Executive Director

Yakima Valley Trolleys (YVT) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization nestled in the heart of Yakima, Washington. We are dedicated to preserving and operating the region's historic trolleys—an irreplaceable piece of American history listed on the National Register of Historic Places. With ambitious capital work underway and the system's national significance gaining wider recognition, the next several years will shape its future for generations.

To meet this moment, we are seeking an exceptional individual to join our team as a full-time Executive Director. You should be excited about our mission and eager to be a part of making history by preserving it! This is a tremendous opportunity to have a large impact as our first hire, charting your own course as you lead a beloved local institution into its next chapter.

About You

You are a dynamic, motivated leader with a knack for fundraising and relationship-building. You’re ready to take on the work of cultivating donors, securing sponsorships, and partnering effectively with public officials and community organizations. Your leadership style encourages collaboration, and you excel at building the political and financial capital an organization like ours needs to thrive.

You're also excited to tap into the tremendous potential of the trolleys as a heritage tourism asset and economic driver for the Yakima Valley. Through creative business thinking, you're ready to grow YVT into a sustainable, high-impact institution.

Requirements

● Demonstrated organizational leadership and relationship management experience.

● A track record of successfully generating new revenue streams and improving financial results, whether for-profit or non-profit.

● Experience in grant writing preferred.

● Success in establishing relationships with individuals and organizations of influence including funders, partner agencies, and volunteers.

● Strong organizational abilities, including planning, delegating, program development, and task facilitation.

● Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

● Demonstrated ability to lead and collaborate with volunteers and employees.

● Based in the Yakima area, though work-from-home flexibility will be supported (see Working Arrangements).

As our Executive Director, your three primary areas of responsibility will be to:

1. Lead fundraising and revenue development

2. Build and strengthen relationships within and outside the organization.

3. Help oversee the routine operations of the museum and streetcar system in partnership with our dedicated volunteers, contractors, and Board.

● Cultivate and steward donors, foundations, and corporate sponsors.

● Creatively pursue alternative earned revenue streams for the organization (e.g., facility rentals, advertising, corporate memberships)

● Help oversee the routine operations of the museum and streetcar system in partnership with our dedicated volunteers, contractors, and Board.

● Write and administer grants.

● Champion the trolleys across the Yakima Valley, building visibility, growing the supporter base, and raising the organization's public profile.

● Manage key administrative tasks such as member management and donor thank-yous.

● Ensure consistent communication with our members and the community.

● Establish and maintain productive working relationships with other organizations around town to tackle common challenges and pursue opportunities for partnership.

Working Arrangements

This is a full-time hourly position based in Yakima, Washington, budgeted at 40 hours per week. Hours beyond 40 per week require prior approval and are paid at the statutory overtime rate. Compensation will reflect the experience and qualifications you bring. A formal performance and compensation review is built into the role at the 6-month mark. As our first hire, your success in fundraising and revenue development will directly expand YVT’s capacity — and our ability to invest further in this role.

We value work–life balance and offer flexibility in scheduling, understanding that different people work best at different times. Benefits include paid time off, a professional development budget, WA Paid Sick Leave, WA Paid Family & Medical Leave, and workers’ compensation coverage.

While a meaningful portion of the work can be done remotely, regular on-site presence is needed for meetings around town, community engagements, museum and operating-day support, and to interface with volunteers, contractors, Board, and partners.

Some evening and weekend hours are required to support museum operations and special events.

To Apply

Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume to ***email_hidden***. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and the position will remain open until filled.

Equal Opportunity

Yakima Valley Trolleys is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

We strongly encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. We firmly believe the trolleys—and the work of preserving them—are part of history for everyone to enjoy.