Executive Director, Puget Sound Partnership (PSP)

Description

Please Note: The starting salary offer will be determined based on the successful candidates’ qualifications within the starting salary range of $110,928 - $185,190 annually. Our physical offices are located in Olympia, Tacoma and Seattle, WA. This is a hybrid position with the ability to telework. However, you will need to travel to in-person activities, meetings, and events according to business needs.

Terms of Appointment: Per RCW, the Executive Director shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the governor, in consultation with the council.

Why work for the Puget Sound Partnership?

Here at the Puget Sound Partnership, we are driven by our mission to collectively recover and protect Puget Sound. We work with partners across Tribes, state and federal government, nonprofits, businesses, and local communities to turn shared vision into meaningful action. Our work is grounded in collaboration and driven by science, with a strong focus on equity and belonging. We focus on collaboration—not regulation—to achieve more together.

The job opportunity

Are you a collaborative leader passionate about protecting and restoring Puget Sound? If so, you may be the next Executive Director of the Puget Sound Partnership.

As our Executive Director, you’ll guide us in navigating complex social landscapes, deep historical tensions and varied political perspectives. In this role, you’ll represent the work at the highest levels of government, and foster relationships with partners across the region, Puget Sound treaty tribes, and the country. You’ll lead a committed team of over 75 staff and help shape the policies, investments, and partnerships that drive real progress for Puget Sound recovery.

We’re looking for someone who builds trust across differences and leads with clarity and compassion. You’ve likely navigated policy, science, and community in your work before—and you know the value of listening as much as leading. You understand that protecting Puget Sound isn’t just about clean water or a healthy habitat—it’s about the people, cultures, and ways of life connected to this place.

This role is appointed by the Governor and is part of the Governor’s Cabinet. It’s a big job, no question, and one that requires vision, resilience, and a deep belief in collective action. The work isn’t always easy, but it is deeply meaningful—and you won’t be doing it alone.

We value a diversity of perspectives and experiences. What matters most is that you bring integrity, humility, strategic thinking, and a heart for this work. If this sounds like you—or if you’re curious and want to learn more—we encourage you to apply. Let’s talk about how you might help shape the future of Puget Sound.

Duties

In this role, you’ll provide strategic direction and policy leadership to implement the Puget Sound Action Agenda and salmon recovery efforts. This includes ensuring the effective use of public funds and resources.

What you’ll work on

• Serve as the primary executive accountable to the Governor and Leadership Council for organizational performance, communications, and results.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with tribal nations, local governments, federal and state agencies, NGOs, regulated entities, and academic institutions.
• Collaborate closely with advisory and governance bodies such as the Leadership Council, Ecosystem Coordination Board, Science Panel, and others.
• Develop and advocate for environmental policies and funding at the local, state, tribal, and federal levels.
• Work with partners to identify barriers to protecting and restoring Puget Sound. Testify before legislative bodies and work with congressional offices to support environmental initiatives.

• Navigate complex environmental laws and regulations to develop regional recovery strategies in addressing the cleanup of Puget Sound and the Salish Sea.

• Identify and address systemic barriers to ecosystem restoration.
• Represent the agency on key boards, commissions, and multi-jurisdictional collaborations (e.g., Northwest Straits Commission, Tribal Co-Management Council, WA Wildlife and Recreation Commission, Association of National Estuary Programs, etc.).
• Support the Leadership Council and other governance boards in fulfilling their statutory roles and aligning with strategic objectives.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Demonstrated ability to lead complex, multi-sector strategic initiatives that align diverse stakeholders around a shared vision and measurable outcomes.
• Deep understanding of environmental policy frameworks, particularly as they relate to ecosystem recovery, natural resource management, and cross-jurisdictional governance.
• Skilled in navigating political and regulatory landscapes while building consensus among federal, state, tribal, and local partners.
• Ability to effectively oversee agency operations including budgeting, performance management, and workforce development in alignment with public sector accountability standards.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills with the ability to synthesize scientific, policy, and programmatic data into actionable strategies and communications.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the capacity to adapt messaging for diverse audiences including elected officials, community leaders, scientists, and the public.
• Demonstrated success in securing and managing funding from governmental and non-governmental sources to support long-term organizational goals.
• Ability to supervise and support senior leadership staff, build high-performing teams, and lead organizational change initiatives.
• Commitment to advancing equity, inclusion, and environmental justice, including experience engaging with communities that have been historically underserved or excluded from environmental decision-making.

Desired Qualifications:

• Knowledge of environmental policy and science.
• Excellent relationships with Tribal, state, federal and local elected officials and staff.

We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one from a less traditional background. Don’t let doubts stop you from applying for this position. If you have transferable experience, please tell us about it or contact us with questions about the required qualifications and how your experience relates to them.

Supplemental Information

What we offer:

We foster a culture of integrity, innovation, inclusion, and belonging. We value both learned and lived experiences, believing that diversity makes us stronger. To support your health and well-being, we offer a variety of benefit programs for our employees.

Here’s a quick glance at some of the unique benefits that we offer:

• An environment of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging
• Tuition reimbursement
• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
• 12 paid holidays, 14 paid vacation days (minimum), and 12 days of sick leave per year
• State retirement programs

Application Process: Once you’ve decided to apply for a state government job, you’ll complete an online application to showcase your qualifications. Keep in mind that once you submit the application, a real person is going to read it. We do not use AI or other technology that screens your application and rejects it. So please be sure to provide clear and detailed information about your work history so your qualifications can be accurately assessed. We will contact the top candidates directly to schedule interviews. If you need reasonable accommodation in applying, please call 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.

When completing your application, we encourage you to attach all of the following:

• Cover letter: describing your qualifications for this specific position
• Resume: that details your applicable experience and education.
• References: at least three professional references and their contact information.

Questions:

Our Staff ASL interpreter is available to all deaf and hard of hearing applicants. For questions about this recruitment or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application or interview process, please email us at [email protected].

The Office of the Governor is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, and disabled and Vietnam-era veterans are encouraged to apply.