Executive Director

Fully Remote | Full Time | $128,000 / year

Position Summary The Executive Director works closely with the Board of Directors and senior leadership to provide strategic, financial and operational leadership of the organization. The ED is responsible for the consistent achievement of the organization’s mission and financial objectives, and ensures innovative programming to meet the changing needs of the organization, staff, funding partners, and clients it serves. This position reports directly to the Board of Directors.

Organization Overview

Life After Hate envisions a safer society in which compassion and accountability enable change. We build a safer society by making it possible for people to break free from lives of violent hate and extremism through evidence-based interventions. Our multidisciplinary team consists of nonprofit professionals, case managers, licensed mental health specialists, and peer mentors–individuals who have walked away from violent extremism. Our primary goal is to interrupt violence committed in the name of ideological or religious beliefs. We do this through education, interventions, academic research, and outreach. Since our founding in 2011, our reach has grown to include thousands of people across the globe who support our mission.

Essential Functions

Mission, Vision, Strategy:

Serves as the primary steward of the organization’s brand, mission, values, and vision.
Works in collaboration with the board and staff to determine and fulfill the organization’s values, mission, vision, and short- and long-term goals; jointly develops a long-range strategy to achieve the organization’s mission and associated implementation plans to achieve the goals.
Assists and enables the staff with implementation of strategic plans and strategies so that the organization can operate from an outlined course of action.
Collaborates with the board to monitor and evaluate LAH’s relevancy, effectiveness, and results.
Identifies organizational and key stakeholder priorities, needs and barriers relevant to LAH’s work.
Positions the organization as a key voice and leader in the violent hate and extremism disengagement thought and practice space.
Ensures the board, funders, staff, and other stakeholders. are informed about organizational activities, programs and goals.
Creates an advocacy strategy to advance the needs of the violent hate and extremism disengagement space and build relationships with diverse partners to include other nonprofit organizations, private sector, philanthropic organizations, and government agencies.

Board Relations and Governance:

Assists the board with refining its role and accountabilities, enables the board to fulfill its governance functions, promotes board member involvement, encourages board member engagement, and helps evaluate board performance regularly.
In collaboration with the Board Chair, focuses board attention on long-range strategic issues and goals, and builds board engagement with strategic direction for ongoing initiatives.
Supports a strong Board of Directors and recommends potential future board members, and participates in the recruitment and onboarding of new board members, inclusive of orientation.
Communicates effectively with the board and provides timely and accurate information necessary for the board to function properly and to make informed decisions; manages the due diligence process ensuring timely attention to issues.
Alerts the Board of Directors, staff, and supporters regarding issues that may call for media, legislative, administrative, and/or social action.
Communicates to the Board of Directors and staff when there are deviations to core organizational functions.

Organizational Development and Administration:

Provides leadership to all departments, and in developing program, organizational and financial plans with the Board of Directors and staff.
Ensures compliance with various grantors; works with the COO to maintain fiscal records including bank statements, grant administration, bookkeeping, payroll, tax records, audits, etc.
Manages staff utilizing a team approach to leadership that supports a productive, professionally competent workforce in an environment respectful of well-being and cultural diversity; delegates and coordinates work responsibilities; takes primary responsibility for hiring and terminations; maintains positive staff relations.
Works with operations team to develop and distribute quarterly and annual reports of organizational programs, finance, and progress toward established goals; disseminates such information to the board and those requiring and/or requesting it.
Promotes ongoing programmatic excellence and data driven program evaluation and marketing; and supports the implementation of programs that carry out the organization’s mission.
Works with programs and operations departments to ensure program quality and organizational stability through the development and implementation of standards and controls, systems and procedures, grants management, and regular evaluation.
Communicates effectively and inspires others to high performance; promotes accountability; removes barriers; supports others to be creative and action-oriented; anticipates needs before they appear.

Public Relations and Communications:

Serves as chief spokesperson, advocate and representative of the organization to external entities including media, public speaking events, government agencies, legislative hearings, organizations, funders, the general public, etc.
Furthers the organization’s mission and enhances the organization’s image by being actively involved in developing and maintaining relationships with strategic partnerships, government agencies, other professional and civic organizations, funders, academic institutions, and any other key stakeholders or areas of impact.
Works with the Director of Communications to manage and coordinate all media contacts and inquiries for media partnerships; develops effective and ongoing relationships with media.
Works with the board to prepare, strengthen and refine a comprehensive marketing, communications, and public relations strategy that creates a stronger brand and presence.

Development and Fundraising:

Assures an effective fundraising strategy for both the long- and short-term that addresses changes in the internal and external environment and helps guide and enable the board to participate actively in the fundraising strategy process.
Identifies and stewards potential funding sources and develops other resources necessary to support the organization’s mission and ensure the financial health of the organization.
Assists in expanding existing donor network; cultivates revenue generation and fundraising activities, and creates new opportunities and partnerships with individuals and organizations.
Works with LAH team members to accomplish strategic fundraising goals and streamline communications with foundations, supporters and prospective donors/partners about key programs and initiatives.
Assists with the management of ongoing donor/partner inquiries and communications.

Operations and Finance:

Provides oversight and leadership to the COO and operations teams in the preparation of the annual and program budgets and ensures they meet the program and financial goals of the organization.
Collaborates with the COO in maintaining the fiscal integrity and performance of the organization by reviewing, monitoring and evaluating monthly financial statements and budgets to ensure there is an accurate reflection of the financial condition of the organization.
Provides oversight to the overall financial management, planning, and maintenance of financial operating procedures, processes, practices, and internal controls.
In coordination with the COO, assists with preparation of the annual external audit and programmatic audits, and any other required financial reports and audits.
Consistently provides oversight of the fiscal activities of the organization including budgeting, reporting, audits, financial management systems, etc.

Human Resources:

Provides oversight to the COO in the annual review and update of personnel policies and procedures, and other human resource documents, systems, and processes.
Works with the COO on the development of employee benefits, specifically using an equity lens.
Works with the COO on recruiting personnel, regularly evaluating staff performance, and ensuring appropriate salary and benefit structures are developed and maintained.
Maintains a work environment that recruits, retains, and supports quality staff; and ensures the process for selecting, development, motivating, and evaluating staff is equitable and inclusive.

*Regular attendance is an essential function of this position.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

Acts as an engaged and collaborative member of the organization.
Researches and maintains a working knowledge of new initiatives, trends, and best practices in nonprofit sector and administration, board governance, funding management and development, finance, human resources, public relations, marketing and communications, public policy, etc.
Builds and maintains a strong and appropriate relationships with the board, committees, staff, external partners, and all other key stakeholders.
Must plan and meet deadlines.
Conveys a professional and positive image and attitude.
Demonstrates commitment to continued professional growth and development of self and staff.
Attends internal and external conferences, meetings, and trainings, as needed and required.
Assists the Board of Directors, and Board Chair, as requested.

Required Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferred.
Minimum 8-10 years of business administration and management experience including development, marketing, communications, finance, programs, and human resources (required).
Minimum 8-10 years of senior management experience at a nonprofit organization with >1M annual budget (required).
Experience with government funding, preferred.
Experience working with Board of Directors.
Proven track record of successful fundraising, budget management, decision-making, and reporting.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Strong leadership and a demonstrated commitment to high professional ethical standards.
Ability to exercise discretion and sound judgment.
Strong strategic mindset with high level organizational skills.
Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written with proven ability to communicate effectively at all levels and in public settings.
Computer savvy and high proficiency with a spectrum of technological products and web-based software.
Excellent interpersonal skills, and high comfort level working in diverse environments.
Ability to delegate responsibilities effectively, motivate staff, foster growth, and ensure effective results and excellence at all levels of the organization.
Excellent time management and prioritization skills.
Ability to cultivate a positive work environment and a collaborative team approach.
Ability to manage and oversee or direct sensitive internal investigations or inquiries.
Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality with staff, stakeholders, and the Board of Directors.

Environment and Demands

Willingness to work flexible hours including early mornings, late evenings, and weekends as needed.
Frequently requires time pressures, emergency situations, and frequent change of tasks.

Travel required

<15% travel requirement required, subject to change.

Please submit resume and cover letter to the LAH Board of Directors at lahedsearch@gmail.com .

Please note that this job description reflects Life After Hate’s executive team assignment of essential functions and other duties and is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position. LAH maintains the right to assign or reassign duties, responsibilities, and activities of this position at any time with or without notice. Life After Hate is an equal opportunity employer and values a diverse workforce and inclusive culture. Life After Hate encourages applications from all qualified individuals and does not discriminate based on any category protected under applicable federal, state or local law.