Executive Director- Environmental Justice Focus

myHR Partner, Inc; Detroit (MI); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Professional development

Job summary

Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition (MEJC) is seeking an experienced Executive Director to lead our staff of 15 with a $2M budget toward justice, sustainability, and community power. The role is based in Michigan (Detroit/Southeast Michigan preferred) and will guide strategy, operations, and growth for our statewide coalition.

You will drive fundraising from foundations, donors, and grants; represent MEJC with policymakers, funders, and partners; and cultivate a healthy, equitable

Qualifications

• Executive leadership experience in a nonprofit context.
• Proven fundraising success with grants, foundations, and donors.
• Strong understanding of Michigan's environmental justice landscape.

Responsibilities

• Lead MEJC’s strategic direction with the Board and staff.
• Drive fundraising and financial sustainability through diverse sources.
• Represent MEJC with members, coalitions, policymakers, media, and funders.
• Develop staff while fostering a healthy organizational culture.
• Strengthen relationships across Michigan’s EJ movement and partners.
• Oversight of operations, budgeting, and long-term planning.
• Build systems that support justice, growth, and impact.

Skills

Executive leadership

Fundraising

Strategic planning

Coalition-building

Communication

Staff development

Grant writing

Education

Bachelor's degree in nonprofit 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.

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.