Non-Profit Executive Director

Position Title : Executive Director

Status : Full-Time, Exempt

Location : Hybrid / Remote - West Coast preferred, but open to exceptional candidates elsewhere

Reports To : The 5 Gyres Board of Directors

Salary Range : $130,000 - $150,000 (commensurate with experience)

About The 5 Gyres Institute

The 5 Gyres Institute is a pioneering nonprofit organization at the forefront of the global fight against plastic pollution. For over a decade, we have driven breakthrough science, policy change, and public awareness to address one of the most urgent environmental crises of our time. With plastic production projected to triple by 2060 and microplastics now found in every ecosystem and the human body, the need for bold, science-driven solutions has never been greater.

Our work has influenced major policy wins, advanced groundbreaking research on microplastics and mobilized communities worldwide. With a current, projected annual budget of $1.7 million and a dedicated team with strong scientific credibility, we are poised to dramatically scale our impact at the precise moment when the world is waking up to the plastic crisis.

5 GYRES CORE VALUES :

Science

Collaboration

Impact

The Opportunity

This is a rare opportunity to lead a respected, science-based organization through transformative growth during a critical window for plastic pollution solutions. We seek a visionary Executive Director who will lead the strategic vision for the organization, report to the Board of Directors, and be responsible for doubling our capacity and impact over the next five years.

The successful candidate will be a bold advocate, a skilled movement builder, a proven fundraiser, and a strategic leader who can navigate complex stakeholder landscapes - from scientists and policymakers to corporate actors and grassroots activists. You will position 5 Gyres as the go-to authority on plastic pollution solutions while building the organizational infrastructure to sustain long-term impact.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Vision & Movement Leadership

• Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive 5-year strategic plan to double organizational impact and revenue (from $1.7M to $3-3.4M annually)
• Position 5 Gyres as the preeminent voice on science-based plastic pollution solutions, ensuring we're at the forefront of emerging issues and policy opportunities
• Lead and represent the organization in national and international policy forums, including United Nations convenings, federal and state policy discussions, and multi-stakeholder coalitions
• Build cross-sector alliances by engaging government agencies, nonprofit partners, industry stakeholders, academic institutions, and philanthropic funders to advance systemic solutions
• Define what "doubling impact" means in concrete terms : policies enacted, tons of plastic prevented, communities protected, corporate practices changed

2. Fundraising & Strategic Partnerships

3. Science, Policy & Advocacy Leadership

4. Board Governance & Leadership

5. Organizational Excellence & Team Leadership

6. Financial & Operational Management

Requirements

Who You Must Be

We seek a leader who embodies :

Qualifications

Strongly Preferred

Travel Requirements

This position requires up to 40% travel, including :

Working Conditions

Working conditions are characteristic of a hybrid office / remote setting. Physical demands include :

5 Gyres Commitment to Diversity : 5 Gyres is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to ensuring an equitable, just, diverse, and inclusive work environment for all, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, family or parental status, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

To Apply

5 Gyres Institute is committed to building a diverse team and strongly encourages applications from people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, and others from historically marginalized communities.

Interested applicants should send the following to careers@5gyres.org :

Resume, cover letter, a two touchpoints answering the following question :

How would you communicate 5 Gyres’ mission to a major donor who’s new to the issue of microplastics? Record a short, iPhone-style video answering the following, no more than 2-3 minutes. This is not about production value, but about your communication style :

Benefits

Compensation & Benefit s