Executive Director

About the role

The Northwest Straits Foundation (NWSF) seeks an experienced Executive Director to lead its mission of restoring and preserving the Salish Sea through collaborative conservation, science-based restoration, derelict gear removal, and scholarships.

Responsibilities

• Build visibility and grow funding for NWSF's mission and work.
• Deepen community partnerships to support the organization's sustainability.
• Support the talented staff and partners who define NWSF.
• Lead organizational strategy, fundraising, board engagement, operational excellence, and cultural health.
• Translate strategic goals into actionable plans.
• Foster collaboration among diverse stakeholders and drive community engagement.
• Understand the unique challenges and opportunities in the marine conservation landscape of the Pacific Northwest.
• Manage day-to-day program management with a capable and trusted team.
• Ensure the ongoing success of NWSF's programs and initiatives.

Requirements

• Demonstrated experience in nonprofit leadership and management, particularly within environmental or marine conservation organizations.
• Skilled at cultivating donor relationships, securing funding, and managing organizational development initiatives.
• Proven ability to engage and inspire diverse stakeholders and build strong connections within the Salish Sea community.
• A strategic thinker who can envision and define long-term goals, translating them into effective annual plans.
• Excellent communication and public relations skills, with the capacity to be an authentic and engaging representative of NWSF.
• A collaborative leadership style that empowers staff, fosters teamwork, and encourages professional growth.
• Familiarity with the unique challenges and opportunities in the marine conservation landscape of the Pacific Northwest.
• Strong understanding of public and private funding environments, including grant writing and stewardship of donor contributions.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in nonprofit leadership and management, particularly within environmental or marine conservation organizations.
• Skilled at cultivating donor relationships, securing funding, and managing organizational development initiatives.
• Proven ability to engage and inspire diverse stakeholders and build strong connections within the Salish Sea community.
• A strategic thinker who can envision and define long-term goals, translating them into effective annual plans.
• Excellent communication and public relations skills, with the capacity to be an authentic and engaging representative of NWSF.
• A collaborative leadership style that empowers staff, fosters teamwork, and encourages professional growth.
• Familiarity with the unique challenges and opportunities in the marine conservation landscape of the Pacific Northwest.
• Strong understanding of public and private funding environments, including grant writing and stewardship of donor contributions.

Skills

• Strategic thinking and goal-setting.
• Collaborative leadership and team-building.
• Public speaking and communication skills.
• Grant writing and fundraising.
• Community engagement and partnership building.
• Understanding of marine conservation issues and the Pacific Northwest landscape.

Benefits

• 100% employer-paid premium for employee medical, dental, group life & LTD insurance.
• 3 weeks' vacation per year.
• 96 hours of sick leave per year.
• 11 paid holidays.
• 3% Simple IRA match.
• Up to $60 a month cell phone reimbursement.

Pay

The salary range for this full-time position is $115,000 - $135,000 DOE, with a willingness to work some evenings and weekends with occasional travel required. This hybrid role requires regular in-person presence with staff, donors, and partners across the greater Salish Sea.

Schedule

This is a full-time salaried position.

Benefits

• 100% Employer paid premium for employee medical, dental, group life & LTD insurance.
• 3 weeks’ vacation per year.
• 96 hours of sick leave per year.
• 11 paid holidays.
• 3% Simple IRA match.
• Up to $60 a month cell phone reimbursement.

Equal Opportunity

NWSF is committed to providing equal opportunity in all of its employment practices, including selection, hiring, promotion, transfer, and compensation, to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to Race, Color, National Origin, Sex, Creed, Disability-Sensory, Mental or Physical, HIV, AIDS, and Hepatitis C, Age, Marital Status, Pregnancy or Maternity, Sexual Orientation or Gender.

Contact Information

To be considered, please submit a cover letter (two pages or less) addressed to the Board of Directors and a resume (uploaded as one combined document) to Valtas here. You may direct questions to Amy Burton at Amy@Valtasgroup.com.