Executive Director
Provides strategic direction, oversees operations, and manages a diverse team to achieve the Org's mission and goals
Oversee fiscal planning, stewards donor relationships, and ensures long-term financial stability
Serves as the organization's public face, builds key relationships, and advocates for civil liberties and human rights
About the Company
Founded in 1923 as the first local affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union, ACLU SoCal is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that has been at the forefront of major efforts to protect and promote civil liberties, civil rights, and equal justice in California and nationwide. ACLU SoCal tackles a vast array of issues, including First Amendment rights, criminal justice, voting rights, gender equity, reproductive justice, LGBTQ+ rights, immigrants’ rights, police practices, jail reform, education equity, and economic justice. With more than 120,000 members, a staff of 85, and a total budget of $18 million (as of December 2024), ACLU SoCal is headquartered in Los Angeles and currently has offices in Orange County (Orange), the Inland Empire (Riverside), and Kern County (Bakersfield).
ACLU SoCal consists of two separate, nonprofit corporate entities: the ACLU of Southern California—a nonprofit social welfare organization under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code—and the ACLU Foundation of Southern California, a section 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity. Both entities are tax-exempt, have the same overall mission, and share office space and employees. Both are governed by boards of directors to whom the executive director reports.
About the Job
The Executive Director provides the leadership, vision, and strategic planning necessary to address civil liberties and civil rights issues in Southern California and to ensure that the affiliate is well positioned to meet the challenges of the future. The Executive Director should possess a proven track record as a leader in diverse nonprofit organizations, including a strong track record in fundraising, management, and external relations
Responsibilities
Leadership and Vision
Lead the organization’s senior leaders and staff to a shared vision of goals and strategies that advance the ACLU’s mission
Implement best practices for effective organizational management, including practices that assess the effectiveness of projects undertaken by ACLU SoCal
Grow and expand the ACLU’s reputation, developing and maintaining key relationships of influence
Ensure strong relationships with the ACLU’s national staff to advance programs, communications, and operational priorities
Work collaboratively with the boards of directors in implementing an effective model of strategic governance
Guard the organization’s integrity, credibility, and non-partisanship
Champion and value equity, diversity, belonging, and inclusion (EDBI) at every level of the organization, assessing the impact of internal policies and practices through a racial equity lens, and striving towards a culture of authentic belonging
Motivate and maintain a cohesive staff, ensuring strong internal communication and collaboration. Foster a supportive team-oriented environment where independent and innovative thinking is encouraged and staff act with clarity of mission and purpose
Drive a culture of accountability with clear program goals, strategies to accomplish, and regular feedback. Ensure staff have the resources they need to accomplish the work
Foster an environment of continuous improvement, learning, and effectiveness
Fiscal Management and Fundraising
Oversee fiscal planning and financial oversight, ensuring use of best practices that meet the highest standards and ensure sustainability
Represent the affiliate and ACLU national organization through strategies that advance the ACLU’s robust fundraising program goals and protect ACLU SoCal’s long-term financial stability
Steward key donor and foundation relationships and solicit selected major donations and grants
Anticipate funding needs and collaborate with the philanthropy team to seek out opportunities to meet those needs
Ensure that the governing boards can meet their fiduciary responsibilities by proactively and transparently providing financial reports, conducting regular audits, and engaging the boards in the budgeting process
Public Representation
Represent the affiliate’s priorities on key issues, articulating the organization’s positions and communicating its mission to increase the organization’s visibility and public understanding of the ACLU’s goals and work
Serve as the affiliate’s chief ambassador and spokesperson, strategically broadcasting the mission, ambitions, and work of the ACLU; promoting ACLU SoCal and its priorities and activities in both the traditional and new media ecosystems; and in media interviews and in appearances before large audiences
Exhibit courage and clarity when addressing highly controversial and complex issues
Cultivate and leverage a diverse set of voices to represent the organization’s positions on its work in the press, with the legislature, and with coalition partners
Qualifications
Profound commitment to advancing social justice and defending and expanding the rights and liberties that define American democracy
Deep knowledge of civil liberties and civil rights issues and familiarity with the ACLU and the current landscape in the state of California
Experience working in a social justice or civil rights organization; experience practicing civil rights law and/or organizing for civil liberties and civil rights is strongly preferred
Clear understanding of and commitment to ACLU SoCal’s integrated advocacy approach and a firm commitment to advancing the ACLU’s core issue areas
Strong business acumen and ability to manage the financial, budgeting, and administrative operations of a complex nonprofit organization with a hybrid work model
Track record of successful fundraising—or evidence of the knowledge, personal skills, and talent for fundraising—to cultivate, solicit, and steward gifts, partners, and donors
Exceptional communication skills, including public speaking and writing, to advocate on behalf of the affiliate and strategically broadcast the mission, ambitions, and work of the ACLU in myriad forums, in media interviews, and in appearances before large audiences;
ability to speak Spanish is a plus
Experience working with diverse audiences, including elected officials, community leaders, people directly impacted by public policy, coalition partners, business and industry leaders, and the media
Ability to engage with staff in ways that afford them voice and visibility, promote their development and growth, and enhance individual and team performance through effective mentoring, coaching, training, and team building
Capacity for holding the entire organization accountable for delivering measurable results consistent with achieving the goals in the strategic plan and financial plan
Strong emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills, including ability to give and receive feedback, build trust in an organization, and motivate staff and board members
Keen understanding of systemic racism and white supremacy and a track record of actively promoting anti-racism, equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging
Experience working with or serving on a volunteer board of directors or a similar governing body
Engaging, optimistic, and intellectually curious; a great listener with personal warmth and strong resilience in the face of disagreement or criticism
Creative, results-oriented, self-starting, willing to learn, and able to manage an aggressive schedule, working beyond a standard workday
At least ten years of relevant professional experience with a track record of increasing leadership responsibility and accomplishment
Bachelor’s degree; an advanced degree is preferred
