EVP, Chief of Programs and Innovation

What You'll Do

Serving as a member of the SPLC's leadership team, you will have oversight of our program areas, serving as an executive responsible for ensuring collaboration, coordination, and impact. The EVP, Chief of Programs and Innovation will be a critical leader working to transform our vision, and related strategic plan, into reality, overseeing the leaders managing the SPLC's substantive program areas. They will also serve as a culture carrier and exemplar for the SPLC's mission, vision, and values, and enabling the SPLC to increase power and capacity for a multi-racial, inclusive democracy in the South.

Strategic Leadership

• Provide strategic counsel to the President/CEO and executive leadership team; fostering organization-wide collaboration and serving as a thought partner by helping to set and enable strategic priorities
• Lead cross-functional efforts by connecting teams and program areas to ensure ongoing communication, collaboration, and innovation, while embedding our commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) across all work streams
• Lead interdisciplinary task forces, as needed; manage the execution of projects and initiatives that require multi-team participation, where decision-making spans across departments
• Represent program team interests in strategic planning and problem solving processes, while acting as a steward for overall organizational health and sustainability
• Ensure leadership meetings align with strategic priorities, and that there is clear ownership and follow through on projects and initiatives

Executive Management and Organizational Leadership

• Lead the organization's efforts to create a positive working environment reflecting organizational values; implement initiatives to develop leadership skills and establish accountability mechanisms for leadership
• Oversee a high-performing executive team, providing mentoring, coaching, and accountability to the leaders managing our litigation, policy advocacy, communications, and community organizing departments, ensuring integration across all departments and teams
• Support the EVP, Chief of Operations in preparing and managing weekly Executive Team and Leadership Team meetings, bi-monthly joint ET/LT meetings, quarterly meetings between the JEDI team and the leadership teams, and all leadership retreats
• Design, develop, and implement structures, processes, initiatives to support organizational goals and priorities; support the prioritization of strategies and tactics to advance organizational goals
• Drive innovation across the organization, identifying opportunities for increasing impact and encouraging the team to look at ways to reimagine structures and processes to deliver results
• Facilitate and enable timely decision-making, removing roadblocks and enabling teams to work effectively toward strategic objectives

Internal and External Relations

• Work closely with partners, donors, and other external stakeholders, representing the SPLC with strategic partners and building lasting, trusting relationships to advance mutual goals
• Represent the SPLC among critical external constituencies, including but not limited to coalition partners, donors, and the media
• Support organization-wide initiatives and strategies that enable all staff to effectively share the SPLC's narrative and engage communities in its work
• Support the communications team's ongoing efforts to embed SPLC practices, principles, and brand throughout the organization

Who You'll Work With

• You will report to the SPLC's President and Chief Executive Officer, Margaret Huang.
• You will manage the Chief Legal Officer, Chief Policy Officer, Chief Strategy Officer, and Chief Communications Officer, and will oversee a total team of roughly 260.
• You will collaborate closely with the full leadership team, staff at all levels, the Board, and key external stakeholders.

Related work experience:

• Minimum of fifteen (15) years in leadership roles with a track record of success managing executives, leading organizational change, and fostering innovation, with at least seven (7) years managing, developing, mentoring and supporting a diverse and high-performing executive team
• Significant experience in centering JEDI (justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion) values in your approach to leadership, and working with organizations to manifest these values in the workplace
• Exceptional relationship building skills with a track record of cultivating strong working relationships across staff and stakeholders at all levels of an organization, with a range of beliefs and identities
• Demonstrated success developing culture, systems, and processes to enhance high levels of collaboration
• Expertise in conceptualizing, developing, implementing, and tracking program quality, performance, outcomes, and impact
• Professional maturity, with the ability to manage conflict, sensitive information, and complex / divergent interests

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Commitment to ideals of justice, equity, inclusion, and diversity (JEDI)
• Ability to inspire and motivate staff, the board, and allies to advance a shared vision and communicate that vision to all audiences
• Connection to the South, with a deep understanding of the culture, strengths, challenges, and unique attributes of the region
• An entrepreneurial, proactive attitude with strong organizational skills
• Flexibility to adapt quickly to change and work within an impact-oriented organizational environment
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills
• Creative thinking and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with demonstrated ability to manage multiple competing tasks and demands
• Enthusiasm, initiative, and grace under pressure

Location

This role is based in the South with a preference for candidates located in one of the regions where we have our largest presence: Montgomery, AL; Atlanta, Georgia; or Washington, DC.

As a nonprofit, you might think we are limited in what benefits we can offer. Well, think again. These benefits and perks are available to those who join the Southern Poverty Law Center's dynamic staff.

Learn more about the SPLC's comprehensive benefits here.

The SPLC is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and as an organization committed to diversity and the perspective of all voices, we consider applicants equally without regard to age, caregiver status, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, gender identity, marital status, national origin, on the basis of genetic information, political affiliation, pregnancy, or veteran status.

Qualified individuals, please apply at: https://www.on-ramps.com/jobs

On-Ramps is committed to the inclusion of all qualified individuals in the hiring process, including but not limited to those with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodation(s) to participate in the application or interview process, please contact info@on-ramps.com.