Deputy Director

Status:                        Regular, exempt position

Reports to:                 Executive Director

Location:                    Hybrid in Portland, OR preferred; Remote considered

Hours:                        Full time

Starting Salary:         $115,500 - $135,500 annually

Apply at:                     https://forthmobility.org/careers

BACKGROUND & SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITY

Forth is a fast-growing nonprofit with a mission to electrify transportation by bringing people together to create solutions that reduce pollution and barriers to access. Founded in the Pacific Northwest, we now work nationwide. Learn more on our website.

Forth’s continued rapid growth has created a new opportunity on our Leadership Team for an individual with a passion for inclusive leadership to help us build capacity and realize our strategic plan. This role oversees everything internal, freeing up the Executive Director to focus on external matters. We’re especially interested in candidates with proven experience building efficient systems and strong teams across multiple functional areas while achieving operational excellence and supporting healthy organizational growth.

We seek candidates who are enthusiastic about electric mobility and strengths-based leadership, and who share our commitment to racial diversity, equity, and inclusion. The Deputy Director must be a strategic leader, a strong communicator, a skillful manager, and an outstanding collaborator.  The successful candidate will be expected to lead a diverse team in a remote/hybrid environment, working closely with the Executive Director and Leadership under the guidance of a diverse board of directors.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Strategic Leadership (~40%)  The Deputy Director is responsible for ensuring that Forth’s strategic plan is proficiently executed, regularly updated, and clearly understood.

• Support Leadership Team members in developing clear and coordinated strategies and systems to guide their work.
• Lead cross-functional collaboration to advance our vision, mission, and values effectively. For example, develop and manage systems to ensure that hands-on programs, communications, fundraising, policy advocacy, and other strategies are coordinated to achieve strategic plan objectives.
• Work with the board, Leadership Team, and staff to regularly review and update the strategic plan and implementation work plans, and report progress and setbacks.
• Work with staff to set and meet clear benchmarks and outcomes, ensuring accountability through clear and regular reporting.
• Build a culture and systems that support high-quality, high-impact, coordinated, and well-implemented work in all functional areas.
• Ensure Forth’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is centered throughout our work. .
• Work with Leadership Team and Executive Director to set agenda for committee and board meetings.

Organizational Management and Efficiency (~20%)  The Deputy Director is responsible for ensuring that Forth is financially healthy, well-managed, and efficient.  The Deputy Director must effectively and responsibly manage available resources, prioritizing spending to support the organization’s mission.

• Collaborate with the Leadership Team to develop and execute annual budgets and develop systems to manage resources thoughtfully and effectively.
• Ensure contracts, insurance, and financial compliance systems are operating effectively to manage the organization’s financial and legal risks.
• Support clear, consistent, and inclusive management practices across the organization.
• Drive strategies that continuously improve the operational excellence of Forth’s team and internal systems.
• Design and manage key projects and special initiatives that relate to organizational efficiency and growth.
• Serve as Executive Director when the Executive Director is unavailable.

Organizational Development and Culture (~40%)  The Deputy Director is responsible for leading a strong and effective team and supporting an inspiring work environment.

• Directly manage the members of Forth’s Leadership Team, providing guidance, direction, and coaching. Build agendas for and facilitate Leadership Team meetings and retreats.
• Manage continuous improvement and performance evaluation processes, including goal setting, annual reviews, and professional development, using systems and guidelines established by Forth.
• Ensure team cohesion, effective strategy and tactics, efficient process, data-driven decision-making, systems to set and track KPIs, and proactive communication throughout the organization.
• Motivate, develop and support a strong, engaged, and efficient staff and foster a leadership culture based on strengths, meaningful recognition, and coaching.
• Operationalize diversity, equity, and inclusion in the organization’s structure, culture, and work.
• Champion best practices and continuous improvement, modeling adoption, and encouraging others to embrace organizational change.

Other responsibilities as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• A passion for Forth’s mission and values
• A demonstrated understanding of key diversity, equity, and inclusion concepts, and a commitment to deepen your commitment to DEI work
• 8+ years of experience leading a nonprofit and/or mission-driven organization
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field is preferred; an additional two years of relevant experience may be substituted
• Strong leadership skills, including:
  • Ability to connect with and influence people at all levels of the organization
  • Ability to guide strategic planning, monitoring, and implementation process
  • Skilled at change management and championing internal initiatives
  • Skilled at coaching and developing other leaders
  • Familiarity with strengths-based leadership
  • Ability to drive the big picture forward while being mindful of the details
• Excellent interpersonal and cross-cultural communications skills, both written and verbal; Ability to exercise tact and diplomacy in organizational settings
• Ability to build relationships and generate respect and trust from colleagues, direct reports, and external constituents
• Strong project management and organizational skills; demonstrated ability to manage multiple conflicting projects and meet deadlines while maintaining work-life balance
• Demonstrated flexibility and resourcefulness in setting priorities and bringing clarity to complex operational problems in an ambiguous, fast-moving environment
• Familiarity with organizational budgeting and financial reporting, ideally with nonprofit organizations.
• Experience collaborating with matrixed organizations; ability to use systems thinking and interpret complex stakeholder needs
• Strong computer skills and ability to learn new programs and tools.
• An ability to take the work seriously, without taking yourself too seriously
• Ideally located near our office in Portland, OR, or willing to relocate. However, we will consider exceptional remote candidates who are willing to travel to our office regularly.
• Willingness and ability to travel nationally, occasionally overnight, approximately 5%

Helpful

• Experience leading an organization through rapid growth
• Experience working for a non-profit organization with a mission-driven staff and board
• Experience with electric vehicles, transportation, energy, or climate change work.
• Advanced degree in a relevant field
• Valid driver’s license and good driving record 

COMPENSATION

Starting salary range is $115,500 - $135,500 annually, commensurate with experience. Excellent benefits include four weeks paid vacation annually, fully paid health, dental and vision insurance for the employee and all dependents and an employer retirement contribution after six months (no match required). We also provide access to electric vehicles for business use, a professional development budget, an Employee Assistance Program, and a flexible working schedule.

TO APPLY 

To ensure full consideration, please apply by February 27th by submitting your resume and cover letter through our careers site. We will continue accepting applications after this date but cannot ensure all will be reviewed. All candidates will be notified once we have made a hiring decision.

Forth values a diverse workforce. Women, people of color, people with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQI(+) community are strongly encouraged to apply. Forth believes an equitable and inclusive work environment and a diverse, empowered team are key to achieving our mission. We’re looking for candidates who can expand our culture, challenge business as usual, and bring their whole selves to work. We strive to provide those candidates with an equitable and accessible recruitment process. If we can offer accommodations for you in the recruitment process or you have feedback on how to make our recruitment more accessible, please contact Human Resources at jobs@forthmobility.org.

Forth is now requiring all employees to be fully vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19. If you join Forth’s team, you will be required to provide proof of vaccination to Human Resources within 30 days of hire. Forth will consider requests for exemptions from the vaccination requirement for medical and religious reasons.

Please apply through the link listed or through our Careers Page.