Executive Director / President Save

ABOUT CODE FOR SCIENCE & SOCIETY

Code for Science & Society (CS&S) is a nonprofit, fiscal sponsorship organization working to advance the power of data to improve the social and economic lives of all people. CS&S focuses on supporting the social and organizational infrastructure that allows data, research, and technology to improve lives through its best-in-class Fiscal Sponsorship Program. In practice, the organization provides the operational backbone public interest technology projects need to thrive. Sponsored projects across community-centered research and technology development receive comprehensive financial and operational support – from back-office infrastructure to strategic guidance on governance, organizational project development, and sustainability – so project leaders can focus on their mission rather than the administration of running a nonprofit. CS&S is home to 20 fiscally sponsored projects spanning open data, open source software, open scholarship, and research infrastructure.

THE CURRENT MOMENT

CS&S is experiencing a moment of transition and opportunity. The departure of a long-tenured leader positions CS&S for a new chapter of strategic leadership and impact. The current cultural and political climate has brought heightened visibility, vulnerability, and urgency to the advancement of public interest technology. At the same time, the funding landscape is shifting. Internally, CS&S is experiencing the need for renewed strategic clarity, and the next Executive Director / President (Executive Director) will guide the organization to become an even more visible and catalytic force, building on its role as fiscal sponsor and leaning into the opportunity to serve as a best-in-class model of critical infrastructure support. This leadership transition creates a rare and exciting opportunity to deepen CS&S’ impact, strengthen resource development, evolve strategic vision, and reaffirm CS&S as a powerful champion for public interest technology.  

THE OPPORTUNITY

CS&S seeks a visionary, strategic leader with strong executive presence, fundraising acumen, and a deep understanding of fiscal sponsorship excellence. The successful candidate will have a demonstrated commitment to the success of the public interest technology and open-source communities and possess a combination of strategic sophistication and results orientation, balancing external engagement with internal capacity building. Areas for impact in this role include:

Resource Development. Ensuring CS&S' long-term financial stability and capacity for growth will be a central leadership priority. The Executive Director will take a holistic approach to resource development, expanding both the fundraising strength and the business development capacity of CS&S and its fiscal projects. They will diversify revenue streams, cultivate relationships with new and existing institutional and philanthropic funders and new donor communities, and identify and pursue innovative revenue and partnership opportunities. Through strategic leadership, relationship building, an entrepreneurial mindset, and a sophisticated understanding of today's funding landscape, they will diversify and grow the resources that fuel CS&S' impact.

Financial Strategy. The Executive Director will bring strategic insight to guide sound decision‑making and deepen organizational understanding of financial risks and opportunities within the fiscal sponsorship model. They will oversee financial health and asset management, sustain and grow reserves, and guide thoughtful choices about resource allocation that advance CS&S’ mission.

Organizational Strategy. The Executive Director will bring a current understanding of fiscal sponsorship models and the fiscal sponsor field to effectively navigate the broader nonprofit infrastructure environment. They will monitor changing landscapes, trends, and developments to ensure that CS&S is selecting objectives and deploying resources as effectively as possible to achieve their goals. The Executive Director will clarify CS&S’ theory of change and define short- and long-term organizational strategy and scope, and as a result, CS&S’ external positioning to strengthen the organization’s external and fundraising profile.

Organizational Leadership. The Executive Director will serve as the visible leader of CS&S, guiding the organization internally and representing it externally. They will report to the Board of Directors, lead a core team staff of 9, and manage 2 direct reports. They will be an effective leader of teams, cultivating talent, fostering trust, and inspiring a positive internal culture grounded in collaboration, transparency, and service excellence for fiscal sponsorship partners. They will actively listen to staff needs and aspirations and cultivate an environment in which individuals and teams can thrive. They will also support fiscally sponsored projects individually and collectively, clarify organizational scope, and build alignment across projects. Externally, the Executive Director will serve as a trusted partner to funders and the field, contribute to thought leadership to advance best practices, and contribute to innovations that strengthen critical nonprofit infrastructure.

Fiscal Sponsorship Strategies. The Executive Director will serve as a vocal advocate and champion for CS&S’ projects with funders and across funder communities. They will strengthen funders’ understanding of the mission, vision, and values of projects; invite innovative and collaborative funding opportunities; and elevate CS&S as a valuable infrastructure model within a changing funding landscape. The Executive Director will also serve as a thought partner and resource to fiscally sponsored partners through reliable, forward-thinking, and best-in-class operational support to enable projects to execute their missions and impacts in the field. 

Governance and Organizational Structure. The Executive Director will develop and maintain a relationship with the Board of Directors that is defined by trust, respect, transparency, and clear communication. They will partner with the Board to strengthen governance, clarify priorities, and promote alignment. They will grow the Board through strategic recruitment and work with the Board as it continues to develop as a strategic governing body that is fully engaged in governance, long-term planning, and effective oversight to position CS&S for even greater impact.  

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

CS&S values and will evaluate the totality of a candidate’s experience, including both lived and professional experience. The ideal candidate will possess many of the attributes above and many of the following professional abilities and experiences.    

Executive and Strategic Leadership

• At least 10+ years of senior or executive leadership in fiscal sponsorship, nonprofit leadership, philanthropy, and/or a related sector.
• Experience navigating complex organizational environments, complex nonprofit infrastructure, leading change with steadiness, and making disciplined and strategic decisions.
• Experience providing leadership and being a collaboration-oriented leader for the development and execution of strategic vision in a changing funding and political landscape.

Fundraising and Resource Development

• Proven track record of cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major donors and securing major gifts on behalf of an organization and specific organizational projects by building strong, trust based relationships grounded in transparency, authenticity, and humility.
• Experience co-designing long-term fundraising strategies, collaborative fundraising strategies, diversifying funding streams, and strengthening a culture of giving with project leads.

• Demonstrated excellence in fundraising-focused communication with a proven ability to inspire confidence as a relationship builder, persuasive public speaker, and skilled writer addressing diverse funder audiences.

Organizational and People Leadership

• People-centered leader with effective skills in leading teams and building service-oriented, high performing organizational cultures.
• Solutions-oriented mindset with skills in delegation, communication, and creating conditions for staff to thrive individually and collectively.
• Experience partnering with a Board of Directors to strengthen governance and strategic alignment. 

Mission and Values Alignment

• Demonstrated commitment to the mission and vision of public interest technology, open source, open data, open tech, and open research communities.
• Authentic understanding of the unique operational and infrastructure needs of early-stage, maturing, and mature nonprofit organizations.

Financial & Operational Acumen

• Strong financial literacy, including experience managing budgets, assessing risk, and guiding organizational sustainability.
• Ability to align resources with strategic priorities and ensure operational systems support an evolving institution.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Code for Science & Society offers a competitive annual salary within the range of $225,000 – $250,000 for the Executive Director position, complemented by a comprehensive benefits package that includes eligibility for medical, dental, and vision coverage, life insurance, and a 401(k) plan with a 4% employer match. CS&S also offers unlimited paid time off (PTO) and company-paid holidays to support employee well-being and time away from work.

Code for Science & Society is a remote-first organization, with team members and contractors located around the world. CS&S fosters a flexible, inclusive, and collaborative work environment where leaders are empowered to drive meaningful impact while maintaining work-life balance.

HOW TO APPLY

More information about Code for Science & Society can be found at: www.codeforsociety.org.

This search is being led by Ellen LaPointe and Sharon Gertsman of the national talent search firm NPAG.  If you are excited by this opportunity and believe the role is a strong match to your skills and experiences, we invite your application, resume, and cover letter outlining your interest and qualifications via the portal on NPAG’s website.

Code for Science & Society Equal Employment Opportunity(EEO) Statement 

Code for Science & Society is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.