Deputy Director for Programs

Location: Portland, OR (hybrid work, location proximate to Portland area)

Reports to: Executive Director

About OEC

Founded in 1968 by concerned Oregonians across the state, Oregon Environmental Council (OEC) is a membership-based, nonpartisan nonprofit. OEC is the first multi-issue, statewide environmental group in Oregon. Consider any "green" idea that put Oregon on the map over the last 50 years — the Bottle Bill, landmark land-use planning laws, curbside recycling — and you'll find that OEC was integrally involved, if not the driving force, behind these critical protections. OEC advocates for impactful, lasting solutions that get at the source of Oregon's environmental challenges and have tangible benefits for people's health and quality of life. OEC's goals include a stable climate that safeguards Oregon's communities and economy; clean and plentiful water that supports people, fish and wildlife; and healthy homes and neighborhoods free of air pollution and hazardous chemicals.

Oregon Environmental Council envisions a future in which every Oregonian has access to the healthy air, water, climate and community that all residents need to thrive. To achieve this vision, OEC strives for equitable environmental policies and practices that give every Oregonian a fair shot at acting on their environmental values, being a part of decisions that affect them, and living in healthy environs. Importantly, OEC is soon to complete a three-year strategic plan which includes its commitment to pursuing equitable and inclusive solutions to environmental challenges.

OEC is a fiscally sound, highly regarded organization that is committed to transparency and the evolving diversity of the state. With a budget of $3.2 million and a staff of 17, OEC is poised to continue broadening and deepening its work in support of a healthy environment that provides equitable outcomes for all Oregonians.

Learn more about Oregon Environmental Council at https://oeconline.org/!

Position Responsibilities

Oregon Environmental Council's Deputy Director for Programs provides leadership, support, and coordination to OEC's highly motivated team of professional program staff, ensuring effective implementation of OEC's strategic plan, issue-based campaign plans, work plans, and individual projects. The Deputy Director for Programs will be responsible for hiring and coaching the Program team; fostering coherence and synergy between OEC's program areas; identifying strategic opportunities; and, ensuring that program work is coordinated with and mutually supportive of the organization's fundraising, marketing, communications, and financial goals. The Deputy Director for Programs also works with the Executive Director, Legislative Director, and program staff to develop and implement OEC's policy agenda; conduct outreach to potential supporters; maintain important partner relationships; assist with program fundraising and reporting; all while ensuring program work moves forward.

The Deputy Director for Programs reports to the Executive Director and works closely with other department leads to provide organizational leadership, ensure financial health and stability, and support a strong team and a healthy work environment. The Deputy Director for Programs will play a strong role in developing OEC's strategic plan, serve as a liaison to the Board, and manage contracts and coordinate efforts with outside firms and consultants for OEC's initiatives.

More specifically, the Deputy Director for Programs:

Leadership and Management

• Provides leadership that fosters high morale and a positive, self-directed, high-performing team
• Hires, coaches, and manages staff on the Program team
• Works to create a diverse and inclusive team and workplace culture, including through hiring processes
• Ensures that program staff have reasonable workloads
• Manages performance evaluation processes for program staff, including goal setting, annual reviews, and continuing professional development
• Develops systems and tools to promote accountability, identifying and addressing barriers to success

Program and Project Management and Implementation

• Establishes and maintains familiarity with substantive aspects of OEC's key program areas
• Promotes a high level of coordination and synergy among programs and projects and addresses areas of potential conflict
• Coordinates processes for determining new program directions and defining new projects, working with program staff to develop clear objectives and plans that achieve the organization's strategic goals and adhere to the organization's mission, vision, and values
• Ensures that policies and projects advance OEC's equity, diversity, and inclusion goals
• Coordinates effective program work through judicious budgeting and work planning
• Ensures that restricted grants are appropriately utilized
• Evaluate projects upon completion, encouraging a learning culture

Interdepartmental Coordination

• Facilitates communication between program staff and Executive Director
• Coordinates with relevant staff to ensure that program work supports OEC's strategic and organizational goals
• Works with the Communications Director as a thought partner about OEC's program work, helps determine priorities, and ensures program work is promoted in a clear, compelling, and accurate way that adheres to the organization's values and brand
• Helps determine in what region(s) of the state OEC should focus its programmatic, communications, relationship-building, and membership recruitment efforts
• Manages grant proposals and reports; on occasion, meets with major donors and foundation representatives
• Serves as staff liaison to Board Program Committee; assists in Board agenda setting, presentations, and facilitation
• Participates in organizational budget setting

Strategic Planning and Implementation

• Supports organizational strategic planning process, including vetting contractors, facilitating internal processes, and engaging the Board and outside partners
• Seeks opportunities to increase the organization's profile and strengthen external connections to OEC's strategic priorities, e.g., conducts outreach to potential high-net worth supporters of OEC's agenda, as well as community partners and stakeholders

Profile of the Successful Candidate

Oregon Environmental Council seeks a seasoned leader and manager with superb planning and communication skills, along with an effective, collaborative interpersonal manner that fosters trust-based relationships across the organization. The Deputy Director for Programs will be responsible for actively managing all affairs and operations of the program team while maintaining transparent, productive, collegial relationships inside and outside of the organization. Responsibilities include maintaining current knowledge of Oregon's environmental issues, while providing vision and direction for OEC's programs, people, and growth. The successful candidate will be a strategically-minded leader and a thoughtful, persuasive, influential communicator who will contribute creative, dynamic, and forward-thinking strategy and execution.

More specifically, OEC requires a professional who has:

• Minimum five years of professional experience in advancing environmental programs, public policy development and advocacy, public affairs, or related field
• Knowledge of environmental issues and organizations
• Supervisory experience with a firm commitment to collaborative, team-oriented management and proficiency in cultural sensitivity
• Experience incorporating the perspectives of communities of color in the consideration of impacts and outcomes of a decision-making process
• Demonstrated ability to plan, manage, and complete complex projects on time and within budget
• A strategic mindset, leveraging a long-term approach to vision and planning
• Strong organizational and time management skills; ability to work under pressure, managing multiple projects while maintaining a "big picture" view
• Self-motivation and initiative with the ability to work independently and entrepreneurially
• Performance-oriented mindset with a strong work ethic and commitment to achieving goals
• Demonstrated track record of integrity and personal accountability
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with an orientation to work collaboratively in a dynamic team environment
• Excellent verbal and communications skills
• A commitment to advancing equity, diversity and inclusion within the organization and through its work
• A passion for OEC's mission, values, beliefs and culture
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality of all employee and other sensitive organizational information
• Bachelor's degree

The successful candidate will also likely have:

• Professional experience in a non-profit with a mission-driven staff and board
• Advanced degree in a related field
• Experience with strategic planning
• Familiarity with Oregon decision-making and decision-makers

Start Timeframe

We seek to have someone in place by early Fall 2025.

Compensation

This position offers a competitive salary between $115,000 and $130,000 (dependent upon experience and qualifications) and a comprehensive benefits package. We actively welcome all candidates from a wide range of backgrounds who have the skills to fulfill this role, regardless of compensation history.

To Apply

All applications are held in strict confidence. Please submit your credentials and a letter of interest through our private applicant portal to The 360 Group at:

https://the360group.us/portal/

Applications should be directed to the attention of Melissa Ulum, Lead Consultant. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Earlier applicants may receive priority consideration. To be considered, The 360 Group encourages all interested candidates to submit their applications promptly, via the confidential applicant portal linked above.

At The 360 Group, we know that a richly diverse mix of professionals makes organizations more effective. Using that principle as our "North Star," we make diversity a hallmark of our firm, and all of our search engagements.

Learn more about The 360 Group at the360group.us.

Location: Portland, OR (hybrid work, location proximate to Portland area)

Reports to: Executive Director

About OEC

Founded in 1968 by concerned Oregonians across the state, Oregon Environmental Council (OEC) is a membership-based, nonpartisan nonprofit. OEC is the first multi-issue, statewide environmental group in Oregon. Consider any "green" idea that put Oregon on the map over the last 50 years — the Bottle Bill, landmark land-use planning laws, curbside recycling — and you'll find that OEC was integrally involved, if not the driving force, behind these critical protections. OEC advocates for impactful, lasting solutions that get at the source of Oregon's environmental challenges and have tangible benefits for people's health and quality of life. OEC's goals include a stable climate that safeguards Oregon's communities and economy; clean and plentiful water that supports people, fish and wildlife; and healthy homes and neighborhoods free of air pollution and hazardous chemicals.

Oregon Environmental Council envisions a future in which every Oregonian has access to the healthy air, water, climate and community that all residents need to thrive. To achieve this vision, OEC strives for equitable environmental policies and practices that give every Oregonian a fair shot at acting on their environmental values, being a part of decisions that affect them, and living in healthy environs. Importantly, OEC is soon to complete a three-year strategic plan which includes its commitment to pursuing equitable and inclusive solutions to environmental challenges.

OEC is a fiscally sound, highly regarded organization that is committed to transparency and the evolving diversity of the state. With a budget of $3.2 million and a staff of 17, OEC is poised to continue broadening and deepening its work in support of a healthy environment that provides equitable outcomes for all Oregonians.

Learn more about Oregon Environmental Council at https://oeconline.org/!

Position Responsibilities

Oregon Environmental Council's Deputy Director for Programs provides leadership, support, and coordination to OEC's highly motivated team of professional program staff, ensuring effective implementation of OEC's strategic plan, issue-based campaign plans, work plans, and individual projects. The Deputy Director for Programs will be responsible for hiring and coaching the Program team; fostering coherence and synergy between OEC's program areas; identifying strategic opportunities; and, ensuring that program work is coordinated with and mutually supportive of the organization's fundraising, marketing, communications, and financial goals. The Deputy Director for Programs also works with the Executive Director, Legislative Director, and program staff to develop and implement OEC's policy agenda; conduct outreach to potential supporters; maintain important partner relationships; assist with program fundraising and reporting; all while ensuring program work moves forward.

The Deputy Director for Programs reports to the Executive Director and works closely with other department leads to provide organizational leadership, ensure financial health and stability, and support a strong team and a healthy work environment. The Deputy Director for Programs will play a strong role in developing OEC's strategic plan, serve as a liaison to the Board, and manage contracts and coordinate efforts with outside firms and consultants for OEC's initiatives.

More specifically, the Deputy Director for Programs:

Leadership and Management

• Provides leadership that fosters high morale and a positive, self-directed, high-performing team
• Hires, coaches, and manages staff on the Program team
• Works to create a diverse and inclusive team and workplace culture, including through hiring processes
• Ensures that program staff have reasonable workloads
• Manages performance evaluation processes for program staff, including goal setting, annual reviews, and continuing professional development
• Develops systems and tools to promote accountability, identifying and addressing barriers to success

Program and Project Management and Implementation

• Establishes and maintains familiarity with substantive aspects of OEC's key program areas
• Promotes a high level of coordination and synergy among programs and projects and addresses areas of potential conflict
• Coordinates processes for determining new program directions and defining new projects, working with program staff to develop clear objectives and plans that achieve the organization's strategic goals and adhere to the organization's mission, vision, and values
• Ensures that policies and projects advance OEC's equity, diversity, and inclusion goals
• Coordinates effective program work through judicious budgeting and work planning
• Ensures that restricted grants are appropriately utilized
• Evaluate projects upon completion, encouraging a learning culture

Interdepartmental Coordination

• Facilitates communication between program staff and Executive Director
• Coordinates with relevant staff to ensure that program work supports OEC's strategic and organizational goals
• Works with the Communications Director as a thought partner about OEC's program work, helps determine priorities, and ensures program work is promoted in a clear, compelling, and accurate way that adheres to the organization's values and brand
• Helps determine in what region(s) of the state OEC should focus its programmatic, communications, relationship-building, and membership recruitment efforts
• Manages grant proposals and reports; on occasion, meets with major donors and foundation representatives
• Serves as staff liaison to Board Program Committee; assists in Board agenda setting, presentations, and facilitation
• Participates in organizational budget setting

Strategic Planning and Implementation

• Supports organizational strategic planning process, including vetting contractors, facilitating internal processes, and engaging the Board and outside partners
• Seeks opportunities to increase the organization's profile and strengthen external connections to OEC's strategic priorities, e.g., conducts outreach to potential high-net worth supporters of OEC's agenda, as well as community partners and stakeholders

Profile of the Successful Candidate

Oregon Environmental Council seeks a seasoned leader and manager with superb planning and communication skills, along with an effective, collaborative interpersonal manner that fosters trust-based relationships across the organization. The Deputy Director for Programs will be responsible for actively managing all affairs and operations of the program team while maintaining transparent, productive, collegial relationships inside and outside of the organization. Responsibilities include maintaining current knowledge of Oregon's environmental issues, while providing vision and direction for OEC's programs, people, and growth. The successful candidate will be a strategically-minded leader and a thoughtful, persuasive, influential communicator who will contribute creative, dynamic, and forward-thinking strategy and execution.

More specifically, OEC requires a professional who has:

• Minimum five years of professional experience in advancing environmental programs, public policy development and advocacy, public affairs, or related field
• Knowledge of environmental issues and organizations
• Supervisory experience with a firm commitment to collaborative, team-oriented management and proficiency in cultural sensitivity
• Experience incorporating the perspectives of communities of color in the consideration of impacts and outcomes of a decision-making process
• Demonstrated ability to plan, manage, and complete complex projects on time and within budget
• A strategic mindset, leveraging a long-term approach to vision and planning
• Strong organizational and time management skills; ability to work under pressure, managing multiple projects while maintaining a "big picture" view
• Self-motivation and initiative with the ability to work independently and entrepreneurially
• Performance-oriented mindset with a strong work ethic and commitment to achieving goals
• Demonstrated track record of integrity and personal accountability
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with an orientation to work collaboratively in a dynamic team environment
• Excellent verbal and communications skills
• A commitment to advancing equity, diversity and inclusion within the organization and through its work
• A passion for OEC's mission, values, beliefs and culture
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality of all employee and other sensitive organizational information
• Bachelor's degree

The successful candidate will also likely have:

• Professional experience in a non-profit with a mission-driven staff and board
• Advanced degree in a related field
• Experience with strategic planning
• Familiarity with Oregon decision-making and decision-makers

Start Timeframe

We seek to have someone in place by early Fall 2025.

Compensation

This position offers a competitive salary between $115,000 and $130,000 (dependent upon experience and qualifications) and a comprehensive benefits package. We actively welcome all candidates from a wide range of backgrounds who have the skills to fulfill this role, regardless of compensation history.