Executive Director

Executive Director – Climate Justice AllianceLocation: Remote or Berkeley, CAPosted: September 19, 2024OverviewClimate Justice Alliance (CJA) brings together frontline communities and organizations to form a powerful force within the climate movement. CJA’s goal is to drive away from extractive systems of production, consumption, and political oppression and towards economies that are resilient, regenerative, and equitable. CJA employs a strategy that combines local organizing with a robust capacity to mobilize, ensuring that the voices of those most affected by climate change are heard and prioritized. CJA centers race, gender, and class in all solutions to ensure inclusivity and equity. Today, CJA consists of 72 diverse member organizations representing a wide range of cultural, generational, and geographical backgrounds, prioritizing leadership among women, gender-oppressed individuals, and people of color. Members come from Indigenous, African American, Latinx, Asian Pacific Islander, and low-income white communities, often located near highly polluting industries such as oil refineries, fracking wells, coal mines, and other extractive sites.Together, CJA’s members focus on:Empowering communities on the frontlines of climate change to take bold, transformative actions against the harm caused by the extractive economy.Building resilient, regenerative, and equitable economies grounded in local ecological and social networks.Uncovering and challenging false solutions to the climate crisis, ensuring that resources are directed toward genuine, sustainable change.Holding governments and industries accountable and advocating for bold, courageous climate actions.CJA members have achieved significant victories against polluting industries, preventing new carbon emissions, and championing local solutions that incorporate traditional ecological and cultural knowledge. The alliance is committed to creating a regenerative and just future.Learn more about Climate Justice Alliance at .The OpportunityAs CJA builds on momentum from strategic power-building across communities and begins a new strategic planning process, CJA seeks a talented Executive Director dedicated to creating a world where everyone can thrive. This leader will be dynamic, innovative, and adaptable, spearheading efforts to strengthen coalitions and empower organizations, groups, and leaders committed to climate the years ahead, the Executive Director will collaborate with a strong network of partners to address critical issues at the intersection of climate change, equity, and social and racial justice. With a focus on communities most impacted by systemic inequities, the ED will foster deep-rooted, authentic relationships with individuals and communities leading climate justice movements across the nation.CJA is seeking an inclusive, thoughtful, and strategic leader who aligns with its mission and has the expertise to elevate the membership base to greater impact.Key responsibilitiesKey responsibilities include but are not limited to:Cultivating an empowering organizational culture, advancing strategic vision and planning, and maintaining accountability to the membership base.Enhancing leadership, capacity, and commitment among CJA staff, board, member groups, allies, and donors.Promoting coordination, communication, and collaboration within CJA's internal team and across its membership.Ensuring accountability and appropriate delegation of all organizational duties and tasks.Collaborating with the lateral leadership team to effectively implement CJA’s strategic plans, drive innovation, and achieve success in organizational strategies and programs, including leading strategic communications, external relations, and fundraising.Prioritizing and advancing racial equity within CJA’s operations, culture, and programmatic efforts.Developing and sustaining CJA's political and strategic vision alongside the Board of Directors while ensuring fiscal health, governance, and legal compliance.Candidate ProfileWhile no candidate is expected to possess every quality outlined, a successful candidate for the Executive Director role will demonstrate many of the following professional competencies and personal attributes:Passion for Climate Justice and Community EmpowermentThe Executive Director will reflect integrity and commitment towards truly supporting communities to exercise their power and voice around the climate crisis. This leader will believe deeply in community-led organizing, coalition-building, and social justice. They will have a deep-seated passion for building power among and across communities, focusing on amplifying empowerment and self-determination and creating lasting change. Through values-aligned practices, action, and communication, this leader will demonstrate a commitment to supporting and uplifting the expertise of BIPOC communities, elevating their power to realize common goals, and strengthening the movement around a shared vision of climate justice.A Change Agent and OrganizerGuided by a deep understanding of the indispensable role movements play in creating social change, the ED will bring experience leading grassroots, movement-based climate justice work to support systems-level change. The ED will bring an ability to guide CJA in building coalition partnerships and advancing structural change across ecosystems related to climate justice, indigenous communities, sovereign food systems, and racial and economic justice. This experienced advocate will employ power-building strategies to empower impacted communities, including communities of color, to upend unjust systems and advance climate justice for all.Collaboration, Partnership, and Coalition BuildingA natural collaborator valuing varied perspectives, the ED will be skilled at building and sustaining relationships across all levels of the organization, including staff, Board, funders, members, external allies, and the media. Leading with humility, the ED will foster a culture where all staff can thrive, and new allies and partners feel welcome.Skill in Fundraising and Communicating ImpactThe ED will communicate effectively to a broad group of stakeholders, including current and potential funders and donors. As an engaged listener with strong communication and collaboration skills, the ED will build and enhance CJA through strong funding partnerships and by implementing the strategic plan, strengthening engagement and visibility with advocates and supporters.Shared Purpose, Equity, and BelongingThe ED will lead a team of individuals from varied backgrounds and lived experiences, fostering a collaborative culture where all feel welcome and valued. They will bridge differences around race, socioeconomic status, gender, and other aspects of identity and will contribute to coalition building toward strategic pensation, Benefits and Work EnvironmentSalary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The salary range is $140,000-$150,000, with a generous benefits package, including:20 days of vacation leave per year;14 standard holidays per year;12 sick days per year;1 month of paid parental leave in the first year, with eligibility for up to 2 additional months in the second year and up to 3 months overall;3-month sabbatical leave after 5 years of continuous full-time employment;Medical, vision, and dental insurance for employees and dependents (requires a 30-day waiting period);100% employer-sponsored basic life, short-term and long-term disability insurance;Access to Flexible Spending Account (FSA) benefits.Schedule and TravelStandard days and hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the time zone of the employee. Daily schedule is flexible within this window and will be decided in consultation with CJA’s Board and team. Moderate domestic travel (2-4 times per quarter) is required for meetings or conferences.Physical RequirementsAbility to work at a computer and participate in video conferencing, speaking and typing for extended periods. Occasional physical tasks include logistics during travel, lifting items up to 25 lbs, coordinating meals, and driving. CJA is willing to make reasonable accommodations.ContactKoya Partners has been exclusively retained for this engagement. Express interest in this role by [insert method or link]. All inquiries and discussions are confidential.Koya Partners l Diversified Search Group is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals living with disabilities. If you need assistance expressing interest online, please email [insert email]. If selected for an interview, you will receive information on how to request an accommodation for the interview process.Climate Justice Alliance is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, disability, gender, nationality, ethnicity, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, sexual orientation or any other status protected by law. People of color and LGBTQ candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.About Koya Partners l Diversified Search GroupKoya Partners, a Diversified Search Group company, is a mission-driven leadership search firm. Learn more about Koya Partners l Diversified Search Group via the following link. #J-18808-Ljbffr

Created: 2025-09-24