Executive Director

Company: The Kresge Foundation
Location: Lansing
Posted on: June 2, 2025

Job Description:

Voters Not Politicians (VNP) is a bold and innovative volunteer-powered, nonpartisan, c3 and c4 organization whose mission is to strengthen democracy through effective citizen action. We are thousands of everyday Michiganders who have transformed the political landscape of Michigan by ending gerrymandering, expanding voting access, and protecting our fundamental right to vote, doing through direct democracy what our politicians would not. With Michigan lacking robust anti-corruption laws and our elections flooded by dark and corporate money, Voters Not Politicians will continue to make structural changes in Michigan to put voters at the center of policymaking while helping groups in other states achieve transformative successes of their own. As stated in the first line of the state's constitution, "All political power is inherent in the people."Voters Not Politicians defends and promotes policies that strengthen democracy and supports a policy platform that includes: Free and Fair Elections; Direct Democracy; Ethics, Transparency, and Accountability in Government; Ending the Corruptive Influence of Money in Politics; and a National Popular Vote. VNP shares weekly updates on our work through our Blog, but major recent wins include: Prop 22-2 implementation and funding, Secure Automatic Voter Registration, AI Regulations, and election worker protections; these wins and VNP's continuing work are outlined here. One thing is for sure: Voters Not Politicians will be busy fighting for voters in 2024 and the future!The Voters Not Politicians Education Fund (VNPEF) is another important aspect of VNP's work which envisions a truly representative democracy where the will of the voters drives government decision-making and public policy in Michigan. Voters Ed Fund is educating voters in the 2024 election; enabling convenient voting; training nonpartisan activists; and protecting Michigan's elections. VNPEF's My City Votes program works to strengthen communities in historically disenfranchised cities around the state. Through close partnership with municipal officials and local community organizations, VNPEF helps communities build power through civic action.The next Executive Director (ED) of the Voters Not Politicians family of organizations (Voters Not Politicians or VNP) will have the opportunity to capitalize on VNP's experience and national reputation as a formidable changemaker and lead the organization into its next chapter. This is a high profile, demanding role that requires exceptional leadership skills combined with a passionate commitment to movement building. The Executive Director must have a growth mentality with a "in it to win it" attitude.The Executive Director is responsible for providing leadership, direction, and planning for the Voters Not Politicians 501(c)(4), Voters Education Fund 501(c)(3), Voters Not Politicians Ballot Committee, and Voters Action Committee SuperPAC. The Executive Director is also responsible for providing clear strategic direction and creating an inclusive, supportive, stimulating, and challenging environment for staff and volunteers. The Executive Director provides vision and leadership to develop organizational capacities and capabilities, including people, content, skills, and operating processes, to sustain and advance the organizations' missions and goals as established by the Boards of Directors.The Executive Director is the leader and vocal champion of the organizations and is responsible for implementing their programs and leading all fundraising initiatives. The Executive Director is the liaison between the Board, staff, and volunteers. The Executive Director reports to, seeks guidance from, and provides support to the Boards of Directors.The primary responsibilities of this position, with respect to each organization, are in five areas:Strategy and Direction

• Develops, with input from the Board of Directors, staff, and volunteers, the strategic vision for the organization;
• Responsible for developing the innovative, grassroots aspects of strategy, and champions how to achieve objectives with nontraditional tactics that align with values (nonpartisan, grassroots, citizen-led, inclusive, volunteer empowerment);
• Consults with subject matter experts as needed for strategy and policy development;
• Reports progress on goal and operational issues to the Boards of Directors in writing prior to scheduled Board meetings and participates in those meetings as a non-voting member;
• Works with the volunteers, staff, Board members, partners, and consultants as necessary to develop strategic solutions to complex challenges; and
• Keeps Boards informed of significant developments and changes in the internal and external environment and supports staff and volunteers to inform the entire organization.Communications, Culture, and Values
  • Is a campaign and organization spokesperson, giving interviews and attending internal and external events, and championing the organization and mission to stakeholders;
  • Models and represents the organization's culture and values, both internally and externally;
  • Spearheads programs aimed to ensure the Voters Not Politicians community is diverse, equitable and inclusive;
  • Collaborates with communications team and consultants to ensure effective external written and verbal communications about the organization and its mission, priorities, programs, and activities; and
  • Supports program and development teams in creating and maintaining beneficial relationships with donors, funders, supporters, collaborators, allies, vendors, and other stakeholders, according to the strategic plan.Staff and Leadership
    • Cultivates and maintains relationships with political and nonprofit groups across Michigan and nationwide in accordance with the strategic plan and vision of the organization;
    • Leads process of hiring full-time staff;
    • Supports the Boards and their committees in carrying out their work;
    • Works with staff to ensure that the operation of the organization meets the expectations of the Boards of Directors and funders;
    • Supports staff in meeting their professional and personal development goals; and
    • Cultivates a culture of mental, emotional, and physical health and well-being.Governance and Administration
      • Works with the Board Chairs to help ensure the strategic plan directives and policies are communicated and understood by staff and volunteers;
      • Supports Board recruitment efforts;
      • Directs staff to ensure the Boards' directives, policies, and resolutions are carried out; and
      • Supports staff and Finance Committee to prepare and present an annual budget to the Boards of Directors.Finance and Fundraising
        • Oversees the Senior Development Director;
        • Drives key results in resource development, which includes identifying, cultivating, and soliciting prospective donors and key leaders of prospective new partners; leveraging personal and professional contacts and relationships into fundraising opportunities; and promoting a culture of fundraising in the organization, both at the staff and Board level;
        • Works with the staff and Boards to create long term budgetary and financial plans, reviews financial data on a regular basis; and
        • Makes financial projections for the organization and closely monitors fiscal health indicators such cash flows, tax compliance, and risk management strategies as needed.Candidate ProfileVNP recognizes 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 display the following professional and personal qualities, skills, and characteristics:
          • Ability to inspire passion, action, and trust, and to agitate for change;
          • Passion for democracy work and an understanding of the democracy space; experience in leadership roles within political or non-profit organizations, particularly those focused on democracy and civic engagement preferred;
          • Understanding of policy and state-level legislative process; strong political savvy with the ability to navigate complex political landscapes;
          • Passion for volunteer-led activism;
          • Capacity to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders, including community organizations, elected officials, and other civic groups;
          • Growth mentality with a "in it to win it" attitude;
          • Track record in financial management, stewardship, and strategies to increase revenue; proven track record in fundraising, particularly with philanthropic organizations and government entities; ability to position the organization to attract funding and support;
          • Excellent organization and time management skills;
          • Team leadership and project management experience;
          • Strong communication skills, including public speaking, media relations and with the legislature; while not a primary requirement, a background in press relations is a plus; and
          • Experience leading 501(c)(4)s and political campaigns preferred.Salary range is $140,000 - $155,000 per year, negotiable depending on experience and candidate qualifications. Benefits include a 401k with up to 6% employer match, QSEHRA health insurance reimbursement, flexible work schedule, and paid holidays.This is a full-time, remote position in the state of Michigan, and the next Executive Director must live in Michigan or be willing to relocate.--Voters Not Politicians is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. Applicants of diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.Koya Partners l Diversified Search Group is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals living with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual living with a disability and need assistance expressing interest online, please email NonprofitSearchOps@divsearch.com. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.About Koya Partners l Diversified Search GroupKoya 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.
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Keywords: The Kresge Foundation, West Bloomfield Township , Executive Director, Executive , Lansing, Michigan