Executive Director
Oregon
Website: Oregon Consumer Justice
Unfair payday loans, debt collection and credit reporting, deceptive student loan services, hidden banking and credit fees, mortgage, housing, insurance and construction fraud, imposter scams, illegal towing, misrepresented medical and travel services, telecom monopolies, dishonest auto sales, repairs, and financing. The need for consumer justice is everywhere – and the majority of need isn’t being met.
Oregon Consumer Justice (OCJ) is committed to ensuring that all people in Oregon experience a safe and fair marketplace by building an equitable and sustainable ecosystem that puts people first, makes sure that every financial and business transaction is fair and safe, and that consumers have recourse when their rights are violated. OCJ advances the rights of consumers through advocacy, strategic litigation, research, education, and engagement, and works to bring consumer justice into balance for all Oregonians.
Founded through landmark class action settlement and legislation in 2017, OCJ has intentionally grown its board in the last year, expanding from three founding members to eight, thus strengthening its capacity and clarifying its approach. OCJ is now seeking an inaugural Executive Director who will bring vision and strategic leadership to shaping early-stage organizational development. The Executive Director will shepherd the organization’s early growth in a dynamic and challenging consumer landscape as we emerge from the pandemic with a focus on systems change that centers communities most impacted by consumer protection issues. S/he/they will be a bold, innovative, and relationship-oriented professional with a deep understanding of consumer justice and those disproportionately impacted by consumer issues. The ideal candidate will bring experience designing, developing, and building ambitious systems change initiatives that aim to shift the balance of power toward consumers. S/he/they will bring a sophisticated approach to leveraging systems change across policy/advocacy, legal practices, research, education, community engagement, and grantmaking, and possess a demonstrated commitment to embedding equity, supporting communities, and advocating for justice.
The Executive Director will have primary responsibility for collaboratively developing a clear vision and strategic priorities, building the organization’s reputation as a trusted partner, and representing the organization externally. The Executive Director will bring design thinking to building a strong staff team and organizational systems, as well as setting organizational culture that reflect OCJ’s mission, vision, and values. S/he/they will be an outstanding connector and communicator who is able to engage a variety of constituencies, from grassroots leaders to policymakers, politicians, economists, and legal experts, as well as to the broader public. This is an exciting opportunity for a sophisticated and entrepreneurial leader who is deeply committed to advancing consumer justice on behalf of impacted communities and individuals.
TO APPLY
This search is being led by Carolyn Ho, Catherine Seneviratne, and Sarah Hecklau of NPAG. Due to the pace of this search, candidates are strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Candidates may submit their cover letter, outlining their interest and qualifications, along with their resume via NPAG’s candidate portal.
OCJ is an equal opportunity employer. We endeavor to celebrate the diversity and lived experiences of all members of our nation and community without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, disability, veteran status, or record of arrest or conviction.
Our Lead
Carolyn Ho
She/Her/Hers
Vice President
Carolyn’s approach to executive search is grounded in her experience as an Executive Director and her passion for the nonprofit sector’s role in catalyzing change and addressing society’s most pressing issues.