Executive Director

Job Title: Executive Director

Salary: $200000-$225000/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. OCJs 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 courts 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 OCJs 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 OCJs 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 OCJs values of equity interconnection integrity trust and courage.
• Lead the development operationalization and implementation of OCJs next strategic plan that reflects the basis of OCJs 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 OCJs 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 Directors leadership in successfully meeting program and impact goals will be key to meeting OCJs 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 OCJs focus areas.
• Collaborate with the communications and engagement staff regarding outreach messaging priorities research and media representation.
• As applicable support OCJs 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

OCJs 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 OCJs visibility as a convener and thought leader leveraging the expertise of OCJs staff and partners.

Board Engagement & Governance

OCJs Board members represent community legal and legislative viewpoints to bring strategic thinking partnerships and vision to the organization. OCJs Board maintains the connection to OCJs inception and ties OCJs 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 OCJs 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 OCJs 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.
• Ability to work effectively within a multicultural diverse environment and to cultivate equity and inclusion across all aspects of OCJs internal and outward facing work.
• Knowledge of or willingness to learn about regional partners public agencies and community partners that align with OCJs mission.

Cultural & Mission Alignment

• Demonstrated commitment to consumer justice and centering the experience of historically underserved communities.
• Ability to build consensus and motivate diverse teams in a rapidly changing environment.
• Deep alignment with OCJs mission vision values and guiding principles.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Nonprofit Professionals Now (NPN) is supporting Oregon Consumer Justice in hiring their next Executive Director. This key leadership role is important to all consumers and all candidates will have their qualifications reviewed and considered.

Application Deadline: September 20 2026

Application Process:

Upon review of candidate information qualified candidates will move into phone interviews with NPN. Those selected to move forward will participate in video interviews and final candidates will have in-person meetings with staff and board. A hiring decision will be made after in-person interviews are completed.

Required Experience:

Director