[Hiring] Director of Partnerships and Strategic Initiatives @American Oversight

Role Description

The Director of Partnerships and Strategic Initiatives is a key member of American Oversight’s leadership team, responsible for shaping and executing the organization’s vision for partnerships and external engagement. The Director identifies, initiates, and cultivates strategic relationships that expand American Oversight’s influence and position it as the nation’s leading public records watchdog.

The Director builds and sustains mission-aligned partnerships that strengthen American Oversight’s sustainability and amplify its long-term impact across the progressive movement. By ensuring that the organization’s investigative findings and records reach partners, coalitions, policymakers, and other stakeholders best positioned to act on them, the Director helps translate American Oversight’s work into broader policy impact and systemic change.

Internally, the Director works closely with executive leadership and the Development team, and collaborates across the legal, communications, editorial, and investigations teams to ensure the organization’s work achieves maximum reach, strategic coordination, and measurable impact.

Responsibilities

• Direct American Oversight’s partnerships and external engagement strategy to expand the organization’s influence.
• Strengthen American Oversight’s reputation as a trusted leader in government transparency.
• Set and lead American Oversight’s strategic partnership priorities.
• Proactively monitor and analyze political and policy dynamics.
• Develop and lead coalition-based strategies.
• Facilitate webinars, presentations, and other public-facing engagements.
• Elevate American Oversight’s visibility and influence.
• Advise executive leadership on strategic positioning.
• Serve as American Oversight’s senior representative to external partners.
• Translate broad organizational priorities into actionable plans.
• Define and track key performance metrics.
• Oversee American Oversight’s Client Relationship Management and Partnerships systems.
• Build organizational capacity for external engagement.
• Coach and mentor direct report(s).
• Other duties as assigned.

Development and Fundraising

• Support American Oversight’s development and sustainability efforts.
• Collaborate with the Development and Communications teams.
• Assist with or draft grant and impact reports.
• Ensure alignment between external engagement initiatives and development priorities.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in nonprofit, advocacy, or related settings.
• 5+ years of experience advancing government accountability.
• 3+ years of experience directly managing early-career staff.
• Strong working knowledge of the nonprofit advocacy landscape.
• Demonstrated experience building a program or partnership strategy.
• Experience delivering results in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to engage diverse stakeholders.
• Exceptional skills in relationship cultivation, project management, communication, judgment and decision-making, problem-solving, and collaboration.
• Self-starter with good judgment, critical thinking, and flexibility.
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Quick learner with the ability to build fluency across diverse issue areas.
• Experience working in and/or desire to contribute to workplaces with a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Desired Qualifications

• Established relationships with leaders in nonprofit advocacy or related coalitions.
• Deep understanding of the accountability and democracy ecosystem.
• Knowledge of government transparency and accountability frameworks.
• Experience contributing to organizational planning and strategic initiatives.
• Experience working in an advocacy organization that includes litigation.
• Experience positively navigating through change management.
• Development experience with philanthropic organizations and/or donor cultivation.

Compensation

The salary range for this position is $125,000–$150,000, commensurate with experience.

Benefits

• Remote-first work environment
• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• Generous paid time off
• Paid office closure from Christmas Eve to New Years’ Day
• 403(b) with up to 4% employer match
• Flexible scheduling policy aligned with core business hours
• Summer Fridays
• Up to $100/month reimbursement for internet services and personal device
• Professional development stipend
• $400/yr home office stipend
• Commuter benefits

Location

Position is located in the United States; must be available to work East Coast business hours with occasional evening and weekend hours, as needed.

Timeline

Interested applicants are encouraged to apply by Wednesday, November 4 to ensure consideration of their application. Following this deadline, we will be interviewing candidates and continue to review applications on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Our Commitment to an Inclusive Workplace

At American Oversight, we value and strive to hire, develop, and grow a diverse and inclusive team. We are an equal opportunity employer, and encourage applications from all individuals without regard to an individual’s race, color, sex, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local laws.