Run for Something
Helping recruit & support young people running for office
About Run for Something
Run for Something recruits and supports young, diverse progressives to run for down-ballot races to build long-term sustainable power in all 50 states. Since launching in 2017, RFS has recruited nearly 150,000 people who want to run for office, endorsed over 3,000 candidates, and won over 1,000 elections.
Once elected, RFS alumni have transformed state and local governments, making housing more affordable, abortion more accessible, and education more equitable. They are the present and future leaders of the Democratic Party and the country. No matter who wins the White House in November, RFS’s work is imperative to the future of democracy and the long-term power-building efforts.
At the same time, RFS has led the sector with an internal culture that prioritizes work-life integration, long-term sustainability of both mission and staff, and diversity, equity, and inclusion, all baked into the core DNA of the team and program.
Position Name: Chief Impact Officer
Comparable titles in other organizations include: Chief External Officer, Chief External Relations Officer, Chief External Affairs Officer
Position summary:
Run for Something is seeking a Chief Impact Officer to elevate our national communications strategy and raise the critical funds necessary to achieve our important mission.
The Chief Impact Officer will lead the Development and Communication teams to inspire donors, motivate young people to run for office, amplify profiles of RFS-endorsed candidates and alumni and broaden public understanding of the pivotal roles state and local offices play in shaping democracy.
The ideal candidate will have a command of electoral politics and possess exceptional people-centered management, strong relationship building, collaboration, strategic thinking capabilities and a deep belief in RFS’s mission.
This role represents a rare opportunity to be a leader at one of the most pivotal organizations to emerge in the post-2016 political landscape, shaping the long-term external relations strategy beyond the 2024 elections. This person will report to the Co-Executive Director/Co-Founder Amanda Litman and will shift to reporting to the to-be-hired Executive Director in the next six months.
Responsibilities
The Chief Impact Officer is an executive level role and leader on the RFS team, and will ensure that programs and stakeholders are moving efficiently and effectively in the same direction.
Lead Communications Program (30%)
- Lead, manage and coach the Communications team (currently 5 team members, including 2 direct reports (Digital Communications Director, Senior Manager of National Communications))
- As the Communications lead for the organization, set vision and develop innovative strategies to elevate RFS’s press coverage, social media, external communications, email program, branding and positioning on a national scale
- Collaborate with team to amplify compelling stories and content through social media and earned media that reflects the diversity of candidates we support and our broader RFS community
Lead Development Program (30%)
- Lead, manage and coach the Development team (currently 4 people, including 1 direct report (VP, Development)), to meet annual fundraising goals
- Serve as a strategic thought partner to the VP, Development when setting vision and innovating on fundraising strategy to inspire donors and identify future opportunities
Management and leadership (40% of time)
- Ensure Communications and Development team’s capacity, resources and processes are aligned to RFS’s organizational priorities
- Support teams to navigate competing priorities and change management
Minimum Qualifications
Relevant work experiences in campaigns or electoral political organizations
Experience with both managing the strategy and direct execution of a communications program (including digital communications, media relations and paid ads)
Experience in 501c3, 501c4, and/or PAC fundraising
Demonstrated success in thinking strategically about revenue diversification and revenue growth
Plus Qualifications
10+ years work experience
Comfort and experience with on-the-record work in the press
Comfort and experience working directly with major donors
Work Environment
Run for Something is (and always has been and will be) a remote office environment; you will collaborate with colleagues who are based across the United States.
This position requires the ability to work core hours, Monday through Thursday. This position will require some nights and weekends work.
Compensation & Benefits
Salary for this position is set at $198,100. In order to counter pay inequality and uphold internal parity, salaries are non-negotiable for new and current employees.
Benefits at Run for Something include:
- Four Day Work Week
- Unlimited Paid Time Off policy
- Platinum Medical Insurance (100% of premium covered for employees; 50% of premium covered for dependents)
- Dental and Vision Insurance (100% of premium covered for both employees and dependents)