Executive Director

ORGANIZATION HISTORY

Founded in 1999, Street Roots is a Portland-based nonprofit dedicated to creating income opportunities for individuals experiencing homelessness and poverty. As a member of the International Network of Street Papers, Street Roots is one of 30 similar publications in the U.S. and part of a global network of 90 papers. We produce an award-winning weekly newspaper featuring in-depth reporting on social, political, economic environmental justice issues, with content contributed by professional journalists, community members, and advocacy organizations.100 vendors each week and 400 vendors throughout a year (Independent Contractors) experiencing homelessness and poverty, purchase newspapers at a nominal cost and sell them on the streets of Portland, keeping the profits as a source of income and financial stability.

Over the years, the organization has expanded its impact beyond the newspaper, launching programs such as the Rose City Resource Guide, the Ambassador Program and recently, the Vendor Facilities program offering laundry and showers. Street Roots also plays a pivotal role in advocacy efforts, influencing policies such as the Portland Street Response plan. Committed to remaining a vital force in the community, Street Roots continues to strive for meaningful social change and economic empowerment.

POSITION OVERVIEW

In partnership with the board of directors the Executive Director (ED) of Street Roots will oversee organizational management, financial sustainability, fundraising, and advocacy efforts while fostering an inclusive and high-functioning team culture. The ED is an intentional and compassionate leader responsible for guiding the organization in fulfilling its mission to create income opportunities for individuals experiencing homelessness and poverty. They will serve as the primary spokesperson, championing social justice initiatives, building strategic partnerships, and driving policy advocacy at the local level. Additionally, the ED ensures strong financial stewardship, engages with diverse stakeholders—including vendors (individuals selling Street Roots), donors, and community leaders—and works closely with the Editor in Chief to support the newspaper’s mission while upholding journalistic integrity. This role requires exceptional leadership, relationship-building, and communication skills to advance Street Roots’ impact and sustainability in the Portland community.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Staff Leadership / Equity and Inclusion / Organizational Culture

Provides direct supervision to, and timely performance reviews for, staff supervised by the ED.
Ensures all staff members have timely performance reviews, maximizing staff morale and productivity and creating opportunities for employee development, advancement, and growth.
Actively manage the relationships between employer and employees, particularly focusing on working with Communication Workers of America (CWA) 7901. Engage in collective bargaining and adhere to SR’s collective bargaining agreement.
Works with staff to create and serve as a role model for an organizational culture that embodies the organization's values, promotes diversity and equity, is welcoming and inclusive to all, and ensures the organization provides culturally appropriate services. Works with staff to build and maintain strong safety plans for the work environment including fire and other emergency situations
Actively supports the professional development of staff through both internal and external offerings.
Creates, maintains, and complies with the organization's policies and procedures and ensures all employees do so, as well.

Community Relations / Partnership Development / Advocacy

Work collaborative with key partners, such as serving as the lead advocate for the organization and a champion for equity and justice in the Portland Metropolitan Area, communicating about homelessness and poverty, Street Roots, and its programs in a way that is compelling and in compliance with Street Roots' values, policies, procedures, strategic goals, and current messaging.Serves as the primary media
Contact and spokesperson for Street Roots and can readily speak in an informed way about issues related to homelessness and poverty.
Maintains and develops a broad spectrum of individual, private sector, and government relationships at the local and state levels that lead to increased awareness of Street Roots and increased partnerships and resources, improving Street Roots' reach, quality and volume of services, funding, and efficiency.
Keeps the board, staff, and key stakeholders apprised of current legislation and sector developments that affect Street Roots' ability to fulfill its mission and raise and allocate essential resources.

Fundraising and Communications

Serves as the organization's lead fundraiser, cultivating relationships with key individual donors and business partners, in collaboration with the development director and board members.
Oversees the development and implementation of annual and long-term fundraising plans to increase resources and grow the organization.
Ensures the development and implementation of an annual communications plan that reinforces the organization's fundraising, program delivery, and advocacy efforts.

Financial and Administrative Management

Provides leadership to ensure the financial sustainability of the organization.
In partnership with the vendor program director and the development director, leads the strategic development of a diversified funding base that supports organizational priorities.
Ensures the organization produces sound budgets and sends timely financial statements to the board of directors.
Works closely with the finance committee, executive committee, and board of directors to monitor the organization's financial health; provides strategic financial direction.
Monitors the organization's compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local rules and regulations governing the operation of nonprofit agencies and the use of government funding.
Ensures there are clear, up-to-date crisis management policies and procedures in place and that the appropriate people are trained to comply.

Board of Directors

Provides support to board members to enable them to fulfill their responsibilities and successfully govern the organization. Provides data, information, and expertise to support the board in making strategic, governance, and policy decisions.
Works with the board to create an organizational culture that embodies the organization's values, promotes diversity and equity, is welcoming and inclusive to all, and ensures all board members can meaningfully participate in all board meetings and activities.
Participates in board meetings, executive committee meetings, and in board committee meetings as requested.
Works with the board of directors to recruit and maintain an active and committed group of board members.
Collaborates with the board of directors to regularly evaluate and revise as necessary the organization's policies.
Clearly communicates the needs and major accomplishments of the organization to the board both verbally and in written reports and data.

Strategic Planning and Implementation

Collaborates with the board of directors to regularly evaluate and revise as necessary the organization's mission, vision, and values.
In conjunction with the board of directors and staff, leads the development, implementation, evaluation, and maintenance of a strategic plan.
In conjunction with staff, ensures that annual work plans are developed and implemented to meet the goals set forth in the strategic plan.

Program Support

Supervises the Vendor Program Director, who supervises five staff, interns and volunteers—this team works with more than 100 vendors each week and 400 vendors in a year (Independent Contractors) experiencing homelessness and poverty. Supports the vendor team in conflict resolution.
Ensures the provision of quality, mission-driven, results-oriented programming that supports the vendor community and maximizes resources.
Works closely with the Editor in Chief and with the Street Roots editorial team to support various functions of the newspaper (note: Executive Director does not set editorial direction of the newspaper).

REQUIREMENTS

Minimum of five years of relevant experience as a senior director in a nonprofit organization, government agency, or in a relevant field in the private sector, such as community relations.
Firsthand and/or learned knowledge of systemic oppression and an internal commitment to actively challenging and dismantling systems of oppression in a strategic manner.
Ability to work effectively in a multicultural, diverse environment – including documentation status, income-levels, ages, gender identity, sexual orientations and physical abilities – and to cultivate equity and inclusion in every aspect of the organization’s work.
Strong fiscal management skills, including experience in developing and managing budgets in excess of $500,000.
A successful track record of resource development including individual gifts. Ability to foster a culture of philanthropy, engaging board and staff members as partners in fundraising.
Keen relationship and partnership building skills.
Exceptional verbal and written communication skills. Ability to communicate effectively with a broad range of individuals and groups.
Ability to coach, counsel, supervise, and evaluate job performance of assigned staff in a timely, constructive, and collaborative manner.
Excellent time management and organizational skills.
Ability to implement strategic plans.
Experience working effectively with a board of directors.
General understanding of employment laws, rules, and regulations.
Ability to maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality.

Preferred Requirements

BA or BS in Social Services, Education, Psychology, Management, Communications, or related field or equivalent experience.
Anti-poverty and social justice work experience.
Advocacy experience at the local or state levels.
Experience successfully cultivating individual and corporate donors.
Knowledge of Portland history and politics related to housing and homelessness, as well as current and potential partners and community resources, and local relationships and networks.
Successful experience working with people using a harm reduction approach. Demonstrated ability to work with guiding principles of trauma informed practices
Well-versed in current events, particularly those related to housing, the environment, and social justice.

Other Requirements

To protect the integrity of the organization, there will be a criminal background check for candidates who advance to the final stages of the recruitment process. Findings will be discussed with candidates confidentially.

Work Environment

Setting: office environment and regularly other environments such as for meetings and events in the community.
Schedule: Varied; regular early morning, evening, and weekend work.
Travel: Regular travel within the Portland Metropolitan Area (several meetings each week); and to Salem, Oregon (occasionally during legislative sessions). Occasional travel outside the state (approximately once per year).

COMPANY CULTURE

At Street Roots, our work is deeply rooted in our mission to create income opportunities for people experiencing homelessness and poverty by producing a newspaper and other media that serve as catalysts for individual and social change. Our culture is one of dedication, collaboration, and impact. With a team of 15 staff members working across Program, Development, Operations, and Editorial, we embrace a dynamic and values-driven approach to our mission. We recognize that income generation, advocacy, and journalism each play distinct yet interconnected roles in advancing our vision for a more just society. Our tagline, “For those who can’t afford free speech,” reflects our unwavering commitment to equity and empowerment. In alignment with our mission, we are dedicated to fostering a workplace culture of integrity, resilience, and purpose.

For additional information please visit: https://www.streetroots.org/

LOCATION

Portland, OR

COMPENSATION

Targeted base salary compensation is $100,000.