Executive Director

Executive Director
ACLU of Virginia
Richmond, VA
About ACLU of Virginia
The American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia (ACLU-VA) strives to be Virginia’s premiere guardian of civil liberties and a recognized champion of civil rights for all Virginians. For nearly one hundred years (50 in Virginia), the ACLU has made a profound difference in the lives of clients and community members, as well as historic contributions to our country and state. Now, more people than ever before have turned to the ACLU to fight back against unprecedented new attacks on civil rights and liberties. The ACLU-VA is committed to pursuing impactful policy changes at the local and statewide levels that work to achieve racial equity and the advancement of civil liberties and civil rights for everyone. The ACLU-VA is committed to ending racist policing, reducing the number of people who are incarcerated in Virginia, increasing access to quality mental and medical care for people who are incarcerated, ending sex and gender-based discrimination at work and in schools, and securing a constitutional right to vote for everyone.
For more information on ACLU of Virginia, please visit its website.
The Opportunity
The ACLU of Virginia seeks an Executive Director (ED) with experience managing and leading a high-performing team to achieve the organization’s mission, vision, and program goals, and a demonstrated commitment to civil rights, civil liberties, and diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.
The primary responsibility of the ED will be managing day-to-day operations, leading the organization’s development efforts, and prioritizing the work of the staff. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the ED will ensure that the organization is fiscally sound and that its communications, fundraising, and advocacy programs are meeting current and emerging needs. The ED will have a comprehensive knowledge of civil liberties and civil rights issues, and will be a leader who is adept at both internal management and optimizing external impact and visibility.

Responsibilities
The Executive Director of the ACLU-VA will assume the following responsibilities:
Leadership and Vision
• Establish a clear vision for the continued growth and expansion of the ACLU-VA in a manner that aligns effectively with the organization’s mission;
• Serve as the spokesperson for ACLU-VA, articulating the organization’s history, programs, and mission;
• Initiate and strengthen relationships and collaborations with organizations and leaders who are connected to ACLU-VA’s mission and purpose;
• Work in partnership with the Board of Directors and staff to carry out organizational policies;
• Work in partnership with the Board of Directors to create and implement a strategic planning process that helps define the direction of the organization, establishes priorities, and identifies funding needs.
Staff Leadership / Management
• Inspire, motivate, and build rapport to cultivate a cohesive staff, ensuring that there is strong internal communication, participation, coordination, and accountability;
• Implement policies, programs, goals, and objectives established by the Board of Directors;
• Direct the organization’s legal, advocacy, communications, and development programs;
• Ensure that day-to-day operations are professionally administered, and that appropriate technologies are employed to maximize organizational efficiency and effectiveness;
• Oversee the organization’s fiscal operations, including the budgetary process and financial controls;
• Create an open, inclusive culture that invites conversation and active listening, enables staff to bring their true selves to work, and ensures personal growth and development;
• Attract, recruit, lead, and mentor a diverse staff that serves civil liberties/civil rights with enthusiasm and deep personal understanding of the mission of ACLU of Virginia;
• Ensure an organizational commitment to and achievement of goals for equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging.
Resource Development
• Oversee development and execution of a comprehensive, data-driven, and donor-centered fundraising program that includes specific fundraising goals and targets with a focus on the acquisition of annual leadership gifts ($10,000+);
• Cultivate and solicit an assigned portfolio of donors for major gifts.
Board Relations
• Work with the Board of Directors to recruit additional Board members who will bring diversity and new talents to the organization;
• Work with the Board of Directors to identify and retain an auditor and cooperate in completing an annual financial audit;
• Regularly brief the Board of Directors on the status of the organization;
• Engage the Board of Directors in meaningful dialogue to further the organization’s goals.