Chief Impact Officer

United Way Equity Definition

We recognize that structural racism and other forms of oppression have contributed to persistent disparities in our region. We must focus our work on the most marginalized groups, and we know that centering race and ethnicity is critical to ending the historical and social inequities that continue to exist in our region.

Purpose of this Role

At United Way of the Columbia-Willamette (UWCW), we believe in the power of collective action to create a stronger, more equitable community. We remain steadfast in our commitment to close gaps and open opportunities for people in the Portland Metro and Central Oregon regions. As Chief Impact Officer (CIO), you will be at the forefront of this mission, driving transformative change to address the region’s most pressing challenges—including education, housing, and disaster resilience.

Reporting to the President & CEO, this executive leadership role is responsible for shaping and implementing a bold vision for impact, ensuring that UWCW’s programs, partnerships, and resources are strategically aligned to maximize positive outcomes for the local community. The CIO will serve as a catalyst for collaboration, fostering greater alignment across teams to best leverage resources and drive systemic change.

As the primary staff liaison to the Board Impact Committee, the CIO connects the Community Impact team with UWCW leadership, ensuring that strategic initiatives are community-informed, data-driven, and results-oriented. This role also plays a key part in organization-wide efforts, such as strategic planning, to advance United Way’s mission with clarity and purpose.

The CIO will work in close partnership with the Resource Development team, bridging community needs with donor engagement to inspire philanthropy and secure the support necessary to fuel UWCW’s impact. By uniting people, resources, and innovative solutions, the CIO will help create lasting change—empowering individuals, strengthening families, and transforming communities for generations to come.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Organizational Leadership (20%)

Executive Leadership & Strategic Alignment: Serves as a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, providing strong, visible leadership to foster cross-functional collaboration, instill innovative thinking, and ensure alignment across the organization. Helps prioritize efforts and operationalize UWCW’s strategic plan to maximize impact in the community.
Community-Centered Vision: Maintains a deep understanding of the region’s most pressing challenges—particularly those affecting historically marginalized communities—and ensures that UWCW’s strategies and initiatives are informed by lived experiences, community voice, and data-driven insights.
Strategic Planning & Organizational Growth: Partners with the President & CEO, the Chief Strategy Officer, and Senior Leadership Team to advance UWCW’s long-term vision, translating goals into actionable strategies that create meaningful, measurable change.
Board & Leadership Engagement: Supports the CEO in engaging the Board of Directors, serving as a key staff liaison to the Board Impact Committee, and contributing to high-level decision-making that strengthens UWCW’s mission. Actively participates in Board meetings, strategic planning discussions, and leadership initiatives.
Resource Stewardship & Operational Excellence: For the CI Team, oversees budget management, grant compliance, and data analysis to ensure financial sustainability and accountability. Leverages data insights to refine program effectiveness and drive continuous improvement in UWCW’s impact strategies.
Equity & Inclusive Leadership: Champions racial equity, diversity, and inclusion within UWCW and across the communities it serves. Cultivates a culture of belonging, ensuring that all programs, policies, and partnerships advance equity and social justice.
Capacity Building & Adaptive Leadership: Applies organizational development principles to support grantees, partners, and internal teams in building capacity. Embraces flexibility in supporting place-based, community-led solutions that center equity and long-term impact.

Community Impact Leadership & Strategy (50%)

Leads & Advances UWCW’s Community Impact Vision: Oversees all Community Impact (CI) programs and initiatives, ensuring they are strategically aligned, data-informed, and community-driven to maximize positive change in the region. Provides leadership, guidance, and support to ensure programmatic excellence and measurable and sustainable outcomes.
Strengthens Cross-Sector Partnerships: Builds and sustains high-impact relationships between UWCW and key stakeholders, including human service organizations, government agencies, healthcare providers, educational institutions, businesses, faith-based organizations, and diverse community groups to drive collaborative solutions.
Facilitates Organizational Alignment & Collaboration: Serves as a critical bridge between the Community Impact, Resource Development, and Finance & Administration teams, fostering stronger internal alignment and seamless coordination of resources, messaging, and strategic priorities.
Amplifies Impact Through Fundraising & Grant Development: Works closely with Resource Development to ensure that community impact initiatives are effectively positioned and communicated for fundraising success. Leads and sustains grant development and relationship-building efforts with funders—including foundations, state and local governments, and corporate partners—to secure and diversify revenue streams.
Stewards Resource Allocation & Financial Oversight: Administers equitable and strategic funding allocation processes, ensuring that resources are distributed effectively in alignment with Board-approved policies and UWCW’s mission-driven priorities.
Drives Clear & Compelling Storytelling: Effectively translates UWCW’s impact work into clear, engaging, and accessible narratives, ensuring that community stakeholders, donors, and the public understand the value and urgency of UWCW’s initiatives.
Provides Strategic & Technical Guidance: In partnership with the Chief Strategy Officer, offers expertise and support to staff, agency partners, and volunteers, guiding best practices in program development, financial administration, equity-centered policies, and capacity-building efforts.

Staff Leadership & Team Development (20%)

Inspires & Develops a High-Performing Team: Provides visionary leadership, mentorship, and support to Community Impact staff, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and shared purpose. Ensures that team members are motivated, engaged, and aligned with UWCW’s mission and strategic priorities.
Champions Professional Growth & Learning: Guides, coaches, and invests in the training and development of direct reports, encouraging continuous learning, skill-building, and leadership growth. Promotes a culture of openness to feedback, adaptability, and ongoing professional evolution.
Fosters a Culture of Accountability & Excellence: Supports goal setting, visioning, and strategic direction for Community Impact staff, ensuring that individual and team objectives contribute to organization-wide impact goals. Ensures periodic goal review and accountability measurement. Leads by example in cultivating a results-driven, service-oriented mindset that thrives in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
Drives Team Alignment & Collaboration: Directs and manages Community Impact team activities, ensuring that staff members are deeply invested in team efforts and work together toward achieving UWCW’s mission. Encourages cross-team collaboration and effective communication across departments.
Ensures Operational & Administrative Excellence: Oversees the accurate and timely completion of key organizational documents, including but not limited to performance evaluations, professional development plans, goal setting, timesheets, expense reports, travel reimbursements, and financial approvals. Maintains ongoing documentation of staff achievements, performance, and areas for growth.

Volunteer Leadership & Engagement (10%)

Leads & Engages the Community Impact Committee: Serves as the primary staff lead for Community Impact Committee meetings, overseeing committee activities and ensuring that volunteers are informed, engaged, and equipped to support UWCW’s impact strategies. Provides expertise, guidance, and strategic insights to help volunteers contribute effectively.
Provides Visionary Leadership & Strategic Direction: Inspires and guides Community Impact Committee volunteers, ensuring alignment with UWCW’s mission and community impact priorities. Creates opportunities for volunteers to make meaningful contributions that drive sustainable, community-centered change.
Strengthens Volunteer Recruitment & Engagement: Works directly with the Community Impact Committee Chair and staff to identify, recruit, and retain diverse and passionate volunteers. Cultivates a pipeline of engaged, mission-driven leaders who bring valuable expertise and lived experience to UWCW’s work.
Supports & Enhances Investment Processes: Ensures that volunteer leadership is meaningfully involved in investment decision-making, facilitating effective and equitable funding allocations that align with UWCW’s priorities and maximize impact for local communities.
Ensures Sustainable Volunteer Leadership: Establishes and maintains continuity in volunteer leadership, ensuring that institutional knowledge, relationships, and strategic direction are carried forward seamlessly as volunteers transition in and out of leadership roles.

Additional Accountabilities

Additional duties as assigned by the President/CEO
This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. This is not an exhaustive list of all required duties, responsibilities, and skills. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable disabled individuals to perform the essential functions of the job.

SUPERVISION AND WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Supervisory Direction Received:

Position works in support of and under the direction of the President/CEO

Working Relationships

Position will work in close collaboration with the Chief Operations Officer, Chief Strategy Officer, Senior Director of Resource Development, Executive Assistant to President/CEO, and Members of the UWCW Board of Directors

Supervises:

Project Manager, Community Impact
Senior Director, Housing Stability
Senior Director, Education Initiatives
Director of Climate and Disaster Resilience

Education, Skills, Experience, and Training Required

Executive Leadership & Strategy: 10+ years of leadership experience in community impact, philanthropy, or nonprofit management, with a track record of driving measurable change.
Cross-Sector Collaboration: Proven ability to build and sustain partnerships with nonprofits, government agencies, funders, and community groups to align resources for impact.
Equity-Centered Leadership: Deep understanding of systemic inequities, racial and social justice issues, and experience integrating diversity, equity, and inclusion into strategy and programs.
Resource Development & Financial Stewardship: Experience in grant development, budget management, and fundraising to support and sustain community impact initiatives.
Data-Driven Decision-Making: Strong analytical skills, with experience using data to measure outcomes, assess program effectiveness, and inform strategy.
Operational & Organizational Leadership: Skilled in managing cross-functional teams, strategic planning, and scaling impact initiatives in a fast-paced environment.
Education & Skills: Bachelor’s degree required (Master’s preferred) in public administration, social work, nonprofit management, or related field. Exceptional communication and leadership skills.

Technical Knowledge

Understanding of program outcomes and logic models.
Proficient with MS Office, including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
Demonstrated competence with financial systems, research, program development and data evaluation, community planning, and resource development.
Valid driver’s license, automobile insurance, and access to reliable transportation required.

Physical Requirements

This is a hybrid position with expectations of being in person 2 days a week and working from your home office/remote location 3 days a week.
Work is primarily performed indoors, within an open office setting with a moderate noise level and occasional exposure to scents.
Frequently required to sit/stand at computer in a stationary position.
Frequently operates a computer and other office productivity equipment, such as copy machine, printer, phone, and fax machine.
Frequently required to move about inside the office for meetings, access to information, office equipment, etc.
Frequently required to travel locally for meetings that occur in other office settings.
Frequently required to travel regionally and occasionally nationally for meetings, training, and conferences in other office settings throughout the year.

This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. This is not an exhaustive list of all required duties, responsibilities, and skills. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable disabled individuals to perform the essential functions of the job.

United Way of the Columbia-Willamette (UWCW)

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Chief Impact Officer