Donate Life Northwest’s mission is to save and enhance lives
through the promotion of organ, eye and tissue donation.
Position Announcement: Executive Director
Since 1975, Donate Life Northwest has established and fostered strong
partnerships with the general public; recipients, donors and donor families; the
Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles; organ, eye and tissue donation agencies;
transplant centers; and educators. Recognized nationally for the achievement of
registering 74% of Oregon’s licensed drivers, Donate Life Northwest focuses on
educating and motivating citizens of Oregon and SW Washington to register as a
donor and to share their donation decision, doing so through high school and college
outreach, social media, community organizations and the Oregon Department of
Motor Vehicles.
Donate Life Northwest has ten staff members (8.25 FTE) and a budget in the range
of $900,000. The Board of Directors represents the transplant and donation
community through recipients, donor family members, medical professionals and
community members.
Donate Life Northwest is a collaborative and mutually supportive place to work.
Every staff member is valued for her/his individual strengths, creativity and
leadership. The organizational culture promotes team building, initiative, humor,
and a healthy work/life balance. Staff is exposed to powerful stories of hope while
working with diverse partners.
Mary Jane Hunt, our outstanding and highly successful executive director, has
announced her intention to retire in June. The Board intends to appoint her
successor in time to allow a seamless transition.
As Executive Director, you will work closely with the Board of Directors to pursue
Donate Life Northwest’s mission in all its aspects. We are seeking a team leader
who really knows how to bring out the best in Board members, staff, volunteers,
partners and the general public; can build on our existing program strengths; and
can make use of Donate Life Northwest’s exemplary reputation as an agency that
makes organ, eye and tissue donation really happen – day by day, donor by donor,
recipient by recipient.
Your keen community relations, fund raising, strategic planning, and organizational
development abilities will ensure that Donate Life Northwest continues to grow its
programs, both in terms of community impact and measurable results. As a changeready thought leader and champion of diversity and inclusion, you will support staff
as they find new ways to reach out into all the communities that we serve. The
board, staff, volunteers and our partners will appreciate your approachability,
solution-focused creative thinking, passion for our work, sense of humor, and
dedication to the mission.
Link to Donate Life Northwest’s home page: www.donatelifenw.org
Core competencies: the executive director has particular responsibility to:
 Support the Board in its duties of governance, strategy and oversight; and assist
in new Board member recruitment, training, and energetic engagement in
Donate Life Northwest’s mission
 Provide vision and leadership in the continuing development and
implementation of Donate Life Northwest’s strategic plan
 Collaborate with partner agencies and other stakeholders in the advancement of
common objectives; and build new partnerships for that purpose
 Maintain and strengthen Donate Life Northwest’s current contributor base, and
develop new, sustainable sources of financial support
 Ensure that the fiscal affairs of the organization are managed in accordance with
agency policies and GAAP
 Provide direction, supervision and leadership to the staff. S/he will create a
dynamic, positive environment that attracts, retains and motivates top quality
staff
 Develop ever-better metrics of success that accurately and powerfully
demonstrate the vital importance of this work
 Advocate on behalf of the mission, in collaboration with other professionally
related organizations, agencies, groups and stakeholders
Desired attributes: the successful candidate will:
 Embrace fully the mission and vision of Donate Life Northwest
 Take delight in building relationships and working with a volunteer Board
 Ask people to donate money, goods, and time, with good results
 Speak publicly to large and small audiences in a compelling way – and know how
and when to follow up on connections made!
 Create partnerships and collaborations, internally and externally
 Involve people meaningfully and efficiently in planning and decision-making
 Create a diverse, inclusive environment where all people feel welcomed
 Identify people’s strengths and create opportunities to learn and contribute
 Think creatively and serve as a thought leader
 When needed, lead teams of people through change positively and effectively
 Solve problems in a constructive way
 As needed, facilitate difficult conversations, resulting in improved situations
 Understand the nuances of nonprofit management
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Embrace technology
Manage crisis with urgency and poise
Offer a balance of practicality and optimism
Additional Knowledge and Skills Required:
 Exceptional verbal and written communication skills
 Excellent time management and organizational skills
 General understanding of employment laws, rules, and regulations
 Ability to coach, counsel, supervise, and evaluate job performance of assigned
staff in a timely manner
 Ability to maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality
Education and Experience:
 Minimum BA or BS, preferably in a relevant field; or equivalent experience
 Desirable: five years of relevant, paid experience as a director or manager of a
nonprofit organization
Salary: Disclosed to candidates invited to interview.
Benefits: Donate Life Northwest offers a generous benefit package that includes
health, dental and short term disability insurance (100% paid); 401K employer
contribution and match (after one year), comprehensive paid leave, parking and
flexible work schedules.
To submit an application: Please send your electronic application to Paul Parker,
Executive Transition Services consultant, at the Nonprofit Association of Oregon.
Applications submitted to Donate Life Northwest will not be accepted. Specifically:
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Send a cover letter (including how you heard about the position) and resume to
Pparker@nonprofitoregon.org stating “Donate Life Northwest” in the
“Subject” line, by Monday, March 10th 2014, 5:00 pm PST. Applications after
that time may not be considered.
An electronic acknowledgement will be sent to all applicants. Please do not
contact the Nonprofit Association of Oregon unless you submitted an application
and it was not acknowledged.
Equal Opportunity Employer
People from non-majority backgrounds are encouraged to apply.