Director of Partnerships and Strategic Initiatives

American Oversight•Washington, DC

1d•$125,000 - $150,000•Remote

About The Position

The Director of Partnerships and Strategic Initiatives is a 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 the organization’s influence and position it as a leading public records watchdog. The role builds and sustains mission-aligned partnerships that strengthen organizational sustainability and amplify long-term impact across the progressive movement. The Director helps ensure investigative findings and records reach partners, coalitions, policymakers, and other stakeholders positioned to act on them, translating the organization’s work into broader policy impact and systemic change. The Director works closely with executive leadership and the Development team, and collaborates across legal, communications, editorial, and investigations teams to coordinate external engagement and maximize reach and impact. The role also leads strategic operations for partnerships, supports fundraising and development efforts, oversees relationship-management systems, and coaches staff and direct reports. American Oversight is a nonpartisan nonprofit watchdog that advances truth, accountability, and democracy by enforcing the public’s right to government records. Its work uses multiple tools, including litigation, to address threats to democratic institutions, civil rights and liberties, government transparency, and accountability at federal, state, and local levels. The position is located in the United States and requires availability during East Coast business hours, with occasional evening and weekend hours as needed. The role is remote-first.

Requirements

At least 10 years of experience in nonprofit, advocacy, or related settings, including substantial experience working in or closely with 501(c)(3) advocacy, community-based, or watchdog organizations, and a demonstrated record of building strategic partnerships that advance shared goals.
At least 5 years of experience advancing government accountability through advocacy, oversight, transparency, or related work.
At least 3 years of experience directly managing early-career staff, including setting performance expectations, providing regular feedback, and fostering professional growth through mentorship and coaching.
Strong working knowledge of nonprofit advocacy, including 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organizations, democracy organizations and coalitions, and collaboration among national, state, and community organizations.
Demonstrated experience building a program, initiative, or partnership strategy from the ground up, from identifying opportunities and securing participation through achieving measurable results.
Experience delivering results in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities, emerging opportunities, competing deadlines, and limited direction.
Demonstrated ability to engage diverse stakeholders and communicate organizational impact through persuasive narratives that advance strategic objectives and influence decision-makers.
Strong relationship-cultivation skills, including building high-trust partnerships with advocacy groups, community organizations, senior government officials, policymakers, and funders; initiating contact with senior leaders; making clear requests; and turning introductions into substantive collaboration.
Ability to navigate sensitive dynamics, exercise discretion, and leverage relationships to advance election integrity, civil rights, and democratic accountability.
Strong project-management skills, including prioritizing multiple projects and timelines, managing substantial correspondence, anticipating next steps, maintaining momentum through follow-up and clear ownership, and resolving obstacles proactively.
Strong communication skills, including synthesizing complex information for varied formats and audiences, making technical or nuanced material accessible and compelling, providing editing support, and strengthening team communications for strategic alignment.
Sound judgment and decision-making, including leading the Partnerships Department toward impactful outcomes and responding to concerns and challenges appropriately and promptly.
Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, including identifying issues, developing creative solutions, processing complex information, discerning patterns, and drawing well-reasoned conclusions.
Strong collaboration skills, including engaging diverse stakeholders and coalitions, facilitating internal cross-functional collaboration, and working effectively both independently and with others.
Self-starter with good judgment, critical thinking, flexibility, resourcefulness, and problem-solving abilities.
Exceptional organizational skills, discipline, and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple projects of varying scopes, timelines, and stakeholders.
Ability to learn quickly, build fluency across diverse issue areas, and apply that knowledge to strategic goals.
Experience working in, or desire to contribute to, workplaces committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, including demonstrated commitment to coaching entry- and mid-level staff.

Nice To Haves

Established relationships with leaders in nonprofit advocacy, community organizations, national watchdogs, or related coalitions that could support partnership goals.
Deep understanding of the accountability and democracy ecosystem, including organizations, funders, and coalitions working to strengthen transparency, oversight, and civic participation at federal and state levels.
Knowledge of government transparency and accountability frameworks, including familiarity with FOIA or related state-level open-records laws.
Experience contributing to organizational planning and strategic initiatives, particularly those involving cross-departmental collaboration, external positioning, or long-term sustainability.
Experience working in an advocacy organization that uses litigation as a primary tactic.
Experience positively navigating change management.
Development experience with philanthropic organizations and/or donor cultivation.

Responsibilities

Direct the organization’s partnerships and external engagement strategy to expand its influence and establish it as a leading authority on FOIA and public records work across the progressive movement.
Use strategic partnerships to identify high-impact investigations, litigation, and communications strategies that expose misconduct, expand public access to information, drive accountability, and support democratic progress.
Set partnership priorities and build relationships with organizations whose strengths, networks, and community connections advance shared goals and broaden collective impact.
Monitor and analyze political and policy dynamics at federal, state, and local levels, and use partner insights to identify emerging threats and opportunities that guide strategic direction.
Develop coalition-based strategies that use the organization’s expertise and records to shape accountability efforts, advance advocacy campaigns, and defend democratic institutions, including supporting sign-on letters, joint statements, and collaborative initiatives.
Facilitate webinars, presentations, and other public-facing engagements to showcase findings, elevate expertise, and strengthen relationships with partners, policymakers, and funders.
Identify, recommend, and secure opportunities for organizational leaders to participate in conferences, coalitions, and convenings that increase visibility and impact.
Advise executive leadership on strategic positioning in the progressive and democracy ecosystem, including assessing and managing partnership and coalition risks.
Represent the organization to external partners, coalitions, and public forums, advancing its mission and strengthening its credibility and influence.
Translate organizational priorities into actionable partnership and strategic initiative plans, establishing milestones, coordinating internal contributions, and ensuring execution and follow-through.
Define and track performance metrics to evaluate the reach, influence, and effectiveness of strategic engagement and progress toward goals.
Oversee the Client Relationship Management and Partnerships systems, ensuring data hygiene, efficient information flow, and measurable tracking of partnership growth and external engagement impact.
Build staff capacity for external engagement by coaching and training staff across departments to represent the organization in partnerships, coalitions, and public forums.
Coach and mentor direct reports by setting performance expectations, providing regular feedback, and supporting skills development and professional growth.
Collaborate with executive leadership to design, execute, and sustain fundraising strategies, engage funders, and cultivate relationships.
Work with Development and Communications teams to turn partnerships, impact, and investigations into compelling narratives that inspire donor engagement and investment.
Assist with or draft grant and impact reports and other funder-facing materials communicating achievements and reinforcing institutional supporter relationships.
Align external engagement initiatives with development priorities, leveraging partnerships, events, and visibility to advance fundraising goals and institutional relationships.
Perform other duties as assigned.