Job Announcement: Executive Director

The Interfaith Drug Policy Initiative (IDPI), based in Washington, D.C., is seeking a new executive director to lead our efforts toward non-punitive, non-coercive drug policies nationwide.

IDPI mobilizes religious denominations and organizations, clergy, and other people of faith to promote the drug policy reform proposals currently under serious consideration in Congress and several states (e.g., medical marijuana, sentencing reform, and needle exchange), while gradually building public support for replacing drug prohibition with reasonable regulations. We have mobilized hundreds of clergy behind successful legislative campaigns.

QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates must have a proven track record of strong, results-oriented management, as well as outstanding fundraising abilities and excellent oral and written communication skills. Although it is not necessary to be an ordained clergy person, the executive director must have credibility within the faith community and be able to persuade and organize religious leaders from a wide variety of denominations. He/she must be a strategic thinker with high motivation, persistence, resourcefulness, and focus. Non-profit management experience is a plus, whether or not faith-based.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The executive director will maintain IDPI at its present level of operation (three employees) and soon expand the organization into a larger, more formidable opponent of the “war on drugs.” The executive director reports to the organization’s board of directors, develops the annual budget, and establishes measurable goals in collaboration with other drug policy reform organizations. To these ends, he/she will:

• oversee IDPI’s fundraising efforts (including a membership renewal program) and directly solicit contributions from large donors;
• ensure that IDPI’s strategy is sound and the tactics are effective and cost-efficient;
• recruit, hire, and manage the staff, with an emphasis on setting and meeting clear and ambitious goals;
• ensure that IDPI remains in compliance with relevant non-profit laws and financial regulations;
• participate in some of IDPI’s programmatic work, such as directly educating and soliciting the involvement of religious leaders, generating favorable media coverage, and speaking at public forums.

The starting salary is between $70,000 and $85,000, with the possibility of rapidly increasing well beyond $100,000 depending on the success of his/her fundraising efforts.

Job Application Process

#1: Cover Letter and Resume

Please send a one-page cover letter and one- to two-page resume to Kristen Millnick, by e-mailing them to kristenmillnick@idpi.us or faxing them to 301-270-4483. All e-mail messages should mention the position sought in the subject line. If you fax the documents, please include an e-mail address in the cover letter and/or resume, if possible.

Please do not call the IDPI office at this stage.

In your cover letter, please specify (1) how you learned about IDPI’s job opening, (2) why you are interested in working with IDPI in particular, (3) your position on the “war on drugs,” and (4) whether you have any experience in drug policy and/or organizing the faith community in particular. Feel free to include any other information you deem relevant, not to exceed one page.

#2: Additional Documentation

If you submit a cover letter and resume, IDPI will try and respond to you as soon as possible with either a notice of rejection or a request for additional documentation, such as a writing sample. Please do not call the IDPI office during this stage.

#3: Phone Interview

After reviewing your application materials, if we believe you may be a strong match for the position, IDPI will schedule a phone interview with you.

#4: In-Person Interview

After the phone interview process, IDPI’s executive director and associate director will conduct in-person interviews with the top applicants.

Thank you for your interest in IDPI!