Executive Director

BEST’s Board is seeking a visionary leader to help guide the Board of Directors in developing a strategic plan that expands and improves transportation options throughout Eugene and Springfield. This leader will also help bring our community together to turn that vision into action and create meaningful, lasting improvements in local transportation.

To Apply: For best consideration, please submit a cover letter and resume by 10/11/26 to EDSearch@best-oregon.org.

BEST’s MISSION:

To build a successful community by bringing people together to promote transportation options, safe streets, and walkable neighborhoods.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS, DUTIES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Executive Director (ED), along with the Board of Directors, leads Better Eugene-Springfield Transportation, BEST, a non-profit organization. The ED

• oversees operations and programs; develops and manages resources, represents the organization publicly and collaborates with partner agencies.
• sets the standard of excellence internally for the organization and externally with our stakeholders and users, consistent with the organization's strategic plan, policies and resolutions.
• advances BEST’s mission by leading the development and implementation of a strategic plan.
• identifies, frames, plans, and oversees implementation of projects and opportunities for BEST to make a significant impact.
• researches issues to better understand challenges and opportunities.
• delegates tasks to staff and Board members as appropriate.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS: The ED

• serves as the interface between Board and staff.
• provides information and guidance to the Board and Board committees to help make informed fiduciary and governance decisions; consults with the Board regarding development of policies, and implements procedures.

RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT: The ED

• ensures an adequate and sustainable funding base to meet strategic priorities and ongoing operational needs. This includes researching and identifying new sources of funding and developing other long-term funding resources.
• establishes and develops close working relationships with funding agencies, business and individual donors in order to ensure appropriate, efficient investment of community resources.
• ensures preparation and submission of grant proposals or other funding requests to public/private/contract agencies and foundations, and supports and leads the Board in its fund development role.
• Works with staff to ensure the development of the Board of Directors and volunteers to support the Board and volunteers in working toward the goals of the organization.

ORGANIZATIONAL MANAGEMENT: The ED

• manages staff including hiring, training, coaching, and evaluating competent, qualified and representative, diverse staff and ensures employee compliance with all internal organizational policies and state and federal workplace regulations.
• empowers team members to meet key performance indicators by providing continuous mentorship, clear expectations, and regular constructive feedback, also holds team members accountable through open dialogue, objective metrics, and structured accountability meetings.
• cultivates a safe, inclusive, equitable workplace that fosters quality performance and success for staff.
• cultivates a deepening understanding of organizational diversity, equity and inclusion goals.

PROGRAM DELIVERY: In partnership with the Board, the ED

• establishes and ensures implementation of annual priorities and measurable goals consistent with the strategic plan; provides the Board with sufficient metrics to evaluate the success of implementation efforts.

FISCAL MANAGEMENT: The ED

• works with the Treasurer to ensure fiscal integrity and cost-effective management of the organization and maintains strong oversight, internal controls and division of duties to safeguard organizational assets.
• ensures proper handling and tracking of funds and provides the Board with clear, timely, comprehensible and accurate fiscal reports.

OUTREACH AND PUBLIC RELATIONS: The ED

• serves as the principal spokesperson, visibly and actively representing BEST in the community, to the media, and to our government, non-profit, business, and community partners.
• ensures communication on key issues in writing and in person to educate, recruit, and persuade.

INTER-ORGANIZATION PARTNERSHIPS AND COLLABORATION: The ED

• serves on the Steering Committee of Move Oregon Forward, a statewide campaign for safe, clean, fair and accountable transportation, which BEST co-founded.
• administers Salem Bike Vision, a fiscally-sponsored project of BEST.
• maintains an understanding of the general mission and vision of important partner organizations, aiming to build up trust and collaboration.

EDUCATION: A Bachelor's degree.

EXPERIENCE:

• A minimum of three years’ senior management experience preferably in a non-profit organization;
• Track record of successful fundraising from agencies, foundations, individuals and businesses.

EQUIVALENCY STATEMENT: We want to find the best candidate for the job and that candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background. We encourage you to apply even if it seems like you may not meet all of the qualifications described. You are also encouraged to address how your professional and lived experience, scholarship, teaching, mentorship, and/or service will contribute to BEST’s mission.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to develop, maintain and support an effective Board of Directors and Board committees;
• Ability to manage and communicate budgets and finances;
• Ability to bring together diverse groups within the transportation and transportation-adjacent communities and to foster consensus recommendations.
• Ability to coach staff, manage and develop high-performance teams, and set and achieve strategic objectives;
• Ability to track relevant transportation policies.
• Strong marketing, public relations, and fundraising skills with the ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders and cultures;
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; a persuasive and passionate communicator;
• Ability to implement organizational Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion goals and policies;
• Proficiency in basic computer software (such as Google suite, databases, etc.);
• Ability to support a culture that welcomes and nurtures volunteers and donors.
• Ability to follow through on long term projects and outcomes and manage time, resources, partner relationships, and staff to this effect.
• Excellent collaboration, facilitation, and listening skills.
• Knowledge of transportation systems as well as the transportation funding environment.
• Knowledge of transportation policy and Eugene/Springfield/Lane County transportation landscape.
• Knowledge of methods for effecting transportation-related change.

REQUIREMENTS:

Pass a criminal background check and have access to reliable transportation to get to job sites.

JOB LOCATION, WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Work can generally be performed at the BEST office in Eugene or remotely but the ED frequently needs to attend in-person events at various locations in the greater Eugene-Springfield-Lane County area.

Pay: $75,000.00 - $85,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Eugene, OR 97401

Salary : $75,000 - $85,000