Executive Director- Environmental Justice Focus

Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition; Detroit (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Benefits package

401(k)

Paid time off

Professional development

Lead statewide EJ movement

Job summary

The Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition seeks an Executive Director to lead a staff of 15, guiding strategy, fundraising, and operations in Michigan (Detroit/Southeast Michigan preferred). With a $2 million budget, you will strengthen capacity and expand MEJC’s impact across the state.

You will work with the Board and partners to advance energy justice, clean air, and equitable policy solutions, build a thriving organizational culture, and represent MEJC at regional and national forums.

Qualifications

• Experience leading a nonprofit or coalition at senior level.
• Proven fundraising success with diverse revenue sources.
• Deep understanding of Michigan's environmental justice landscape.
• Strong leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Willingness to travel statewide and nationally.

Responsibilities

• Lead MEJC’s strategic direction with the Board and staff.
• Drive fundraising and financial sustainability through grants, foundations, and major donors.
• Represent MEJC with members, partners, policymakers, and funders.
• Support and develop a unionized staff team and foster a healthy culture.
• Oversee operations, budgeting, and long-term planning.
• Build systems that support environmental justice and growth.

Skills

Leadership

Fundraising

Strategic planning

Coalition building

Board relations

Financial management

Communication

Staff development

Education

Bachelor's degree in nonprofit management or related field

Job description

The Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition (MEJC) is a statewide coalition working to achieve a clean, healthy, and safe environment for Michigan’s most vulnerable residents. We are a 501c3 organization seeking an experienced and visionary Executive Director to lead our staff of 15 into our next chapter that is rooted in justice, sustainability, and community power.

This full-time leadership role, based in Michigan (Detroit/Southeast Michigan preferred), is an opportunity to guide strategy with a $2 million budget, strengthen organizational capacity, deepen MEJC’s impact across the state, and help represent Michigan’s EJ community at regional and national forums.

What you’ll do

• Lead and facilitate MEJC’s strategic direction in partnership with the Board of Directors and staff.
• Drive fundraising and financial sustainability through grants, foundations, major donors, and other revenue sources.
• Represent MEJC with members, coalition partners, policymakers, media, and funders.
• Support and develop a unionized staff team while fostering a healthy, equitable organizational culture.
• Strengthen relationships across Michigan’s environmental justice movement and member organizations.
• Advance advocacy and policy efforts related to energy justice, air quality, just transition, and emerging environmental issues.
• Oversee organizational operations, budgeting, and long-term planning.
• Build and maintain systems and infrastructure that support environmental justice principles, organizational growth, and mission impact.

What you need to thrive in this role

• Executive Director experience or comparable senior nonprofit leadership experience.
• Proven success in fundraising and stewarding philanthropic relationships.
• Possession of or willingness to learn a deep understanding of Michigan’s environmental justice landscape and communities.
• Strong relationships with at least some key stakeholders (e.g., Michigan or regional EJ leaders, environmental or justice funders, Michigan’s elected officials, etc.)
• Experience working successfully within impactful coalitions, membership-based organizations, or grassroots movements.
• Strong leadership, communication, and relationship‑building skills.
• Ability to navigate complex organizational dynamics with confidence and integrity and to build a thriving staff culture.
• Financial management and strategic planning experience.
• Dedication to social, racial, environmental, and economic justice.
• Readiness to travel statewide and nationally.
• Commitment to live in Michigan (Detroit/Southeast Michigan preferred).

About us

The Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition (MEJC) is a national-recognized nonprofit with a mission to achieve a clean, healthy, and safe environment for Michigan’s most vulnerable residents. Our statewide coalition focuses on the Jemez Principles for Democratic Organizing and the Principles of Environmental Justice through popular education, grassroots policy advocacy, and organizing our communities for systems change. MEJC convened in 2011 to grow the Environmental Justice movement in Michigan and continues to lead campaigns advancing Energy Justice, Clean Air, and equitable policy solutions that center Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities.

What we offer you

• Competitive compensation commensurate with experience.
• Medical, dental, and vision benefits.
• 401(k) and other available benefits.
• Generous paid time off and leave policies.
• Professional development opportunities.
• The opportunity to shape and lead a statewide environmental justice organization.

Is this the job for you? If not, feel free to share this opportunity with someone who might be interested.

At MEJC, we continually celebrate the diverse community different individuals cultivate. As an equal‑opportunity employer, we stay true to that by ensuring that our place can be anyone’s place.