Executive Director

About Defending Rights & Dissent

Defending Rights & Dissent strengthens our participatory democracy by protecting the right to political expression. We are a 65‑year‑old national civil liberties organization that defends the American people’s right to know and freedom to act through grassroots mobilization, public education, policy expertise, and advocacy journalism.

We focus on political surveillance, national security secrecy and censorship, the right to protest, constitutional war powers, accountability for human rights abuses, the Gaza free‑speech crisis, and FOIA investigations.

Defending Rights & Dissent is a nimble and agile organization with a risk‑tolerant board, focused on rapid response to emerging threats to civil liberties. We collaborate with allied organizations and maintain strong partnerships across the advocacy landscape. Our current team includes four staff members supported by 11 board members who are deeply committed to our mission.

Position Overview

The Executive Director is responsible for the overall strategic, operational, and financial management of Defending Rights & Dissent, serving as the organization’s chief executive officer. The Executive Director works closely with the Board of Directors and key stakeholders to ensure the success of DRAD’s mission and objectives. This position is responsible for implementing and advancing DRAD’s advocacy efforts, fundraising, program development, and long‑term sustainability.

This is a pivotal moment for the organization as we transition from our current Executive Director of 18 years (departing November 20, 2026) and seek a leader who can build on our foundation while charting an innovative path forward.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Strategic Direction

• Provide vision, leadership, and direction to the organization in accordance with DRAD’s mission and goals established in collaboration with the Board of Directors
• Oversee the development and execution of strategic plans, organizational goals, and priorities
• Foster a positive and inclusive organizational culture that promotes collaboration, transparency, and excellence
• Ensure that diversity is a key part of the organization’s framework and that equity and inclusion are ingrained in the organization’s strategic vision and operations
• Demonstrate calm, level‑headed leadership with persistence through challenging times
• Balance strategic vision with willingness to "get in the weeds" and handle operational details

Program Development and Implementation

• With the Board and Policy Director, develop and implement programs and strategies to achieve DRAD’s advocacy objectives and policy goals
• Build relationships with allied organizations across the political spectrum and serve as DRAD’s representative in national coalitions to advance DRAD’s visibility, program, and policy goals
• Develop and maintain policy expertise in relevant issue areas
• Regularly assess the political landscape, adapting programming to respond to emerging issues, trends, and opportunities
• Navigate changes in the advocacy landscape, including congressional limitations and the need for new levers beyond litigation
• Build grassroots networks and coalitions to amplify impact
• Write blog posts, articles, and reports
• Serve as primary spokesperson for the organization

Fundraising & Resource Development

• Work closely with the Board of Directors to ensure DRAD’s financial stability and long‑term sustainability
• Develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy that aligns with DRAD’s goals, including grants, individual donations, events, and other revenue‑generating activities
• Build and expand both foundation and grassroots donor bases
• Adapt fundraising strategies to respond to changes in the philanthropic landscape
• Write and/or oversee drafting of grant proposals and reports, fundraising appeals, and other donor relations materials
• Develop and implement donor stewardship plans to maintain strong relationships with donors and secure ongoing support, including regular communication, recognition, and engagement opportunities
• Maintain foundation relationships through leadership transition
• Secure major donors and create integrated donor stewardship infrastructure
• Serve as expert on DRAD’s donor database; manage and oversee the management of the CRM platform

Financial Management

• Draft and manage DRAD’s budget, ensuring the organization’s financial health and compliance with legal and regulatory requirements
• Understand and interpret financial statements, budgets, cash flow, audits, and the 990
• Monitor revenue and expenses to ensure that DRAD operates within budget constraints
• Provide accurate financial reports to the Board of Directors in a timely manner, along with detailed financial analysis as needed
• Collaborate with the Board of Directors to identify opportunities for revenue growth and cost savings, while ensuring the organization remains financially stable and sustainable for the long term
• Maintain up‑to‑date knowledge of best practices in nonprofit financial management and ensure compliance with all relevant regulations and guidelines

Operations Management

• Oversee DRAD’s day‑to‑day operations, including resource management, program development, and organizational administration
• Ensure programs are aligned with DRAD’s mission and objectives, and are effectively implemented and evaluated
• Manage DRAD’s fiscal sponsorship program, ensuring high‑quality and responsive services and compliance with legal and regulatory requirements for fiscal sponsorship
• Ensure excellence in onboarding, recruitment, retention, management, professional development, and compliance
• Recruit, hire, supervise and mentor staff members; provide regular performance feedback and growth opportunities
• Promote professional development and a culture of mutual support, learning, and collaboration
• Ensure the organization’s compensation, benefits, and HR policies reflect sector standards and support employee retention
• Ensure effective administration of operations, including signing all notes and agreements on behalf of the organization
• Oversee data capture, legal compliance, and operational infrastructure

Board Relations & Governance

• Serve as the primary liaison to DRAD’s Board of Directors, ensuring that the Board is well‑informed and able to make effective decisions
• Work with the DRAD Board to establish governance policies and provide guidance on legal and financial matters
• Provide regular updates and reports to the DRAD Board on organizational progress, issues, and challenges
• Support and assist in the recruitment and development of DRAD Board members
• Ensure transparency in board and staff relations
• Promote staff access to the board and inclusion in organizational decisions

Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements applicable to a 501(c)(3) organization, including IRS regulations and lobbying laws
• Develop and implement policies and procedures to minimize organizational risks
• Monitor and address any risks to DRAD’s reputation or legal standing
• Demonstrate appropriate risk tolerance and commitment to tactical innovation

Required Qualifications

• Passion for the organization’s mission and values with demonstrated commitment to civil liberties, government accountability, and dissent rights
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in nonprofit management or a related field including staff management, board relations, and organizational development
• Proven fundraising success with foundations – demonstrated ability to secure and maintain foundation grants
• Strategic approach to evolving fundraising landscape – ability to adapt to changes in the philanthropic sector
• Strong financial management skills , including budget preparation, analysis, decision‑making, and reporting; ability to understand and interpret financial statements, budgets, cash flow, audits, and the 990
• Successful people management experience – track record of leading and developing teams effectively
• Excellent communication and public speaking skills – both written and verbal – with the ability to convey complex concepts clearly and effectively to diverse audiences
• Sophisticated theory of change – clear understanding of how advocacy creates social impact
• Relationship stewardship track record – proven ability to build and maintain stakeholder relationships with donors, partners, and allies
• Emotional intelligence – capacity to read situations, understand perspectives, and respond appropriately
• Conflict management skills – ability to navigate difficult conversations and resolve disputes
• Ability to work collaboratively with staff, Board of Directors, donors, sponsors, and other stakeholders
• Grounded in a clear vision and decisive – ability to set direction and make tough decisions
• Risk tolerance and commitment to tactical innovation – willingness to try new approaches while managing organizational risk
• Hands‑on leadership style – willingness to handle operational details and unglamorous work alongside strategic leadership
• Self‑starter – takes initiative without constant direction
• Humility and diplomacy – grounded leadership style that prioritizes organizational success over personal recognition
• Available for travel and work engagement after‑hours on an as‑needed basis

Preferred Qualifications

• Proven fundraising success with grassroots donors – experience building individual donor base and community support
• Experience successfully working with unions, grassroots organizations, and community‑based movements
• Track record of coalition leadership, including convening and aligning diverse stakeholders toward shared goals
• Commitment to and experience with grassroots organizing – background in community mobilization and base‑building
• Rooted in community – authentic connections to communities affected by the organization’s work
• Inspiring public speaker – ability to articulate vision and energize diverse audiences
• Willingness to publicly advocate on controversial or unpopular issues
• Depth of expertise in civil liberties, surveillance, immigration, government transparency, or related policy areas

Key Challenges and Opportunities

The next Executive Director will have the opportunity to:

• Build a sustainable, thriving long‑term business plan
• Develop a sustainable donor stewardship program and secure major donors
• Create integrated communications infrastructure
• Raise organizational visibility and public profile
• Lead during a critical period for civil liberties advocacy
• Adapt organizational strategies to a changing political landscape
• Strengthen grassroots networks and coalition partnerships
• Foster a culture of innovation while maintaining organizational stability

Organizational Values

Our ideal candidate will embody DRAD’s core values:

• Dedication to the organization over personal advancement
• Transparency in all relationships and operations
• Collaboration and partnership with allied organizations
• Nimbleness and adaptability in response to emerging threats
• Inclusivity in organizational culture and decision‑making
• Integrity in advocacy and operations
• Persistence in pursuit of mission goals

Defending Rights & Dissent is a safe, inclusive workplace for people of all backgrounds and walks of life. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team and strongly encourage you to apply if you are from a marginalized or underrepresented group. Some candidates may see a long list of job requirements and feel discouraged because they don’t match every single bullet point – we encourage you to apply anyway.

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