We are in a pivotal era characterized by incredible progress in LGBTQ+ inclusion, alongside alarming assaults on equality. Entrenched LGBTQ+ injustices, gender disparities, racial discrimination, and economic divides have been magnified and exacerbated by political tensions. Additionally, recent reports indicate that nearly a third of Gen Z adults in the United States identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer, a higher proportion than previous generations. With this encouraging trend towards greater social acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals among younger demographics, there is compelling evidence that the American electorate will increasingly embrace more LGBTQ+ openness and support.
As the 2024 election nears, the country’s leading organization focused on increasing the number of out LGBTQ+ elected officials at every level of government, is embarking on a search for the next President & CEO. For the last 7 years, Mayor Annise Parker has been at the helm of LGBTQ+ Victory Fund and Institute and has led dramatic growth in endorsed candidates and Election Day victories. Mayor Parker, who will be retiring at the end of the year, was the first LGBTQ+ person ever elected mayor of a major American city. Mayor Parker was also the first former elected official to lead Victory. As the organization prepares for this transition, the next CEO will have an exciting opportunity to build on the organization’s rich legacy. The new CEO will provide transformational leadership for this next important chapter, driving for even more LGBTQ+ political power and thoughtfully engaging multiple generations and a diversity of committed stakeholders.
LGBTQ+ Victory Fund works to ensure a more democratic society—one where LGBTQ+ citizens have a bold voice in our government and where public policies reflect our values of justice and equality for all Americans. Victory Fund fulfills this mission every year by identifying, training and financially supporting qualified openly LGBTQ+ candidates and public officials at all levels of our government.
LGBTQ+ Victory Institute works toward a future that embraces LGBTQ+ citizens as full and valued participants in all aspects of public life. To help make this goal a reality, Victory Institute offers a variety of professional development and networking programs and opportunities for LGBTQ+ leaders and officials.
LGBTQ+ Victory Action enables us to take our mission to a deeper level by building person-to-person political power in the communities where we work. This state-level organizing is critical to helping us identify and support local LGBTQ+ leaders to run for office.
The History
Victory Fund was founded in 1991 by LGBTQ+ activists and donors who recognized the success of EMILY’s List at attracting attention and support for women candidates for public office. With less than 50 out LGBTQ+ elected officials across America at any level of government, the founders understood that boosting our numbers in public office would be key to advancing equality. In creating Victory Fund, they set out to build a network of supporters who pledged to assist viable LGBTQ+ candidates endorsed by the organization. On May 1, 1991, the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund was formally created as a non-partisan political action committee. In the same year, Seattle City Council candidate Sherry Harris became the first Victory Fund endorsed candidate. Despite a Victory Fund donor network of just 181 members, the nascent organization helped Harris defeat a 24-year incumbent to become the nation’s first openly lesbian African American city council member.
Two years later, Gay & Lesbian Victory Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization now called Victory Institute, was launched. The Foundation began training future candidates and campaign workers to help LGBTQ+ leaders achieve careers in public service. The Foundation successfully pushed for Roberta Achtenberg to become the first openly LGBTQ+ presidential appointee to a Senate-confirmed position when she becomes Assistant Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Learn more about Victory’s impactful history and the organization’s 30th anniversary recognition of the movement for LGBTQ+ political power and representation: Pride & Progress and the LGBTQ+ Political Hall of Fame, honoring the LGBTQ+ leaders who fought for equality and to inspire more LGBTQ+ people to pursue careers in public service.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
The CEO will report into and work collaboratively with the Board of Directors in leading the transformation of the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund and Victory Institute from its current stage to the next stage, capable of delivering on its long-term vision. Specifically, they will ensure that LGBTQ+ Victory Fund and Victory Institute’s fiscal, operations, fundraising, marketing, human resource, technology, and programmatic strategies are effectively implemented across all segments of the organization.
The CEO will be responsible for recruiting, coaching, and providing direct support to LGBTQ+ candidates up and down the ballot in federal, state, and local races across the country. The CEO will be responsible for running one of the largest and most successful independent expenditure operations whose mission is to increase the number, expand the diversity, and ensure the success of LGBTQ+ elected and appointed officials at all levels of government. The CEO should be able to elevate and position Victory as a leader and role model on diversity, equity, and inclusion, including our continued commitment to electing LGBTQ+ candidates from a diversity of backgrounds. They will further be responsible for managing a diverse staff, elevating Victory’s brand and reputation at conferences, events, with key stakeholders, and through the media, and be pivotal in recruiting and maintaining a robust donor base.
POSITION OVERVIEW
Strategic vision and leadership
- Collaborate with the board to refine and implement the strategic plan while ensuring that the budget, staff, and priorities are aligned with LGBTQ+ Victory Fund and Victory Institute’s core missions:
- LGBTQ+ Victory Fund works to achieve and sustain equality by increasing the number of out LGBTQ+ elected officials at all levels of government while ensuring they reflect the diversity of those they serve.
- LGBTQ+ Victory Institute works to achieve and sustain equality through leadership development, trainings, research and convenings. We work around the globe to increase the number, expand the diversity, and ensure the success of LGBTQ+ elected and appointed officials at all levels of government.
- Provide inspirational leadership and direction to all executives and ensure the continued development and management of a professional, collaborative, and efficient organization; establish effective decision-making processes that will enable LGBTQ+ Victory Fund and Victory Institute to achieve its long- and short-term goals and objectives.
- Cultivate a strong and transparent working relationship with the Board and ensure open communication about the measurement of financial, programmatic, and impact performance against stated milestones and goals.
- In partnership with the Governance Committee, help build a diverse and inclusive Board representative of the community that is highly engaged and willing to leverage and secure resources.
- Elect LGBTQ+ candidates from diverse backgrounds at all levels of government.
- Position Victory as a leader on diversity, equity, and inclusion in our electoral work, and in our organizational culture, policies, and practices.
- Leverage the influence of Victory to strengthen and exert the LGBTQ+ community’s political power.
- Develop a strategy for tapping into geographies Victory has had limited fundraising reach in including rural communities, the South, Midwest, and in major cities like New York, San Francisco, and Atlanta.
- Enhance the profile, brand, and visibility of Victory as the leading voice of the LGBTQ+ community in politics and amongst donors and voters.
- Ensure Victory’s long-term success by investing in, and empowering, a pipeline of experienced and diverse LGBTQ+ leaders.
Development
- Ensure that the flow of funds permits LGBTQ Victory Fund and Victory Institute to make continuous progress towards the achievement of its mission and that those funds are allocated properly to reflect present needs and future potential.
- Formulate and execute comprehensive marketing, branding and development strategies that will ensure consistency throughout the organization and enhance revenue from major donors, foundations, government agencies, and corporations.
- Develop a strategic plan on tapping into small donors while ensuring the retainment of Victory’s historic donor base.
Strengthening infrastructure and operations
- Ensure the delivery of high-quality services while managing current and future growth.
- Support and motivate the organization’s staff, promoting strategic engagement, innovation and high-performance.
- Facilitate cross-departmental collaboration and strengthen internal communications with staff throughout the organization; create and promote a positive, multicultural work environment that supports consistency throughout the organization’s strategy, operational methods, and data collection needs.
- Oversee the financial status of the organization including developing long- and short-range financial plans, monitoring the budget and ensuring sound financial controls are in place; set financial priorities accurately to ensure the organization is operating in a manner that supports the needs of the program and staff.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent education/work experience.
- At least 15-20 years of overall professional experience.
- Preference for the CEO to be Washington, DC based or willing to relocate.
- Strategic and visionary.
- Strong experience in one or more of the following: Nonprofit, campaign, political, and/or experience as an elected or appointed government official.
- Significant board development, revenue generation, marketing/branding and fiscal management experience.
- Financially savvy and politically astute with the ability to set clear priorities, delegate, and guide investment in people and systems; keen analytic, organization and problem-solving skills, which support and enable sound decision making.
- Excellent coalition building skills with an ability to engage effectively with a variety of internal and external stakeholders; a persuasive negotiator able to achieve consensus amongst differing opinions.
- Outstanding communication skills and multi-media savvy; the experience and proclivity to be an inspiring spokesperson, relationship builder, and fundraiser.
- Strong commitment to the professional development of staff; successful track record of recruiting and retaining a diverse team and experience navigating a union-represented staff.
To Apply:
Korn Ferry is the managing search firm for this position. For recommendations or interest, please email victory@kornferry.com. Applicants who submit their resume and meet the outlined requirements will receive follow up for next steps.