Executive Director

What we’re looking for

LivableStreets seeks a high-energy, collaborative, and politically savvy leader, who is also a seasoned fundraiser, to serve as our next Executive Director. We are looking for someone who can mobilize local residents and diverse coalitions to turn community vision into real-world street improvements.

Who we are and what we do

For more than 20 years LivableStreets has transformed Metro Boston’s streets by advocating for innovative and equitable transportation solutions that are safe, affordable and enjoyable – making our community more connected and more livable for everyone. We achieve this by:

• Making streets safer through policy and infrastructure changes.
• Improving public transit, especially buses, to be more affordable, frequent and reliable.
• Enlarging the regional network of greenways and public space.
• Integrating land use and transportation into urban design policies and street design.

Our advocacy tools include:

• Ensuring the voices of regular people are heard in decision making processes through our Street Ambassador outreach program.
• Holding governments accountable through regular reporting on progress toward transportation and safety goals.
• Engaging with and educating decision makers, politicians, and civic leaders to implement policies and projects that achieve our goals.
• Bringing best practices, design solutions, and expertise to communities and government agencies.
• Sharing learnings and wins through our StreetTalk series and monthly StreetLife newsletter.

Primary responsibilities

Strategic Vision & Board Stewardship (20%)

• Strategic planning: Work with the Board to build a new strategic plan, to pivot the organization toward long-term financial sustainability, and achieve tangible advocacy and policy wins.
• Board development: Partner with the Board to help recruit new members with diverse expertise and fundraising capacity; cultivate and manage the Board to maximize their impact as ambassadors and donors.

Communications & Fundraising (35%)

• Diversified fundraising strategy: Lead the design and execution of a robust fundraising strategy that sustains the annual budget through a mix of individual major gifts, corporate partnerships, foundation grants, and fee-for-service projects.
• Donor cultivation: Serve as the primary donor solicitor, building and maintaining a growing portfolio of individual donors.
• Grant leadership: Oversee the grant lifecycle, identify new funding opportunities, cultivate relationships with funding entities, and ensure high-quality storytelling and reporting.
• Membership innovation: Modernize and scale the small-donor membership program to create a sustainable, grassroots revenue engine.
• Strategic communications & narrative change: Serve as the organization’s lead storyteller and public voice, crafting compelling narratives that simplify complex policy issues in order to mobilize public support and inspire action across diverse audiences.
• Media & press engagement: Proactively manage relationships with local and regional media to secure consistent coverage of LivableStreets’ initiatives, positioning the organization as the "go-to" expert for transportation in Metro Boston.

Policy Leadership & Coalition Building (30%)

• Policy advocacy: Serve as the chief political strategist, navigating city halls and the State House to advance legislation focused on safer streets, transit equity, and climate justice.
• Coalition power: Lead high-impact coalitions (and strategically initiate new ones) to coordinate diverse organizations and interests in helping create a unified voice for transportation justice in Metro Boston.
• Political engagement: Build and leverage strategic relationships with elected officials, government leadership teams, and professionalized staff, to ensure positive and deep collaboration alongside advocacy for achieving our organization’s objectives.

Organizational Management & Culture (15%)

• Team leadership: Recruit and mentor a high-performing staff, fostering a culture of accountability, equity, and results.
• Fiscal oversight: Ensure rigorous financial management, including budget development, auditing, and compliance with regulations.

Qualifications

• Proven fundraising track record: At least 5–7 years of senior fundraising leadership experience with a demonstrated ability to secure six-figure gifts and significantly scale organizational revenue.
• Policy expertise: A deep understanding of the political and non-governmental landscape in Massachusetts/Metro Boston, with a history of winning campaigns.
• Coalition leadership: Direct experience managing diverse, multi-sector partnerships where you have successfully navigated complicated and competing interests to work toward consensus.
• Strategic communication: Exceptional public speaker and writer who can simplify technical urban planning concepts into "kitchen table" issues for donors and the public.
• Mission passion: Unwavering commitment to equitable transportation and a lived understanding of how transit impacts marginalized communities.

How to Apply:

• In lieu of a cover letter, we are asking applicants to answer a series of short questions and to submit your resume through this link.
• Applications received by July 24th will be prioritized. The call will remain open until the position is filled.
• Please do not send your application materials via email; we will only accept applications through this google form.
• For questions please reach out to careers@livablestreets.info.

Compensation details

• Annual salary range: $105,000-$125,000
• Health insurance: 100% coverage is offered through the Massachusetts Health Connector for any Silver Band coverage plan for employee, dependents, and partner.
• Dental insurance: 100% coverage for employee, dependent, and partners for the LivableStreets-selected dental plan.
• 401(k) Retirement: Retirement plan offered through ADP and includes an employer match of what you contribute up to 5% of your salary.
• $75 monthly fixed stipend for staff commuting by public transit and/or bicycle
• Holidays: 12 Massachusetts-observed holidays, but with the flexibility to swap for other religious or cultural observed holidays.
• Vacation: 15 days per year. One day is added to that total for every completed year up to a maximum of 20 vacation.
• Sick time: 80 hours (10 days) of sick time per year.