Executive Director

Executive Director

Salary: $200,000-$225,000/year

Location: Remote within Greater Portland Metropolitan Area

Reports to: Board of Directors

Exempt Classification: Exempt

Status: Regular, Full-time

Benefits: Medical, Dental for employee and family; Life/Disability Insurance, 403b with 10% employer contribution, Vacation/Sick/Holiday, Sabbatical Policy

Who We Are

Created in 2019 after a class action settlement and subsequent court order in Scharfstein v BP West Coast Products, Multnomah County Circuit Ct Case No. 112-17046. OCJ's purpose is to advance consumer protection in Oregon including, without limitation, advocacy in all forms (including state and federal litigation in multiple venues, legislative and regulatory advocacy), research, and education (including direct consumer education and legal CLEs) targeted at consumer protection in Oregon.

This directive continues to lead OCJ today as we focus on supporting litigation, leading advocacy and policy creation and providing direct consumer engagement. With a dedicated staff and Board of Directors, OCJ has made an impact in Oregon and across the country in helping consumers understand their rights and strengthening consumer protection laws.

OCJ currently does not directly engage in consumer litigation. Rather, it has made a grant to Oregon Consumer Justice Law, a separate and independent professional corporation. OCJ Law actively engages in consumer litigation in line with the court's order.

OCJ does not have a permanent brick and mortar office. More information about OCJ can be found by accessing

Position Summary

OCJ is hiring its next Executive Director to continue to build OCJ's presence in the legal community, legislature and with consumers. This opportunity to build strategy and engage in consumer protection while overseeing a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization is unique and requires a unique leader.

The Executive Director will need to demonstrate fluency with nonprofit management, finance, and program implementation while regularly engaging in the community and legislature to advocate for consumer rights. Whether an attorney or not, the ED will be building and maintaining relationships with the legal community in Oregon and across the country through regular communication, advocacy and building an understanding of the rights of consumers.

Accountable to the Board of Directors, the ED serves as OCJ's chief strategist and, along with other key staff, the public voice. The ED oversees a leadership team responsible for finance, operations, communications and engagement, legal outreach, and advocacy. Along with the Board of Directors, the ED ensures that the organization operates sustainably while remaining rooted in its mission and community.

Key Responsibilities

Organizational Leadership & Culture

OCJ believes in the power of individuals to lead change both internally and externally. Valuing the skills, talents and opportunities available to our employees is a key element of our success.

• Share a commitment to OCJ's values of equity, interconnection, integrity, trust, and courage.
• Lead the development, operationalization, and implementation of OCJ's next strategic plan that reflects the basis of OCJ's founding as well as future growth opportunities.
• Maintain a positive, motivating workplace that attracts, retains, and supports a diverse and impact-focused team.
• Regularly provide mentoring and guidance to staff. Perform annual performance reviews of those staff who directly report, and provide input on senior leadership team reviews.

Financial Oversight & Resource Development

While OCJ was established with funds from a class action settlement, on-going financial sustainability is important to fulfill our purpose of meeting consumer justice needs across the state.

• Ensure strong financial stewardship, planning, forecasting, budgeting, and reporting in collaboration with the Finance Director and the Board of Directors.
• Ensure OCJ's financial policies and practices support long-term sustainability.
• As directed by the Board of Directors, implement organizational goals to expand and diversify fund development, potentially including public funding, philanthropy, private donors, and income-generating programs.

Program & Impact Management

OCJ has three program areas: litigation, policy and direct consumer engagement. The Executive Director's leadership in successfully meeting program and impact goals will be key to meeting OCJ's strategic objectives.

OCJ does not engage in consumer representation but instead supports consumer litigation efforts through grants within the legal community. Policy and consumer engagement are led by OCJ staff as well as community partners.

• Strategize with policy teams on policy and advocacy priorities and approaches.
• Establish new and maintain current connections with legal community with support from staff.
• Evaluate and recommend additional grantees and/or partnerships with the legal community in relation to OCJ's focus areas.
• Collaborate with the communications and engagement staff regarding outreach, messaging priorities, research, and media representation.
• As applicable support OCJ's relationships with national consumer rights organizations.
• Along with staff, identify opportunities to increase access to justice for consumers and build a community of practice to support consumer justice work.

External Affairs & Community Engagement

OCJ's ability to influence legislation and conduct consumer advocacy relies on excellent communication throughout Oregon and the country.

• Serve as the primary spokesperson for OCJ with support from the Director of Communications as well as the State and Federal Policy Directors.
• Actively participate with agencies, local and national partner organizations, the legal community, media, legislators, and other relevant parties, to share OCJ vision, research and activities on behalf of consumers.
• Cultivate and strengthen relationships with elected officials, funders, local and national organizations, community partners, and other leaders, in collaboration with the leadership team.
• Promote OCJ's visibility as a convener and thought leader, leveraging the expertise of OCJ's staff and partners.

Board Engagement & Governance

OCJ's Board members represent community, legal and legislative viewpoints to bring strategic thinking, partnerships and vision to the organization. OCJ's Board maintains the connection to OCJ's inception and ties OCJ's work to the consumer.

• Maintain a strong, transparent partnership with the Board Chair and Board members, committees and taskforces by sharing information on finance, operations and programs.
• Build short-term execution plans as well as long-term plans to ensure OCJ serves all of Oregon in consumer issues.
• Regularly report to the Board and community on legislative successes.
• Support Board development efforts and foster inclusive, accountable governance practices.
• Execute Board-directed initiatives and guidance in alignment with OCJ's mission, vision, values, and guiding principles.

Qualifications

To successfully perform this role, an individual must be able to meet all essential duties and responsibilities to a satisfactory level. The qualifications listed represent the knowledge, skills, and abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions, provided such accommodations do not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of the employee or others.

• 7+ years in the legal, regulatory, legislative or advocacy sector, or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of experience managing or participating in management of a 501(c)(3) or similar organization.
• Strong fiscal management skills, including experience developing and managing significant budgets.
• Understanding of nonprofit fundraising, including public funds, grants, individual donors.
• Demonstrated ability to coach, mentor, supervise, and evaluate department leaders in a timely, constructive, and collaborative manner.
• Understanding of, and interest in, legal processes and actions, and community engagement with consumer justice.
• Experience working in partnership with a Board of Directors or the equivalent to strengthen governance and execute organizational strategy.
• Advocacy experience at the state and/or federal levels, with the ability to elevate OCJ's visibility and influence.
• A law degree is not required, but some combination of nonprofit management, and familiarity with the legal system and legal concepts is preferred.

Leadership Competencies

• Visionary, action-oriented leadership with a human centered approach