Motus Recruiting and Staffing, Inc.
Executive Director
Motus Recruiting and Staffing, Inc., Portland, Oregon, United States, 97204
Executive Director – Friends of the Columbia Gorge
Join to apply for the
Executive Director
role at
Motus Recruiting and Staffing, Inc.
Job Location: In-person, hybrid, Portland metro area or Columbia Gorge
Compensation: $175,000
Friends of the Columbia Gorge (Friends) is a leading conservation organization dedicated to preserving the Columbia Gorge. In partnership with Motus Recruiting and Staffing, Inc., Friends seeks a high‑level leader to direct its operations, advocacy, and community engagement.
The Executive Director oversees the operations, programs, staff, and budgets for Friends of the Columbia Gorge and the Friends of the Columbia Gorge Land Trust. This position works closely with the Board of Directors to set organizational strategy and guide the implementation of the organization’s mission.
The Executive Director leads advocacy and land protection initiatives, advances climate resilience efforts, cultivates major donors, and fosters strong relationships with local communities, Indigenous tribes, partner organizations, and regional stakeholders.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Organizational Leadership & Management
– Provide overall leadership for Friends and Friends Land Trust, ensuring alignment with missions and strategic goals.
Oversee daily operations, including program management, budgeting, financial oversight, HR, and legal compliance.
Lead a team of 21 staff members (fully staffed at 24), directly supervising five Directors and one Senior Staff Attorney.
Build, mentor, and sustain a high‑performing, diverse, and collaborative staff team, fostering professional development and engagement.
Partner with the Board of Directors to ensure strong governance, effective decision‑making, and strategic alignment.
Advocacy, Policy, and Legal Oversight
– In collaboration with the Conservation Director, lead conservation advocacy at local, state, and federal levels, engaging regulatory agencies, elected officials, and community stakeholders.
In partnership with staff attorneys and outside counsel, provide leadership and oversight for Friends’ legal program, supervising litigation and appeals to ensure strategies are effective, aligned, and compliant.
Ensure the legal program is integrated into broader priorities, addressing threats such as urban sprawl, energy development, gravel mining, and other impacts on the Gorge.
Fundraising & Resource Development
– Collaborate with the development team to identify, cultivate, and steward major donors, foundations, and corporate partners.
Support grant writing and management to secure resources for short‑and long‑term priorities.
Promote membership growth and engagement, strengthening public support and awareness.
Community Engagement & Public Representation
– Serve as the organization’s primary spokesperson.
Engage volunteers, students, and partners to foster a broader culture of Gorge stewardship.
Represent Friends at public events, educational programs, and collaborative initiatives.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor’s degree in environmental studies, public policy, nonprofit management, or a related field. (This is an extensive list; we encourage interested applicants even if they cannot meet every attribute.)
Minimum of 6 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in conservation, environmental advocacy, or nonprofit management.
Ability to develop and track organizational budgets, including operating cash flow and restricted/unrestricted funds.
Relational leadership approach emphasizing collaboration, empathy, and long‑term partnership.
Ability to navigate and make progress in a politically and culturally polarized landscape while building trust across differing viewpoints.
Proven track record in fundraising, donor relations, and resource development.
Demonstrated experience with policy advocacy, land protection, environmental law, or related areas.
Strong skills in team building, organizational management, and board relations.
Experience leading climate action initiatives.
Experience fostering partnerships with diverse communities, including rural and Indigenous populations.
Exceptional communication, negotiation, and public engagement abilities.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice Friends of the Columbia Gorge honors the long‑standing stewardship of Indigenous peoples and the diverse communities of the Columbia Gorge. We are committed to equity, inclusion, and community engagement as essential to sustaining the Gorge’s ecological, cultural, and recreational value.
Equal Opportunity Employer Friends is an equal‑opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, gender, age, disability, national origin, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected status, in accordance with local, state, and federal law.
About Motus Recruiting and Staffing, Inc. Founded in 2006, Motus is an award‑winning recruiting and staffing firm in the Pacific Northwest, specializing in professional services and technology solutions. Motus is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the recruitment process and works to educate organizations on the importance of DEI when hiring, promoting, and supporting diverse employees.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Executive Director
role at
Motus Recruiting and Staffing, Inc.
Job Location: In-person, hybrid, Portland metro area or Columbia Gorge
Compensation: $175,000
Friends of the Columbia Gorge (Friends) is a leading conservation organization dedicated to preserving the Columbia Gorge. In partnership with Motus Recruiting and Staffing, Inc., Friends seeks a high‑level leader to direct its operations, advocacy, and community engagement.
The Executive Director oversees the operations, programs, staff, and budgets for Friends of the Columbia Gorge and the Friends of the Columbia Gorge Land Trust. This position works closely with the Board of Directors to set organizational strategy and guide the implementation of the organization’s mission.
The Executive Director leads advocacy and land protection initiatives, advances climate resilience efforts, cultivates major donors, and fosters strong relationships with local communities, Indigenous tribes, partner organizations, and regional stakeholders.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Organizational Leadership & Management
– Provide overall leadership for Friends and Friends Land Trust, ensuring alignment with missions and strategic goals.
Oversee daily operations, including program management, budgeting, financial oversight, HR, and legal compliance.
Lead a team of 21 staff members (fully staffed at 24), directly supervising five Directors and one Senior Staff Attorney.
Build, mentor, and sustain a high‑performing, diverse, and collaborative staff team, fostering professional development and engagement.
Partner with the Board of Directors to ensure strong governance, effective decision‑making, and strategic alignment.
Advocacy, Policy, and Legal Oversight
– In collaboration with the Conservation Director, lead conservation advocacy at local, state, and federal levels, engaging regulatory agencies, elected officials, and community stakeholders.
In partnership with staff attorneys and outside counsel, provide leadership and oversight for Friends’ legal program, supervising litigation and appeals to ensure strategies are effective, aligned, and compliant.
Ensure the legal program is integrated into broader priorities, addressing threats such as urban sprawl, energy development, gravel mining, and other impacts on the Gorge.
Fundraising & Resource Development
– Collaborate with the development team to identify, cultivate, and steward major donors, foundations, and corporate partners.
Support grant writing and management to secure resources for short‑and long‑term priorities.
Promote membership growth and engagement, strengthening public support and awareness.
Community Engagement & Public Representation
– Serve as the organization’s primary spokesperson.
Engage volunteers, students, and partners to foster a broader culture of Gorge stewardship.
Represent Friends at public events, educational programs, and collaborative initiatives.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor’s degree in environmental studies, public policy, nonprofit management, or a related field. (This is an extensive list; we encourage interested applicants even if they cannot meet every attribute.)
Minimum of 6 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in conservation, environmental advocacy, or nonprofit management.
Ability to develop and track organizational budgets, including operating cash flow and restricted/unrestricted funds.
Relational leadership approach emphasizing collaboration, empathy, and long‑term partnership.
Ability to navigate and make progress in a politically and culturally polarized landscape while building trust across differing viewpoints.
Proven track record in fundraising, donor relations, and resource development.
Demonstrated experience with policy advocacy, land protection, environmental law, or related areas.
Strong skills in team building, organizational management, and board relations.
Experience leading climate action initiatives.
Experience fostering partnerships with diverse communities, including rural and Indigenous populations.
Exceptional communication, negotiation, and public engagement abilities.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice Friends of the Columbia Gorge honors the long‑standing stewardship of Indigenous peoples and the diverse communities of the Columbia Gorge. We are committed to equity, inclusion, and community engagement as essential to sustaining the Gorge’s ecological, cultural, and recreational value.
Equal Opportunity Employer Friends is an equal‑opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, gender, age, disability, national origin, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected status, in accordance with local, state, and federal law.
About Motus Recruiting and Staffing, Inc. Founded in 2006, Motus is an award‑winning recruiting and staffing firm in the Pacific Northwest, specializing in professional services and technology solutions. Motus is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the recruitment process and works to educate organizations on the importance of DEI when hiring, promoting, and supporting diverse employees.
#J-18808-Ljbffr