[Air-L] Job Posting: Executive Director, National Coalition Against Censorship (NYC)

[Chris Peterson]

Hi AoIR — 

I’m helping to run the following search for an Executive Director for the National Coalition Against Censorship. Historically, NCAC has been most active in free-expression conflicts in/through traditional media, but I, and most of the rest of the Board, are cognizant that the controversies are shifting/spreading around, and I thought that someone on this list (or in the network of someone on this list) might be a good fit for the position. 

More information about the job on the listing/links below. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions. 

— Chris Peterson
    Research Affiliate, MIT Center for Civic Media
    Board of Directors, NCAC 

> Begin forwarded message:
> 
> Hi all — 
> 
> The National Coalition Against Censorship <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Coalition_Against_Censorship> (NCAC), based in NYC, is searching for an executive director. Joan Bertin <https://cl.ly/312P1o1M062P>, the legendary free speech advocate (and my personal spirit animal), is retiring in June after 20 years at its helm, and we hope to find someone with the kind of energy and vision Joan brought to the fight for free expression every day. 
> 
> I’ve been on the board <http://ncac.org/board-council-of-advisors> of NCAC since 2010 and am helping to run the search. As you can imagine, this is a very interesting time to assume leadership of one of the more influential national free expression nonprofits. I think we are open to many different kinds of applicants so long as they can do the job well (as specified below). 
> 
> Interested candidates should review the posting below and apply using the link in the footer. Please forward to anyone you think would be good for the job (or might know someone who would be good), and I’m happy to help answer any questions people may have. 
> 
> — Chris 
> 
>> http://ncac.org/executive-director <http://ncac.org/executive-director>
>> 
>> Job Search: Executive Director
>> WHAT WE ARE SEEKING
>> 
>> The National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC), a non-profit organization, seeks an Executive Director with a passion for First Amendment issues to guide it in its mission of promoting freedom of thought, inquiry and expression. The ideal candidate will have the marketing, public relations and fundraising skills needed to grow the organization’s name recognition and public awareness of censorship issues in an increasingly complex world.
>> 
>> BACKGROUND
>> 
>> Established in 1974, the National Coalition Against Censorship is the nation’s first responder to censorship challenges, offering direct assistance and counseling for groups and individuals actually facing censorship attempts. Our core constituents are students, teachers, librarians, and authors and others in the visual and performing arts. The NCAC also acts as a clearinghouse for information on censorship and censorship issues for students, journalists, legal and other professionals, as well as the general public. It cooperates and coordinates its actions with 56 like-minded coalition partners ranging from the American Civil Liberties Union to the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund.
>> 
>> Included within the scope of the NCAC are the Free Expression Network, dedicated to opposing government efforts to suppress constitutionally-protected speech,  the Youth Free Expression Project, committed to fighting the on-going assault on the free speech rights of young people, and the Arts Advocacy Project, which works with individual artists and curators involved in censorship disputes. We are also looking to further develop our advocacy in new media and our relationships with the next generation of free expression advocates.   
>> 
>> POSITION OVERVIEW
>> 
>> The Executive Director needs to be entrepreneurial, visionary and outgoing.
>> 
>> This individual should possess the ability to raise the organization’s profile, both to increase media coverage and to support its fundraising.  They will also lead our fundraising activities, including an annual benefit, and will need to be able to direct initiatives to grow our capabilities in this area. The Executive Director also needs to be an effective spokesperson and advocate for issues affecting free expression, acting as our public face, and ensuring that the NCAC helps guide the national dialogue.   
>> 
>> This individual is a dynamic and creative leader with a deep understanding of, familiarity with, and unbending passion for First Amendment issues.  They will need to drive the execution of the organization’s core programs and develop strategies to deepen and expand those core programs, including to emerging forms of communication. The Executive Director is also responsible for the day-to-day operations of the NCAC and achievement of the organizational mission and financial objectives. The Executive Director is responsible to and serves as the organization’s chief liaison with the Board of Directors.
>> 
>> RESPONSIBILITIES
>> 
>> Among the Executive Director’s responsibilities are the following:
>> 
>> Develop fundraising initiatives in order to expand programs and create opportunities for future growth.
>> Oversee efforts to promote the organization, its programs and its goals.
>> Develop strategic goals with the Board of Directors to assure that the organization has a long-range strategy to achieve its mission, financial goals and toward which it makes consistent and timely progress.
>> Develop and implement programs consistent with strategic goals; oversee execution of programs.
>> Serve as spokesperson for the organization and provide a national voice on censorship issues to the general public and the media.
>> Position the organization as a resource for those facing censorship challenges including students, teachers, librarians, authors and artists.
>> Maintain existing bonds with our coalition partners and recruit new partners.
>> Hire, train, manage and review staff; current staff of eight.
>> Oversee budget and financial reporting.
>> Maintain records and documents, and ensure compliance with federal, state and local regulations
>> QUALIFICATIONS
>> 
>> Passion for free expression issues
>> An ability to identify and raise funds via foundations, sponsorships and individual donors.
>> Ability to serve and interface with non-profit and private sectors
>> Excellent written and oral communications skills.
>> 5 or more years of experience in progressively more responsible positions in an advocacy organization preferred
>> Advanced degree in a relevant field preferred
>> To apply, please go to apply.ncac.org <http://apply.ncac.org/>.  The National Coalition Against Censorship is an equal opportunity employer.
>> 
> 
>