Executive Director

Position Overview:

DC Vote seeks a strategic and passionate Executive Director to lead our advocacy for DC statehood and autonomy while strengthening coalitions to protect against federal overreach. This role requires a balance of policy leadership, coalition-building, and nonprofit management, ensuring the organization remains a strong force in defending self-governance for Washington, DC. The Executive Director will oversee advocacy efforts, organizational operations, and financial sustainability while mobilizing supporters and policymakers.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Advocacy

• Develop and execute a clear, focused strategy to advance DC statehood and autonomy while resisting federal encroachments.
• Build and strengthen coalitions with local and national partners to amplify advocacy efforts and align with broader democracy movements.
• Serve as a public champion for the organization, engaging with elected officials, grassroots activists, and community leaders to mobilize support.
• Monitor and respond to legislative threats that impact DC’s right to self-governance, ensuring proactive advocacy.

Organizational Leadership & Administration

• Reporting to the board of directors, oversee day-to-day nonprofit operations, including budgeting, payroll, and tax-exempt compliance, ensuring financial sustainability.
• Lead and support a small, dedicated team fostering a collaborative, high-impact work environment.
• Ensure effective governance, working closely with the board of directors on strategic priorities and accountability.

Fundraising & Resource Development

• Support organizational growth, secure funding through grants, donor engagement, and strategic partnerships.
• Develop and implement fundraising strategies that align with the organization’s advocacy goals and operational needs.
• Cultivate relationships with foundations, individual donors, and institutional funders to expand financial support.

Communications & Public Engagement

• Develop and execute a targeted communications strategy to raise awareness and drive engagement.
• Utilize media, digital platforms, and public events to educate and mobilize supporters around DC autonomy and statehood.
• Serve as a spokesperson, ensuring DC Vote’s mission and policy positions are clearly communicated to diverse audiences.

Qualifications & Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
• Minimum 4 years of senior nonprofit leadership experience, preferably in advocacy, policy, or coalition-building.
• Strong knowledge of DC autonomy, federal oversight issues, and the legislative process.
• Demonstrated success in coalition-building and advocacy campaign leadership.
• Proven ability to manage a nonprofit organization, including budgeting, compliance, and team leadership.
• Experience in fundraising and donor cultivation, with a track record of securing diverse and recurring funding streams.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage media and policymakers from across the political spectrum, alongside stakeholders at all levels.

To Apply

Apply here or please send your cover letter and resume to jobs@dcvote.org.