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About Us
Independent Sector has openings for several positions and welcomes referrals from member organizations. Independent Sector is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity in its staff.
Our members also have openings available that may interest you.
Chief Administrative Officer
Reporting to and working closely with the President and Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Administrative Officer will partner and collaborate with key members of the senior leadership team, to ensure highly efficient processes by applying best practices in organization, planning, finance, and administration. The CAO will support IS’s mission by leading and overseeing the administrative functions of the organization including Finance, Administration, Facilities, Information Technology (that is currently outsourced, with one full time staff assigned to IS), Conference/Event Planning and Membership. There will be a total staff of 15.
IS created this new position to streamline processes. The CAO will provide thought leadership and guidance to all areas of the organization on planning, budgeting, facilities maintenance, administrative operations, event planning, use of technology and membership growth and retention. This dynamic leader will consistently seek out and recommend process improvements that will increase the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the organization and its operations.
Short-term performance expectations for the position include:
- Embrace IS’s mission and develop a thorough understanding of the organization’s current systems and processes.
- Establish credibility and trust with his or her peers at IS.
- Support the efforts of the Programs and Public Policy function.
- Provide oversight and support for IS’s move to its new home.
The successful candidate will need to have the experience, presence, maturity, and intellectual ability to make a substantive contribution to IS’s administrative operations. The person must be well-versed in administration and have demonstrated experience in finance and project management. Expertise with managing facilities and information technology is desired. The person must offer a track record of retooling processes and systems to make them more efficient and effective. He/she must be creative in saving money and generating new income streams. The individual must also be organizationally savvy and fully embrace IS’s mission. In addition, he or she must be fair, transparent, trustworthy, patient, a team-player, resourceful, organized, and be a true collaborator and partner. Finally, the person must have a demonstrated track of motivating and managing committed individuals applying a collegial and empowerment style.
Candidates who possess these qualities and experiences will likely come from the non-profit sector. IS is also open to individuals who come from the corporate setting who can quickly apply their skills.
Key Responsibilities
- Work with a successful finance operation to continue to maintain IS’s stellar record and high standards of stewardship and governance.
- Oversee the prudent use of organizational resources to ensure highest and best possible deployment of organizational resources.
- Streamline processes to reduce duplication of efforts and enhance organizational effectiveness.
- Implement a system of reporting that will allow greater knowledge-sharing and support the organization in development of budgets and strategic plans.
- Support and help to implement successful membership outreach and retention efforts.
- Provide direction to event planning area to result in successful attendee-focused conference and meetings, with efficient use of resources.
- Ensure IS meetings and conferences have the most efficient and cost effective structure is in place to meet the needs.
- Ensure financial statements that are clear, consistent, and support the reporting requirements for funders.
- Provide responsive customer service and communicate openly, proactively, and quickly to all of IS’s departments.
- Lead facilities-related functions including building management, maintenance of successful tenant relationships and ensuring high-quality tenant service as needed.
- Act as a liaison to outsourced IT function to ensure maintenance and support of effective systems.
- Convene meetings of management team on a quarterly basis to coordinate work and improve operations.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree required, MBA or other masters degree strongly preferred
- At least 10 years experience in providing senior administrative leadership in an association or nonprofit organization preferred or equivalent experience that is relevant and transferable.
- Detail orientation with strong organizational and project management skills.
- Strong financial skills and business acumen and sense.
- Past experience managing facilities is preferred.
- Successful track record of process and systems improvement.
- Highly collaborative interpersonal style.
- Ability to provide leadership, day-to-day management and hands-on execution as needed.
- Passionate commitment to IS’s core values and mission.
- Highest level of personal and professional integrity and quality standards
- Ability to interface with internal constituencies using a solution-oriented approach.
- Ability to interact with a variety of individuals and audiences and ability to work cross-functionally with a team of highly motivated and experienced individuals.
Personal Characteristics
The ideal candidate will be empathic, intelligent, honest, mature, creative, and trustworthy who has a flexible personality. He or she must be a team player and self-starter who can work well with others to support IS’s mission.
Other personal characteristics include:
- Excellent presentation, verbal, written and interpersonal and team-building communication skills.
- High level of initiative and drive with a strong sense of urgency and accountability.
- Adaptable and resilient with the ability to deal with multiple stakeholders and competing demands effectively.
- Ability to be passionate and focused, but still have fun and keep a smile.
- Impeccable ethics and integrity are required to build both internal and external credibility.
Search Team and Contact Information
Diversified Search Ray & Berndston is delighted to be partnering with and working for Independent Sector to find great candidates for the CAO position. We welcome hearing from interested candidates directly or individuals who can recommend great people for the role.
Managing Director
Andrew Wheeler
Office: 215-656-3548
Mobile: 267-257-1910
andrew.wheeler@divsearch.com
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Senior Lobbyist/Tax Analyst, Public Policy and Government Affairs
Reports To: Senior Vice President, Public Policy and Government Affairs
Job Purpose: Provides high level research and analysis of legislative and regulatory proposals affecting philanthropy and nonprofit organizations to shape and implement effective legislative and regulatory advocacy strategies. Develops and conducts briefings on tax-exempt law and regulations for congressional staff, charitable organizations, and other key audiences. Participates in and convenes meetings of nonprofit tax law and regulatory experts to strengthen role of Independent Sector as leader in nonprofit oversight and regulation.
Qualifications and Requirements
- J.D. and active membership in bar association required
- Substantial knowledge of nonprofit tax law and regulations and experience with capitol hill, law firm or nonprofit organizations.
- Knowledge of laws applicable to nonprofit organizations under IRS code §§ 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4).
- Familiarity with advocacy and tax policy issues related to philanthropy and nonprofits.
- Superior research and analytical skills required. Excellent written and interpersonal communications skills sought.
- Must be very articulate and able to communicate clearly verbally and in writing to member organizations and other relevant parties the substance of IS policy positions.
- Must be a flexible collaborative team player with a passion for public policy and the political process.
- Must be detail oriented with strong organizational skills, and be a self-starter who thrives in a rapidly changing environment and excels at working with a diverse team of colleagues and members.
- Must be able to juggle multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a demanding work environment.
- Proficient in web-based research and Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, Outlook).
Note: This position necessitates that the candidate have the flexibility to work with Congress and the Administration at key times when they are deliberating on matters of importance to Independent Sector. This may include on occasion evening and weekend hours.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Analyze and prepare written materials on current and proposed legislation to help legislative staff and nonprofit organization leaders understand its impact on charitable organizations.
- Prepare training and education sessions for Members of Congress and their staff.
- Prepare proposed legislation and amendments to fulfill the policy goals and objectives of Independent Sector.
- Convene as needed legal experts on relevant legal issues and establish role as expert in nonprofit tax-exempt law community; Consult with outside counsel as required.
- Assist in developing content for website and policy network communication tools, including list servs, policy updates, and alerts for community leaders and Congressional staff.
- Develop relevant programs and meetings at the IS conference.
- Participate where relevant in meetings and conferences of other organizations.
- Some travel required.
- Other duties as may be assigned.
Submit letter, resume, samples of work, and salary history to:
Director, Human Resources
Independent Sector
1200 Eighteenth Street, NW, Suite 200
Washington, DC 20036
resumes@independentsector.org
FAX 202-467-6101
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Director of Public Affairs, Public Policy and Government Affairs
Reporting to the senior vice president of public policy and government affairs, the director of public affairs will play a key role in capturing the priority issues for IS’ advocacy and mobilization efforts and educating constituents (members). He/She will expand, strengthen and facilitate the grassroots advocacy network of charitable organizations and develop a network of nonprofit leaders with strong congressional and governmental contacts to advance Independent Sector’s mission and policy agenda. The director of public affairs will coordinate education and outreach efforts on a non-partisan basis to candidates running for office and those elected to ensure they are familiar with the charitable sector and its priorities. The director of public affairs will develop short-, medium-, and long-term strategies that address members’ participation in direct advocacy and coalitions as well as grassroots and public policy activities. As such, the director of public affairs must effectively collaborate across all levels of IS, and demonstrate both sound judgment in prioritizing and the maturity to call in the resources/leadership to educate and appropriately respond to new challenges.
Responsibilities
The director of public affairs must immerse him/herself in Independent Sector’s initiatives, become well-versed in sector policy issues while identifying new areas of potential concern and adjusting priorities as needed. Crucial to this individual’s success will be the need to effectively communicate the key components in a fashion that is appropriate, respectful and relevant to IS members. It is essential that this individual demonstrate solid program and project management skills, thinking strategically for the future, yet implement actionable plans today.
The key responsibilities for the director of public affairsfall into three main areas:
Grasstops/Grassroots Outreach
- Create a grasstops and a grassroots outreach plan in cooperation with the SVP, Public Policy and Government Affairs to include network communication tools, list servs, policy updates, alerts and relationship-building communications for community leaders and Congressional staff.
- Recruit and mobilize an elite, defined group of individuals and organizations to urge a specific group, often Congress or other government officials, to support an initiative or sway a decision, including arranging key fly-ins when necessary.
- Develop community forums and other meetings to involve prominent community and organizational leaders in policy initiatives affecting the nonprofit community.
- Work with the legislative affairs staff to identify IS members in states and congressional districts represented by lawmakers and administrative officials that are instrumental in IS policy initiatives and, where IS does not currently have members, identify and recruit organizations to join the IS coalition.
- Work with legislative affairs staff to develop and organize meetings.
- Assist legislative affairs staff in preparing briefings and education sessions for Members of Congress and their staff, including arranging for local leaders to come to Washington to participate in those meetings.
- Develop connections with national political parties and conventions to raise awareness of the nonprofit community and gain support for IS policy positions.
Policy Action Network
- Expand, strengthen and manage Independent Sector’s grassroots legislative network of charitable organizations (known as the Policy Action Network) that will act quickly on legislative issues that impact the charitable sector.
- Organize training programs and institutes for IS members, including the annual Public Policy Action Institute, to strengthen advocacy skills of network members and their support for IS policy initiatives.
- Assist network members in organizing local meetings and appropriate activities to support IS’ Policy initiatives.
- Create an ongoing dialogue with members, enabling them to feel connected, understanding their issues/sensitivities, with the ability to quickly mobilize their efforts as developments demand.
- With IS's president, senior vice president of public policy and government affairs, director of legislative affairs, and Membership Department, identify and track the best influencers, form and deepen relationships with those influencers, and ensure their networks are effectively leveraged.
Strategic Planning/Process Improvement
- Create -- over time -- more agile, muscular and effective networks that can be quickly mobilized in response to initiatives/developments.
- Continually examine the results of advocacy and training efforts and debrief involved groups.
Qualifications
- Masters degree strongly preferred; at least 12 years of overall professional experience, including 10+ years of public affairs, community organizing, advocacy, and public or membership outreach experience.
- Expertise in grassroots organizing and directing field operations, including high-level policy advocates, ideally within the nonprofit sector or within a political party/campaign.
- Several years of experience managing teams and forming partnerships in a highly collaborative, matrix environment.
- Solid program/project management success, including planning, organizing, and responding to shifting priorities.
- Keen strategizing skills; demonstrated ability to identify a methodical, multi-faceted approach to drive a campaign to influence public opinion and policy.
- Strong relationship-building skills, demonstrating flexibility and finesse to influence a range of constituents.
- Clear, crisp communicator able to target a message and presentation for a specific audience.
- Demonstrated experience in working with prominent community, board and staff leaders, as well as public officials.
- Demonstrated success formalizing best practices and incorporating improvements seamlessly.
- Demonstrated ability to engage and lead networks.
- Systems expertise, understanding what tools can be applied to better track, organize and deliver pertinent data.
- Familiarity with advocacy and tax policy issues related to philanthropy and nonprofits helpful.
Personal Characteristics
- Organized, self-starter, someone willing to roll up his/her sleeves as needed.
- Fast learner, willing to immerse him/herself in industry/issues and become a subject matter expert.
- Hard-working, competitive, effective, and passionate about affecting change and living the mission.
- Persuasive, engaging and outgoing personality.
- Superb sense of timing, political awareness and discretion.
- Flexibility; thrives in fast changing environment, shifting gears and priorities as needed.
- Appreciation for continual learning; willing to admit gaps, strong desire to stay ahead of the curve.
- Able to juggle multiple projects, deadlines and deliver results.
- Team oriented, excels at working with a diverse team and enabling all to share the vision.
- Effective communicator with the ability to craft nuanced messages in a way that demonstrates appreciation for the audience.
- Able to travel as needed.
- Ethics and integrity must be beyond reproach.
To apply:
Go to the Bridgestar website and apply through the online job listings.
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Manager, Nonprofit Community Communications Initiative
Reports To: Vice President of Communications and Marketing
Independent Sector seeks a collaborative communications strategist to lead its Nonprofit Community Communications Initiative. The manager of the initiative should have extensive experience in communications planning and implementation, a background in working with coalitions and partnerships, and a strong understanding of the media and policy issues facing the nonprofit community. The manager will also have a deep understanding of the challenges in nonprofit and foundation communications and the enthusiasm to mobilize leaders from a wide variety of organizations. This is an excellent opportunity for an energetic professional to contribute to a dynamic national nonprofit leadership organization and build support for the nonprofit community’s remarkable work.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Help charities and foundations incorporate research-tested message themes into their communications, including translating research findings into recommendations for nonprofit organizations, demonstrating how messages can be delivered through existing communications tools, and creating new communication opportunities.
- Identify a select group of partners to test the initiative, work with those pilot organizations to incorporate the initiative’s messages into their communications, and gather feedback to strengthen the project.
- Identify situations that demonstrate the value of the nonprofit community and translate those examples into effective communications with stakeholders such as policymakers, media, and nonprofit organizations through speeches, reports, emails, websites, and in-person meetings.
- Work with the Independent Sector Communications and Marketing Advisory Task Force and other IS members to gather advice and expand outreach.
- Based on results of pilot projects, develop materials to enable a diverse group of charities and foundations to participate in the Initiative.
- Plan regular outreach activities, including conference calls, briefings, and sessions at relevant nonprofit conferences. Prepare programs, as appropriate, for the prestigious annual IS conference.
- Assist IS departments in integrating the initiative into their activities, including coordinating with the Public Policy and Government Relations Department, to create materials to support outreach to policymakers. Work with other IS departments to keep them informed regarding initiative developments and activities.
- Develop mechanisms for evaluating the initiative.
- Prepare updates as needed for reports to funders. Assist in securing additional resources to support the project.
- Collaborate with other coalitions and organizations engaged in sub-sector or related communications efforts.
- Assist in development of annual budget for the initiative and make recommended changes to improve the program.
- Other responsibilities, as assigned.
Qualifications and Requirements
- Six to eight years experience with public opinion research, communications planning, message development, and analyzing and incorporating feedback into planning.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
- Experience mobilizing and maintaining coalitions and persuading people to take action.
- Four to six years of relevant experience working in nonprofit, association, or related settings.
- Bachelor’s degree in journalism, English, marketing, communications, or other relevant field. Master’s degree strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated leadership capabilities.
- Collaborative team player, capable of juggling multiple projects, meeting deadlines, and thriving in a rapidly changing environment.
Salary is competitive with excellent benefits including a generous vacation and retirement plan.
To apply:
Submit letter, resume, samples of work, and salary history to:
Human Resources (Manager, Nonprofit Community Communications Initiatives Position)
Independent Sector
1200 Eighteenth Street, NW, Suite 200
Washington, DC 20036
resumes@independentsector.org
Fax 202-467-6101
Please visit www.independentsector.org for more details about Independent Sector.
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Executive Assistant, Public Policy and Government Relations
Responsible for a wide-range of administrative functions to support and assist the senior vice president and legislative and public affairs teams, including maintaining department budget records and organizational files, organizing conference calls, and preparing materials for committee meetings and legislative visits.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Provide administrative support (mail and fax preparation and distribution, filing, photocopying, scheduling meetings, arranging travel plans, preparing letters, proofreading) to senior vice-president and other department staff.
- Create, update and maintain records for committee lists, databases, and other systems using Microsoft Office applications
- Develop and maintain filing system for print and online materials supporting department’s work.
- Support Policy committees, including drafting and preparation of invitation letters, maintenance of response and tally instruments, coordination of meeting logistics, and assembly of briefing packets for committee members and other attendees.
- Maintain departmental calendars and calendars for Senior Vice President, utilizing Microsoft Outlook.
- Assist in the preparation of materials for meetings, retreats and other activities of the IS Board of Directors.
- Assist with preparation of departmental, committee and Board-related budget documents.
- Maintain files of departmental expenses, and code and submit invoices to accounting.
- Screen departmental telephone calls using exemplary telephone techniques and respond to telephone inquiries as needed.
- Work with supervisor to manage the day-to-day requirements of the department, including providing service to callers, referral of inquiries to appropriate staff, arranging meetings where appropriate, and preparing requisite materials for such meetings.
- Other duties as may be assigned.
Qualifications and Requirements
- College degree preferred.
- At least three years experience in a position providing executive level support.
- Prior experience in a nonprofit, association, or similar organization preferred.
- Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communications skills.
- Strong attention to detail.
- Proven accuracy, resourcefulness, and service orientation
- Willingness to take initiative to make improvements, enhance departmental efficiency, solve problems, and deal with change.
- Excellent anticipatory and organizational skills; ability to manage multiple projects and move quickly from one to another while maintaining thorough records. Ability to be flexible and balance competing priorities.
- Ability to draft letters, take and edit minutes, and proofread documents.
- Superb typing and production skills; proficiency with Microsoft Office Applications; familiarity with iMIS or similar membership management program; skill with other software applications a plus.
- Internet research skills a plus
- Must be able to interact and communicate with individuals at all levels of the organization.
- Position requires demonstrated professional manner, tact, diplomacy and confidentiality in all situations.
Salary is competitive with excellent benefits including a generous vacation and retirement plan.
To apply, submit letter, resume, and salary history to:
Human Resources (Executive Assistant, Public Policy and Government Relations Position)
Independent Sector
1200 Eighteenth street, NW, Suite 200
Washington, DC 20036
resumes@independentsector.org
Fax 202-467-6105
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Positions at IS member organizations
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