Managing Director

Location: Remote (main office is in Seattle, WA)

Reports To: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Annual Salary Range: $175k-$200k

Status: Exempt, 40 hours per week (generally)

The Who We Are Project: www.thewhoweareproject.org

About Us

The Who We Are Project is a non-profit media organization founded by attorney and racial justice advocate Jeffery Robinson, inspired by the transformative impact of the award-winning documentary film Who We Are: A Chronicle of Racism in America. Our mission is to challenge and reshape the dominant narrative of America’s history by uncovering and sharing factual, truth-based content that exposes the legacy and ongoing impact of anti-Black racism.

Education is at the core of our work. We strive to empower individuals and communities with the knowledge needed to inspire meaningful dialogue and transformative action. Through engaging media production, impactful learning events, and collaboration with historians, we bring to light stories that have been overlooked or misrepresented, ensuring a more accurate representation of Black history.

As a nonprofit start-up, we are focused on building a strong foundation, developing a sustainable revenue model, and expanding our reach to support this essential mission. By joining our team, you will contribute to shaping a future where education, equity, and justice pave the way for lasting change.

Position Summary: Lead the Charge for Racial Justice

The Managing Director is a key leadership role responsible for advancing the strategic vision, operational excellence, and sustainable growth of The Who We Are Project. Reporting to the CEO, they will develop and implement strategies to expand the organization’s reach, oversee daily operations, and establish a strong financial and operational foundation to support its mission.

As a champion of The Who We Are Project’s mission, the Managing Director will lead and support a team in designing and executing new programs, strengthening organizational systems, diversifying revenue sources, and producing editorial content. They will also cultivate strategic partnerships and inspire both internal and external stakeholders.

This is a unique opportunity to shape and lead a start-up nonprofit dedicated to challenging systemic racism, advancing racial equity, and educating the public through compelling media and truth-based historical storytelling. The ideal candidate is a visionary and entrepreneurial leader with a deep commitment to racial justice, strong organizational management experience, and a talent for fostering collaboration and innovation.

The role will include travel to key events, partnerships, and program locations to support the organization's growth and outreach efforts.

Compensation:

The salary range for this position is $175,000-$200,000 annually, depending on experience. Additional benefits and performance-based incentives may apply.

Key Responsibilities

• Organizational Leadership:
  • Collaborate with the CEO to create long-term plans for organizational growth and sustainability.
  • Lead the development and utilization of the expanding collection of media, including the existing full-length documentary, and forthcoming docu-series, podcast, book, and digital shorts.
  • Lead organizational functions such as finance, HR, program management, and technology, ensuring systems are designed for efficiency and scalability.
  • Enhance team capabilities and organizational impact by supporting the development of learning and instructional design.
  • Ensure an integrated approach where programs and services align with and support strategies in fundraising, marketing, media production, and general operations.
  • Develop, hire, and manage additional positions as the organization grows.
• Development of a Healthy Long-term Revenue Model
  • Supervise and collaborate with the Development Director to develop and expand revenue streams, such as individual giving, grants, corporate sponsorships, and partnerships.
  • Investigate opportunities to earn revenue by providing paid services to public institutions, corporations, and other large employers.
  • Ensure the alignment of revenue streams with the organization's strategic goals and mission.
• External Relations & Communications:
  • Serve as a spokesperson for the organization, representing The Who We Are Project at events, conferences, and in media engagements.
  • Develop and implement a communications strategy to promote the organization's mission and programs, collaborating with external agencies and building an internal team.
  • Build and maintain relationships with community leaders, ally organizations, policymakers, media representatives, and other key stakeholders.
• Board Governance & Development :
  • Collaborate with the Board of Directors to ensure effective governance and oversight of the organization.
  • Recruit, onboard, and support new Board members to strengthen governance capacity.
  • Facilitate strong communication and collaboration between the Board and staff to align on strategic priorities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required or possess equivalent experience in lieu of a degree.
• Have 7+ years in senior leadership roles, with a proven track record in start-up or hypergrowth environments, preferably in nonprofit or media-focused organizations.
• Demonstrate a strong commitment to advancing racial equity, justice, and inclusion, with a deep understanding of systemic racism.
• Proven ability to develop and execute multi-year strategic plans, ensuring long-term sustainability and alignment with organizational values.
• Demonstrated expertise in managing organizational operations, including finance, HR, program management, and systems development.
• Strong track record in developing sustainable revenue streams through grants, corporate partnerships, and sponsorships.
• Skilled in building and leading diverse, high-performing teams in collaborative, mission-driven environments.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with experience serving as a spokesperson and engaging key stakeholders.
• Ability to develop and oversee educational initiatives or events that raise awareness and inspire action.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to navigate start-up challenges, drive innovation, and implement strategic solutions.
• Deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, with the ability to engage and connect with diverse communities while respecting cultural differences and perspectives.