Executive Director

Title: Executive Director

Position: Full-Time/Exempt.

Location: Remote Office. Able to travel state-wide.

Salary/Benefits: $110,000-$115,000/year. 4% retirement match, 4 weeks vacation, health insurance stipend.

Reports to: Board President

About Oregon STEM

Oregon STEM is a statewide nonprofit dedicated to advocacy for STEM education and creating broad awareness for the importance of STEM education to Oregon's future workforce and long-term economic prosperity. We convene education, workforce, industry, and community leaders to expand equitable access to high-quality, strategic STEM learning opportunities and ensure STEM education remains central to the state's talent and economic strategies. With more than 445,000 high-wage STEM jobs projected by 2033, our work focuses on aligning education strategies with workforce needs, creating clear and equitable pathways into high-demand careers, and removing barriers for historically underrepresented learners.

At the heart of our mission is the belief that equitable access to high-quality STEM education fuels both community and individual prosperity. Oregon STEM embraces nonprofit leadership as service — working to ensure that every learner in Oregon, regardless of geography, background, or circumstance, has the chance to discover their potential, connect with meaningful pathways, and contribute to a future-ready state. We achieve our mission by building and maintaining strong partnership with statewide Oregon STEM Hubs, industry partners, legislators, and community-based organizations.

Oregon STEM's strategic plan is anchored in four priorities:

• Awareness – Elevating STEM in education, workforce, and policy conversations.
• Alignment – Strengthening collaboration and coordination across sectors.
• Partnerships – Building accessible, equitable opportunities and pathways.
• Measure What Matters – Using data and research to inform decisions, track progress, and guide investments.

Position Overview
The Executive Director (ED) provides leadership and support for our strategic direction, as well as managing internal operations. The ED serves as a statewide champion for STEM learning, builds alignment between education and workforce systems, and ensures the sustainability of Oregon STEM's role as a trusted convener, advocate, and partner in innovation. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the ED drives partnerships, fundraising, and communications to advance equitable access to STEM learning and career pathways for all Oregon students.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & System Alignment

• Implement Oregon STEM's strategic plan and ensure alignment to the four priorities.
• Central contact for education, workforce, and industry leaders to support implementation of the Oregon STEM Education plan for cradle-to-career pathways.
• Listen and learn from the Hubs to align interests and identify opportunities for collaboration.
• Oversee board engagement in Oregon STEM's strategic priorities.
• Provide relevant and current information to board members for strategic decision-making and active engagement with advocacy, partnerships, and Hub activities.
• Synthesize and share collective data from Hubs to strengthen understanding of STEM needs across the state.

Advocacy & Policy Leadership

• Serve as a statewide advocate for STEM education and workforce readiness with legislators, state agencies, educators, and industry consortia.
• Advance policies that expand access to STEM learning, strengthen math and science outcomes, and align K–12 with workforce priorities.
• Represent Oregon STEM at regional, state, and national levels to bring investment and visibility to Oregon.
• Advocate for increased corporate, philanthropic, and public funding and sustained investment in statewide STEM education and the regional STEM Hubs as a cornerstone of Oregon's economic and workforce strategies.
• Engage representatives of Hubs, Board, and STEM supporters to deliver testimony, appear at hearings and share experiences with government, legislative and corporate entities.

Fundraising

• Lead fundraising and resource development for organizational sustainability, including philanthropy, corporate sponsorships, fee-for-service opportunities, and other opportunities.
• Manage government and private grants implementing statewide program dollars.
• Build a sustainable fundraising plan including opportunities for board engagement, corporate investments and individual donors.

Organizational Sustainability

• Oversee all organization administrative activities ensuring strong fiscal management including developing and reporting on the annual budget.
• Support board of directors and committees with regular updates.
• Ensure fiscal and legal compliance with all state and federal laws governing nonprofit management, donor engagement, and business filings.
• Engagement and oversight of contractors (bookkeeper, communications, etc.) to perform work, as needed, on behalf of Oregon STEM.
• Regular Hub Communications, including virtual and in-person gatherings, partnering opportunities, media opportunities, and visits.

Partnerships & Collective Impact

• Advocate for the inclusion of historically underrepresented communities in statewide STEM strategies to ensure equity remains central to all initiatives.
• Strengthen Oregon STEM's role as a convener and trusted partner across Pre-K–20 education, workforce boards, and industry sectors.
• Support the Hub Network in advancing innovation, sustainability, and collective practice.

Communications & Awareness

• Lead statewide communications and storytelling to highlight the impact of equitable STEM education and the STEM Hub Network on access, student success, and opportunity.
• Develop and implement communications campaigns, digital outreach, and media strategies to share the impact and importance of STEM education.
• Monthly newsletter, success stories, develop campaigns, digital outreach for HUBS and external partners.

Candidate Profile

Candidates will bring a mix of skills and talents to this role. These may include:

• Demonstrated success leading complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives across education, workforce, and industry sectors.
• Proven nonprofit or organizational leadership experience.
• Strong advocacy skills and experience influencing policy and legislation at the state or national level.
• A strong record of fundraising and donor development, with experience securing and stewarding philanthropic, corporate, and other funding for collective impact.
• Knowledge of Oregon education policy and systems, particularly Pre-K–20, CTE, STEM, and postsecondary alignment.
• Understanding of workforce priorities in key sectors such as semiconductors, healthcare, clean energy, advanced manufacturing, and technology.
• Demonstrated ability to convene diverse stakeholders, build authentic partnerships, and create collaborative solutions across sectors.
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and removing barriers for historically underrepresented learners and communities.
• Exceptional communication and storytelling skills, with the ability to engage legislators, industry leaders, educators, funders, and the public.
• Ability to work independently with sound judgment and initiative, while also excelling in collaborative environments.
• A mission-driven ethos that embraces nonprofit leadership as service, championing STEM learning opportunities with the goal of equitable prosperity for all Oregon students.
• Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience

Application Information

Nonprofit Professionals Now is pleased to be supporting Oregon STEM in this key leadership role. Applicants are asked to submit a resume and a cover letter by the deadline. All applications will be reviewed and considered.

Application Deadline: Sunday, December 14, 2025