Executive Director

FairVote Washington (FVWA) is a non-partisan, non-profit organization, with a mission of bringing ranked-choice voting to Washington State. In the six years since its founding, the organization has grown from a purely volunteer organization to a nationally recognized leader in the ranked-choice voting (RCV) movement with a five person full time staff and thousands of supporters across the state. The organization  has built a statewide movement, introduced multiple bills to advance ranked-choice voting in presidential and local elections, secured successful resolutions in favor of ranked-choice voting from multiple jurisdictions, and passed a citywide measure to adopt ranked-choice voting in Seattle.  In the past year, the organization has doubled its staff and is working  to scale its activities across the  state, building the foundation required to implement RCV statewide.

FVWA is seeking an experienced, dynamic and dedicated Executive Director (ED) to lead the organization toward its vision of “a representative democracy that works for all”. The organization brings Progressives, Conservatives, Moderates, Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, and Independents together for RCV. The organization needs a leader that can navigate effectively in a variety of political circles; elevate its presence statewide; diversify, engage and grow its donor/supporter base; and lead a passionate and dedicated team in a remote work environment.

This is a full-time job offering flexibility in work schedules consistent with the increase and decrease of organizational operations throughout the year.  It is anticipated that fulfilling the responsibilities of this position will require support from staff and consultants, as determined necessary by the Executive Director.  In addition to the Executive Director, the organization currently employs a Political Director, an Operations Manager, a Senior Organizing Manager, and an Organizer. Consultants provide support for legislative strategy and lobbying, fundraising, legal advice, polling, and accounting.  

Major Responsibilities:

Fundraising and Financial Management 

• Key fundraiser responsible for the long-term financial stability of the organization.
• Develop and lead fundraising strategy to grow and diversify contributed revenue for 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and PAC activities, including developing and implementing a fundraising plan; identifying, soliciting, cultivating, and stewarding donors and donor prospects; and identifying, managing, and writing grants for financial support.
• Responsible for the fiscal integrity of FairVote WA. This includes working with our accountant and board treasurer to submit a proposed annual budget and monthly financial statements to the boards which accurately reflect the financial condition of the organization.
• Responsible for fiscal management that generally anticipates operating within the approved budget, monitoring monthly cash flow, and leading the organization in periodic forecast updates when necessary.

Organizational Leadership 

• Create a strategic plan that is aligned with the mission and vision of FVWA and clearly documents how the organization will achieve its mission of  bringing ranked-choice voting to Washington State with input from key donors (current and prospective), board members, consultants and staff; develop and lead ongoing processes to assess progress toward goals and determine whether strategic shifts are needed, gathering input from across the organization and externally.
• Develop annual performance expectations with staff that include goals, objectives, inputs and outcomes, ensuring the budget process aligns with and supports organizational priorities.
• Inspire, motivate, and cultivate a cohesive team, ensuring that there is strong internal communication, participation, coordination, and accountability among staff and key consultants. 
• In collaboration with the Board Chair, identify and recruit new Board members to grow FairVote WA’s Board in a way that reflects the diversity of the political reform movement (e.g., age, race, gender, political ideology, geography).
• Hire, supervise, guide, and advise staff to meet priorities, achieve organizational and strategic goals and fulfill the organization’s mission. Ensure effective onboarding, capacity building, professional development, and performance management.
• Refine, document and oversee day-to-day operational and project management procedures to ensure organizational efficiency and effectiveness; manage all contract/consulting relationships.
• Oversee all Human Resource activities; develop and maintain internal policies and systems that meet legal and regulatory requirements.
• Develop volunteer capacity to ensure the organization can fulfill its mission and vision, and successfully execute its strategy.
• Ensure compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements relevant to the organization’s c3, c4, and PAC related activities.

Advocacy and External Relations 

To the extent consistent with the the approved Strategic Plan: 

• Foster and scale strong partnerships across the political spectrum with local, regional, and national resource partners, community-based leaders and organizations, and policy development organizations to sustain our growing movement.
• Scale local political advocacy efforts with political leaders, lawmakers, lobbyists, and community-based organizations across the political spectrum in Washington State. 
• Scale educational and outreach activities with the general public, community-based leaders, regional organizations and political leaders throughout WA State.
• Build and lead FairVote WA’s public image by fostering active partnerships with editorial boards and local media outlets across Washington State. 
• Serve as the spokesperson for FairVote WA, representing the organization in the media at public forums, and at national and state level network spaces.
• Ensure the organization is engaged with, and stays abreast of the national ranked-choice voting movement and ensure best practices are being considered and shared.
• Build organizational visibility, community connections, credibility, and strategic partner relationships in support of passing ranked-choice voting in Washington State. Near-term strategies to consider include engagement with local entities, the state legislature, and statewide ballot initiatives. 
• Deepen and refine all aspects of communications—including web presence, print collateral, social media, newsletters, and external relations with the goal of creating support (financial and political) for ranked-choice voting.

Qualifications:

• Passion for RCV and the RCV movement
• Minimum 5 years of work experience leading political advocacy organizations; strong preference for previous experience with non-profit or political advocacy in Washington State and statewide ballot initiatives.
• Demonstrated staff management, program development, fundraising, and advocacy experience with non-profits.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain strategic partnerships.
• Demonstrated ability to promote an organizational culture that reflects FairVote Washington’s core values.
• Successful and significant fundraising, financial management, and grant writing experience.
• Prior experience leading or managing a statewide campaign team
• Ability to lead in a way that recognizes collaboration of individuals from many cultures with a wide variety of skills and perspectives.
• Although this is a fully remote position, the Executive Director will be expected to live in WA State and will be expected to travel monthly with significant travel statewide.

• Medical/Dental/Vision - employer contributes $250/mo to a Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangement (QSEHRA) account
• Retirement plan - employer matches up to 3% of employee’s salary to a SIMPLE IRA
• Generous Paid Time Off, including all federal holidays, the week between Christmas and New Year’s, plus 3 weeks vacation in the first 2 years of employment, 4 weeks in years 3-5, and 5 weeks after year 6.
• Mostly remote working opportunity with the ability to set flexible working hours 
• Opportunity to be part of something bigger than yourself, improving civil society