Position Summary

Executive Director, Center for New Data

 

Join Us as Leaders in Using Big Data to Drive Social Change

 

This is a unique opportunity to lead an organization on the frontier of unlocking big data to drive social change. The Center for New Data started as a volunteer-powered organization at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. We have quickly developed a burgeoning base of support and a reputation for using big data to protect voting rights, and were recently ranked No. 5 on Fast Company’s 2023 Most Innovative Nonprofits list.  Our work has been featured in the New York Times, cited in pivotal voting rights litigation cases, and used by groups like Fair Fight Action to advocate for expansions in voting access. Learn more about our work at newdata.org.

 

After successfully raising over $1M in 2022, in 2023 we are operating a lean remote team designed to strategically position the next Executive Director for success. The current workforce consists of a full-time Executive Director supported by two part-time contractors specializing in operations and technology. 

 

We’re looking for an entrepreneurial and visionary individual with a passion for using novel data to drive social change in the U.S. The next Executive Director will scale and sustain our flagship Observing Democracy program ahead of the 2024 General Election, as well as provide a vision and income base to lead the organization into its next phase of impact.

 

What does the Executive Director do? 

 

Key Responsibilities: 

 

Vision and Strategic Planning

• The Center for New Data’s current programming extends through the end of 2024. For 2025 and onwards, the Executive Director will be responsible for leading the organization’s vision for impactful and financially sustainable programs. The new ED will work with the Board of Directors to develop a multi-year strategic plan that enacts their vision for the organization.

 

Fundraising

• 2024 provides a tremendous opportunity for us to drive impact and raise funds. The Executive Director will inherit ownership of our income strategy, including plans, relationships, and materials to support fundraising. The Executive Director will be expected to raise funds necessary to grow the organization throughout 2024 and beyond. Fundraising success will require building and sustaining relationships with current and prospective funders, delivering pitches and closing deals, and painting a programmatic vision for the organization’s future beyond the 2024 election.

 

Management of Programs, Partners, Product, Processes, and People

• The Executive Director will inherit ownership of the Observing Democracy voting-time program to be implemented in the year leading up to the 2024 General Election. Program success will require skillful management of data products, voting rights partners, and technical contractors.

• The Executive Director will inherit a very lean team. The Candidate will be entrusted to enlist additional contractors or build a team to suit the organization’s programmatic needs and financial opportunities.
• Reputation and partnerships are one of our organization’s biggest assets, especially within the “data for good” and voting rights ecosystems. The Executive Director will benefit from skillful development of new partnerships, including with pro bono volunteers, collaborators, funders, and product users.
• The ED is entrusted to oversee sound operational and financial management, and will provide regular (monthly and quarterly) reports to the Board.

 

Board Collaboration and Development

• The ED is a thought partner with the board, and as such is expected to be closely involved in all discussions about the organization’s long-term vision, mission fulfillment, and strategy. 
• The ED is expected to leverage the Board’s network and to cultivate new relationships that can add new talent and perspective to the Board of Directors.
• The ED should be prepared to work closely with the Executive Committee and individual board members to prepare board materials and meetings.
• The ED is responsible for reporting on finance, program initiatives, etc. to the Board of Directors at quarterly meetings and in between. 

 

 

Desired Skills and Experiences:

Even if you don’t have these exact qualifications but think you’d be a good fit for the role, we still encourage you to apply!

 

Creative, Strategic, Fast-Moving, Entrepreneurial Leadership

• Excited to work in a scrappy, startup-type environment and remote workspace. 
• Make decisions quickly and learn from them. Understand that speed in action is one of the most powerful predictors of startup success.
• Able to think big-picture and break large goals into smaller, actionable steps.
• Observe and anticipate problem areas and approach them with a solution-oriented mindset.
• Think critically and creatively.

 

Familiarity with data science, data engineering, and/or data product management

• New Data’s success thus far has been based on our ability to build innovative data products on a lean budget. The Executive Director ought to have adequate knowledge of data, data science, and engineering to think critically about data products and to hire and manage talent. 

 

Familiarity with nonprofits, policy, and/or social change organizations

• Understanding how policy and social change organizations work will be a key contributor to the Executive Director’s ability to launch, manage, and fundraise for successful programs. It will also help the Executive Director understand user needs, develop a credible theory of change, and identify opportunities to build new programs or coalitions. Experience working with nonprofit, policy, and/or social change organizations will help prepare the Candidate for success. 

 

Experience or excitement for fundraising and organizational development

• Eagerness to fundraise and build financial capacity for the organization. 
• Eagerness to build a team.
• Eagerness to build a new program.
• Eagerness to grow the size and skills of the Board of Directors.

 

Strong communication and management skills

• Experience as a manager in a remote environment.
• Able to juggle multiple projects and deadlines.
• Able to manage numerous internal and external relationships.
• Excellence in written and verbal communication.

 

Financial management experience

• Able to make financial decisions on a day-to-day basis relating to team expenses, partnership investments, and more.
• Understanding of budgeting and financial planning/forecasting.

 

Passionate about social causes

• Care about using data for social good, especially to advance wellbeing and social equity.
• Hold a strong commitment to social, gender, & racial justice in all aspects of your work.