Executive Director

Executive Director

Salary: $105,000 - $115,000 commensurate with experience

Location: Remote within Vermont, with significant time in Montpelier during legislative session

ABOUT PUBLIC ASSETS INSTITUTE

Public Assets Institute, a Vermont 501c3 nonprofit research and advocacy think tank, is seeking applications and nominations for the position of Executive Director (ED). Public Assets has achieved statewide respect and influence for its data-focused analysis, timely input on key public policy issues, alliance-building efforts, and accessible communication about complicated fiscal and economic topics. Its annual State of Working Vermont report is considered an indispensable resource and its ongoing work on education funding has been critical to Vermont having one of the most equitable school funding systems in the country. Public Assets brings an equity lens to all its work and partnerships to improve the lives of everyone in the state. For more information, visit Public Assets’ website: https://publicassets.org.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The next Executive Director (ED) will continue to champion Public Assets Institute's mission to improve the well-being of all people in Vermont, advance racial, social, and economic justice, and promote policies that the state government can enact. Reporting to and serving on the Board of Directors, the ED will spearhead the development and implementation of strategies and will provide leadership and oversight of Public Assets’ strategy, operations, personnel, and finances. This role is ideal for a leader who thrives at the intersection of research and policy, can navigate complex policy environments and communicate complicated tax and budget policy issues clearly, and can build meaningful relationships with funders, partners, policymakers, and communities. We envision the new ED can expect to lead in the following areas:

• Continue to solidify Public Assets’ sound and accessible tax, budget, and economic data and analysis to advance policies that further racial, social, and economic equity. This is the foundation of its reputation and policy impact. Working with a small team, the ED will ensure Public Assets continues to produce trusted, nonpartisan data, analysis, and testimony that legislators, coalition partners, and the public rely on.

• Carry a vision for how sound data and analysis reach Vermonters where they actually are to make the case for tax, budget, and economic policies that work for all. The ED will articulate policy insights and data to policymakers, funders, the media, and the public to reflect the priorities and needs of people living in Vermont. They will focus on budget, tax, and economic policies, including education funding policy, which are essential for effecting equity, sustainability, and shared prosperity. They will modernize how Public Assets tells its story, ensuring its rigorous research informs policy.

• Set organizational vision and strategy that explores current and new opportunities together with the Board and staff. Leading in a generative and inclusive manner, the ED will think about the shifting political landscape in Vermont to keep the organization’s strategy nimble and responsive to external trends, developments, and opportunities. In addition, the ED will ensure that the various parts of the organization are in alignment and that key projects and campaigns are on target and aligned with the organizational strategy.

• Strengthen the financial sustainability of the organization by building and maintaining sustained relationships with existing individual donors, Vermont funders, and national foundations and partners. In addition, the ED will seek out new opportunities for expanding the organization’s funding sources and steward all supporters of the organization through regular interactions and communications.

• Lead a dedicated and passionate team of staff and Board members who care deeply about the issues at hand and are effective implementers and ambassadors of Public Assets. To build upon the current organizational culture, the ED will continue to strengthen internal communication, reporting structures, performance review and professional development, project management, and benefits to support Public Assets’ healthy, high-trust culture and effectively grow leaders and delegation within the organization.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

The most competitive candidates will be those who can bring the following leadership to Public Assets:

Translator of Research to Policy

The ED will embody Public Assets values and mission to improve the well-being of all people in Vermont and advance racial, social, and economic justice through research, fiscal analysis, public engagement and policy development. They will be unafraid to challenge the status quo and reinvigorate policy debates with varied audiences, from grassroots organizers to institutional partners. The ideal candidate brings strong research and analytical skills, familiarity and comfort speaking on Public Assets' core policy areas, and working knowledge of Vermont public policy.

Fundraiser for Sustainability

The ED will have the character and confidence to work in a highly visible role as the chief ambassador and fundraiser for Public Assets. A successful candidate will speak credibly and knowledgeably with diverse audiences about Vermont tax, budget, and economic policy in order to champion financial and non-financial support from a broad range of constituents. The leader will work closely with the Board and staff to nurture long-standing donor relationships and cultivate new, diverse funding sources.

Leader for Strategic and Operational Excellence

The Executive Director will be a strategic, results-oriented leader who ensures sound financial management, governance, and day-to-day operations align with strategic goals. With a deep understanding of effective nonprofit management and an inclusive leadership philosophy, they will ensure the personal and professional development and growth of all employees and cultivate a collaborative Board while driving work forward.

Champion for Racial Justice, Equity, and Inclusion

Equipped with a multifaceted understanding of how racial inequity plays out in our society and in movement building, the successful candidate will have a demonstrated ability to lead the organization’s efforts to continue to integrate racial equity into all aspects of the organization’s work to address structural implications and disproportionate impacts of policies, activities, and decisions on communities depending on their race, class, ethnicity, and immigration status.

QUALIFICATIONS

We believe these areas of leadership will be held by someone with many of these qualifications:

• Ten or more years of experience working on social and economic policy issues with an emphasis on data-driven research, policy, and advocacy

• Five years of experience managing personnel and financial affairs of a department or organization of similar or greater size

• Ability to guide organizational and policy strategy and to share a compelling vision and complex information and data to various audiences

• Commitment to Public Assets’ values of racial justice, equity, and inclusion and to the success of Vermont’s most vulnerable communities

• Ability and comfort to communicate with funders, including making asks and fundraising from foundation and individual donors

• Effective relationship builder and collaborator, ideally with legislators and policy makers, partners, funders, and community leaders

• Familiarity with the Vermont policy landscape

• Management style grounded in collaboration, trust, and flexibility with the ability to move work and decisions forward

• Ability and willingness to be at the statehouse frequently during session

COMPENSATION

The compensation range for this position is $105,000 - $115,000 with final salary commensurate with experience. Public Assets operates with a 35-hour, full-time work week and offers many benefits, including health insurance and generous holidays, vacation time, and paid family and medical leave.

TO APPLY

Public Assets Institute is partnering with Callie Carroll and Ankita Jhaveri of CLC Endeavors to support this process. To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter
to PAI-ED@clcendeavors.com. We encourage interested candidates to apply by October 4, 2026, though applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis. Please note: your application will be reviewed by a person, so we appreciate your patience as we take the time to consider each set of materials.

While all hiring processes are human-centered and therefore subject to change, we anticipate moving through the following steps:

• Preliminary screening interview with CLC Endeavors

• Narrative in-depth interview with CLC Endeavors

• Panel interview with Search Committee members

• Final interview with staff and Board members

• Reference checks

Public Assets Institute is an equal opportunity employer committed to inclusive hiring and dedicated to diversity in our work and staff. We seek applications from all qualified candidates and do not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices based on actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, uniformed service member status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law. Women, people of color, LGBTQ+ persons, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.