Deputy Director

About Fistula Foundation

Fistula Foundation combines the dynamism of a lean startup with the stability of a mature organization. We are demonstrating to the world that a new approach to women’s health can change the trajectory of women’s lives and have a profound impact on local communities.

An estimated one million women in Africa and Asia suffer from obstetric fistula, a debilitating childbirth injury that leaves a woman incontinent and, as a result, too often abandoned by her family and shunned by her community. Surgery is the only cure, which we deliver through partners in 31 countries across Africa and Asia. Since 2009, we have provided more than 100,000 free, life-transforming surgeries to women in need.

Each year since 2006, we’ve received the highest rating from every nonprofit sector watchdog group. Charity Watch gives us an “A” grade and lists us as a Top-Rated Charity, and GuideStar has awarded us Platinum Participant status—the highest designation available to charities. We have also earned the recognition of leaders such as Pulitzer Prize winner Nicholas Kristof, Grammy winner Paul Simon, and internationally renowned ethicist Peter Singer.

The Opportunity: Deputy Director

As the world’s largest private funder of fistula repair, Fistula Foundation stands alone in ensuring life-changing care to women suffering from one of the most devastating yet treatable injuries in maternal health. Today we provide more of these surgeries to more women than any other organization, including the U.S. government and United Nations.

The engine of our growth is our ability to raise funds. We are a dogged fundraising organization with exceptional marketing acumen and an unrelenting drive to advocate on behalf of some of the world’s most marginalized women. We’ve grown from supporting 500 surgeries in 2009 to providing more than 16,000 in 2024. While our revenue has increased by a factor of 7, our surgery total has increased by a factor of more than 30. Laser-focused on one measurable outcome—the number of women we can help, we send 85% of our revenue to the field to support our core “business”—fistula surgeries—as possible.

We are seeking a dynamic deputy director to serve as a trusted advisor and strategic thought partner to the CEO. In this senior leadership role, you will use your deep expertise in consumer marketing and business strategy to strengthen our fundraising efforts and keep the Foundation running with business-like efficiency. You will lead high-impact special projects, support marketing, communications, and donor engagement, and work in partnership with the CEO on people and culture efforts. This is a fast-paced, cross-functional, high-impact role.

You will thrive in this role if you are excited by the idea of never being done, of constantly iterating to find new and better ways to reach more people and inspire their support; you aim high, work smart, and respond quickly to new challenges and opportunities; you take initiative and are self-accountable; you have a proven track record managing teams to accomplish measurable results; you can see the big picture of the organization and its long-term impact while still focusing on details and driving execution; you are a collaborative team player, with strong EQ; and you embody a “what’s right, not who’s right” ethos.

Qualifications

• MBA highly desired or commensurate experience in marketing, consulting, business strategy, or finance. Bachelor’s degree required.
• 7–10 years of senior leadership experience, preferably including private-sector experience.
• Demonstrated ability to manage a team of professionals for growth, demonstrated by increasing levels of responsibility within one organization.
• Superior written and verbal skills, adept at crafting compelling narratives for both internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently and handle multiple priorities in a fast-paced, dynamic environment without feeling overwhelmed, all while keeping perspective and a sense of humor.
• High level of discretion and confidentiality, with the ability to handle sensitive information and situations
• Demonstrated interest in social justice and women’s issues in professional or volunteer activities.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Act as a go-to thought partner for the CEO, providing strategic counsel, anticipating challenges and risks, and identifying new opportunities for growth.
• Work with department leads to implement best practices that drive operational excellence and accountability while using emotional intelligence to manage conflicts and change.
• Manage strategic initiatives, ensuring timely execution and alignment with the organization’s goals.

Communications + Stakeholder Engagement

• Develop tailored content for donor communications and other critical stakeholder engagements.
• Drive the planning and management of board meetings, serving as the primary point of contact for logistics.

Operations + Finance Oversight

• Direct the everyday functions of the organization to ensure the organization stays agile and mission focused, including oversight of the Director of Finance and Office Manager.
• Oversee budget management and resource allocation to align financial decisions with short- and long-term goals.

People + Culture

• Manage people and culture initiatives to foster a thriving, inclusive, and high-performing workplace, ensuring alignment with the organization’s values and mission.

Key Strengths

• Enjoys Dynamic Growth: You thrive in ambiguity and change and work well in an unstructured environment. You can switch gears easily in response to unexpected demands; you seek to know how and why, rather than come to a yes or no conclusion.
• Quick Study: You master situations, information, or skills easily and quickly.
• Collaborative: You find common ground in completing tasks and solving problems, and work synergistically for mutual benefit.
• Perceptive: You have a keen understanding of people, ideas and organizations; you can read a situation quickly and accurately and discern subtle clues about what others think or feel.
• Self-Confident: You believe in your own judgment, abilities or skills and undertake difficult tasks with the expectation of success.
• Initiative: You move proactively to achieve results, take decisive action, and are self-accountable.
• Customer Orientation: You have a strong service orientation to a person first (in this case, the CEO)

Benefits and Culture

Fistula Foundation offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes health insurance, a 403b retirement plan (with a generous employer match), a dog-friendly office, and a generous vacation plan that begins in the first year of employment. We also offer a competitive salary that starts at $200,000 to $240,000 based on qualifications.

This position is based in San Jose, California. The Foundation has adopted a hybrid work model that allows staff members to occasionally work remotely. The deputy director will be expected to work on-site four to five days per week with the option of working remotely on Friday.

Our team prioritizes initiative, productivity, and teamwork. We celebrate the successes of our team and our partners. We value creativity and passion for our mission while encouraging our teammates to live healthy lives. We believe that our work is enhanced by a diversity of thought and perspectives. We are an equal opportunity employer and seek a diverse workforce. Applicants from all backgrounds, especially from communities of color, are encouraged to apply.

How to Apply

Please send your résumé and a thoughtful cover letter to: info@fistulafoundation.org

(Please include “Deputy Director” in the subject line.)

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We will respond to all applicants.