Position: Director, The Council for American Democracy (TCAD)

Status: Full-Time (40 hours per week, full benefits)

Reports to: Chief Advancement Officer (with dotted line to CEO)

Salary Grade: Director

Salary Range: $110,000-$130,000

Location: Washington, D.C. Preferred

Job Type: Hybrid if in DMV region (in-office Tuesdays and Wednesdays)

Position:

Ready to lead at the intersection of high-level philanthropy and democracy protection? As the TCAD Director, you'll serve as the strategic leader and primary interface for The Council for American Democracy (TCAD)—a distinguished community of influential donors deeply committed to safeguarding and strengthening our democratic institutions.

This senior-level role requires exceptional relationship management skills and the executive presence to engage confidently with accomplished philanthropists, foundation leaders, and other influential stakeholders. You'll deliver the personalized, strategic engagement that reflects both their significant investment in our mission and their expertise in their respective fields. When necessary, you'll skillfully facilitate alignment between member interests and Issue One's mission and strategic priorities as outlined in the TCAD membership MOU.

You'll oversee TCAD's strategic direction, manage the Steering Committee interface, and ensure seamless execution of all TCAD initiatives. Working closely with Issue One's executive team and managing a growing team, you'll build and sustain relationships that drive both significant financial support and meaningful engagement in our democracy protection work.

Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership and TCAD Oversight

• Serve as primary interface with the TCAD Steering Committee, facilitating strategic discussions and ensuring alignment with Issue One’s mission.
• Drive implementation of TCAD’s strategic priorities and to-do list, ensuring follow-through on all commitments.
• Develop and execute comprehensive strategies for TCAD membership growth and deepened donor engagement.
• Manage external communication firm and coordinate all TCAD-related messaging and outreach.
  
  

High-Level Relationship Management

• Cultivate and steward relationships with TCAD’s most significant donors and prospects, providing exceptional donor experiences.
• Navigate complex donor dynamics with diplomacy while maintaining organizational boundaries and mission alignment.
• Gather committee input on strategic initiatives and facilitate consensus-building among diverse stakeholder groups.
• Serve as trusted advisor to donors on democracy-related giving strategies and opportunities.
  
  

Internal Collaboration and Organizational Diplomacy

• Navigate complex internal stakeholder relationships across Issue One's leadership team, program staff, and board members to ensure TCAD initiatives align with organizational priorities.
• Serve as a strategic bridge between TCAD member interests and Issue One's operational capacity, facilitating productive conversations when expectations need to be calibrated.
• Collaborate effectively with Issue One's program teams to identify opportunities for meaningful TCAD member engagement without overwhelming staff resources.
• Build consensus among diverse internal stakeholders on TCAD strategic direction while managing competing organizational priorities and resource constraints.
• Partner with communications and program teams to ensure TCAD messaging and activities complement broader organizational initiatives.
  
  

Operational Excellence and Team Leadership

• Oversee all TCAD committee communications, ensuring timely and professional correspondence.
• Provide regular strategic updates to Issue One’s executive team on TCAD progress, challenges, and opportunities.
• Plan and execute high-caliber donor events and TCAD gatherings that reflect our organizational excellence.
  
  

Job-Related Experience

• Five-plus years of experience in senior-level donor relations, major gifts, or advancement roles in nonprofit or similar settings.
• Demonstrated success managing relationships with ultra-high-net-worth individuals, foundation executives, or C-suite leaders.
• Proven track record building and leading donor advisory groups, steering committees, or similar high-level volunteer structures.
• Experience working directly with organizational leadership (CEO, CAO level) on strategic initiatives.
• Background managing external vendors, consultants, or communication firms preferred.
  
  

Job-Related Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Executive presence and gravitas to engage confidently with influential stakeholders while maintaining organizational boundaries.
• Exceptional diplomatic and communication skills, with the ability to navigate sensitive conversations and competing priorities.
• Strategic thinking capabilities with strong execution orientation and attention to detail.
• Proven ability to manage up effectively while leading and developing direct reports.
• Experience with donor database management and sophisticated relationship tracking systems.
• Outstanding project management skills with the ability to coordinate multiple high-stakes initiatives simultaneously.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment in sensitive situations.
• Collaborative leadership style with the ability to influence without authority across organizational levels.
  
  

Location

This role is a full-time, fully benefited position requiring 40 hours per week. It’s highly preferred that the candidate reside in the Washington, DC area and participate in IO’s hybrid work environment. This arrangement allows staff to come to the office two days a week (Tuesdays and Wednesdays) and work remotely on the other three days. While the opportunity to work outside of the DC area is possible, it would require additional conversations between the hiring manager and applicant before an employment offer is made.

Benefits

Issue One has developed a comprehensive benefits package that invests in our staff to improve their health and promote a solid work-life balance.

• All full-time employees are eligible for a platinum health plan, with Issue One paying 100% of the premium. The organization also covers 75% of the premium for all spouses and dependents of IO staff.
• Staff receive over 50 paid days off annually, including holidays, vacation, personal time, and office-wide closures.
• Issue One provides reimbursements and stipends for internet and commuting and promotes a hybrid work environment that allows for working from home but establishes regular in-person office opportunities twice a week.
• Issue One offers wellness reimbursements and student loan assistance. In addition, all staff are encouraged to participate in professional development throughout the year, and the organization hosts several opportunities for fun and fellowship.
  
  

Physical Demands

• Most work is carried out in an office-like environment, completing projects at a desk for extended periods of time and working with a computer.
• During special events or donor meetings, the Director may be required to stand for extended periods and travel occasionally.
• The Director may need to lift, push, and/or carry items in excess of ten (10) pounds.
• Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the described essential functions of the job.
  
  

Tentative Recruitment Timeline

• June 12-26: The position is posted, and resumes are collected
• June 25-27: Resumes are screened and top candidates are identified for interviews.
• July 7-11: First-round panel interviews take place.
• July 14-18: Second-round panel interviews and potential paid assessments with finalists take place.
• July 21-25: Preferred candidate named and the role offered (contingent on a background check and verification of all educational credentials).
• August 11: New candidate begins (flexible start date)
  
  

Special Note:
While our organizations will do their best to follow the above timeline, there are instances where the selection process is shortened or delayed due to circumstances beyond our control. The organizations will do their best to update all selected candidates on any changes to the timeline. In addition, while resumes may be submitted after June 26, there’s no guarantee they will be screened for a potential interview.

DEI Philosophy and Self-ID Questionnaire

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) drive everything we do. We celebrate each individual's unique perspectives and experiences to our team. Your voice matters to us, and we're committed to creating an environment where everyone feels valued and respected. As part of our ongoing DEI efforts, we invite all applicants to complete our self-identification questionnaire voluntarily. Rest assured, your responses are confidential and have no impact on your job application. This survey helps us better understand our diverse community, ensuring everyone has equal success opportunities.

Due to the volume of applications, we will, unfortunately, be unable to acknowledge receipt of all applications. No phone calls, please.

Issue One is committed to the principles of equal employment. We are committed to complying with all federal, state, and local laws providing equal employment opportunities and all other employment laws and regulations. We intend to maintain a work environment that is free of harassment, discrimination, or retaliation because of age, race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation (including transgender status, gender identity or expression), pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation, and related medical conditions), reproductive health decisions, marital status, personal appearance, matriculation, political affiliation, credit information, employment status, physical or mental disability, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), veteran status, uniformed service member status, status as a victim or family member of a victim of domestic violence, a sexual offense, or stalking, homeless status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws. Issue One is dedicated to the fulfillment of this policy in regard to all aspects of employment, including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, placement, transfer, training, promotion, rates of pay, fringe benefits, and other compensation, the application of disability and/or temporary disability policies, termination, and all other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment.