Executive Director, Crooked Ideas

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">At Crooked, we believe the answer to a rising authoritarian movement is a democratic movement powerful enough to fight it and (fingers crossed) defeat it. That means using all the tools at our disposal as a media company to help build a massive, diverse coalition united behind a core set of democratic values: freedom, equality, compassion, and the rule of law.</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Job Summary:</strong></span></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Crooked is hiring for an <strong>Executive Director </strong>to lead <strong>Crooked Ideas, </strong> a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. The Executive Director is a seasoned leader who can help Crooked Ideas execute on its content-based strategy for 2026 and beyond. They will lead a small but nimble team working alongside the Crooked Media ecosystem and ensure the organization meets its strategic content goals while delivering value to their fundraising partners.&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>This role is based out of our Los Angeles office, and follows a hybrid schedule based on the jobs needs. We are ideally looking for Los Angeles-based candidates or candidates willing to relocate </em><em>within the first 3 months of accepting an offer.&nbsp;</em></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>How You’ll Spend Your Time</strong><strong>:</strong></span></span></p> <p class="p1" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Organizational Leadership &amp; Strategy </strong></span></p> <ul style="text-align: justify;"> <li class="p1" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Provide executive leadership for all aspects of Crooked Ideas, and oversee ongoing development and growth.</span></li> <li class="p1" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Guide high-level strategic planning and continue to develop priorities and programs based on learnings and opportunities, and the external landscape, and in alignment with potential and committed funding.</span></li> <li class="p1" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Establish and develop partnerships, projects, and ongoing strategic alignment.</span></li> </ul> <p class="p1" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Fundraising &amp; Budget Oversight </strong></span></p> <ul style="text-align: justify;"> <li class="p1" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Lead and ensure the achievement of the organizational budget and fundraising targets on an ongoing basis, including support of current projects. </span></li> <li class="p1" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Cultivate relationships with philanthropic partners, individual donors, and aligned funders.</span></li> <li class="p1" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Ensure timely and accurate assessment of program goals and reporting of outcomes to donors.</span></li> <li class="p1" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Oversee and manage organizational budget and finances.</span></li> </ul> <p class="p1" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Operational &amp; Legal Oversight </strong></span></p> <ul style="text-align: justify;"> <li class="p1" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Ensure organizational health, legal compliance, and strong governance practices.</span></li> <li class="p1" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Oversee and manage key vendor relationships, contracts, and nonprofit reporting requirements.</span></li> </ul> <p class="p1" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Board Management&nbsp;</strong></span></p> <ul class="ul1" style="text-align: justify;"> <li class="li2" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Oversee, plan and lead quarterly board meetings with accurate and concise reporting on program outcomes, budget health, and fundraising goals.&nbsp;</span></li> <li class="li2" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Manage board composition, development and ongoing communication/relationships.&nbsp;</span></li> </ul> <p class="p1" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Content Strategy, Program Development, and External Partnership Development&nbsp;</strong></span></p> <ul class="ul1" style="text-align: justify;"> <li class="li2" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Lead strategy development and execution of Crooked Ideas’ impact-focused content and campaigns, and ensure alignment with overall program goals and donor and grant commitments.&nbsp;</span></li> <ul class="ul1"> <li class="li2" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Partner and develop collaborative projects and campaigns with internal teams and external creators and influencers to develop truly impactful editorial, social and media content, in accordance with the current donor and grant commitments and in alignment with audience growth goals.&nbsp;</span></li> <li class="li2" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Develop, manage and extend partnerships with the external social movements associated with the various campaigns, including the climate movement.</span></li> <li class="li2" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Monitor and stay connected to the various cultural, political, and policy landscapes to ensure programming is timely and relevant.&nbsp;</span></li> </ul> <li class="li2" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Support evolution of Crooked Ideas strategy.</span></li> </ul> <p class="p1" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Marketing &amp; Communications&nbsp;</strong></span></p> <ul class="ul1" style="text-align: justify;"> <li class="li2" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Oversee execution of marketing, social media, and audience development strategy in order to achieve program strategy and outcomes, according to donor goals and commitments, as well as potential fundraising opportunities, and in line with audience growth goals.</span></li> <li class="li2" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Guide messaging and public-facing communications and campaigns in alignment with the organization’s voice and values.</span></li> <li class="li2" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Represent the organization in public forums and key partner convenings.</span></li> <li class="li2" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Oversee development and execution of an Annual Report on Crooked Ideas, for distribution to external partners and stakeholders.</span></li> </ul> <p class="p1" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Team Leadership &amp; Culture</strong></span></p> <ul class="ul1" style="text-align: justify;"> <li class="li2" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Hire, support and manage a high-performing, mission-driven team.</span></li> <li class="li2" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Collaborate with key constituents and colleagues who provide services to Crooked Ideas.</span></li> <li class="li2" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Foster a culture of creativity, collaboration, experimentation, and fairness.</span></li> <li class="li2" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Work with the board to ensure strong organizational health and team support.</span></li> </ul> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-decoration: underline; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><strong>What You Bring to the Table:</strong></span></p> <ul style="text-align: justify;"> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">A strong sense of ownership and excitement related to our mission,</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">A self-starter and leader who will guide the way of our program initiatives.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">A strong collaborator who is eager to create a positive environment to work well with others and bring multiple stakeholders together to accomplish amazing things.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">A strategic thinker and doer who maintains a strong balance between creative vision and project management skills, which many times will require one to actively roll up their sleeves to bring great ideas to life.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">A facilitator of constructive conversations, who values diverse perspectives and promotes critical thinking to ensure compelling ideas are shared and valued.</span></li> </ul> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-decoration: underline; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><strong>What Experience You Have:</strong></span></p> <ul style="text-align: justify;"> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Senior leadership experience in nonprofit organizations.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Strong fundraising track record (especially with foundations, high-net-worth donors, and/or content-based funding)</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Experience in content development, strategic communications, or storytelling for change</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Deep familiarity with climate and democracy issues, social-impact work, or movement-building.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Strong understanding of nonprofit operations and legal compliance.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Values-driven, collaborative, and the ability to navigate complexity with humor and humility.</span></li> </ul> <ul style="text-align: justify;"> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Have startup experience (especially in nonprofit or media ventures).</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Know your way around political media, the impact/narrative space, or cultural campaigns.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Have successfully managed a leadership transition before</span></li> </ul> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">This job description provides a summary of how you’ll spend your time, but is nowhere near exhaustive, so other duties may be assigned over time.&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-decoration: underline; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Pay and Perks:</strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">At Crooked, we believe in paying employees at market rates that are informed by salary surveys and industry benchmarks. In addition to competitive salaries, we offer full-time employees excellent benefits including:</span></p> <ul style="text-align: justify;"> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Competitive salaries&nbsp;</span></li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Paid healthcare</span></li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">401k match&nbsp;</span></li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Unlimited discretionary time off&nbsp;</span></li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Paid leave including, sick, bereavement, pregnancy loss, and disability leaves</span></li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">20 weeks of paid parental leave</span></li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Commuter reimbursement or paid parking</span></li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Communications stipend&nbsp;</span></li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Professional development opportunities</span></li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Did we also mention our offices are closed at the end of the year?&nbsp;</span></li> </ul> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Once we’re ready to extend an offer, we look at the individual’s years of relevant experience and other compensable factors to determine a competitive offer. And for this role, the total potential cash package ranges from <strong>$175,000-$200,000</strong>, which is inclusive of a base salary and an annual bonus. We evaluate bonuses based on company and individual goal achievements<em>.</em></span></p><div class="content-conclusion"><p style="line-height: 1;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">About Us</span></strong></span></p> <p style="line-height: 1;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">We welcome everyone—as an inclusive workplace, we invite all our employees to bring their authentic, whole selves to work. Our mission and intent is to encourage people from every nation, race/ethnicity, belief, gender, gender identity, sexual identity, disability, and culture to feel respected and valued for their unique contributions to our company.</span></p> <p style="line-height: 1;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">We approach our work courageously, adapt and improve constantly, and celebrate the wins big and small. We cultivate a culture of creativity and expression at Crooked Media. We hire the best talent, ensure they have the tools and training they need, and set them free. If you have a high degree of ownership and are driven to excel, you’ll fit right in.&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="line-height: 1;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">That’s it. End of mission.</span></p></div>