Executive Director

Ready to make history while surrounded by natural beauty?

After 37 years of successful volunteer leadership, the Peninsula Trails Coalition (PTC) is seeking its first Executive Director to lead them into a dynamic new chapter. This pivotal role offers the chance to leverage your executive-level experience and passion for the outdoors to connect communities and complete the iconic Olympic Discovery Trail.

If you’re a proven leader and natural relationship builder known for your collaborative approach, this is your chance to lead a dedicated Board of Trail Builders, a passionate community of trail volunteers, and to connect with diverse stakeholders to make a tangible impact on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula.

Read the full job description and application details.

Organizational Overview

The Peninsula Trails Coalition (PTC) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation, in its 37th year of existence as an all-volunteer-based organization dedicated to fostering the development, maintenance, and completion of the Olympic Discovery Trail in northwest Washington State.

The Rails to Trails Conservancy (RTC) has designated the Olympic Discovery Trail in Jefferson & Clallam Counties, and the Sound to Olympics Trail across Kitsap County, as the western extension route of the RTC’s nation-spanning Great American Rail-Trail.

Trail building progress to date includes 92 miles of completed trail in Clallam and Jefferson counties built with support from PTC. PTC also partners with like-minded organizations to fill regional trail gaps between Seattle and the Pacific Coast.

In 2024, PTC celebrated annual revenue of ~$575,000 utilizing a team of three contracted part-time staff (Development Manager, Relationship Manager, Maintenance Manager), more than 1,100 volunteers for trail maintenance tasks and 130 trail segment adopters. Support for operations is currently derived from donor appeals and events.

The current all-volunteer working Board of Directors desires to transition to a governing Board to work effectively with an Executive Director and professional staff.

The Peninsula Trails Coalition is poised for a period of rapid growth that could see the Olympic Discovery Trail completed within the next 20 years.

Position Summary

The Executive Director (ED) will lead the PTC in an exciting phase of growth and key initiative implementation. The ED will serve as the primary fundraiser and chief spokesperson. Working with the President and Executive Committee, and with support of the full Board of Directors and contracted staff, the Executive Director will advance the strategic goals and objectives of the Peninsula Trails Coalition mission and vision. The Executive Director is responsible for the management and sustainability of the organization as it seeks to broaden impact and strengthen town-to-town connectivity through a natural environment of trails. The ED will forge lasting partnerships with local stakeholders, communities, and government entities. The Executive Director will be a community connector, fundraiser, and natural relationship-builder. While experience in the environmental sector and trail management is important, an experienced leader in other relevant nonprofit sectors or with relevant management and program development experience would be encouraged to apply.

Schedule and Benefits

This position is full-time (approx. 40 hours per week), salary, exempt, with flexibility to set your own work schedule while maintaining organizational and staff needs. This position is currently housed in a Port Angeles office location although home based work can be accommodated with an expectation of taking in-person meetings and attending local events along the current and future trail corridor. This position requires travel throughout the covered region and occasional evening and weekend commitments.

This position will not receive much day-to-day supervision but will be expected to be self directed and to communicate extensively with the President about weekly activities. This is a great opportunity for someone who is a motivated self-starter who is able to optimize the flexibility to set their own schedule.

Status: Full-time, salary, exempt, with a largely self-managed schedule, reports to PTC Board President

Starting Compensation Range: $98,000-$110,000 per year, DOE

Benefits:

•   WA State Sick Leave
• 14 days paid time off in addition to flexible scheduling  11 paid holidays
• Generous Health Insurance and Retirement Contribution Stipend of $15,000/yr with formal benefits to be designed within 12 months of hire.
• Mileage reimbursement: standard federal rate for transportation for all miles of business use of personal vehicle
• Professional development and continuing education opportunities

Primary Responsibilities

Planning & Strategy

•  Develop strategies for PTC’s future and build an understanding of the vision, mission, goals and their impact, in collaboration with the staff, board, stakeholders, and the community at large. Develop and facilitate a collaborative and active strategic and annual planning process with the Board, staff, and other stakeholders. Manage execution of the annual plan and organizational goals. The ED will play an integral role in the 2027-2031 Strategic Plan update process.
• Embrace the leadership role and be knowledgeable about trends in the trails industry. Collaborate with with a diverse range of stakeholders including local, regional, state, and federal elected leaders, neighboring counties, jurisdictional and Tribal staff, Tribal governments, and land trust staff to promote and secure the Olympic Discovery Trail and its regional trail connections such as the Sound to Olympics Trail in Kitsap County and the overarching Puget Sound to Pacific Collaborative.
• Consistently network with state, regional, Tribal, and local civic leaders to collaborate with PTC on its mission, and its impact.
• Support the Olympic Discovery Trail’s completion within 20 years and ensure trail maintenance and enhancement as a top jurisdictional priority.
• Facilitate a collaborative planning and maintenance process with jurisdictional trail managers.

Finance

•  Working in partnership with PTC’s accounting firm and the Board Treasurer, ensure that sound budgeting and accounting systems are in place (such as appropriate financial controls and risk-management strategies) to protect the organization’s assets and to ensure that resources are used strategically.
• Provide complete, accurate and transparent fiscal record-keeping and reporting to the board for evaluation of fiscal health, activities, progress, forecasting, and impact.
• Ensure that projects are sufficiently budgeted for and linked to projected income. Oversee and review all contract administration, consultant agreements, annual insurance, property management, and other contractual obligations and legal requirements.

Fundraising

•  Create, strategize, implement, and track fundraising plans and initiatives in line with organizational objectives and budgetary needs, in collaboration with the contracted Development Manager, Relationship Manager, and external consultants.
• Lead fundraising efforts and planned giving programs as the chief relationship cultivator through relationship building, networking, and regular presence in the community.
• Expand current grant and funding opportunities with support of the Relationship Manager and Development Manager, including oversight and submission of grant applications and funding proposals. Develop capital campaign initiatives in support of trail easement acquisitions.
• Utilize fundraising skills to excel in donor cultivation, donor relationships, securing Legacy donors, fundraising event development, grant writing, and in connecting with foundations to gain their monetary support.

Personnel Management & Board Relations

•  Working in partnership with PTC’s accounting firm and the Board Treasurer, ensure that sound budgeting and accounting systems are in place (such as appropriate financial controls and risk-management strategies) to protect the organization’s assets and to ensure that resources are used strategically.
• Provide complete, accurate and transparent fiscal record-keeping and reporting to the board for evaluation of fiscal health, activities, progress, forecasting, and impact.
• Ensure that projects are sufficiently budgeted for and linked to projected income.
• Oversee and review all contract administration, consultant agreements, annual insurance, property management, and other contractual obligations and legal requirements.

Community Relations & Programming

•  Oversee the development and execution of programs, initiatives, and projects to develop trail agreements, which includes developing trail plan priorities, landowner outreach, negotiations, and working through the process to complete and record legal agreements. Ensure best practices to legally protect trails.
• Build and maintain relationships with landowners and government entities to implement trail goals and respond to inquiries about trail projects.
• Serve as the face of the organization in the community to engage, interact, and communicate PTC’s mission to audiences and stakeholder groups, legislative bodies (cities, counties, states, tribes, federal government), and other groups and influencers.
• Identify and support opportunities for public-private partnerships that could be beneficial to trail users and the local economy.
• Maintain and enhance ongoing relations with other nonprofits, business and education groups, and community leaders.
• Connect with diverse groups and individuals to encourage volunteers to join the trail effort.  
• With the support of our strategy consultant and independent contractors (social media, events), facilitate the organization’s marketing and communications initiatives, including the website, social media, e- and newsletters, and additional materials as needed.
• Evaluate and implement a high level organizational relationship with jurisdictional trail maintenance organizations to maintain the Olympic Discovery Trail and Olympic Adventure Trail in the best condition practical for trail users using the combined resources of our organization, jurisdictional partners, volunteer trail section adopters and trail maintenance teams.

Other Duties

•  Other duties as assigned by the Board President in concurrence with the Board and in support of the Organization.

Duties may change as business needs dictate. The above list is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, skills and responsibilities.

Skills and Experience

A passion for developing trails enjoyed by users of all ages and abilities to be active in nature is vital for success in this role. The ED will have a track record of nonprofit leadership and fundraising success, and the ability to implement mission-focused strategy with little oversight. The ED will be a skilled communicator and a collaborative leader with the ability to execute the strategic plan, support the board’s transition from a working board to a governing board, and keep the organization on course to adding trail miles and creating a sustainable organization.

Desired Qualifications

• Applicants must live in, or be able to relocate to, Washington State’s Olympic Peninsula (cities include Port Angeles, Sequim and surrounding areas), be eligible to work in the United States, and successfully pass background checks.
• Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate field (planning, nonprofit management, business administration, environmental management, etc.) with experience. A Master’s degree is a plus.
• Five years’ experience in a senior leadership role in the nonprofit or community sector job with similar management, budget, and fundraising responsibilities.
• Passion for the mission, a champion of the organization, and desire to lead the Peninsula Trails Coalition to the next level.
• Experience with community relations and community involvement, collaborations, partnerships, and networking. Demonstrated success in developing strategic partnerships and building community relationships.
• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills to communicate successfully with people of diverse races, gender, abilities and economic backgrounds, including the ability to write, speak, present, and listen effectively.
• Embody qualities of empathy, care, honesty, and understanding; demonstrate the ability to lead through authentic interpersonal relationship-building and with astute conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to maintain an organizational culture that attracts, retains, and motivates staff, membership and donors.
• Excellent organizational and analytical skills as demonstrated by the ability to collect, develop, assess, and blend information and recommendations from a wide variety of sources.
• Demonstrated successful fundraising experience, including working with donors, sponsors, foundations, etc.
• Experience with federal and state funding sources including writing, implementation, delivery, and close-out procedures.
• Knowledge of accessible design for people with disabilities, including ADA and Universal Design.
• Demonstrated knowledge of property acquisition practices and the ability to raise funding for trail easement acquisition would be a valuable asset.
• Proficient computer skills to use email, internet tools, CRM software, and Microsoft Office.
• Demonstrated ability to transition a working Board to a governing Board is a plus.
• Experience working for or serving as Executive Director of a land trust, trail building organization, outdoor education facility, or similar nature-based organization is a plus.

How to Apply

 Form applications only, please no in-person, email, or paper submissions. Applicants are asked to submit a complete application via Google Forms that includes a resume, cover letter, question responses, and writing sample.

Applications received by July 18, 2025 will be given full consideration; early applications are strongly encouraged! All applications will be acknowledged via email receipt.

Consideration will be given to applications as soon as they are received; phone interviewing will begin in July and in-person interviewing is anticipated to begin in early August.

A complete application package includes:

•  Resume
• Cover letter
• Question responses:
  • What about the Peninsula Trails Coalition mission and vision resonates with you? Which of your skills would help the organization realize PTC’s vision?
  • What have you learned in your work or fundraising experience with nonprofits that would help you be a successful inaugural Executive Director of PTC?
  •   How would you describe your leadership style, and how has it been put to the test?
• Example of a written product you created from a current or previous job or volunteer role; i.e., grant application, newsletter or website article, donor letter, etc.

Questions regarding this opportunity are welcomed and can be directed to: KC Upshaw, Kinship HR | KC@KinshipHR.com