Posted date: December 19, 2023
Applications are no longer being accepted.
Deputy Director
NVF Project Name: Media Democracy Fund
Position: Deputy Director, reports to Executive Director
Location: Remote
Status: Exempt, 1.0 FTE
Proposed salary range: $175,000-185,000, plus benefits
Position Summary
Media Democracy Fund seeks an experienced technology and social justice leader to serve as its Deputy Director, a newly-created position. The Deputy Director plays a pivotal role shaping and executing MDF’s programmatic, operational, and philanthropic engagement strategies. They will work closely with the Executive Director, Operations Director, Program Directors, other staff, strategy consultants, and key external stakeholders to design and implement effective programmatic, operational, and fundraising plans and strategies. They will also oversee MDF strategic planning and develop and manage mechanisms for monitoring and evaluating progress toward anticipated outcomes. They are the key liaison with MDF’s staff and its fiscal sponsor, New Venture Fund, providing oversight and support for work-related needs with guidance from the fiscal sponsor organization.
Reporting Relationship and Structure
The Deputy Director reports to the Executive Director and supervises other Directors, fundraising staff, and lead program consultants.
Essential Responsibilities and Tasks
Strategic Leadership
In partnership with the Executive Director, provide overall strategic direction and guidance for MDF programs, ensuring alignment with the organizational mission and strategic plan goals and objectives.
Program and Operations Development and Management
Directly supervise and manage program and operations directors and lead program consultants, ensuring effective allocation of resources, sound programmatic, operational, and fundraising plans and strategies and adherence to organizational policies and best practices in organizational management.
Learning and Equity Culture
Promote a culture of innovation and learning within the organization, setting up structures to learn from external perspectives, and apply new learning practices to enhance program effectiveness. Champion equity in all programmatic, operational, and philanthropic engagement efforts, ensuring a meaningful and transformative approach.
Strategic Planning and Evaluation
Develop and manage organizational strategic plan, including efforts to monitor, track, and evaluate overall organizational progress. Manage and maintain an annual system for team-wide performance evaluations and work plan development in alignment with strategic plan goals and objectives.
External Engagement
Working closely with the Executive Director, represent MDF externally, building strategic relationships with key stakeholders, including grantees, funders, and other field leaders to advance shared goals. Work with board members to advance programmatic strategy and convene or participate in strategic tables, affinity groups, or coalitions to resolve strategic questions or align efforts.
Financial Oversight
In partnership with the Director of Operations, oversee the development and management of MDF’s annual organizational and programmatic budgets, including financial forecasting, budgeting, oversight, and reporting mechanisms.. Closely monitor fundraising milestones and guide alternative revenue generation or expense management strategies to mitigate or eliminate shortfalls.
Philanthropic Engagement and Fundraising
In close partnership with the Executive Director, assist with management and oversight of MDF’s fundraising and development program including supervision of development staff and serving as an additional organizational point of contact for funder inquiries.
Board of Advisors
In close partnership with the Executive Director, serve as a liaison with MDF’s Board of Advisors. Support the development of financial and programmatic reports and materials for Board meetings, as well as encouraging and informing Board member engagement in key strategies.
Required Experience, Knowledge, Skills, and Ability
Significant senior-level leadership experience with technology and social justice organizations and initiatives that have resulted in major impact.
Highly capable strategist with a demonstrated track record of using research to inform, evaluate, and back strategic plans.
Proven track record in program development, implementation, and management, with a focus on achieving measurable impact.
Experience with organizational management, including staff management, financial management, and fundraising.
Strong relationships and a diverse and respected peer network in the field.
Strong interpersonal communications skills, an effective and strategic relationship builder.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Experience in managing and mentoring teams, fostering a positive and inclusive work culture that centers equity.
Deep fluency in social justice and equity principles, with the ability to integrate these principles into programmatic and operational strategies.
Passionate about MDF’s mission and impact.
Low-ego; committed to advancing the whole rather than themselves.
All staff are responsible for mission advancement and implementing MDF’s strategic direction. This position also serves on the MDF management team.
How to Apply
Applications are no longer being accepted.
About Media Democracy Fund
Now in its sixteenth year, Media Democracy Fund is a catalyst for racial justice and equity in digital society. MDF has made more than $50 million in grants to over 200 organizations since its founding in 2006. But we do more than grantmaking. MDF works hand-in-hand with grantees, funders and allies to connect partners from all corners of the field, to ensure advocates have the smart thinking and resources they need to act quickly on some of the most pressing issues of our time. Strategic priorities include broader calls for digital equity and affordable broadband; active efforts to combat disinformation targeting communities of color; efforts to advance privacy, security, and internet freedom; tech accountability campaigns; and a renewed urgency to fight for racial justice and equity in the context of digital society. https://mediademocracyfund.org
Benefits
Comprehensive benefits package that includes 100% employer-paid health, dental, and vision insurance for employees (and their families). Employees are able to enroll in 401k retirement plan and are eligible for a 3% automatic contribution and up to a 3% employer match on 401k contributions. Employees are also eligible for pre-tax transportation benefits. Employees will receive 80 hours of vacation time, 80 hours of health leave, up to 2 days of casual leave, and 20 hours of volunteer leave annually. Employees will also receive 13 paid holidays throughout the calendar year. Employees are eligible for 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave after 90 days of employment.
New Venture Fund Careers
Media Democracy Fund is a project of New Venture Fund (NVF), a 501(c)(3) public charity that incubates new and innovative public-interest projects and grant-making programs. NVF is committed to attracting, developing and retaining exceptional people, and to creating a work environment that is dynamic, rewarding and enables each of us to realize our potential. NVF’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.
E-Verify
NVF participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with employees’ Form I-9 information to confirm authorization to work in the United States. Job candidates and employees authorized to work may not be discriminated against on the basis of national origin or citizenship status.