Founded in 2010, Common Sense Institute (CSI) is a non-partisan research organization dedicated to the protection and promotion of our economy. As a leading voice for free enterprise, CSI’s mission is to examine the fiscal impacts of policies and educate voters on issues that impact their lives.
CSI’s founders were a concerned group of business and community leaders who observed that divisive partisanship was overwhelming policymaking and believed that sound economic analysis could help people make fact-based and common sense decisions.
Common Sense Institute operates nationally in multiple states. CSI currently has state chapters in Arizona, Colorado, and Iowa; with plans to expand into additional states in the coming years. Each state has its own board of directors, however, all states operate under the same EIN and share services under a central office. This position would serve the CSI Oregon state chapter and report to the CEO.
About the Executive Director Role
The Executive Director is the key management leader of the Common Sense Institute Oregon. The Executive Director is responsible for overseeing the administration, strategic plan, and programming for the organization. Other key duties include fundraising, marketing, and community engagement & outreach. This position is responsible for the management of about 8-15 employees depending on the number of fellows at any given time. The position reports directly to the CEO.
The Executive Director will be based in the office in either Salem or Portland, Oregon.
Essential Duties/Responsibilities
- Mission Stewardship: Work with the CEO to fulfill the organization’s mission
- Responsible for leading Common Sense Institute in a manner that supports and guides the organization’s mission as defined by the Board of Directors
- Adheres to the organization’s advocacy policy
- Champion of non-partisanship and dynamic econometric research
- Work closely with the Oregon Board of Directors to seek their involvement in policy decisions, fundraising and to increase the overall visibility of the organization
- Fundraising & Financial Viability: Ensure the financial viability of the organization
- Responsible for fundraising and developing other revenues necessary to support Common Sense Institute’s mission
- Responsible for the fiscal integrity of Common Sense Institute, including working directly with the CEO on the budget, submission of financial statements, which accurately reflect the financial condition of the organization
- Organization Strategy: Work with the CEO, Board and staff to ensure the mission is fulfilled through programs, strategic planning and community outreach
- Responsible for implementation of Common Sense Institute’s programs that carry out the organization’s mission
- Work with the CEO to develop an annual strategic plan to ensure that Common Sense Institute can successfully fulfill its mission into the future
- Establish and maintain relationships with various organizations and utilize those relationships to strategically enhance Common Sense Institute
- Communications, Marketing & External Affairs
- Serve as Common Sense Institute’s primary spokesperson to the organization’s constituents, the media and the general public
- Identify ways to enhance Common Sense Institute’s brand in the state and identify partners
- Be active and involved in the community
- Establish and strengthen relationships with government leaders, elected officials, and other policy leaders
- Organization Operations: Oversee and implement appropriate resources to ensure that the operations of the organization are running smoothly
- Work directly with the CEO in the hiring and retention of competent, qualified staff
- Supervise, collaborate with organization staff
- Responsible effective administration of Common Sense Institute operations
Requirements
- 5+ years in a management role in public policy, the non-profit sector, or with a government agency
- Ability to travel ~20% mostly in Oregon and to other CSI state chapters
- Intellectual breadth and experience in Oregon public policy issues
- Passion for free enterprise
- Strong relationships in the Oregon policymaking community
- Strong quantitative background
- Strong experience fundraising
- Excellent communication skills and experience dealing with media and press
- Strong ability to collaborate and experience working with a board of directors
- Bachelor’s Degree; Master’s Degree in public policy or business preferred
- Experience working with database platforms preferred
- Willingness to work flexible hours including occasional evenings preferred
Employment Details and Benefits
- Full-Time in-person located in Salem or Portland, Oregon. We strive to provide a competitive compensation package
- Salary Range: $130,000-$170,000
- Benefits include: 401k after one-year of employment; up to 4% match; 50% health care reimbursement for individual and family (dental and vision too); 16 paid vacation days; including majority of holidays and extra days at Thanksgiving and Christmas; Paid sick leave; Annual educational and professional development; Fridays optional virtual day; Childcare/Elderly care/or Pet Care reimbursement
How to Apply
Qualified candidates should submit the following application materials (in order) in one PDF document:
- Cover letter explaining why you are qualified for this position, why you believe in free enterprise, and what distinguishes you from others
- Resume
- A list of 3-5 references
Applications should be submitted to Talent Market via this link: talentmarket.org/apply-for-your-dream-job/.
Questions can be directed to Katy Gambella, Director of Outreach at Talent Market, who is managing the search process: [email protected].
There is no application deadline for this position. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.This job will remain posted on our site until it is filled.
While we thank all applicants in advance for their interest in this position, we are only able to contact those to whom we can offer an interview. Only direct applications will be considered. No phone calls, please.
Talent Market is a nonprofit entity dedicated to promoting liberty by helping free-market nonprofits identify talent for critical roles. We provide consulting and recruiting services at no cost to 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations that clearly and directly focus on advancing the principles of economic freedom, free enterprise, free trade, free speech, property rights, rule of law, and limited regulation.