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Georgia Innocence Project

Executive Director

Georgia Innocence Project, Atlanta, Georgia, United States, 30383


THE OPPORTUNITY

Georgia Innocence Project (GIP) is the only organization solely dedicated to preventing and correcting the wrongful conviction of innocent people in Georgia, and to supporting exonerees upon their release from prison. An independent 501(c)(3) organization, GIP pursues its mission through direct legal representation, education and reform, and re-entry support. We strive to increase accuracy and accountability within the criminal legal system.

GIP values organizational best practices, transparency, feedback, and accountability in the interest of continuous learning and improvement. We work in community, often in partnership with those most directly impacted by wrongful incarceration, and we center humility, tenacity, and resilience as we advance our mission.

GIP seeks a passionate, experienced Executive Director (ED) to lead it in the next phase of its growth. The ED will report to and work with our engaged board of directors to build upon recent successes and provide strategic leadership to our talented team.

TO APPLY

There are two parts to the application:

Complete the application form (linked in application)

Email your resume to

info@amplifytalent.org

Applications will only be considered complete if we have received both of the above.

The priority deadline to apply is

Sunday, September 29th.

We will review applications on a rolling basis after this deadline, but the application window may close at any time following this date. We encourage interested applicants to apply as close to the priority deadline as possible.

POSITION DETAILS

GIP’s next Executive Director must exemplify and uphold the organization’s values and culture while overseeing and/or carrying out the following:

Organizational Leadership

Ensure that GIP’s mission remains at the core of strategic decision making while aligning efforts and initiatives across the organization

Foster a positive and collaborative work environment that maintains a climate of excellence, feedback, continuous learning, accountability, and respect

Lead senior team members by providing support, fostering their development, and ensuring accountability while also cultivating a culture where all managers do the same for their teams

Set goals and monitor progress to ensure excellent performance

Partner with the board on strategic planning, organizational problem solving, and growth opportunities

Ensure the organization is equitable and welcoming for everyone, with a specific focus on serving those impacted by wrongful convictions

Act as a highly visible and present leader, modeling expectations and fostering a inclusive environment to staff, clients, and partners

Fundraising and Stakeholder Engagement

Serve as an inspiring public ambassador for GIP

Work in concert with the board and development staff to create and implement an effective fundraising program and an annual development plan that aligns with GIP’s mission and goals, with a focus on securing diversified revenue streams

Provide the necessary support and tools for the board and development staff to meet GIP’s fundraising obligations; ensure consistent, compelling messaging and supporting materials

Identify and cultivate relationships with high-level donors, foundations, and other potential funding sources, working closely with the board to engage donors and secure major gifts

Maintain up-to-date knowledge of best practices in nonprofit fundraising and development, and work collaboratively with the board and other stakeholders to continuously improve GIP’s fundraising efforts

Lead coalition building and strategic partnerships; build and maintain relationships with allied organizations in Georgia and the Southeast

Board Relations

Serve as the primary liaison with the board, partnering on strategic initiatives, communicating progress, and providing regular updates

Assist the board in its operations and planning

Actively participate in all phases of board development, including recruitment, nomination, vetting, orientation, support, and offboarding

Foster a culture of transparency, openness, respect, feedback, and accountability within the board and between board and staff

Finance, Operations, and Human Resources

Ensure organizational sustainability by maintaining efficient and effective operations

Oversee the organization’s ongoing financial management in partnership with relevant staff and board, ensuring that the organization is financially sound, legally and ethically compliant, and operating with financial prudence

Develop and oversee GIP’s annual budget to ensure that it aligns with the organization’s goals and priorities

Know and adhere to current best practices in nonprofit financial management

Collaborate with the board and stakeholders to identify revenue growth and cost saving opportunities

Oversee implementation of internal talent practices (e.g., recruitment, selection, hiring, onboarding, promotion, and termination)

SKILLS & MINDSETS

The next Executive Director must embody GIP's values and culture, demonstrating strong leadership while

guiding with the following skills and mindsets:

Commitment to GIP's Mission, Values, and Culture -The ED must share a passion for GIP's mission and innocence work in Georgia. While expertise in the technical legal program is not required, the ED must have an understanding of the inequities and injustices existing within the criminal legal system, the humility to express what they do not know, and an eagerness to learn. The ED should be able to understand and navigate the impact innocence work can have on broader justice reform efforts in Georgia’s criminal legal system, while also ensuring GIP’s work remains client-centered. The ED must share GIP’s commitment to creating an equitable, collaborative, and respectful work environment that is diverse, inclusive, and empowering.

Exceptional Leadership, Development, and Management

- The ED must have experience leading a team, ideally at a nonprofit organization. The ED should be adept at the management responsibilities of setting clear expectations, holding people accountable, and developing people’s strengths. The ED must have a leadership approach that demonstrates empathy, self awareness, openness to feedback, team building, and a commitment to continuous improvement. They should be committed to creating a work environment where staff are supported and are encouraged to contribute their unique perspective and talents. The ED must also have a high bar for personal effectiveness and organization skills, prioritizing their time and others’ to focus on what is most important and following through on commitments.

Collaborative Problem Solving and Strategic Decision Making

- The ED must be skilled at identifying challenges and then working collaboratively to find and implement effective solutions.

Authentic Relationship Building

- GIP’s work is only possible through the strength of our community, and we take our cues largely from those who have been directly impacted by wrongful incarceration. The ED must value and model the importance of building strong relationships with Georgia’s freed and exonerated community. The ED must be skilled at building authentic relationships with direct reports, the board, our clients and their families, and our broader group of stakeholders.

Nuanced Communication

- The ED must be a comfortable and skilled communicator who can represent the organization with a variety of different audiences, particularly related to fundraising and external relationship management. The ED must also be willing and able to have difficult conversations, internally and externally, and demonstrate a commitment to both giving and receiving feedback in pursuit of GIP’s mission.

EXPERIENCE

We’ve thought critically about what is needed for success in the ED role, but we also recognize that everyone comes with different strengths and areas for growth. Strong candidates will demonstrate most, if not all, of the following:

Priority Experience

Significantly aligned, transferable professional and leadership experience (typically 10+ years)

Successful fundraising experience, ideally in the nonprofit sector

Team leadership and management experience

Experience with public speaking and promoting a cause to large groups

Experience identifying, establishing, and managing partnerships to further an organization's mission

Preferred Experience

Nonprofit leadership experience (ED/CEO or other senior leadership role) with demonstrated results

Some legal/policy experience or background relevant to our cause and the criminal legal system

Relationships within the Atlanta/GA nonprofit and legal community

Experience working in a similarly sized nonprofit, with a deep understanding of resource management and navigating funding limitations

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

GIP offers a robust benefits and compensation package that includes an IRA retirement plan with a 3% match and a pre-tax reimbursement for health, dental, and vision premiums or, if eligible, the option to receive the equivalent amount for other benefits or as taxable income. All GIP employees also receive funding for professional development opportunities. The salary range for this position is $115,000-$150,000 annually and the exact salary will be determined based on prior experience.

GIP is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status.

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