POSITION SUMMARY

The Executive Director is the chief steward of Sustainable Connections mission, identity, and long-term regenerative impact while cultivating the conditions for staff, partners, and the wider community to flourish.

Guided by regenerative business principles, the Executive Director develops the capacity, creativity, and leadership of staff, strengthens cross-sector partnerships, deepens community relationships, and fosters a culture of learning, belonging, and co-creation. The ED works closely with the Board of Directors to shape strategic direction, ensure financial and operational health, and drive long-term organizational sustainability.

Reports to:Board of Directors

Status:Permanent, full-time (40 hours/week), exempt

Primary Work Location:Sustainable Connections Office, 1701 Ellis St., Bellingham, WA

On-site Requirement:Minimum 75% on-site presence; some community-based and occasional weekend work required. Hybrid flexibility as needed.

ABOUT US

Sustainable Connections is a nationally-recognized nonprofit working to advance a regenerative local economy in Northwest Washington one where businesses, communities, and ecosystems thrive together. Each year we collaborate with dozens of partner organizations and more than 500 local businesses to strengthen food systems, catalyze climate solutions, support resilient local enterprises, and expand access to housing among five main program areas: Think Local First, Toward Zero Waste, Food & Farming, Energy & Green Building, and Housing & Smart Growth. Founded in 2002, Sustainable Connections oversees a budget of approximately $3 million and employs a staff of 20.

Our work is grounded in regenerative principles: developing the capacity of people and places, designing from whole systems, fostering distributed leadership, and aligning action around a clear vision, our belief that communities flourish when local economies actively care for the land, the people, and each other.

We strongly encourage applications from people of color, people from working-class backgrounds, women, LGBTQIA+ people, and other members of marginalized communities. If you feel called to this work and believe you have the skills and lived experience to contributeeven if you do…