Executive Director

Position: Executive Director, EarthCorps –

Location: Seattle, WA (Hybrid)
Reporting To: Board of Directors
Compensation: $140,000-$160,000
Start Date: March 2025
Application Deadline: Friday, January 10

Application: click here!

About EarthCorps: EarthCorps cultivates leaders and community partnerships to advance environmental justice. Each year EarthCorps brings together leaders from across the US and the globe for an environmental leadership development and green-jobs training program where we care for the lands, waters, and people of the Puget Sound region.

Since 1993, EarthCorps have collectively planted 1.25 million native trees and shrubs – protecting and restoring fragile habitats and ecosystems that are home to both creatures and ourselves – removed 1.5 billion pounds of CO2 – ensuring our friends and family have fresh air to breath – and welcomed 200,000 volunteers eager to protect and restore green spaces in their local communities. Learn more in our latest Annual Report here.  

About the Opportunity: Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will lead the development of a long-term vision and strategic plan for growth and sustainability. The role will also focus on expanding the donor network, managing and developing a high-performing team while fostering a culture of care, and nurturing board relations. 

KEY PRIORITIES DURING YOUR FIRST YEAR

WHAT YOU WILL DO:

Lead the Development of EarthCorps’ Long-Term Vision and Sustainability Plan 

• Collaborate with the Board of Directors and the team to develop and implement a comprehensive strategy that ensures EarthCorps’ financial health, sustainability, and growth, with a goal of increasing revenue from $5M to $7M over the next three years.
• Enhance the revenue model by expanding philanthropic support, including individual and major gifts, securing local and state grants, and transitioning from a predominant fee-for-service model to more diversified, sustainable funding sources.
• Co-develop and integrate the organization’s core values into decision-making processes, operations practices, and future planning to align with the organization’s vision and mission.

Expand the Donor Network and Steward Donor Relations 

• In collaboration with staff, Expand and strengthen relationships with individual and corporate donors and partners within the Puget Sound region, enhancing EarthCorps’ reach, profile and visibility.
• Actively engage and energize EarthCorps members, volunteers, alumni, partnering organizations, and funders to foster long-term support and advocacy for the organization.

Manage and Develop a Team and Build a Culture of Care 

• Foster a culture of transparency, equity, and inclusive decision-making, equipping leaders with tools and practices necessary to develop and support their teams.
• Promote a culture of care by encouraging open communication, foster cross-functional collaboration, and ensuring team members feel valued and supported.
• In partnership with Directors, implement staff development and retention strategies that support the ongoing growth, professional development, and well-being of each team member.

Nurture and Manage Board Relations 

• Engage with the Board of Directors, leveraging their unique strengths to advance EarthCorps’ mission. Provide the tools, resources, and transparency necessary to ensure effective governance and decision-making.

WHO YOU ARE:

• YOU BELIEVE IN EARTHCORPS MISSION. You are committed to EarthCorps’ mission of cultivating leaders and building community ​partnerships to advance environmental justice.
• YOU ARE A FUNDRAISING STRATEGIST. You develop and execute donor stewardship plans that cultivate strong,lasting relationships with donors, ensuring ongoing support through regular communication, recognition, and engagement opportunities.
• YOU CENTER INCLUSIONARY AND EQUITABLE PRACTICES. You are personally committed to addressing power imbalances and developing mutually beneficial, non-paternalistic partnerships.
• YOU DEVELOP & EMPOWER LEADERS. You empower, activate and support the individuals you manage using an asset-based framework. You listen actively and make others feel seen and heard,  fostering authentic, collaborative relationships within a small hybrid team and across groups
• YOU ARE A BIG-PICTURE THINKER. You identify opportunities and threats through a comprehensive analysis of current and emerging trends in social impact or environment justice.
• YOU STRIVE FOR CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT. You focus on continuous improvement and the optimization of processes and systems to achieve optimal results. You identify and address roadblocks that hinder progress, ensuring alignment with the organization’s mission and goals
• CULTURAL HUMILITY IS CENTRAL TO WHO YOU ARE. You are intentional about building trust and valuing each person’s expertise and unique perspective

WORKING ENVIRONMENT: Since COVID-19, EarthCorps has practiced a hybrid work model. For example, corps members and programmatic team members tend to meet in-person more frequently, given the nature of their field work. Whereas, other staff may work both in-person at HQ and remote throughout the week. Especially in the first year, the Executive Director is expected to exercise more in-person presence to build relationships and get to know the program better.  See Organizational Chart.

BENEFITS: EarthCorps provides comprehensive health benefits, including medical, vision, dental, and disability, sick leave (12 days per year), 14 holidays and 2 floating holidays per year, life insurance, FSA/HSA, employee assistance program, discounted ORCA card, and ProDeals. The office is also closed for 12 business days in late December/Early January.