Executive Director – One Chance to Grow Up

Executive Director

Come be part of a team that is supported by over 11,000 members, including parents, educators, and community partners.

The Executive Director (ED) is the chief executive of One Chance to Grow Up, responsible for leading the organization's strategy, operations, policy work, and public presence. Reporting to the Executive Board, the ED oversees and manages the One Chance team in addition to expert consultants. The ED serves as one of the primary spokespersons and policy champions for youth protection at the state and national levels.

This leader will build on a strong foundation of legislative wins, trusted partnerships, and national credibility to expand One Chance's reach and impact.

The right candidate is a confident, credible public voice who can translate the science of developing brains into compelling action; someone who can move comfortably between a Colorado legislative hearing, a national media interview, a parent workshop, and a funder conversation. This is a mission-critical role for a leader who genuinely believes that protecting kids from today's marijuana – and other highly-accessible, intoxicating substances often referred to as "gas station drugs" – should come first in policy and regulatory decision making.

Strategic Leadership

• Build the organizational capacity, systems, and team needed to sustain and grow One Chance's national influence.
• Partner with the Executive Board to set and advance a multi-year strategic plan for One Chance to Grow Up.
• Translate the organization's four pillars (transparency, education, empowerment, and policy) into concrete goals, programs, and measurable outcomes.
• Identify emerging issues, opportunities, and threats in the marijuana and THC policy landscape and position One Chance to respond quickly and effectively.
• Empower and support OC team members by allowing independent thinking, decision making, and implementation.

Policy Engagement and Advocacy

• Monitor marijuana and THC-related legislation and regulatory activity nationwide; develop timely policy positions, testimony, and public briefs.
• Champion federal priorities, including hemp loophole protections, potency labeling requirements, and safeguards against marijuana commercialization that harms kids.
• Serve as one of the primary voices for One Chance in policy areas at the state and federal level, engaging directly with elected officials, regulatory agencies, legislative committees, and coalition partners.
• Carry forward One Chance's track record of legislative wins, including HB21-1317, which mandated the first-in-the-nation tangible educational resources and warnings on marijuana products.
• Build and sustain cross-aisle coalitions with parent groups, public health organizations, attorneys general offices, school communities, and national advocacy partners.

Public Voice and Communications

• Maintain and grow One Chance's reputation as a trusted, nonpartisan, independent voice on youth marijuana protection.
• Oversee organizational communications, including digital content, press releases, newsletters, op-eds, and public education campaigns.
• Serve as one of the organization's primary public spokespersons across media, government, and community settings, including television, radio, print, and digital platforms.
• Represent One Chance at conferences, parent forums, school events, and national convenings.

Fund Development and Financial Stewardship

• Identify new funding opportunities aligned with organizational priorities and sustain One Chance's independence from marijuana tax revenue.
• Cultivate and steward relationships with current and prospective funders; make the compelling case for why One Chance's independent, nonpartisan commitment to protecting kids is irreplaceable.
• Oversee the annual operating budget in partnership with the Executive Board and CNDC as the fiscal sponsor.
• Meet the fundraising goals to sustain the organization's annual budget.

Program Oversight and Operations

• Provide leadership to staff and contractors across One Chance's core program areas: public education campaigns, school and community speaking, media outreach, and policy advocacy.
• Ensure quality and effectiveness…