Executive Director

Summary

Join the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (S.T.O.P.) as its next Executive Director and lead this dynamic organization into a new chapter in the fight against discriminatory government surveillance. The Executive Director will provide strategic oversight across all facets of the organization, including litigation, advocacy, policy, research, communications, development, and coalition building. This role requires a visionary and justice-driven leader with strong storytelling abilities and the capacity to translate complex issues into accessible calls to action. The ideal candidate will have experience fundraising from foundations and high-net-worth individuals and a demonstrated ability to lead and grow teams within organizations. The Executive Director will report directly to the Board of Directors and will have the opportunity to lead one of the nation's most cutting-edge civil rights organizations. This is a fully remote position with an optional in-person co-working day each week, and the salary range is $125,000-$150,000.

Requirements

• Professional commitment to protecting the civil rights of marginalized communities and passion for dismantling systems of mass governmental surveillance
• Experience fundraising from foundations, government, and/or high-net-worth individuals
• Demonstrates an ability to pick up new subject matter expertise and has a particular interest in or knack for understanding technology
• Demonstrated ability or experience in developing novel case strategies
• Experience leading strategy and multiple teams in growing organizations
• Passion for storytelling, with the ability to transform technical and legal issues into broadly engaging, emotionally rooted, and informative narratives
• Demonstrated leadership approach that builds a sense of community and mutual support within an organization
• Law degree and active New York State bar membership

Responsibilities

• Ensure each function of the organization (litigation, research, advocacy) has the resources, capacity, and professional development opportunities to maximize their work and grow in their abilities
• Partner with Legal Director to develop impact litigation and FOIL cases
• Partner with Legal Director and Advocacy Manager to develop strategic lobbying plan, including shaping legislative priorities at the city and state levels and building cross-organizational alliances
• Partner with Research Director to develop publication priorities and discuss S.T.O.P.’s framing of critical surveillance issues
• Partner with the Advocacy Manager to develop training curricula
• Develop long-term plan for organizational growth in coordination with staff and board, with clear goals, priorities, and benchmarks
• Develop internal systems and processes that allow sustainable growth and support prioritization, optimization, and efficiencies for the team and departments
• Ensure an organizational culture that respects the indispensable need for staff to use evenings, weekends, holidays, and vacations to rebuild their energy for this work
• Maintain organizational compliance with all legal/regulatory obligations
• Work with Founder in Residence to transition organizational relationships with key funders, coalition partners, and supporters
• Partner with Development Manager to design and refine S.T.O.P.’s annual development strategy and organizational budget
• Raise funding from foundations and high-net-worth individuals; diversifying our current portfolio of funders to reach national funders, ex-Big Tech workers, and high-net-worth individuals with a passion for our mission
• Work closely with the Communications Director to develop press strategy and expand audience
• Represent S.T.O.P. in frequent press appearances, including press conferences, print, radio, and television
• Partner with Communications Director in website management, branding, and social media strategy on an ad hoc basis
• Partner with Communications Director in editorial strategy on an ad hoc basis
• Work closely with the Development Manager to refine language for philanthropic efforts, such as grant applications, letters of intent, proposals, and more
• Partner with the Advocacy Manager to identify new training subjects and develop public education curricula, presentations, and materials

Preferred Qualifications

Knowledge of New York City and State politics and community-based organizations is strongly preferred

Benefits

• An array of employer-funded medical, dental, and vision insurance plans with no employee premium contribution
• Cost-of-living and seniority pay rises for all positions
• Fully remote organization, with one optional, in-person co-working day each week