Deputy Director (7+ years nonprofit experience)

About the Secular Student Alliance (SSA)

We empower secular students to proudly express their identity, build welcoming communities, promote secular values, and set a course for lifelong activism. Founded in 2000, SSA has chapters at colleges and universities across the country, as well as several high school chapters. We advocate for the separation of church and state, critical thinking, and inclusive communities, and we support nonreligious student leaders working to create a more rational and equitable world.

Position Summary

The Deputy Director is a senior leadership position reporting directly to the Executive Director. This is an entirely new position within SSA, representing a strategic investment in our organizational capacity. As such, we anticipate molding some of the role’s responsibilities to better fit the capabilities of the person we ultimately hire. However, the ideal candidate is an experienced nonprofit professional with demonstrated success in staff management, program oversight, and organizational administration. They will have a proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, set clear priorities, and exercise strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. The successful candidate will be an outstanding communicator, skilled in building systems that support efficiency, sustainability, and impact.

Key Responsibilities

The Deputy Director will provide oversight of major programs and operations, including scholarships, the annual national conference, digital communications and social media, and key administrative functions.

Staff Supervision & Leadership

• Serve as a thought partner to the Executive Director and an active member of the senior leadership team. This includes assisting with short- and long-term organizational planning, strategic planning, and budget development.
• Manage three campus organizing staff within a five-person organization. This includes:
• Delegating work; accountability for program outcomes.
• Conducting performance reviews
• Supporting staff professional development, and providing coaching as needed
• Build an empowering and supportive organizational culture that facilitates honest and open communication, constructive feedback, and transparent decision-making.
• Identify best practices and improve internal systems and operations; manage selected administrative functions (e.g., office systems, compliance, and internal policies).

Program Oversight

• Accountable for the performance of SSA’s major programs, including:
• SSA Chapters – Manage staff responsible for grassroots and virtual organizing that supports the ongoing success of existing chapters and the initiation and development of new chapters.
• National Conference – Lead planning and execution for this annual event with ~100 attendees. This includes venue management, speaker engagement, programming, logistics, and post-event evaluation.
• Scholarship Program – Oversee application, selection, and award processes, including sponsor engagement and coordination with selection committees.
• Other National Programs – This includes the administration of our Speakers Bureau, Stipend Program, and Chapter Project Grants.
• Monitor and evaluate programs to ensure effectiveness, efficiency, and alignment with SSA’s mission.

Digital Communications & Social Media

• Oversee SSA’s digital communications strategy, including social media platforms, website content, newsletters, and digital campaigns.
• Ensure consistent, compelling messaging that amplifies SSA’s mission, programs, and student voices.
• Support staff and student leaders in creating engaging content for diverse audiences.
• Collaborate with team members to highlight SSA’s impact, programs, and advocacy work through digital channels.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Cultivate and maintain strong, authentic relationships with existing supporters (e.g., sponsors, donors, and board members) to further SSA’s mission.
• Develop and deepen relationships with organizations inside and outside the secular movement to expand SSA’s reach and impact.
• Represent SSA at events, conferences, and in coalitions, as directed by the Executive Director.

Work Environment

As previously stated, this is a new role - and as such, its outlines are somewhat flexible, and can be molded to match the skills and interests of the successful candidate.

We have a small office in Pasadena, not far from the Metro’s A Line; free parking is available. Note that this is not a remote role.

Application Process

Please submit a resume, cover letter, and writing sample. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years of progressively-responsible experience in nonprofit organizations, including prior executive- or director-level responsibility.
• Exceptional managerial skills, given that staff management is central to this role. This includes:
• A minimum of 5 years of staff supervision experience.
• The ability to work cooperatively with a small staff, effectively managing both up and down.
• A versatile and adaptable leader who can react calmly to changing circumstances and lead a team through change and evolution.
• The ability to inspire a powerful sense of shared purpose in others, and motivate co-workers to take advantage of opportunities and overcome challenges.
• Demonstrated experience building a positive, mutually-supportive, and inclusive culture that empowers staff to work autonomously while holding the team accountable.
• Experience managing remote employees is a plus, but not required.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; strong interpersonal and relationship-building abilities.
• Comfort in working within both structured and unstructured environments; the ability to work in a fast-paced environment; the ability to remain poised and effective under pressure.
• Strong attention to detail; excellent administrative, organizational, and project management skills.
• Demonstrated success managing programs, events, and/or scholarship initiatives.
• Experience with digital communications, social media strategy, or public engagement.
• Proficiency in CRM or donor database management (e.g., Salesforce, Neon, or similar platforms).
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace.
• Commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and the mission of SSA.
• Bachelor’s degree in Nonprofit Management, Communications, or a related field (advanced degree is a plus).