Street Trust Executive Director
About the Street Trust
The Street Trust is a non-profit membership organization working to promote and improve public transit, walking and bicycling conditions throughout Oregon. Since 1990, The Street Trust (formerly the Bicycle Transportation Alliance) has worked in partnership with citizens, businesses, community groups, government agencies, and elected officials to create communities where people can meet their daily transportation needs through active transportation.
Our Mission We advocate for healthy and thriving communities where it is safe and easy for people to bike, walk and ride public transit.
Our Vision We envision a region where all those who call our community home embrace walking, biking and riding transit. Our Equity Policy Statement We envision a community where everyone from all racial backgrounds has access to safe, healthy, and affordable transportation options in the neighborhoods where they live, work, learn, pray, and play. We want all residents to equally share in the prosperity created by investments in active transportation regardless of race, income and socio-economic status.
Our Programs The Street Trust is at work across Oregon, in classrooms and the streets, encouraging and advocating for safe and accessible transportation in our state. We are heartened, because we have a great foundation on which to build—2016 featured many successes, including:
1. Vision Zero: In conjunction with Oregon Walks, we made great progress pushing for safer streets through the City of Portland’s Vision Zero effort to eliminate all road deaths by 2025. There is much work to be done here, as 2016 was one the deadliest years on our roads in the last decade. But, we believe that working with our government and advocacy partners across the region will allow us to develop streets that are safe for everyone, all the time.
2. Safe Routes to School: We helped secure $1.5 million—an unprecedented investment— for Safe Routes to School. After a two-year campaign, the For Every Kid Coalition was thrilled to see this win.
3. Bike More Challenge: We launched our re-invented Bike More Challenge encouragement program, where all bicycle trips counted; making 2016 our most successful year with more than 11,000 riders.
4. Education: We taught more than 10,000 kids statewide, through our bike and pedestrian safety classes, while more than 265 Oregon schools registered and participated in Walk + Bike encouragement events. We have a professional staff of 15, with headquarters in Portland, Oregon.
The Street Trust has an annual operating budget of approximately $1.3 million. Please visit www.thestreettrust.org to learn more about The Street Trust’s programs, leadership and history. The Opportunity Mission expansion, rebranding and the creation of the 501(c) (4) Political Action Committee offers an exciting opportunity and challenge for the next Executive Director of the Street Trust. In recent years, we have seen the limits of focusing our work solely on bicycles. As a result, we made the decision in 2016 to expand our mission to include all modes of active transportation. Our mission expansion comes at a critical time for the region and Oregon. This region is in the midst of an intense growth period, and our transit, bike and pedestrian investments are not keeping pace with the needs. Seattle and Los Angeles have invested billions in local transit, for example, while Oregon continues to fall behind. We believe Oregon and the Portland Metro region needs to think bigger, if we’re going to remain competitive and ensure that every community has access to safe and high-quality bike, walking and transit facilities. As part of our strategy, we will launch a 501(c)(4) advocacy arm and Political Action Committee, to strengthen our hand as we seek to hold our elected and appointed officials accountable for investments in safe streets. The Executive Director will lead our efforts to build a broader coalition of non-profits, governments and the private sector to advance transportation investment needs. This will involve research, campaigns, regional leadership and representing the Street Trust in high profile opportunities.
The Position The Street Trust seeks an Executive Director to work closely with a committed Board of Directors, dedicated staff and key stakeholders to advance the organization’s mission. The Executive Director will provide strategic leadership, ensure the development and delivery of innovative programs and guide the advocacy efforts of our new 501 (c) (4). They will serve as the public face of the organization and work with local partners to collaboratively advance the mission. The Executive Director will lead all fundraising activities. They will work closely with the Board of Directors to ensure The Street Trust’s financial integrity. The Executive Director will directly supervise the organization’s six-person leadership team consisting of Director of Finance / Operations, Policy Director, Communications Director, Education Director, Development Director and Campaign Director. Profile of the Successful Candidate The successful candidate will have a broad understanding of the regional challenges we face, and an appreciation for safe and sustainable transportation. They will bring a deep commitment to and passion for smart growth and healthy communities.
Prior Experience Experience in a senior leadership position. Preference given for experience in transportation, smart growth or other sustainability organization; Proven experience in an advocacy role is highly desired. 501 (c) (4) experience with interplay of (c) 3 and (c4) preferred; A track record in fundraising and development, cultivating major donors, ensuring foundation, government and business philanthropic support; Experience with budget preparation and oversight that assures the financial integrity of the organization; Substantial experience successfully managing professional staff; Experience leading and collaborating with an effective Board of Directors; Demonstrated commitment to social justice; Demonstrated record of community building in low income neighborhoods and communities of color; Proven history of collaborative leadership and success building effective partnerships with related organizations. Experience in public speaking, community and government relations as well as working with the press. Skills Ability to communicate clearly through written and oral, formal and informal, electronic and traditional means in addition to media engagement; Demonstrated ability to manage a dynamic organization, have a strong public presence – articulate, optimistic and energetic – with the ability to motivate and inspire people at all levels; Solid financial management skills; Strong human resources management skills; Uses their time effectively and efficiently; values time; concentrates efforts on the most important priorities; Leadership Competencies Manages Vision and Purpose - Communicates a compelling and inspired vision or sense of core purpose; talks beyond today; talks about possibilities; is optimistic; creates mileposts and symbols to rally support behind the vision; makes the vision sharable by everyone. Business Acumen and Strategic Agility - Sees ahead clearly; can anticipate future consequences and trends accurately; has broad knowledge and perspective; is future oriented; can articulately paint credible pictures and visions of possibilities and likelihoods; can create competitive and breakthrough strategies and plans. Interpersonal Agility - Relates well to all kinds of people inside and outside the organization; builds appropriate rapport; builds constructive and effective relationships; uses diplomacy and tact; can defuse even high-tension situations comfortably. Equity and Inclusion - Is committed to social justice. Understands multiple cultural frameworks, values, and norms. Demonstrates an ability to flex style when faced with myriad dimensions of culture. Understands the dynamics of cross-cultural and inclusion related conflicts, tensions, misunderstandings, or opportunities. Political Savvy - Can maneuver through complex political situations effectively and quietly; is sensitive to how people and organizations function. Ability to translate strategy into relationships and action plans. Organizing - Can marshal resources (people, funding, material, support) to get things done; can orchestrate multiple activities at once to accomplish a goal; uses resources effectively and efficiently; arranges information and files in a useful manner. Leads People - Creates strong morale and spirit in their team; shares wins and successes; fosters open dialogue; lets people finish and be responsible for their work; defines success in terms of the whole team; creates a feeling of belonging in the team. Action Oriented - Enjoys working hard; creates and seizes opportunities at a high level.
Compensation The Street Trust offers a competitive salary and benefits package. To Apply Please submit a resume and letter of interest to: Jim Morris, Senior Consultant Solid Ground Consulting 1737 NE Alberta Street, Suite 205 Portland, Oregon 97211 503-249-0000 jim@solidgroundconsulting.com