Job

Executive Director

Location Denver, CO 80201
Date Posted September 01, 2023
Job ID 9952
Employment Type Retained
Scion Executive Search has been retained to conduct a search for the incoming Executive Director on behalf of Free Speech TV (FSTV), a nonprofit media network committed to building a just, equitable world. Available in 35 million US television households, FSTV offers an alternative to media owned by billionaires, governments, and corporations: Its programming amplifies underrepresented voices from the front lines of racial, economic, and environmental justice.

This full-time on-site opportunity is for immediate hire and will operate from the organization’s headquarters in sunny, vibrant Denver, Colorado.

ABOUT FREE SPEECH TV:
FSTV is the only national, independent news network dedicated to advancing racial, economic, and environmental justice. Inspired by the belief that a just, kind, and sustainable world is built by diverse voices, fearless truth-telling, and engaged communities, FSTV lifts up the stories of those historically excluded in media and political power, including people of color, LGBTQ folks, poor people, folks with disabilities, women, elders, and youth.

A 24-hour television and multi-platform digital network, FSTV offers a wide spectrum of daily and weekly news programs, including Democracy Now!, The Thom Hartmann Program, and The Stephanie Miller Show. It also broadcasts independent documentaries, timely calls to action, and coverage of events like the Poor People's Campaign, Netroots Nation, and Bioneers.

Launched in 1995, FSTV is distributed principally by DISH (9415) and DIRECTV (348), Roku, mobile apps, social media, and via live stream on freespeech.org. Its audience includes often overlooked rural viewers in Red States. It is owned and operated by Public Communicators, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, and is funded primarily by its viewers, with additional support from philanthropic foundations.

FSTV is in the process of launching a Multiracial Democracy Initiative to help dismantle the structures and practices that perpetuate inequality and injustice. FSTV has established a majority-of-color board and management team, grounded staff in antiracist praxis, and engaged racial justice movement leaders in preparation for a re-visioning of the network. Broadly, FSTV aims first to consolidate its base of loyal viewers and movement allies and then, in order to “reconstruct democracy,” reach beyond “the choir” by speaking in new ways to audiences that are more racially, generationally, and ideologically diverse.

OVERVIEW:
FSTV is seeking an Executive Director to lead the organization at this transformational juncture. The right individual is an ambitious, resourceful, and visionary leader and strategic thinker. They understand the challenges facing the country and the planet, and the role that media can play as part of the solution. They inspire others with their hope, creativity, and passion for building out a media enterprise in service of social justice and multiracial democracy.

The Executive Director serves as an exemplary chief executive, responsible for overseeing the direction and daily operations of the network. Both change agents and steady hands, they are dynamic and entrepreneurial, adept in building teams, coalitions, and partnerships. They possess impeccable integrity and empathy. This individual is a confident builder who can inspire others—including funders—to transform the FSTV of today into the FSTV of tomorrow.

Reporting to a supportive and collaborative Board of Directors, this position oversees a strong leadership team, including the General Manager, Senior Director of Finance, Development Director, and other senior staff with the responsibility of developing, implementing, and evaluating programs to ensure they are in alignment with FSTV’s mission, organizational values, and business objectives. FSTV currently operates with a staff of 18 and a $4M annual budget.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Provide leadership by refining the network’s vision and modeling/upholding its core values.
  • Develop strategies for financial growth, operational expansion, and increased mission impact.
  • Identify, cultivate, and solicit major gifts from individuals, foundations, and other sources that align with established organizational mission and values.
  • Build strategic partnerships with progressive organizations and social justice leaders, independent media peers, donors, and other allies.
  • Act as the chief liaison to the Board of Directors.
  • Develop and meet annual financial plans, while overseeing the organization’s fiscal management.
  • Support the management team in cultivating partnerships, developing new programs, expanding distribution, piloting new technologies, and building audiences.
  • Establish and track clear institutional goals and timelines.
  • Serve as an advocate and mentor for staff, promoting innovation, excellence, and accountability at all levels.
  • Represent the organization publicly and respond to inquiries, recommendations, and complaints.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
  • 5+ years of director-level experience acting as a visionary and resourceful leader.
  • Demonstrated a history of creating compelling programs within a complex organization and engaging meaningfully with team members and constituents.
  • Record of leading fundraising efforts of at least $1M, including making large direct fundraising pitches to potential donors.
  • Demonstrated fiscal management abilities.
  • Stellar communication and networking skills, with experience cultivating relationships with social justice movements and philanthropic leaders.
  • Experience leading a committed team and fostering a positive work environment of ambitious goals, collaboration, accountability, healthy relationships, and inclusivity.
  • Genuine commitment to social, racial, economic, and environmental justice.
  • Media experience (broadcast, print, and/or digital) is highly desirable.
  • An understanding of strategic communications and movement organizing is highly desirable.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
This full-time, on-site opportunity offers an exciting chance to significantly impact social justice and racial equity on a national level working with a strong, committed, and experienced team in a dynamic media environment. In addition to a competitive base salary of $175,000–$195,000, FSTV also provides a strong benefits package that includes subsidized health and dental insurance, free vision coverage, life insurance, employer-paid long- and short-term disability insurance, and relocation assistance. FSTV also offers 9 paid holidays, plus the week between Dec 26 and Dec 31; 10–20 paid days off for employees (based on years served); paid sick leave; personal days; parental leave; sabbatical leave; and a 401(k) plan.

APPLICATIONS AND NOMINATIONS:
Free Speech TV has retained the services of Scion Executive Search, a national executive search firm specializing in mission-driven organization recruitment, to assist in conducting this search. For immediate consideration please apply with your resume and cover letter, formatted in Microsoft Word, via: https://scionexecutivesearch.com/job/9952.

Please address applications to:
Joanne MacGregor, Executive Search Principal
Scion Executive Search
(888) 487-8850 ext 134

 Review of applications, nominations, and expressions of interest will begin immediately and continue on a confidential basis until an appointment is made.

Free Speech TV is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values, celebrates, and encourages diversity and equity in all facets of the organization’s work. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other protected class.

ABOUT OUR FIRM:
Scion Executive Search is an award-winning, retained executive search firm! Through innovative team building and recruitment solutions, Scion Executive Search seamlessly bridges the gap in interim and executive searches. Our track record and recruitment process have made us one of the top recruitment firms in the nation.

We are proud to be part of the Forbes lists of the Best Recruitment Firms and the Best Executive Search Firms in America. Additionally, Scion has been recognized as a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing firm as well as a top recruitment firm by The Business Times. Additional information about our firm and our practices can be found online.

Scion Executive Search is an equal opportunity employer and service provider and does not discriminate based on race, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, political affiliation, or any other protected class. We are committed to the principles of Equal Opportunity Employment and are dedicated to making employment decisions based on merit and value, for ourselves, our client companies, and the candidates we represent.

For opportunities located in a region that has enacted fair chance, arrest, or conviction-based employment ordinances, Scion Executive Search proactively follows the enacted guidance and considers for employment all qualified applications with arrest and conviction records. We engage in socially conscious business practices and believe that diverse, equitable, inclusive, and non-biased talent and recruitment processes are foundational to the success of Scion as well as every client organization with whom we partner.

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