with experience in political advocacy, organizing, or public policy partnerships.

Preferred Skills:

• Bachelor’s or other advanced degree, or equivalent experience.

• Demonstrated proficiency in policy advocacy and campaigns, including experience with ballot measures, legislative processes, and local or state-level public policy initiatives.

• Success in building or revitalizing board culture, including recruitment, onboarding, and effective engagement of board members.

• Bilingual or multilingual skills.

Benefits:

• 100% of premiums paid by Unite Oregon for medical and dental care

• $300 annual FSA contribution

• 2.5% 401K contribution after 6 months

• Paid vacation: for new hires, 2 weeks of paid vacation per year, with an additional week for each year of employment up to 6 weeks

• 4 hours personal time off/week

• Wellness leave: 160 hours in an anniversary year

• Personal Holidays: 2 days in an anniversary year

• $300 annually in professional development

• Technology reimbursement: $45 paid every other pay period

How to Apply:

Nonprofit Professionals is proud to support Unite Oregon in filling this key leadership position. Applications must include a resume and a statement of interest highlighting your experience.

Application deadline: May 16, 2025

Apply at: https://apptrkr.com/6179751

Unite Oregon is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and equal access in a non-discriminatory manner to its programs and services for all persons without regard to race, creed, color, marital status, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, national origin, political affiliation, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any real or perceived sensory, mental, or physical disability.

Note to Candidates: Studies have shown that women, people of color, and people living with disabilities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every single one of the qualifications as described in a job description. Unite Oregon is committed to building a diverse and inclusive organization and we strongly encourage you to apply, even if you don’t believe you meet every one of the qualifications as described or if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for or perform job duties.

Unite Oregon

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