Title: Executive Director
Hours: 9:00am-5:00pm, Monday-Friday
Type: Full-Time
Salary: $97,000 - $105,000
About Saturday Academy
Saturday Academy is a Portland-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that has been sparking curiosity and a love of learning in young people since 1983. We develop critical thinkers who are creative, confident, and curious by engaging students in meaningful, and culturally relevant, experiences across Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM).
Serving approximately 1,000 K–12 students annually in the Portland metro area and Southwest Washington, Saturday Academy offers a portfolio of hands-on, out-of-school programs led by expert educators:
- Summer Camps (grades K–8) — project-based STEAM camps across three age tiers
- Days Off Programs (grades K–5 and 9–12) — enrichment on school non-attendance days
- School Residencies (grades K–8) — in-school STEAM curriculum partnerships
- Apprenticeships in STEAM Exploration (ASE) (grades 10–12) — paid internships matching high schoolers with professional mentors
Saturday Academy occupies a unique position in the regional education ecosystem, working alongside our schools and families to develop conscientious thinkers, dreamers, and doers. We continue to grow and adapt our organization, driven by a 43-year commitment to equitable access, joyful learning, and productive partnerships with Oregon’s STEM business and academic communities.
The Opportunity
Saturday Academy is seeking a visionary and entrepreneurial Executive Director to lead the organization into its next chapter. The incoming ED will build on a strong 43-year foundation while driving meaningful growth — in revenue, partnerships, and programmatic reach. This is an exceptional opportunity for an experienced STEAM and nonprofit leader who is energized by the challenges of mobilizing staff, board, and external partners to increase our impact for students, while establishing a sound and sustainable business model. Our new ED will exemplify and represent our strong belief in the power of hands-on STEAM education to change young lives.
Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director holds full organizational authority and accountability, managing an operating budget of about $950,000, and overseeing all programmatic, financial, operational, and external-relations functions of the organization. The executive director manages 5 full-time, year-round staff, and 10-20 seasonal contract instructors.
Key Responsibilities
Fundraising & Revenue Development
- Lead the Board in developing and executing a diversified and sustainable revenue strategy that balances earned revenue with philanthropic, corporate, and individual donor investments
- As the organization’s chief representative, cultivate and expand a portfolio of major donors and institutional investors
- Diversify and grow earned revenue streams, including tuition, program fees, and school residency contracts, while protecting access for under-resourced students through scholarship programs
- Identify and pursue new funding opportunities with a strong potential return on the investment of time and resources
- Plan and execute major fundraising events, including the annual Soirée
Strategic Leadership & Program Innovation
- Partner with the Board to develop and execute a multi-year strategic plan that expands Saturday Academy’s influence and financial sustainability
- Identify and incubate new programs and partnerships that respond to community and student interests and emerging opportunities in K–12 STEAM education
- Evaluate and strengthen existing programs — summer camps, school residencies, the ASE internship program, and Days Off offerings, and scale those that are mission-aligned and economically sustainable
- Champion the organization’s equity and access commitments in all programmatic and organizational decisions
- Stay current with trends and engage key leaders in K–12 education, out-of-school time programs, and the regional STEAM workforce landscape
Stakeholder Engagement & Community Presence
- Serve as the primary public face and spokesperson for Saturday Academy with media, policymakers, funders, and community partners
- Build and maintain strong relationships with K–12 school districts, Portland State University and other higher education partners, STEM businesses, and civic organizations
- Engage and manage a diverse network of stakeholders including the Board, staff, donors, families, corporate mentors, and school partners
- Represent Saturday Academy on relevant coalitions, task forces, and sector networks across Oregon and the Pacific Northwest
Organizational Management & Operations
- Lead, develop, and retain a committed staff team; foster a positive, inclusive, and high-performing organizational culture
- Ensure rigorous financial management, including budget development, cash flow oversight, and an annual audit; maintain the organization’s financial health and long-term sustainability
- Work collaboratively with the Board of Directors, supporting governance, committee work, and board recruitment and development
- Maintain compliance with all legal, regulatory, and contractual obligations of the organization
Qualifications
Required
- Demonstrated ability to rapidly assess organizational strengths, opportunities, and risks – leading to sustainable and impactful programming
- Experience assessing and creating a diversified funding strategy that balances earned revenue approaches with charitable sources (e.g. grants, corporate sponsorships, individual donors, etc)
- Proven experience managing an organization with multiple stakeholder constituencies (boards, funders, partners, staff, and community members)
- Exceptional management and relationship skills to successfully supervise a diverse staff and contract employees
- Strong track record of external relationship-building and organizational representation
- Experience working in or closely with K–12 education, youth development, or a related sector
- Financial and business acumen, including budgeting and fiscal oversight, and an entrepreneurial mindset
- Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal; comfort and credibility as a public spokesperson
- Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion as core organizational values
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
Preferred
- Direct experience in K–12 education leadership, out-of-school time programs, or STEAM education
- Experience leading or scaling a nonprofit through a period of strategic growth
- Existing relationships within Portland’s philanthropic, business, and education communities
- Graduate degree in education, nonprofit management, public administration, or a related field
- Experience with corporate partnership development and/or government contracting
Compensation & Location
This is a full-time, exempt position based at Saturday Academy’s offices at 4035 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland, Oregon. The Executive Director manages a hybrid working staff and is expected to balance in-person and remote work in a manner that builds and maintains a strong organizational culture. The candidate must be based in the greater Portland-metro area. Compensation will be competitive and commensurate with experience, including a comprehensive benefits package. The salary range for this position is $97,000 - $105,000.
How to Apply
To apply, please submit a cover letter and resumé to saexecutivedirector@gmail.com by July 6, 2026. This job is open until filled, and priority will be given to applicants who submit materials prior to July 6, 2026.
If you have questions about this position or Saturday Academy, please contact Stephanie Salomone, Board President, at sasalomone@gmail.com.
Saturday Academy is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and the students and communities we serve.