Founded in 1998, DC Vote is a national engagement and advocacy organization dedicated to gaining full voting representation in Congress for the residents of the District of Columbia.
DC residents live under a potent form of voter suppression. The blanket prohibition of voting for Senators and a voting member of the House of Representatives locks the 702,000 people (including the District’s (many) veterans) who call DC home out of the national voting booth. And, because Members of Congress can nullify or defund DC’s local laws, DC’s local representation is compromised as well.
Long rooted in racism, DC’s inequality denies the people of DC the full benefits of being Americans. This disenfranchisement is most hurtful to marginalized communities and intersects with immigration, LGBTQ equality, reproductive health, worker safety, environmental protection and democracy itself.
This must – and can – be changed. DC Vote envisions a fairer America where residents of the nation’s capital are first class citizens. DC Vote works for what 87% of voters in 2016 endorsed in a referendum: statehood for DC.
At long last, the time has come to end “Taxation Without Representation,” as our founders intended – and today’s citizens overwhelmingly demand.
About the Position
The new Executive Director will step into their role at DC Vote as the organization works to define success moving forward through a challenging messaging and legislative environment. They will be responsible for working with stakeholders and the Board of Directors to lay out the next strategic plan while expanding the capacity of the organization through robust fundraising from individual donors, foundations, and corporate partners. Key to the success of the next Executive Director will be the ability to uplift the issue of Equality for DC to a level of awareness on par with other major issues facing the country.
The role requires a visionary leader who can inspire and motivate staff, bring together communities in various geographic and cultural environments, and who has a deep appreciation for how the issue of full representation for the people of DC is connected to the broader issues across the country. They will be an excellent communicator adept at balancing external and internal demands on the organization and staff, as well as a leader that prioritizes work/life balance for themselves, staff, and volunteers. The Executive Director reports to the DC Vote Board of Directors.
The Executive Director’s responsibilities include:
Strategic Development (20%)
Development and Fundraising (25%)
· Engage current and potential individual donors, foundations, corporate partners on new and creative ways to build both financial and in-kind support.
· Leverage the Board’s experience and contacts in order to maintain and build on strategic fundraising and revenue generation opportunities.
· Support partnerships and allies, and maximize relationships with corporate sponsors, media platforms, major festivals, and special events.
· Serve as a public face of DC Vote to gain visibility that leads directly and indirectly to financial support.
Organizational Management (15%)
· Organize, inspire, and mentor staff through collaboration, goal-setting, problem solving, strategic planning, and supporting opportunities for professional development;
· Lead and manage DC Vote’s staff, volunteers, and programs to continue to build the infrastructure of the organization; ensuring systems, processes, and work plans across the organization are functioning and aligned to a clear and common vision and that day-to-day operations are set up for maximum impact and long-term sustainability.
· Oversee operations of outreach campaigns through a data-driven, results-oriented approach.
· Manage DC Vote’s budget, reporting, and compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
MESSAGING, BRAND AND PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
Messaging and Public Awareness (30%)
· Establish and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, and partners including elected officials, organizational leaders and grass-top activists, to advance DC Vote’s mission and increase our visibility and impact.
· Be a steward of the DC Vote’s brand both externally and internally, ensuring quality, consistency, and mission adherence.
· Utilize excellent written and visual communication skills for the creation or editing of presentations, grant applications, and other outbound communication.
· Be able to work effectively in the advocacy and political industry, establishing key relationships and building on key coalitions.
· Develop campaigns and narrative strategies that grow DC Vote’s impact and engage key target audiences.
· Develop and implement marketing and communications strategies to promote DC Vote’s brand and mission, and to engage our volunteers, supporters, and stakeholders.
Board Governance (10%)
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR CANDIDATE PROFILE
We are deeply committed to identifying an amazing candidate for this role. We encourage you to apply, even if you don't believe you meet every one of the below qualifications or you have a less traditional background.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:
DC Vote is offering a base salary of $125,000 – $140,000 (commensurate with experience), and competitive benefits including personal and family medical, dental and vision coverage, five weeks annual vacation, a simple IRA contribution from the organization, family and medical leave, flexible work hours and locations (we currently operate on a hybrid schedule), cell phone reimbursement and professional development budget.
TO APPLY: Please send a cover letter that addresses the mission of DC Vote and your experience and knowledge of the issue, and your organizational leadership experience including your fundraising expertise and history; and your resume. Please include at least three professional references (references are not contacted unless you are interviewed and notified), and send all to:
Jo...@DemocracyPartners.com
All inquiries and discussions will be considered strictly confidential.
................
DC Vote is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and does not discriminate
on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual
orientation, political affiliation, age, physical or mental disability,
national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. DC
Vote is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and encourages
applications from all qualified candidates regardless of race, ethnicity,
gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or age.
https://www.dcvote.org/mission/