Executive Director
ForwardTN, Nashville, TN, United States
About the Role
Forward Tennessee and its affiliated 501(c)(4), Tennessee Progress, are seeking a full‑time Executive Director to lead a growing communications‑support organization supporting progressive coalition partners across the state.
The Executive Director provides visionary leadership for Forward Tennessee and Tennessee Progress, ensuring the organization effectively strengthens the communications power, reach, and influence of its partners across organizing, elections, and legislative advocacy.
The ideal candidate is a seasoned leader with deep experience in organizing, political communications, and coalition work. You can articulate complex ideas simply, create clarity in ambiguity, and inspire others to champion a shared narrative. You are an exceptional manager and relationship‑builder who can drive results in a fast‑moving environment. As chief champion of the mission, you also ensure the organization’s tools, resources, and support meaningfully expand partner reach and influence. You also bring experience in fundraising, having shown you can secure resources, communicate compellingly with funders, and tell the story of the work in ways that grow investment and support. This role blends strategic leadership, team development, fundraising, and coalition partnership work.
The Executive Director reports to the President of the Board of Directors.
Who We Are Forward Tennessee is a 501(c)(3) communications‑support organization which, along with its affiliated 501(c)(4), Tennessee Progress, works to support coalition partners in growing their reach and influence in elections and advocacy.
Our vision is a Tennessee where democracy truly reflects the will of the people and delivers for all of us. Achieving that vision requires competing more effectively in the narratives that shape public opinion, the attention of lawmakers, elections, and how Tennesseans come to understand what’s at stake in the decisions leaders make.
Our mission is to support coalition partners in expanding the reach and influence of their communications and the communities they serve by:
Convening, supporting, and coordinating communications strategies across aligned coalition efforts
Providing training and technical assistance to partners
Sharing best practices on messaging research and guidance
Leading research on complex challenges such as Christian nationalism and disinformation
Helping partners better integrate communications, organizing, and advocacy
Through our affiliation with Progress Now, Forward TN and TN Progress work to connect partners with vital communications resources and assistance to help them grow their reach and influence.
What You’ll Achieve The Executive Director ensures Forward TN / Tennessee Progress operates as a trusted, high‑impact communications support hub for coalition partners. This role strengthens partner effectiveness, grows organizational resources, builds staff and partner capacity, and drives alignment across the ecosystem.
Partner Impact & Reach
Receive strong positive stakeholder evaluations of the communications hub
Partners report that Forward TN / TN Progress support improved their communications influence, like:
Influence during legislative session
Influence during electoral seasons
Increased investment in partner communications through stronger tools, plans, and alignment
Staff & Partner Effectiveness
Staff and contractors understand their roles, goals and are equipped with the support they need to be successful
Resource Growth
Raise funds for multiple years of operation & diversify revenue to strengthen sustainability
What You’ll Do
Lead Forward TN / Tennessee Progress as a communications resource for select coalition partners
Identify communications challenges and develop solutions that expand partner reach and influence
Align communications efforts across partners – often without formal authority – to shape public opinion, elections, and legislative sessions
Develop a high‑performing team through coaching, feedback, and clear expectations
Communicate complex ideas clearly and compellingly across diverse audiences
Serve as chief fundraiser and champion of the mission, working with the board to grow resources
Oversee financial and organizational management, including budgeting and compliance
Ensure staff, contractors, and partners have the tools, support, and clarity needed to succeed
Requirements Who You Are & Keys to Success
Experience leading coalition work: A proven ability to manage, influence, align, and drive action across diverse stakeholders and organizations through coalition building and often without formal authority
Experience leading a high‑performing team: A track record of developing and leading teams
Clear communication & storytelling skills: The ability to translate complex ideas into compelling narratives and actionable direction
Vision and drive: High expectations, strategic foresight, and relentless focus for results
An organizer mindset: Solutions‑focused, adaptive, curious, and committed to continuous learning
Political experience: Demonstrated understanding of organizing, elections, and legislative advocacy—and how communications connect them
A proven record of relationship‑building skills: Cultural competency, commitment to equity, and experience working with communities of color and across race, age, and class
Comfort with ambiguity: You take initiative to develop clarity in unclear situations by managing up or laterally, working with stakeholders to create it
Experience in fast‑paced environment: You've worked in environments where news drops quickly and priorities shift, maintaining focus on outcomes while adapting strategy
Movement experience: You have experience working with and/or as part of diverse communities and stakeholders
If You Were Here Today, You’d Be…
Envisioning communications strategy for the 2026 legislative session and elections
Meeting with partners to shape shared goals and staffing plans
Holding donor 1:1s and making fundraising asks
Monitoring your 2026 budget, making adjustments & preparing for board meetings
Troubleshooting challenges in coalition work, staff work, governance of the organization
Following up on a grant opportunity for ecosystem‑wide communications tools
Participating in coalition strategy meetings, offering guidance on narrative and capacity‑building
Benefits Forward Tennessee / Tennessee Progress is an equal opportunity employer. We value staff who come from communities most impacted by the issues we address and strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ+ people, and people from marginalized communities to apply.
Location: Remote, candidates must be based in Tennessee
Travel: Moderate
Salary: $120,000-$125,000, depending on experience
Health insurance, retirement contributions, and professional development support
#J-18808-Ljbffr
The Executive Director provides visionary leadership for Forward Tennessee and Tennessee Progress, ensuring the organization effectively strengthens the communications power, reach, and influence of its partners across organizing, elections, and legislative advocacy.
The ideal candidate is a seasoned leader with deep experience in organizing, political communications, and coalition work. You can articulate complex ideas simply, create clarity in ambiguity, and inspire others to champion a shared narrative. You are an exceptional manager and relationship‑builder who can drive results in a fast‑moving environment. As chief champion of the mission, you also ensure the organization’s tools, resources, and support meaningfully expand partner reach and influence. You also bring experience in fundraising, having shown you can secure resources, communicate compellingly with funders, and tell the story of the work in ways that grow investment and support. This role blends strategic leadership, team development, fundraising, and coalition partnership work.
The Executive Director reports to the President of the Board of Directors.
Who We Are Forward Tennessee is a 501(c)(3) communications‑support organization which, along with its affiliated 501(c)(4), Tennessee Progress, works to support coalition partners in growing their reach and influence in elections and advocacy.
Our vision is a Tennessee where democracy truly reflects the will of the people and delivers for all of us. Achieving that vision requires competing more effectively in the narratives that shape public opinion, the attention of lawmakers, elections, and how Tennesseans come to understand what’s at stake in the decisions leaders make.
Our mission is to support coalition partners in expanding the reach and influence of their communications and the communities they serve by:
Convening, supporting, and coordinating communications strategies across aligned coalition efforts
Providing training and technical assistance to partners
Sharing best practices on messaging research and guidance
Leading research on complex challenges such as Christian nationalism and disinformation
Helping partners better integrate communications, organizing, and advocacy
Through our affiliation with Progress Now, Forward TN and TN Progress work to connect partners with vital communications resources and assistance to help them grow their reach and influence.
What You’ll Achieve The Executive Director ensures Forward TN / Tennessee Progress operates as a trusted, high‑impact communications support hub for coalition partners. This role strengthens partner effectiveness, grows organizational resources, builds staff and partner capacity, and drives alignment across the ecosystem.
Partner Impact & Reach
Receive strong positive stakeholder evaluations of the communications hub
Partners report that Forward TN / TN Progress support improved their communications influence, like:
Influence during legislative session
Influence during electoral seasons
Increased investment in partner communications through stronger tools, plans, and alignment
Staff & Partner Effectiveness
Staff and contractors understand their roles, goals and are equipped with the support they need to be successful
Resource Growth
Raise funds for multiple years of operation & diversify revenue to strengthen sustainability
What You’ll Do
Lead Forward TN / Tennessee Progress as a communications resource for select coalition partners
Identify communications challenges and develop solutions that expand partner reach and influence
Align communications efforts across partners – often without formal authority – to shape public opinion, elections, and legislative sessions
Develop a high‑performing team through coaching, feedback, and clear expectations
Communicate complex ideas clearly and compellingly across diverse audiences
Serve as chief fundraiser and champion of the mission, working with the board to grow resources
Oversee financial and organizational management, including budgeting and compliance
Ensure staff, contractors, and partners have the tools, support, and clarity needed to succeed
Requirements Who You Are & Keys to Success
Experience leading coalition work: A proven ability to manage, influence, align, and drive action across diverse stakeholders and organizations through coalition building and often without formal authority
Experience leading a high‑performing team: A track record of developing and leading teams
Clear communication & storytelling skills: The ability to translate complex ideas into compelling narratives and actionable direction
Vision and drive: High expectations, strategic foresight, and relentless focus for results
An organizer mindset: Solutions‑focused, adaptive, curious, and committed to continuous learning
Political experience: Demonstrated understanding of organizing, elections, and legislative advocacy—and how communications connect them
A proven record of relationship‑building skills: Cultural competency, commitment to equity, and experience working with communities of color and across race, age, and class
Comfort with ambiguity: You take initiative to develop clarity in unclear situations by managing up or laterally, working with stakeholders to create it
Experience in fast‑paced environment: You've worked in environments where news drops quickly and priorities shift, maintaining focus on outcomes while adapting strategy
Movement experience: You have experience working with and/or as part of diverse communities and stakeholders
If You Were Here Today, You’d Be…
Envisioning communications strategy for the 2026 legislative session and elections
Meeting with partners to shape shared goals and staffing plans
Holding donor 1:1s and making fundraising asks
Monitoring your 2026 budget, making adjustments & preparing for board meetings
Troubleshooting challenges in coalition work, staff work, governance of the organization
Following up on a grant opportunity for ecosystem‑wide communications tools
Participating in coalition strategy meetings, offering guidance on narrative and capacity‑building
Benefits Forward Tennessee / Tennessee Progress is an equal opportunity employer. We value staff who come from communities most impacted by the issues we address and strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ+ people, and people from marginalized communities to apply.
Location: Remote, candidates must be based in Tennessee
Travel: Moderate
Salary: $120,000-$125,000, depending on experience
Health insurance, retirement contributions, and professional development support
#J-18808-Ljbffr