Job Description: Executive Director – UC Green 

Job Title: Executive Director 
Organization: UC Green 
Classification: Full-time 
Location: Philadelphia, PA 

About UC Green 
UC Green is a Philadelphia-based nonprofit focused on cooperative community greening. Through partnerships and education, the organization empowers volunteer environmental stewardship in West Philadelphia communities. 

UC Green volunteers plant between 100 and 200 street trees annually and enhance public green spaces, contributing hundreds of hours in service to the community. UC Green’s Pruning Club program meets biweekly during the summer to train volunteers in proper tree pruning techniques and prune trees on selected blocks each season. Since UC Green was founded in 1998, its volunteers have  planted over 5,000 thriving trees. In February of 2026, UC Green launched the first Block Forester program to empower 20 community leaders to lead neighbors in designing, planning, and growing vibrant tree-filled communities. The organization’s efforts are largely accomplished by a corps of dedicated volunteers working with the UC Green Executive Director and a volunteer Board of Directors. 

About the Job 
UC Green is seeking an Executive Director to serve as the organization’s primary staff leader and guide the continued growth and impact of this volunteer-powered community greening nonprofit. The Executive Director currently supervises one part-time staff member supporting a grant-funded initiative and will help guide the organization’s future staffing growth. Working closely with the Board of Directors, volunteers, and community partners; the Executive Director is responsible for ensuring UC Green’s programs, partnerships, and organizational operations advance UC Green’s mission of expanding tree planting and engaging residents in cooperative urban greening efforts across West Philadelphia. 

This role combines strategic leadership with hands-on coordination in a small nonprofit environment. The Executive Director is ultimately responsible for the direction, effectiveness, and sustainability of the organization’s work, while coordinating staff, volunteers, board members, and community partners to carry out the organization’s programs and initiatives. 

Reporting to the UC Green Board of Directors, the Executive Director provides leadership across their core areas of responsibility, including:

• Organizational Leadership and Fundraising: Working with the Board to set strategic direction and priorities while leading fundraising and resource development efforts, including grants, individual donors, and corporate and foundation partnerships.
• Programs and Community Greening: Guiding the planning and growth of UC Green’s core programs and neighborhood greening initiatives that expand and steward the urban tree canopy in West Philadelphia. 
• Volunteer and Staff Leadership: Directing recruitment and coordination of volunteers and staff to implement programs and cultivate long-term community stewardship.
• Communications and Partnership: Serving as the public-facing leader for the organization while managing communications, outreach, and partnerships with community organizations, businesses, and public agencies.
• Board Partnership and Governance: Working closely with the Board of Directors to advance organizational goals, support governance responsibilities, and ensure strong organizational management and accountability.

The Executive Director will guide equitable greening practices and meaningful community engagement across diverse neighborhoods in zip codes 19139, 19143, and 19104, with a focus on increasing tree canopy and investment in communities that have experienced environmental disinvestment. Candidates with demonstrated connection to, or deep understanding of, West Philadelphia and its surrounding communities are strongly encouraged to apply.

 

Responsibilities 

Organizational Leadership and Fundraising

• With the Board of Directors, set the organizational strategy and spearhead its articulation and implementation using a robust set of KPIs.
• Lead fundraising efforts to sustain and grow UC Green’s mission, including grant writing and reporting, individual donor cultivation, corporate and foundation partnerships, and development of strategic funding relationships.
• Plan and coordinate annual and seasonal fundraising campaigns and steward donor relationships through ongoing communication and engagement.
• Develop and manage the organization’s annual budget in partnership with the Board of Directors.
• Work with an external accountant to support the maintenance of accurate financial records, including tracking fundraising revenue, payroll, and payment of organizational expenses.
• Oversee recordkeeping and data management to track outcomes, volunteer engagement, and fundraising performance. 
• Assess existing organizational resources, systems, and capacity to identify gaps and develop operational plans that support effective delegation among staff, volunteers, and board members. 

 

Programs and Community Greening

• Oversee UC Green’s core programs, including seasonal tree planting events,  pruning and tree care activities, a tool library, Tree Checkers, Christmas Tree Recycling, and other community greening initiatives.
• Direct the continued development and growth of UC Green’s Block Forester program, supporting staff to empower community leaders that  plan, steward, and expand neighborhood tree canopy.
• Coordinate the solicitation and submission of street tree applications from residents and businesses in zip codes 19139, 19143, and 19104.
• Engage residents (via event tabling, neighborhood meeting presentations, etc.) and respond to community inquiries related to tree planting, care, and neighborhood greening.
• Oversee an inventory of UC Green’s tools, supplies, and equipment to support program delivery.

 

Volunteer and Staff Leadership

• Direct the recruitment and training of a diverse corps of community volunteers across UC Green programs, including biannual tree planting events, the Pruning Club, and the Block Forester program.
• Provide leadership and coordination that builds volunteer ownership, skills, and long-term engagement in community greening efforts. 
• Oversee the maintenance of information about volunteer participation, including hours, permissions, background checks, and required documentation. 
• Supervise one part-time staff member and recruit and oversee additional staff as well as student and community interns as needed.

 

Communications and Partnerships

• Direct organizational communications, including event outreach, social media, press relations, donor communications, and community engagement.
• Serve as a public-facing spokesperson for UC Green.
• Develop and maintain partnerships with community organizations, businesses, higher education institutions, government agencies, elected officials, and neighborhood stakeholders.
• Represent UC Green at community meetings, events, and conferences.

 

Board Partnership and Governance

• Work closely with the Board of Directors and Executive Committee to advance organizational goals.
• Lead quarterly board meetings, providing regular updates, reports, and presentations
• Oversee board subcommittee organization and participate in subcommittee meetings as appropriate.

 

Required Experience 

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience
• 3-5 years relevant professional experience in nonprofit leadership, community-based programming, environmental stewardship, or related field
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing successful fundraising strategies including grants, individual giving, events, and/or donor cultivation 
• Experience engaging and managing volunteers and building inclusive, community-driven programs
• Background in community organizing, partnership development, or neighborhood-based engagement
• Demonstrated understanding of environmental justice and equity principles and their application to community greening or public space initiatives. Experience planning and implementing events or public programs 
• Familiarity with nonprofit communications and marketing, including outreach, storytelling, and stakeholder engagement 
• Strong oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills, including comfort serving as public-facing representative of an organization 
• Experience supervising staff, interns, or volunteers, including delegation and coordination of responsibilities
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously in a dynamic small-team environment
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite (Outlook, Word, Excel) 
• Self-motivated, collaborative, and able to work both independently and in partnership with volunteer board of directors 
• Demonstrated personal, professional, or academic connection to urban green spaces or environmental spaces
• Obtain PHS Tree Tender Certification Required within 6-months of hire 

Desired Experience 

• Master’s Degree or advanced training in environmental studies, urban planning, nonprofit management, public administration, or related field
• Experience with community greening initiatives, including tree planting, tree care, urban forestry, or neighborhood beautification
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel locally to program sites, meetings, and community events
• Familiarity with West Philadelphia communities is strongly preferred 
• ISA Certified Arborist credential preferred 

Compensation and Benefits 
This is a full-time position starting immediately with benefits including employer-subsidized health,  dental and vision insurance, paid holidays, and paid time off. Base salary will be commensurate with  experience in the range of $60,000-$72,500, with opportunities for future growth aligned with the organization’s development and expansion. Offer of employment will be contingent upon background check. 

To Apply 
To apply please email your cover letter and resume to info@ucgreen.org with “UC Green Executive Director” as the subject of the email. First round candidates will have a short phone interview and final candidates will be interviewed by the board of directors. This position will be open until filled.