Executive Director

About PNWER

PNWER is a statutory public-private partnership chartered in 1991 by the states of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington; the Canadian provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan; and the Northwest Territories and Yukon. As the only multi-state, statutory economic development nonprofit of its kind, PNWER has a 30-year history of successfully managing over $10 million in state, provincial and federal grant projects from agencies such as the US DOE, DHS, DOC, and DOT, and sharing best practices in regional policy with state, provincial, and territorial government leadership.

Position Overview

PNWER is seeking a visionary leader to succeed long-time Executive Director Matt Morrison. This role involves leading a public-private organization, known for navigating complex cross-border US and Canadian policy, developing consensus with government and private partnerships, and overseeing high-impact programs like the Pacific NorthWest Regional Infrastructure Accelerator, the Center for Regional Disaster Resilience and the Legislative Energy Horizon Institute.

The strength of the organization is in its ability to reach across party lines, and jurisdictional boundaries to look at the region as a whole, and consider what policies work and bring maximum benefit to all 10 jurisdiction members, and the citizens of the bi-national region. Advocacy must be based on a consensus agreement among member states, provinces, and territories.

An in depth understanding of both Canadian provincial, territorial, and federal processes and US federal and state government operations is an essential skill set, as he or she will be coordinating PNWER programs in both the US and Canada, and also coordinating legislative capital visits to all PNWER jurisdictions. PNWER’s Mission is: to increase the economic well-being and quality of life for all citizens of the region, while maintaining and enhancing our natural environment. PNWER has developed a comprehensive manual on the practical differences between the US Constitutional system and the Westminster System in the Canadian jurisdictions and has held several Legislative Academies to educate state and provincial legislators on the differences between our political systems.

This person must have experience in communications and public speaking and recognize the importance of maintaining PNWER”s non-partisan stature as a regional neutral party. The Executive Director must work with the Executive Committee and Delegate Council body made up of bi-partisan legislative leadership – in the states from both House and Senate and both party caucuses, and in Canada the legislative leadership from government and opposition parties.

The Executive Director must reside in the Seattle area and is expected to work out of the PNWER office (520 Pike St, Seattle) on a full-time basis and coordinate all projects and programs of PNWER. He or she is responsible to work with the PNWER President and prepare monthly reports to the Executive Committee and the Board on all PNWER projects.

PNWER Executive Director is responsible for implementing the Board’s priorities, developing an action plan to achieve the goals and mandates of the organization. He or she is responsible for working with the COO to prepare a budget to be approved by the Executive Committee and the Foundation board and managing the staff to carry out all the activities of the organization. The Executive Director is also responsible for overseeing an annual financial audit and must have experience with US federal single audit requirements.

A successful applicant will have some understanding of the range of issues and topics addressed by PNWER’s 18 working groups in the following areas: Agriculture, Arctic Issues, Border Policy, Disaster Resilience, Energy, Forestry, Innovation, Livestock Health, Mining, Tourism, Trade, Transportation, Workforce Development, and have some experience in several of these issue areas.

The Executive Director oversees the PNWER staff of 10 full time employees as well as has oversight responsibilities for several part time contractor positions, several as part of the RIA program, LEHI and the PNWER Canada project lead contract position.

Because PNWER is funded by State, Provincial, and Territory dues, a successful applicant will be required to establish good communication with the 10 jurisdictions which make up the PNWER governments in the region; and also be capable of reaching out with the staff to current and future business leadership across the region for sponsorship support for the organization.

The Executive Director has oversight of all financial matters for the organization and will work with the current CPA to ensure that administrative functions are in line with general accounting principles, and compliant with federal guidelines (from both the US and Canada). He or she will report regularly to the PNWER Finance and Audit Committee to audit and track the approved approximately $2M (US) annual budget of the organization.

​Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: Implement the strategic vision and coordinate provincial and state policies across the 10 member jurisdictions.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Foster relationships with legislators and private sector leaders to address regional economic challenges.
• Operational & Fiscal Management: Oversee the PNWER Secretariat, including staff management and the administration of government grants and contracts.
• Regional Advocacy: Serve as a conduit for information and leverage regional influence in Ottawa and Washington, D.C..

​Qualifications

• Proven senior leadership experience in one or more of the following: public-private partnerships, cross border US-Canada policy organization, regional multi-state legislative organization, legislative or public policy experience
• Proven experience in fundraising and working with private sector business leaders on a variety of issue areas, US-Canada Trade Policy, multi-issue regional policy, and understanding of the political landscape of the US Pacific Northwest and Western Canada.
• Strong financial management skills, and in depth understanding of federal, state, and provincial grant compliance, and grant management.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills, confidence to work closely with Governors, Premiers, legislators and business CEO’s.
• Experience working with a team to produce events such as PNWER’s Annual Summit, a four day event with over 600 legislative, business, and academic delegates.
• A keen understanding of the political landscape across each of the ten jurisdictions.
• Exceptional ability to build consensus among diverse, bipartisan stakeholders from both the public and private sector, and Canada and the US.

Position Information:

• Full-time 40+ hours per week, in person at the Seattle office.
• Salary range $125,000 - $165,000 annually with full health care and dental benefits for the employee and dependents, 5% 401k retirement match contribution, eleven paid holidays and generous paid time off.
• Frequent travel across the region and to both National capitals requires a passport and the ability to travel across the Canada-US border.

How to Apply

The search and selection process is being managed by a specialized Human Resources Committee. Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume detailing their qualifications and interest in the position (10 page max) via email to: HR.committee@pnwer.org

Deadline: Feb. 18, 2026

Full health care and dental benefits for the employee and dependents, 5% 401k retirement match contribution, eleven paid holidays and generous paid time off.