Nonprofit

Deputy Director

On-site, Work must be performed in or near Boston, MA
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  • Details

    Job Type:
    Part Time
    Start Date:
    September 1, 2025
    Application Deadline:
    August 8, 2025
    Cause Areas:
    Civic Engagement, Community Development, Education, Human Rights & Civil Liberties, Science & Technology

    Description

    The Free Software Foundation (FSF), a Massachusetts-based 501(c)(3)charity with a worldwide mission to protect computer user freedom,seeks a motivated and talented individual in the Boston area to be our deputy director.Reporting to the executive director (ED), the deputy director (DD)plays a critical role in ensuring the execution of key operational and business functions. This position assists with leading the organization in close partnership with the ED.

    The ideal candidate is calm under pressure with proven ability to independently manage multiple moving priorities and stakeholders, with attention to detail,rigor, and a positive demeanor. The DD role will be primarily internal-facing. The role is part-time exempt, with exact hours negotiable up to a maximum of four days per week.

    Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

    • Overseeing business and local operations, including supporting payroll, managing the FSF's fiscal sponsorship program, financial reporting, annual audit, and required compliance filings.
    • Leading hiring, human resources, and staff development.
    • Assisting the ED with staff supervision and organizational policies and procedures.
    • Partnering with the ED on grant writing, fundraising strategy, and outreach.
    • Serving as a thought partner and special projects manager to the ED.
    • Fulfilling miscellaneous tasks as assigned, including, but not limited to, providing administrative support to the copyright assignment process.

    Our ideal candidate:

    * Has extensive experience in senior management in a nonprofit organization, foundation, or government agency.

    * Cares deeply about the impact of control over technology on the exercise of individual freedoms.

    * Stays highly organized, even during high-stress situations.

    * Is highly skilled at staff management, coaching, and development.

    * Is a reliably rational, diplomatic, and productive voice in discussions.

    * Inspires and motivates others.

    * Loves problem-solving and working through complex issues.

    * Enjoys navigating the challenges of increasing positive brand awareness for an organization with a long and public history.

    * Experience with free software, nonprofit financial reporting and audit management, grant writing, and fiscal sponsorship are all a plus.

    * Is multilingual. The FSF is a mature but growing organization that works globally and seeks to have its materials distributed in as many languages as possible.

    Location and working environment:

    Because of financial control and office management duties, the position is ideally filled from the FSF's office in Boston,Massachusetts at least some days per week. Relocation assistance is available. With our small staff, each person makes a clear contribution. We work hard, but offer a humane and fun work environment.

    The Free Software Foundation (FSF), a Massachusetts-based 501(c)(3)charity with a worldwide mission to protect computer user freedom,seeks a motivated and talented individual in the Boston area to be our deputy director.Reporting to the executive director (ED), the deputy director (DD)plays a critical role in ensuring the execution of key operational and business functions. This position assists with leading the organization in close partnership with the ED.

    The ideal candidate is calm under pressure with proven ability to independently manage multiple moving priorities and stakeholders, with attention to detail,rigor, and a positive demeanor. The DD role will be primarily internal-facing. The role is part-time exempt, with exact hours negotiable up to a maximum of four days per week.

    Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

    • Overseeing business and local operations, including supporting payroll, managing the FSF's fiscal sponsorship program…

    Benefits

    Salary is commensurate with experience. Benefits included for a full-time position (pro-rated for part-time):

    * Subsidized individual or family health coverage through Blue Cross Blue Shield and partially subsidized dental plan

    * 4 weeks of paid vacation annually

    * 17 paid holidays annually

    * Public transit commuting cost reimbursement

    * 403(b) program with employer match

    * Yearly cost-of-living pay increases based on government guidelines

    * Health care expense reimbursement

    * Ergonomics budget

    * Relocation (to Boston area) expense reimbursement

    * Conference travel and professional development opportunities

    * Potential for an annual collective performance bonus

    Salary is commensurate with experience. Benefits included for a full-time position (pro-rated for part-time):

    * Subsidized individual or family health coverage through Blue Cross Blue Shield and partially subsidized dental plan

    * 4 weeks of paid vacation annually

    * 17 paid holidays annually

    * Public transit commuting cost reimbursement

    * 403(b) program with employer match

    * Yearly cost-of-living pay increases based on government guidelines

    * Health care expense reimbursement

    * Ergonomics budget

    * Relocation (to Boston area) expense reimbursement

    * Conference travel and professional development opportunities

    * Potential for an annual collective performance bonus

    Level of Language Proficiency

    English.

    English.

    Location

    On-site
    Boston, MA, USA

    How to Apply

    Applications must be submitted via email to hiring@fsf.org. The email must contain the subject line "Deputy director." A complet eapplication should include:

    * Cover letter

    * Resume

    * Two relevant writing samples; and

    * Three recent professional references

    All materials must be in a free format (such as ODT, PDF, or OpenDocument). Email submissions that do not follow these instructions will probably be overlooked. No phone calls, please.Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. To guarantee consideration, submit your application by July31, 2025.The FSF is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee or application for employment on the basis of race, color, marital status, religion, age, gender, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or any other legally protected status recognized by federal, state or local law. We value diversity in our workplace.

    About the Free Software Foundation:

    The Free Software Foundation, founded in 1985, is dedicated to promoting computer users' right to use, study, copy, modify, and redistribute computer programs. The FSF promotes the development and use of free (as in freedom) software — particularly the GNU operating system and its GNU/Linux variants — and free documentation for free software. The FSF also helps to spread awareness of the ethical and political issues of freedom in the use of software, and its Web sites,located at fsf.org and gnu.org, are an important source of information about GNU/Linux. Donations to support the FSF's work can be made athttps://donate.fsf.org. We are based in Boston, MA, USA.More information about the FSF, as well as important information for journalists and publishers, is at https://www.fsf.org/press.

    Applications must be submitted via email to hiring@fsf.org. The email must contain the subject line "Deputy director." A complet eapplication should include:

    * Cover letter

    * Resume

    * Two…

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