Civil Survival
Overview
Co-Executive Director (Co-ED) role at Civil Survival. The Co-ED will serve as the organization’s external leader and partner with the current Co-ED to guide strategy, fundraising, external relations, and organizational culture.
Base pay range:
$164,000.00/yr - $185,000.00/yr
Civil Survival is pleased to work with DRG to conduct this search. The position is fully remote with travel within Washington State and occasional out-of-state travel for national events.
About the Organization Civil Survival is led primarily by people who have experienced the criminal legal system. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Washington State, the organization works to dismantle barriers to reentry and advance policies that restore rights for justice-impacted people. Core values are Equity, Community, Lived Experience, and Humanity. Programs include Policy & Advocacy, Community Organizing & Civic Engagement, Legal Services & Reentry Support, and Leadership Development. Civil Survival has achieved significant impact in reducing legal debt, supporting reentry, and expanding voting rights.
The Position Civil Survival is seeking a new Co-Executive Director (Co-ED) to serve as the organization’s external leader and partner with the current Co-ED. The Co-ED will strengthen Civil Survival’s visibility, fundraising, and relationships with community, policy, and philanthropic partners, while co-leading strategic direction and culture.
Serve as the organization’s primary external voice with funders, policymakers, coalitions, and the media.
Lead fundraising and development, including cultivating major donors and sustaining partnerships with foundations and government; identify new funding opportunities.
Work with the Board to align on strategy, governance, and fundraising.
Partner with the current Co-ED to co-lead staff and organizational culture, ensuring a by-and-for space where people with lived experience can thrive.
Mentor staff across advocacy, policy, and organizing functions, centering lived experience in decision-making.
This is a unique opportunity to co-lead one of Washington’s most visible organizations focused on dismantling barriers to reentry. The successful candidate will bring movement credibility, fundraising ability, and strong leadership aligned with the dignity and power of people impacted by the criminal legal system.
Role Overview The Co-Executive Director will share overall organizational leadership with the current Co-ED, focusing on external leadership, fundraising, and culture. Specific responsibilities include:
Set and implement Civil Survival’s strategic direction in partnership with the Co-ED, Board, and staff.
Serve as a visible leader on reentry, criminal legal reform, and civic engagement in Washington State and nationally.
Model co-leadership, collaboration, and transparent decision-making.
Lead fundraising to sustain and grow a $2.5M budget, including foundations, government contracts, and individual donors.
Build and steward relationships with funders, policymakers, coalitions, and community leaders.
Represent Civil Survival publicly as a compelling spokesperson for its mission and programs.
Public Policy & Advocacy
Guide policy and advocacy strategy reflecting community priorities and leadership by directly impacted voices.
Build relationships with policymakers, coalitions, and advocacy partners to advance statewide criminal legal reform.
Collaborate with policy, organizing, and legal teams to align advocacy efforts for maximum impact.
Represent Civil Survival in legislative hearings, public forums, and media.
Organizational Culture & People Leadership
Foster a culture of equity and accountability across the organization.
Maintain a by-and-for space, centering lived experience at all levels.
Provide guidance to staff across advocacy, policy, organizing, and communications.
Collaborate with the Co-ED and Board to strengthen governance, fundraising participation, and sustainability.
Qualifications
Deep alignment with Civil Survival’s mission and values; lived experience with the criminal legal system strongly preferred.
Track record of fundraising and partnership-building with foundations, government, and individual donors preferred.
Credibility with justice-impacted communities and ability to build trust across diverse stakeholders.
Strong leadership and management experience with a focus on equity, collaboration, and accountability.
Ability to develop and execute strategy while balancing vision with day-to-day needs.
Excellent communication and advocacy skills; able to inspire, influence, and represent publicly.
Knowledge of Washington State policy, advocacy, and funding landscapes preferred; applicants from outside the state should be prepared to learn local context. Experience in nonprofit governance and operations is a plus.
Compensation & Benefits Compensation and benefits: Civil Survival offers a comprehensive package to support staff health and well-being, including health insurance, 401(k) with employer match, paid time off, paid family and medical leave, and professional development support.
Timeline & Next Steps All applicants will receive an email confirming receipt of their application. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply even if not all qualifications are met. If selected for an initial screening, expect to hear by November 2025.
Equity & Diversity Statement Civil Survival is a by-and-for organization led primarily by people directly impacted by the criminal legal system. We are committed to building a diverse team and an inclusive workplace where all people are respected and able to thrive. We strongly encourage applications from people of color, formerly incarcerated individuals, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, and other underrepresented communities.
Note Our culture emphasizes flexibility, trust, collaboration, and accountability. Civil Survival is fully remote with occasional in-person events as needed.
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Base pay range:
$164,000.00/yr - $185,000.00/yr
Civil Survival is pleased to work with DRG to conduct this search. The position is fully remote with travel within Washington State and occasional out-of-state travel for national events.
About the Organization Civil Survival is led primarily by people who have experienced the criminal legal system. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Washington State, the organization works to dismantle barriers to reentry and advance policies that restore rights for justice-impacted people. Core values are Equity, Community, Lived Experience, and Humanity. Programs include Policy & Advocacy, Community Organizing & Civic Engagement, Legal Services & Reentry Support, and Leadership Development. Civil Survival has achieved significant impact in reducing legal debt, supporting reentry, and expanding voting rights.
The Position Civil Survival is seeking a new Co-Executive Director (Co-ED) to serve as the organization’s external leader and partner with the current Co-ED. The Co-ED will strengthen Civil Survival’s visibility, fundraising, and relationships with community, policy, and philanthropic partners, while co-leading strategic direction and culture.
Serve as the organization’s primary external voice with funders, policymakers, coalitions, and the media.
Lead fundraising and development, including cultivating major donors and sustaining partnerships with foundations and government; identify new funding opportunities.
Work with the Board to align on strategy, governance, and fundraising.
Partner with the current Co-ED to co-lead staff and organizational culture, ensuring a by-and-for space where people with lived experience can thrive.
Mentor staff across advocacy, policy, and organizing functions, centering lived experience in decision-making.
This is a unique opportunity to co-lead one of Washington’s most visible organizations focused on dismantling barriers to reentry. The successful candidate will bring movement credibility, fundraising ability, and strong leadership aligned with the dignity and power of people impacted by the criminal legal system.
Role Overview The Co-Executive Director will share overall organizational leadership with the current Co-ED, focusing on external leadership, fundraising, and culture. Specific responsibilities include:
Set and implement Civil Survival’s strategic direction in partnership with the Co-ED, Board, and staff.
Serve as a visible leader on reentry, criminal legal reform, and civic engagement in Washington State and nationally.
Model co-leadership, collaboration, and transparent decision-making.
Lead fundraising to sustain and grow a $2.5M budget, including foundations, government contracts, and individual donors.
Build and steward relationships with funders, policymakers, coalitions, and community leaders.
Represent Civil Survival publicly as a compelling spokesperson for its mission and programs.
Public Policy & Advocacy
Guide policy and advocacy strategy reflecting community priorities and leadership by directly impacted voices.
Build relationships with policymakers, coalitions, and advocacy partners to advance statewide criminal legal reform.
Collaborate with policy, organizing, and legal teams to align advocacy efforts for maximum impact.
Represent Civil Survival in legislative hearings, public forums, and media.
Organizational Culture & People Leadership
Foster a culture of equity and accountability across the organization.
Maintain a by-and-for space, centering lived experience at all levels.
Provide guidance to staff across advocacy, policy, organizing, and communications.
Collaborate with the Co-ED and Board to strengthen governance, fundraising participation, and sustainability.
Qualifications
Deep alignment with Civil Survival’s mission and values; lived experience with the criminal legal system strongly preferred.
Track record of fundraising and partnership-building with foundations, government, and individual donors preferred.
Credibility with justice-impacted communities and ability to build trust across diverse stakeholders.
Strong leadership and management experience with a focus on equity, collaboration, and accountability.
Ability to develop and execute strategy while balancing vision with day-to-day needs.
Excellent communication and advocacy skills; able to inspire, influence, and represent publicly.
Knowledge of Washington State policy, advocacy, and funding landscapes preferred; applicants from outside the state should be prepared to learn local context. Experience in nonprofit governance and operations is a plus.
Compensation & Benefits Compensation and benefits: Civil Survival offers a comprehensive package to support staff health and well-being, including health insurance, 401(k) with employer match, paid time off, paid family and medical leave, and professional development support.
Timeline & Next Steps All applicants will receive an email confirming receipt of their application. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply even if not all qualifications are met. If selected for an initial screening, expect to hear by November 2025.
Equity & Diversity Statement Civil Survival is a by-and-for organization led primarily by people directly impacted by the criminal legal system. We are committed to building a diverse team and an inclusive workplace where all people are respected and able to thrive. We strongly encourage applications from people of color, formerly incarcerated individuals, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, and other underrepresented communities.
Note Our culture emphasizes flexibility, trust, collaboration, and accountability. Civil Survival is fully remote with occasional in-person events as needed.
#J-18808-Ljbffr