Executive Director
Position Overview:
DC Vote seeks a strategic and passionate Executive Director to lead our advocacy for DC statehood and autonomy while strengthening coalitions to protect against federal overreach. This role requires a balance of policy leadership, coalition-building, and nonprofit management, ensuring the organization remains a strong force in defending self-governance for Washington, DC. The Executive Director will oversee advocacy efforts, organizational operations, and financial sustainability while mobilizing supporters and policymakers.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Advocacy
- Develop and execute a clear, focused strategy to advance DC statehood and autonomy while resisting federal encroachments.
- Build and strengthen coalitions with local and national partners to amplify advocacy efforts and align with broader democracy movements.
- Serve as a public champion for the organization, engaging with elected officials, grassroots activists, and community leaders to mobilize support.
- Monitor and respond to legislative threats that impact DC’s right to self-governance, ensuring proactive advocacy.
Organizational Leadership & Administration
- Reporting to the board of directors, oversee day-to-day nonprofit operations, including budgeting, payroll, and tax-exempt compliance, ensuring financial sustainability.
- Lead and support a small, dedicated team fostering a collaborative, high-impact work environment.
- Ensure effective governance, working closely with the board of directors on strategic priorities and accountability.
Fundraising & Resource Development
- Support organizational growth, secure funding through grants, donor engagement, and strategic partnerships.
- Develop and implement fundraising strategies that align with the organization’s advocacy goals and operational needs.
- Cultivate relationships with foundations, individual donors, and institutional funders to expand financial support.
Communications & Public Engagement
- Develop and execute a targeted communications strategy to raise awareness and drive engagement.
- Utilize media, digital platforms, and public events to educate and mobilize supporters around DC autonomy and statehood.
- Serve as a spokesperson, ensuring DC Vote’s mission and policy positions are clearly communicated to diverse audiences.
Qualifications & Skills
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
- Minimum 4 years of senior nonprofit leadership experience, preferably in advocacy, policy, or coalition-building.
- Strong knowledge of DC autonomy, federal oversight issues, and the legislative process.
- Demonstrated success in coalition-building and advocacy campaign leadership.
- Proven ability to manage a nonprofit organization, including budgeting, compliance, and team leadership.
- Experience in fundraising and donor cultivation, with a track record of securing diverse and recurring funding streams.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage media and policymakers from across the political spectrum, alongside stakeholders at all levels.