Chaloner has partnered with the Winning Jobs Narrative on their search for an Executive Director.

ABOUT WJN

America faces a deep and growing disconnect. Economic insecurity and inequality have left millions of people feeling unseen and unheard. The notion that hard work leads to a decent life no longer feels true for too many, fueling frustration, polarization, and distrust in government and civic institutions.

The Winning Jobs Narrative (WJN) offers a proven, unifying framework to reconnect with working-class people and rebuild trust across divides. Grounded in rigorous research and real-world testing, WJN helps leaders and advocates communicate in ways that resonate across class, race, and region—anchoring shared values like fairness, dignity, and opportunity.

Widespread economic discontent has created fertile ground for division and distrust. Many working people—across backgrounds and regions—believe their concerns are ignored or overlooked by elected officials. Traditional policy messages often fail to connect because they don’t address people’s real-world concerns—housing, health care, groceries, or job stability. And too often, advocacy and organizing groups deploy language that creates unnecessary distance with the communities they are working to engage.  

WJN bridges this gap. It begins with listening—understanding how people make sense of their lives and what values unite them—and builds messages that connect across ideological lines. Our approach reduces polarization not by appealing to the “lowest common denominator,” but by engaging people around shared aspirations: good jobs, healthy families, safe neighborhoods, and a sense of belonging.

WJN operates as a fiscally sponsored, 501(c)(3) charitable organization with a separate, affiliated 501(c)(4) organization, Winning Jobs Narrative Action. WJN is a multifaceted project with many collaborators, advisors, and contributors. Radical cooperation is our guiding principle. No single project can deliver everything that a movement for working people needs. So we set out to build on the work of colleagues and share findings and innovations widely to help inform a broader conversation.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR POSITION SUMMARY

WJN seeks an entrepreneurial and visionary Executive Director to lead this next-generation change-making organization. The Executive Director will oversee the organization’s strategy, operations, partnership development, research and fundraising; build and guide a highly motivated team; and grow a national movement of collaborators across sectors. This is a rare opportunity to lead a small but mighty organization at a formative moment, shaping its strategy, culture, and long-term impact.

The ideal candidate is a self-starter and strategic thinker who thrives in start-up environments, excels at building and motivating teams in a remote work environment, brings a strong equity lens, and has experience bridging communications, organizing, and policy worlds.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Organizational Leadership & Strategy

• Lead the strategic direction and execution of WJN’s mission to reengage working class audiences by reframing how we talk about jobs, work, and the economy.
• Cultivate a bold, values-driven organizational culture rooted in collaboration, learning, and equity.
• Develop and execute WJN’s strategic plan, including short-, mid- and long-term goals for research, communications, partnerships, and impact.
• Translate the organization’s vision into clear priorities and operational plans.
• Anticipate challenges, identify opportunities, and guide the organization through periods of growth and transition.
• Represent WJN in public forums, coalitions, and partnerships, representing the organization and building credibility as a national thought leader on economic narrative.
• Cultivate and collaborate with an emerging Advisory Committee to establish strong governance, performance metrics, and accountability structures.

Team Management & Operations

• Build and lead a high-performing team of +/- eight (8) staff members and consultants, fostering clarity, accountability, and creativity.
• Create/strengthen internal systems and processes for planning, budgeting, decision-making, research and communication.
• Design and implement internal systems for project management, budgeting, and communications.
• Ensure the organization’s operations are legally compliant and financially sound.
• Manage external vendors, consultants, and partners to ensure quality and timeliness.
• Collaborate with and report to the organization’s fiscal sponsor on HR systems (policies, performance management, benefits administration, etc.), fiscal controls, and other organizational and administrative systems appropriate for a growing nonprofit.

Movement Building & External Partnerships

• Develop and nurture strategic alliances, partnerships and collaboration with allied organizations, campaigns, and funders aligned with WJN’s mission and committed to advancing a shared narrative strategy.
• Inspire, convene and lead a cross-sector network of narrative practitioners, researchers, funders, communicators, and advocates around shared narrative frameworks and strategies.
• Convene and engage a network of leaders, researchers, and communicators to test and apply WJN’s frameworks.
• Represent WJN at conferences, convenings, and coalitions focused on economic justice, democracy, and messaging.
• Develop strategic alliances with academic institutions, think tanks, and advocacy groups to strengthen the evidence base of WJN’s work.

Fundraising & Financial Stewardship

• Develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy to meet annual and multi-year revenue goals.
• Working with a to-be-hired Director of Development, lead fundraising strategy to sustain and grow WJN’s budget through philanthropy, partnerships, and aligned initiatives.
• Build and steward relationships with institutional funders, individual donors, and allied organizations.
• Ensure transparent, responsible stewardship of funds and alignment of spending with mission.
• Prepare compelling proposals, reports, and briefings for funders.
• Work with a governance, administrative, and emerging staff team to oversee financial management, including budgets, audits, and cash flow projections.
• Explore innovative revenue streams such as collaborative projects, research partnerships, and earned income where possible and appropriate.

Program Strategy & Impact

• Oversee research, testing, and dissemination of narrative frameworks and tools.
• Track progress and impact through data, storytelling, and qualitative feedback.
• Oversee the development and testing of narrative frameworks based on rigorous research and field collaboration.
• Work closely with the Director of Research (to be hired) and research partners to design studies and synthesize findings into actionable insights.
• Working with staff, guide the translation of research into messaging tools, trainings, and communications assets.
• Ensure WJN’s work reaches practitioners in campaigns, media, and organizing spaces nationwide.
• Monitor and evaluate program impact, adapting strategies as the field evolves.
• Build feedback loops with partners to ensure continual learning and improvement.

Advisory Committee Relations & Organizational Governance

• Partner with the Advisory Committee to define organizational priorities and ensure strong governance.
• Support the recruitment and onboarding of new Advisory Committee members to reflect WJN’s values and constituencies.
• Provide timely, transparent reports on financial health, progress toward goals, and organizational challenges.
• Engage the Advisory Committee in fundraising, strategic decision-making, and ambassadorial roles.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, communications strategy, advocacy, or movement-building.
• Familiarity and experience with the regulatory frameworks and required compliance for 501(c)(3) charitable organizations, 501(c)(4) social welfare organizations, and Political Action Committees (PACs). 
• Proven success leading an organization, department, or initiative in a communications, advocacy, or narrative change context.
• Entrepreneurial energy and ability to build, scale and lead in a start-up environment with minimal supervision.
• A deep understanding of the intersections between labor, economy, race, and democracy.
• Strong grasp of narrative change, framing, or strategic communications.
• Exceptional communication and coalition-building skills across race, class, and sector lines.
• Deep commitment to racial, economic, and social justice.
• Self-directed, adaptive, and solutions-oriented.
• Experience managing small teams and cross-functional projects.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Familiarity with research-to-practice pipeline (e.g., public opinion, cognitive linguistics, or message testing).
• Experience in coalition or network-based organizations.
• Prior success establishing an organization’s administrative and operational infrastructure.
• Strong national network within the progressive movement, particularly in communications, labor, and democracy sectors.

WHAT ELSE YOU SHOULD KNOW

• Location: The position is full-time and remote
• Salary: The salary range for this position is $235,000 to $250,000
• Benefits: We offer a robust benefits package for full-time employees including paid time off; shared cost health, dental and vision insurance, retirement plan, professional development funding and remote work technology allowance.
• Applicants must be currently authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor, or take over sponsorship of, employment visas at this time. 

Interested candidates should apply at www.chaloner.com.