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Executive Director

  • Company: Humanity in Action
  • Location: Remote, DC/NY/East Coast
  • Date:
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About Humanity in Action  

We are an international education and leadership development non-profit network of organizations that focuses on democracy, social justice, and human rights. We achieve our goals through immersive fellowships at the intersection of advocacy, policy, and academia followed by strategic opportunities for connection and engagement that enable our community to drive change.

  • We educate tomorrow’s leaders on past and present human rights challenges through critical historical as well as contemporary inquiries and cross-cultural dialogue.
  • We connect an ever-growing international community committed to strengthening democracy, human rights, and pluralism.
  • We inspire civic engagement for advancing social equity, responsibility, and justice.

Our programs engage with:

  • The polarization and fractures in society that threaten social cohesion.
  • Anti-democratic forces, extremism, violence, and the manipulation of truth.
  • Inequities and discrimination against marginalized and minoritized populations.
  • Resistance to diversity, equity, inclusion, and restorative justice.
  • Civic passivity and democratic apathy.


Humanity in Action Fellowships 

The Humanity in Action Fellowships explore issues of social justice, human rights, remembrance culture, and civic engagement. Fellows first participate in an intensive educational program. Each of our programs is tailored to its location, featuring diverse experts, site visits, and community building. Fellows learn about the host society’s present struggles to navigate dominant and minoritized cultures and identities, while also being inspired by what collective action based on intersectional solidarity can look like. Fellows also acquire practical skills and work on the development of an Action Project, their own civil society initiative. After the initial program, they embark on implementing these Action Projects in their own communities.

Once our Fellows have completed their Fellowship program and conducted an Action Project in their own community, they are invited to join the international Humanity in Action Senior Fellow Community. Our over 3,000 Fellows and Senior Fellows work around the world, across many different industries including government, journalism, medicine, law, education, the arts, business and grassroots action.

We build the future we envision by educating and supporting emerging and established leaders who, through their actions, exemplify their commitment to equity, human rights, social justice, and inclusive democracy.

We create connection and belonging while introducing new perspectives and opening space for dialogue, discussion, and disagreement. To catalyze systemic change, we equip and inspire our multinational and intergenerational community to take actions that uphold these values throughout their lives and careers.


THE OPPORTUNITY 

This is a unique opportunity for a skilled fundraiser, strong manager, and strategic thinker to lead a dynamic and impactful global organization. For the last 25 years, the educational programs of Humanity in Action have focused on understanding current human rights and social justice challenges through the lenses of history and cross-cultural dialogue. The Executive Director will bring a passion for democracy, human rights, equity, and social justice, and a genuine excitement about the opportunity to help shape the future of Humanity in Action. Leading with integrity and authenticity, the Executive Director will have a proven track record spearheading successful fundraising efforts and elevating a strong organizational reputation. 

The Executive Director will manage Humanity in Action’s day-to-day operations, ensuring that team and board members are supported and engaged, the budget is well managed, and that programs are operating for maximum impact.

The Executive Director will lead and promote an organizational culture that values collaboration, nimbleness, accountability, and mission alignment. They will prioritize, inspire, and empower staff to work together in maximizing Humanity in Action’s progress and success. 

The Executive Director will lead the U.S.-based Humanity in Action organization and work collaboratively with its affiliates in Bosnia & Herzegovina, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, and Poland. This role offers the opportunity to work with a passionate team, committed Fellows, and a supportive Board of Directors, all working together to create meaningful change.

The Executive Director’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following: 

Team Leadership & Operations 

  • Provide visionary and people-centric leadership of dedicated International (Inc) and U.S. program staff, promoting team cohesion and fostering a positive, inclusive, and productive organizational culture.
  • Oversee the daily operations and strategic direction of the organization, ensuring the effective implementation of Humanity in Action’s programs, including managing the U.S. program’s budget and finances, in coordination with the CFO.
  • Collaborate with 5 national directors and national boards.
  • Oversee the organization’s communications strategy.
Fundraising & Resource Development 
  • Lead fundraising efforts for the International (Inc) office as well as the U.S. program; responsible for the financial health of Humanity in Action in partnership with the Board of Directors.
  • Develop and execute comprehensive fundraising strategies to secure diverse funding streams, including grants, donations, and partnerships.
  • Maintain, develop, and enhance positive relationships with key current funders while identifying, cultivating, and securing new donors.
  • In collaboration with the Board Treasurer and the CFO, develop a three-year financial plan that will enable Humanity in Action to secure funding and allocate resources needed to successfully achieve strategic goals.
  • Lead the development of the substantive pieces of grant applications and program proposals.
  • Ensure that programs meet grant requirements and metrics; supervise grant reporting.


Community Engagement 

  • Serve as Humanity in Action’s principal spokesperson, engaging diverse audiences through public and private events, the media, speaking on panels, or in other public platforms to bolster funding and to elevate Humanity in Action’s presence. 
  • Stay current on Humanity in Action’s issues, both in academia and in the public sphere.
  • Follow and engage with conversations within the senior fellow community.
  • Build and sustain relationships with other NGOs, academic institutions, foundations, and governmental agencies.


Board Relations 

  • Plan, attend, and support Board meetings and Executive Committee meetings, in partnership with the Chair of the Board.
  • Work with Nominations Committee Chair on nominations and Board membership.
  • Collaborate with the Board of Directors to develop and implement organizational policies and strategic initiatives.
  • Provide regular updates on the organization’s activities, financial status, and progress toward goals.
  • Support Board development and engagement efforts.


Strategy & Program Development 

  • Conceptualize and develop programs (summer fellowships and others) that meet Humanity in Action’s strategic goals.
  • Propose and develop programs that are strategically scoped to meet Humanity in Action’s strengths and the opportunities in the substantive space.
  • Supervise program development and educational strategy.


CANDIDATE PROFILE 

We recognize that there is a spectrum of lived and professional experience that will set candidates up for success in this role. While no one candidate will have every experience outlined in the position description, ideal candidates will offer a track record of demonstrable success and strength in the areas of responsibilities listed above as well as:

  • Deep and current understanding of Humanity in Action’s core issues (democracy, human and civil rights, marginalized populations, pluralism, social justice), specifically within the U.S. and Europe.
  • Experience leading fundraising efforts that result in measurable growth in annual revenue, including securing major gifts and grants. 
  • Deep strategic capacity, with the ability to develop, implement, and modify strategies to advance organizational mission and vision.
  • Empathetic leadership style with experience building and sustaining inclusive work environments that embrace multiple cultures, languages, and experiences. 
  • Ability to work U.S. East Coast hours and must be eligible to work in the U.S. 


COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

This is a full-time, remote position. The salary is $150,000. Humanity in Action offers an excellent benefits package including full family medical insurance (including contributions toward the deductible), dental, and vision, four weeks’ vacation, and 17 paid holidays.


CONTACT

Koya Partners l Diversified Search Group has been exclusively retained for this engagement, which is being led by Molly Brennan, Ruth Shoemaker Wood, and Sarah Avendaño. Submit a compelling cover letter and resume by filling out our Talent Profile. All inquiries are strictly confidential.


ABOUT KOYA PARTNERS | DIVERSIFIED SEARCH GROUP 

Koya Partners, a Diversified Search Group company, is the nation’s premier search firm dedicated to mission-driven leadership. Since its founding in 2004, Koya has had an exclusive focus on mission-driven clients and was founded on the belief that the right leader can transform an organization and have a deep and measurable impact on our world. Koya works with nonprofits & NGOs, responsible businesses, and social enterprises in local communities and around the world.

Diversified Search Group is consistently recognized by Forbes on its top 10 list of “America’s Best Executive Recruiting Firms” and is an industry leader in recruiting transformational leaders for a changing world. The firm is deliberately different in its approach, with best-in-class teams who have decades of experience in cultivating inclusive leaders, understanding the dimensions of diversity, and building equitable teams.

Learn more about Koya Partners l Diversified Search Group via the firm’s website.