Executive Director

Overview:

The State Alignment Lab (SAL) is a new organization that was
formed out of previous work that focused on state-based
collaborative efforts in support of reproductive health, rights,
and justice. Now, we are in a transformative moment, with a goal to
provide independent coalition coordination support, technical
assistance, and limited financial support for shared projects with
abortion/repro rights coalitions in eight priority states
currently, with potential for growth or shifts in the future.

SAL seeks to be flexible and responsive to the needs of the
state-based coalitions it will support.  Activities may
include coalition coordination, providing short-term specialists or
contracts, conducting MOUS with states or coalitions on
accountability, and limited grantmaking to specific states or
coalitions for technical assistance or organizational capacity
building. As a newly formed organization, we assume certain
activities, but these may change as the organization develops and
in response to state coalition needs.

We are currently anticipating an annual organizational budget of
approximately $2.5 million. Once this position is hired, the
Executive Director is expected to help build a team of 4 to 5
staff. 

 

Position:

We are seeking an inaugural Executive Director (ED) to lead the
work of SAL. As a new organization, the ED will have to set up all
of the initial functions – although this will be done in
conjunction with the Fiscal Sponsorship team at NEO Philanthropy,
where SAL is housed. We are seeking a candidate that understands
and has experience in the abortion access and reproductive rights
work in the US and specifically, in coalition building and
collaborative support. The ED will be a person who is comfortable
being in the “background” in movement spaces, while supporting the
needs of state-based coalitions to be in the foreground of the work
on abortion access and reproductive rights. The ED will have
experience managing and developing systems and teams – experience
having run an organization previously is a plus.

This position will report to an advisory board for SAL, which
will be a sounding board and provide overall guidance, while also
overseeing the Executive Director’s performance. An advisory board
has not yet been selected, but that process is happening in tandem
with the ED search. It is possible that the new ED will take part
in helping to create the advisory board, depending on
timing.  

The ED will work closely with SAL’s fiscal sponsor, NEO
Philanthropy, a 501(c)(3) public charity. NEO’s fiscal sponsorship
program is responsible for providing compliance, administrative,
and legal support to over 50 projects. As a fiscally sponsored
project, SAL will receive NEO’s legal and tax-exempt status in
addition to a full HR infrastructure which includes payroll and
benefits administration. 

Location:

This is a fully remote position, with anticipated travel to
visit state coalitions as needed. Applicants can be based anywhere
in the United States.

Responsibilities:

• Working with an advisory board to ensure the ongoing alignment
  of the mission
• Spearhead the development, implementation, and management of an
  organizational strategy that seeks to support the collaborative
  efforts of state-based organizations as they advance transformative
  change for abortion access and reproductive rights. This includes
  both a long-term strategic vision as well as building out, with
  members of the coalition, short-term goals, priorities, and
  campaigns in their respective state.
• Overseeing the alignment, coordination and execution of all
  elements of coalition support toward shared goals (including making
  recommendations when additional staff/consultants are needed to
  fill gaps in capacity and supervising these positions).
• Ensure the organization and staff are living up to the
  articulated values of the organization and that conflicts or
  tensions are named and addressed generatively
• Ensure that leaders in the states have the supports they need
  to effectively engage and advance the work including recommending
  to NEO Philanthropy the appropriate use and oversight of Funds and
  re-grants to coalition partners.

• Develop measures of success in partnership with inaugural
  funder and provide regular progress and outcome reports.
• Keep abreast of current cultural, legislative and electoral
  events and moments related to abortion access and reproductive
  rights.
• Lead fundraising strategy for the organization (SAL) including
  outreach to funders, preparing grants and reports
• Ensure a strong relationship with the organization’s fiscal
  agent including preparing budgets for approval.
• Serve as the primary liaison between NEO Philanthropy and the
  state coalition partners.
• The Executive Director will have additional support in the form
  of hired staff and consultants to accomplish the following:
  • Provide support for state coalition partners as they develop
    and implement plans including but not limited to narrative and
    culture change, research, and policy.
  • Facilitate coordination, integration and alignment work across
    the state coalition partners.
  • Identify opportunities and foster relationships for effective
    network building including the recruitment of new members and
    leaders.
• As a fiscally sponsored project of NEO, the Executive Director
  is responsible for maintaining its relationship with NEO by:
  • Creating SAL’s budget in tandem with NEO’s fiscal year and
    financial schedule
    • Note: SAL will receive an initial grant from a donor
  • Meeting with SAL’s assigned portfolio manager on a monthly
    basis to review the project’s upcoming activities
  • Ensuring SAL’s activities are 501(c)(3) compliant through
    support provided by NEO’s legal team

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum of 7 years of experience of directly related and
  progressive work experience in campaign or organizational
  leadership, managing state-based strategy, and non-profit
  management/operations
• Experience in managing a diverse team of employees
• Experience leading, developing or supporting collaboration
  among different organizations
• Experience leading, developing or supporting coalition
  building
• Familiarity with strategy development and implementation
• Experience and knowledge of the abortion access/reproductive
  rights movement or adjacent movement work in the US
• Experience managing budgets
• Experience working with donors
• Experience working at the state level
• Expertise establishing and executing contracts and memorandums
  of understanding

 

Preferred/Additional Qualifications:

• Experience working in priority states
• Experience providing or facilitating technical assistance

 

Vaccine Requirement:
SAL is fiscally
sponsored by NEO Philanthropy, a 501(c)(3) public charity that
operates grantmaking, technical assistance and strategic planning
programs for institutional and individual donors interested in
civic engagement, social justice and human rights issues. NEO
follows CDC guidance regarding staying up to date with COVID-19
vaccinations and boosters. Accordingly, and in order to ensure that
the wellness and safety of our staff to the greatest extend
possible, NEO requires the COVID-19 vaccination and boosters for
all staff. Requests for medical and/or religious exemptions from
the vaccination requirement will be considered on an individual
basis.

 

Compensation and Benefits:

The salary range for this position is $150,000 to $170,000
annualized, depending on experience, qualifications and internal
equity. Through NEO Philanthropy, this position is offered a full
benefits package, including 100% medical coverage for the employee
and 90% medical coverage for dependents; 100% coverage for vision,
dental, life/AD&D, long-term disability. NEO also offers a 401K
retirement savings plan, Healthcare Reimbursement Arrangement
(HRA), Medical FSA, Dependent Care FSA, commuter benefits, Employee
Assistance Program, other supplemental benefits and paid time
off.

 

How to Apply:

Interested applicants should apply
here. Please include a resume and cover letter for
consideration. Applications submitted by March 8, 2024 will be
considered. Only those whose applications are being considered will
be contacted.

 

EEO Statement:

SAL at NEO Philanthropy is committed to attracting, developing
and retaining exceptional people in order to create a work
environment that is dynamic, rewarding, and enables each of us to
realize our potential. NEO’s work environment is safe and open to
all employees and partners, respecting the full spectrum of race,
color, religious creed, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation,
national origin, political affiliation, ancestry, age, disability,
genetic information, veteran status, and all other classifications
protected by law in the locality and/or state in which you are
working.