Executive Director

Status: Full-time, Exempt

Salary Range: $110,000 to $120,000

Position Title: Executive Director

Reports to: Board of Directors

Benefits: COLT provides a competitive benefits package, including 100% employer-paid health, vision, and dental coverage for employees, generous paid time-off, half-day Fridays in the summer months, a retirement plan with an employer matching program, an annual bicycle/alternative transportation stipend, and a professional development allowance.

Position Summary

The Coalition of Oregon Land Trusts (COLT) seeks an Executive Director (ED) to lead a diverse and dynamic coalition across Oregon. COLT is dedicated to advocating for our natural world through statewide policy development and uniting land trusts in Oregon to raise a collective voice for our lands and waters.

The ED leads COLT with a dynamic vision for the future of land conservation, stewardship, community engagement, and justice in Oregon. COLT’s ED is a strategic coalition builder who excels in fundraising, building strong relationships, and advocating for land conservation. The ED will build the organization’s strategic direction in collaboration with the board, membership, and key partners to ensure COLT’s financial and programmatic success and the Oregon land trust community’s effectiveness and sustainability.

About COLT

The Coalition of Oregon Land Trusts (COLT) represents 31 conservation organizations that work to protect our land, water, and wildlife for all people forever. COLT’s mission is to serve and strengthen the land trust community in Oregon by helping our members do what they do best—protect wildlife and wild places, defend working farms and forests, provide recreation and parks, champion clean water for all, drive climate solutions, and advance land justice. COLT’s work is guided by a strategic plan that aims to 1) Advocate on behalf of land trusts, 2) Support a thriving land trust community in Oregon, and 3) Strengthen our coalition. We are collaboratively leading the Oregon Land Justice Project to expand Indigenous access, ownership, and stewardship of land. Learn more.

About Our Culture and Team
We are a collaborative and flexible team that makes space for different learning styles, values diversity, and supports ongoing team-building. COLT’s goal is to nurture an inspiring organization by supporting the growth, well-being, and inclusion of all staff. COLT works to promote diversity within the land trust community and foster an equitable, just, and inclusive statewide coalition. COLT values a strong work-life balance and is committed to supporting employee’s well-being. Connecting with people is at the heart of our work, and all positions spend time in the field learning from partners and members.  

COLT is committed to building a diverse and inclusive organization and continually learning, developing shared definitions of diversity, equity, justice, and inclusion, and creating a welcoming culture. We are interested in finding the best candidate for the job and encourage all applicants to apply even if they may not meet all the qualifications. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. We welcome diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and voices and do not discriminate.

To excel in this role, the Executive Director must demonstrate:

• Community Building: Skilled in building coalitions and fostering strong relationships with diverse stakeholders, Indigenous communities, public and private community partners, and policymakers.
• Leadership in Nonprofit: Experience leading coalition or collaboration to achieve their shared vision through effective strategy, governance, communication, operational management, and trust-based leadership.
• Team Leadership: Demonstrated ability in guiding a diverse team with a leadership style that values mutual support and accountability, integrating staff feedback into organizational decision-making processes.
• Fundraising Excellence: Proven track record in developing and implementing a fundraising strategy from diverse sources, including major gifts, grants, and government funding.
• Strategic Vision and Execution: Experience leading and implementing strategic plans at the organization level and for a broader coalition.
• Commitment to Equity: Experience leading and implementing equitable and inclusive policies, practices, and change across all facets of the organization, as well as a deep commitment to advancing land justice through Indigenous land access, land return, and tribal sovereignty.

Skills & Experience

Education, Experience, and Knowledge 

• 7+ years of related leadership experience. Membership organization, collaborative, or coalition experience is a plus.
• Strong relationship-driven fundraising experience.
• Strong cultural competency and experience working with diverse partners.
• Demonstrate a foundational understanding of Tribal issues.
• General understanding of land trust standards and practices.
• Experience working effectively with local governments and agencies.
• Fiscal management, including developing/managing budgets and analyzing financial statements.
• Understanding of nonprofit organizational structure, policies, and procedures.
• Strong written communication and public speaking skills.
• Experience collaborating with nonprofit boards.
• Strong interpersonal skills and proven ability to work effectively with diverse constituencies.
• Experience working with Oregon Indigenous communities preferred.
• HR policies and procedures experience preferred.
• Grant writing and reporting experience preferred.
• Advocacy and policy development experience preferred.

Work Hours/Environment

COLT is a hybrid workplace; staff work regularly from the Portland office and at home. There are also occasional required office days, in-person meetings, field days, and events. This position requires periodic travel throughout the state of Oregon.

ADA Statement
This job requires sitting at a desk and talking on the phone. There are occasional outdoor meetings, tours, and field trips that will require walking and standing. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.