Run for Something - Executive Director
Remote
Full Time
Executive
THE OPPORTUNITY
The American political system is not reflective of the American people.
It’s no secret that barriers have been created to exclude and marginalize certain communities from being the decision makers in government.
We especially see this at the state and local levels.
More than half of all Americans are millennials or younger, but only 6% of state legislators are 35 or younger. Among state legislators, only 33% are women, 10% are Black, 6% are Latino, and 4% are Asian/Pacific Islander. And only 0.2% of elected officials openly identify as LGBTQIA+.
When elected officials don’t reflect the people they represent, it undermines the power of people and our democracy.
Run for Something (RFS) is changing what leadership looks like in America by building one of the largest candidate pipelines in progressive politics and bringing those young people into public service.
Founded in 2017, RFS has recruited nearly 150,000 young people who want to run for office.
Through their innovative people-first program that treats candidates like people first and political actors second, RFS has helped elect more than 1,000 of them — mostly women and people of color, a quarter of whom identify as LGBTQIA+, and all millennials and Gen Z — to the kinds of state and local offices that make real meaningful change.
Run for Something seeks a fearless, inspiring Executive Director to help lead the organization’s next chapter with fresh eyes, new energy, and a bold sense of optimism about what might be possible.
This new role is an incredible opportunity to provide visionary leadership and set the course for the future at one of the most important organizations to come out of the post-2016 era in politics.
ABOUT RUN FOR SOMETHING
Run for Something recruits and supports young, diverse progressives to run for down-ballot races to build long-term sustainable power in all 50 states.
Since launching in 2017, RFS has recruited nearly 150,000 people who want to run for office, endorsed over 3,000 candidates, and won over 1,000 elections.
Once elected, RFS alumni have transformed state and local governments, making housing more affordable, abortion more accessible, and education more equitable. They are the present and future leaders of the Democratic Party and the country. No matter who wins the White House in November, RFS’s work is imperative to the future of democracy and the long-term power-building efforts.
At the same time, RFS has led the sector with an internal culture that prioritizes work-life integration, long-term sustainability of both mission and staff, and diversity, equity, and inclusion, all baked into the core DNA of the team and program.
Run for Something’s work is long-term, year-round, and strategic. The organization has ambitious plans for 2024 and beyond; you can read the strategic plan here.
THE ROLE
The Executive Director will build upon the success of RFS over the last seven years and guide the organization into its next chapter.
The Executive Director will drive the organization’s strategic vision and lead day-to-day organizational responsibilities, including management of the executive leadership team.
The Executive Director must be passionate about the mission, warm and empathetic, and able to balance a people-centered management approach while also holding a rigorous standard of excellence and impact.
The Executive Director will report to RFS Co-founder Amanda Litman, who is transitioning to the role of President.
The Executive Director will be responsible for ensuring that the programs, structures, systems, and processes across the organization are aligned with the RFS mission and that day-to-day operations are set up for maximum impact.
The Executive Director will supervise the executive leadership team and provide thought partnership, guidance, and support to an experienced team of strategic and ambitious senior leaders.
The Executive Director will oversee a talented, high-reaching, hungry team of 50 and ensure they have the support, capacity, and resources to achieve the organization’s ambitious goals.
The Executive Director will actively contribute, integrate, and ensure accountability for the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) goals set by RFS while also playing an active role in fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organizational culture.
This position will direct an annual budget of approximately $12 million and oversee Run for Something’s 527 non-federal PAC, Run for Something Action Fund (a 501c4), and Run for Something Civics (a non-partisan 501c3).
The ideal candidate is a collaborative leader and exceptional manager with high emotional intelligence and a demonstrated commitment to Run for Something’s mission. The Executive Director will bring a command of electoral politics, organizational leadership and strategy, and take their work—but not themselves—too seriously.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic Leadership
Organizational Management
Team Management
Financial Oversight
Fundraising & External Relations
KEY QUALIFICATIONS
All candidates should embody Run for Something’s organizational values: bold & fearless, open & honest, supportive & respectful, long-term & strategic, and progressive & diverse.
LOCATION & STRUCTURE
Run for Something is a national organization with a permanently remote office structure. Team members are located across the United States.
Employees work core business hours, Monday through Thursday, in their local time zone. This position will require some nights and weekends work in response to events or breaking news in keeping with the organizational Rapid Response Policy.
The Executive Director reports directly to Run for Something Co-founder, Amanda Litman, who is transitioning to the role of President.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
The salary for this position is $220,000. In order to counter pay inequality and uphold internal parity, salaries are non-negotiable for new and current employees.
Run for Something benefits include:
You can visit the Career page to learn more about Run for Something’s work environment, values, and benefits.
TO APPLY
To apply for this position, submit a resume online at https://grossmansolutions.applytojob.com/apply. If you’d like to submit a cover letter (it’s not required!), please make it concise and compelling and include why you would like to work at Run for Something. Only applications submitted through this website will be considered. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.
Run for Something is committed to building teams that reflect the diversity of our candidates, and to building equitable and inclusive environments that fully leverage the skills, potential, and unique perspectives of our employees. Run for Something strongly encourages applications from members of marginalized communities who have been disproportionately affected by lack of representation in elected office, including Black, Indigenous, and people of color, women, and the LGBTQIA+ and disabled communities. Learn more about Run for Something’s commitment here.
In order to prioritize the health and safety of our employees, all Run for Something employees are required to provide proof of COVID vaccination. Run for Something will discuss reasonable accommodations with employees who may be unable to receive a vaccine due to disability, the advice of a medical provider, or sincerely held religious beliefs.
Work Authorization
Given campaign finance restrictions, candidates for this position must possess valid work authorizations, and cannot be foreign nationals. This means that we are legally prohibited from hiring anyone for this position who is not a US citizen or lawful permanent resident (green card holder).
The American political system is not reflective of the American people.
It’s no secret that barriers have been created to exclude and marginalize certain communities from being the decision makers in government.
We especially see this at the state and local levels.
More than half of all Americans are millennials or younger, but only 6% of state legislators are 35 or younger. Among state legislators, only 33% are women, 10% are Black, 6% are Latino, and 4% are Asian/Pacific Islander. And only 0.2% of elected officials openly identify as LGBTQIA+.
When elected officials don’t reflect the people they represent, it undermines the power of people and our democracy.
Run for Something (RFS) is changing what leadership looks like in America by building one of the largest candidate pipelines in progressive politics and bringing those young people into public service.
Founded in 2017, RFS has recruited nearly 150,000 young people who want to run for office.
Through their innovative people-first program that treats candidates like people first and political actors second, RFS has helped elect more than 1,000 of them — mostly women and people of color, a quarter of whom identify as LGBTQIA+, and all millennials and Gen Z — to the kinds of state and local offices that make real meaningful change.
Run for Something seeks a fearless, inspiring Executive Director to help lead the organization’s next chapter with fresh eyes, new energy, and a bold sense of optimism about what might be possible.
This new role is an incredible opportunity to provide visionary leadership and set the course for the future at one of the most important organizations to come out of the post-2016 era in politics.
ABOUT RUN FOR SOMETHING
Run for Something recruits and supports young, diverse progressives to run for down-ballot races to build long-term sustainable power in all 50 states.
Since launching in 2017, RFS has recruited nearly 150,000 people who want to run for office, endorsed over 3,000 candidates, and won over 1,000 elections.
Once elected, RFS alumni have transformed state and local governments, making housing more affordable, abortion more accessible, and education more equitable. They are the present and future leaders of the Democratic Party and the country. No matter who wins the White House in November, RFS’s work is imperative to the future of democracy and the long-term power-building efforts.
At the same time, RFS has led the sector with an internal culture that prioritizes work-life integration, long-term sustainability of both mission and staff, and diversity, equity, and inclusion, all baked into the core DNA of the team and program.
Run for Something’s work is long-term, year-round, and strategic. The organization has ambitious plans for 2024 and beyond; you can read the strategic plan here.
THE ROLE
The Executive Director will build upon the success of RFS over the last seven years and guide the organization into its next chapter.
The Executive Director will drive the organization’s strategic vision and lead day-to-day organizational responsibilities, including management of the executive leadership team.
The Executive Director must be passionate about the mission, warm and empathetic, and able to balance a people-centered management approach while also holding a rigorous standard of excellence and impact.
The Executive Director will report to RFS Co-founder Amanda Litman, who is transitioning to the role of President.
The Executive Director will be responsible for ensuring that the programs, structures, systems, and processes across the organization are aligned with the RFS mission and that day-to-day operations are set up for maximum impact.
The Executive Director will supervise the executive leadership team and provide thought partnership, guidance, and support to an experienced team of strategic and ambitious senior leaders.
The Executive Director will oversee a talented, high-reaching, hungry team of 50 and ensure they have the support, capacity, and resources to achieve the organization’s ambitious goals.
The Executive Director will actively contribute, integrate, and ensure accountability for the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) goals set by RFS while also playing an active role in fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organizational culture.
This position will direct an annual budget of approximately $12 million and oversee Run for Something’s 527 non-federal PAC, Run for Something Action Fund (a 501c4), and Run for Something Civics (a non-partisan 501c3).
The ideal candidate is a collaborative leader and exceptional manager with high emotional intelligence and a demonstrated commitment to Run for Something’s mission. The Executive Director will bring a command of electoral politics, organizational leadership and strategy, and take their work—but not themselves—too seriously.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic Leadership
- Drive and execute the vision and strategy for Run for Something, in thought-partnership with and under the leadership of co-founder and president Amanda Litman
- Identify opportunities and challenges for the organization and work to leverage or mitigate them as part of the overall strategy; allocate resources accordingly
Organizational Management
- Oversee the executive team, and manage day-to-day operations of the organization to ensure that the programs, structures, systems, staffing, and processes are aligned and functioning for maximum impact
Team Management
- Serve as direct supervisor to the executive leadership team (currently six members), ensuring leaders have the support, clarity, and resources needed to meet strategic objectives and successfully manage their teams
- Provide supportive and empowering leadership and maintain a participatory, inclusive, and collaborative culture that ensures Run for Something is a place where talented, mission-driven staff can thrive and meet the organization’s ambitious goals
- Promote and champion diversity, equity, and inclusion practices and initiatives across the organization
Financial Oversight
- Oversee an annual budget of approximately $12 million and monitor the organization’s overall financial health, revenue, and expenses
- Make strategic resource allocation decisions with the ability to adjust as opportunities and challenges arise
- Ensure Run for Something is financially sound and compliant
Fundraising & External Relations
- In collaboration with the president, executive and senior staff-level fundraising leadership, set long-term fundraising strategy for the organization; oversee organizational fundraising systems and processes, ensuring Run for Something meets fundraising goals
- Manage up to the President to ensure they have what they need for successful funder cultivation and stewardship
- Develop and maintain relationships with a subset of funders, as needed
KEY QUALIFICATIONS
- Strong commitment to the Run for Something mission
- At least ten years of progressively responsible work experience in political organizations and electoral campaigns, including serving in organizational leadership positions
- Significant experience coaching and managing senior teams with a proven track record of setting, supporting, and achieving impactful goals
- Demonstrated cultural competence and a strong commitment to values-based leadership
- Outstanding people-management skills, combined with a demonstrated ability to navigate diverse cultural contexts and identities with compassion and collaboration while actively fostering inclusivity and a sense of belonging
- Experience managing $5M+ operational budgets
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills along with excellent judgment and the ability to anticipate challenges and develop solutions
- Engaging verbal and written communication skills with ability to inspire and motivate
- Excellent interpersonal skills with a history of forging strong relationships with stakeholders
- Demonstrated capability to thrive in and enrich a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment
- Organized, reliable, flexible, and attentive to detail
- A self-starter who manages priorities effectively and meets deadlines
- Ability to adapt to changing environments and navigate complexities inherent in politics with resilience and agility
- Comfortable and experienced in managing a unionized staff, collective bargaining experience a plus
- Demonstrated time management skills transferable to working a four-day work week
- Ability to work independently for extended periods of time in a remote environment
All candidates should embody Run for Something’s organizational values: bold & fearless, open & honest, supportive & respectful, long-term & strategic, and progressive & diverse.
LOCATION & STRUCTURE
Run for Something is a national organization with a permanently remote office structure. Team members are located across the United States.
Employees work core business hours, Monday through Thursday, in their local time zone. This position will require some nights and weekends work in response to events or breaking news in keeping with the organizational Rapid Response Policy.
The Executive Director reports directly to Run for Something Co-founder, Amanda Litman, who is transitioning to the role of President.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
The salary for this position is $220,000. In order to counter pay inequality and uphold internal parity, salaries are non-negotiable for new and current employees.
Run for Something benefits include:
- Four Day Work Week (learn more here)
- Platinum Medical Insurance (100% of premium covered for employees; 50% of premium covered for dependents)
- Dental and Vision Insurance (100% of premium covered for both employees and dependents)
- Four weeks in organization-wide holiday closures, including a two-week winter break
- 12 weeks paid family leave
- Paid Sabbatical (after three years of service to RFS)
- 401k
- Professional Development Stipend
- Equipment Stipend
- Work from Home Stipend
- Cell Phone/Internet Stipend
- Treat Yourself Stipend ($500 a year to do something that brings you joy)
- Employee Assistance Program
You can visit the Career page to learn more about Run for Something’s work environment, values, and benefits.
TO APPLY
To apply for this position, submit a resume online at https://grossmansolutions.applytojob.com/apply. If you’d like to submit a cover letter (it’s not required!), please make it concise and compelling and include why you would like to work at Run for Something. Only applications submitted through this website will be considered. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.
Run for Something is committed to building teams that reflect the diversity of our candidates, and to building equitable and inclusive environments that fully leverage the skills, potential, and unique perspectives of our employees. Run for Something strongly encourages applications from members of marginalized communities who have been disproportionately affected by lack of representation in elected office, including Black, Indigenous, and people of color, women, and the LGBTQIA+ and disabled communities. Learn more about Run for Something’s commitment here.
In order to prioritize the health and safety of our employees, all Run for Something employees are required to provide proof of COVID vaccination. Run for Something will discuss reasonable accommodations with employees who may be unable to receive a vaccine due to disability, the advice of a medical provider, or sincerely held religious beliefs.
Work Authorization
Given campaign finance restrictions, candidates for this position must possess valid work authorizations, and cannot be foreign nationals. This means that we are legally prohibited from hiring anyone for this position who is not a US citizen or lawful permanent resident (green card holder).
Apply for this position
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