Job Announcement

Executive Director

Walk San Francisco seeks a results-driven, collaborative, experienced leader to lead a dynamic and effective non-profit organization working to make walking in San Francisco safe and enjoyable. This is a great opportunity to guide a rapidly growing organization to the next level, have an impact on the City of San Francisco, and continue to serve as a model of pedestrian safety advocacy for the rest of the nation.

ABOUT THIS POSITION:

The Executive Director is responsible for developing and implementing strategies to achieve the board’s vision and ultimately the mission of the organization. The ED manages, develops, and empowers a talented and dedicated staff of eight to conduct effective advocacy to achieve our mission. The ED promotes the diversity enjoyed by San Francisco’s communities, and ideally is reflective of that diversity. The ED is responsible for managing a $650,000 budget and fundraising to reach budgeted goals through cultivating individual donor relationships, and securing foundation grants and government contracts with the support of the organization’s outreach team. The ED is the primary public face of the organization, speaking to media, government agencies, and at public functions. The ED will work with staff, board members, community partners, government agencies, and our members to update the organization’s strategic plan, offering an opportunity for the ED to integrate their vision into the organization’s direction. Weekend and evening work will be required to attend board meetings, fundraising events, member programs, etc.

ABOUT WALK SAN FRANCISCO: 

Walk San Francisco’s mission is to make walking safe for everyone in San Francisco, so that our community is healthier and more livable. Walk SF works in collaboration with many partners to lift up the voices of people most likely to experience transportation inequities and ensure that transportation policies and projects support transportation justice. We work with our Vision Zero Coalition partners, Walk SF members, city agencies, elected officials, community-based organizations, residents, and businesses to improve streets and public spaces for everyone to enjoy. Along with our partners, Walk SF recently launched one of the nation’s first Vision Zero campaigns, to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 2024, because no one should have to risk their life while trying to get around. Walk SF also made San Francisco the first major city in California to create 15-mile-per-hour school zones around 181 schools and launched the nation’s first Walk to Work Day. Find out more about our groundbreaking work at walksf.org.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS: The Executive Director we seek will have a track record of leadership experience and policy/advocacy expertise, including most of the following attributes:

• Management experience, including a demonstrated ability to hire, develop, and manage talented and committed staff.
• Experience successfully leading policy/advocacy work in the area of transportation, public health, urban planning, social justice, sustainability, land use, or a related field. Walking-specific experience a plus.
• Experience with managing the day-to-day operations of a non-profit, including: budget, finance, contracts management, fundraising, etc.
• Experience securing and managing foundation grants, government contracts, individual donations, corporate sponsorships, etc.
• Commitment to Walk San Francisco’s mission and health/transportation equity.
• Experience working in a membership organization.
• Collaborative, results-oriented leadership style.
• Experience working on or with a non-profit board of directors.
• Ability to build and sustain coalitions.
• Ability to connect and engage with diverse partners, e.g. groups that represent those disproportionately impacted by crashes while walking: seniors, people with disabilities, low-income communities, and communities of color in San Francisco.
• Ability to set and manage priorities for the organization and staff.
• Astuteness in political environments (e.g. City and County of San Francisco, Sacramento, etc.) and ability to maintain professionalism in challenging situations.
• Ability to represent the organization with the media and public at large.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Master’s degree in public health, urban planning, public policy, or related field.

BENEFITS AND SALARY: Position is full-time, salaried. Compensation is negotiable, in the range of $80,000-$95,000 depending on experience. Benefits include generous vacation time, pre-tax transportation benefits, full health care coverage, retirement benefits, and dental/wellness benefits. Walk SF's office is centrally located and (of course) easy to reach on foot from public transportation.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS: Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. Applications submitted on or before Friday March 10th will be eligible for interviews taking place the week beginning Monday March 13th; applications received after this date may be accepted on a continuous basis.

To apply, please email:

1) cover letter

2) resume

3) three references

To NextEd@walksf.org, ideally all in one pdf. Use the subject line: Executive Director Application. 

Walk SF commits to advancing equity and diversity in all that we do. We are an Equal Opportunity employer, and particularly encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, people with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ community members, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community. 

Walk San Francisco provides a workplace that is free from discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, religious creed, national origin, age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, medical condition, veteran status or any other classification protected by applicable law in employment or service policies and practices.