Leaders We Deserve: Managing Director

Managing Director

Leaders We Deserve is a PAC and SuperPAC dedicated to electing the next generation of bold, young, progressive leaders to state legislatures and Congress. We collaborate directly with candidates on their campaign strategy, communication, fundraising, political outreach, and coalition building to help them run the best campaigns humanly possible and maximize their chance of winning. In the final months of their campaigns, we run hard-hitting independent expenditures on their behalf.

Leaders We Deserve was co-founded by David Hogg, Parkland survivor and Gun Safety advocate, along with Kevin Lata, Congressman Maxwell Frost's Campaign Manager and the 2022 Campaign Manager of the year.

The Managing Director will play a pivotal role in the success of Leaders We Deserve's ambitious and crucial programs in 2026 and beyond. The Managing Director will support the President, serving as the key implementor for the vision and direction that President sets. Further, while the President sets the organization's overarching vision and strategic direction, the Managing Director serves as a key advisor and partner in shaping that strategy, and leads the execution of all organizational and programmatic work. The Managing Director must be an accomplished people manager, an experienced organizational strategist, and an adept implementor. The success of the Managing Director is the success of the leaders that report to them as well as the success of the President and the organization as a whole.

Location: In-person, Washington, DC; LWD office

Target start date: August 2026

Reports to: David Hogg, President

Direct Reports: Communications Director, Operations Director, Development Director, Campaigns Director, Chief of Staff

All successful Leaders We Deserve employees are:

• Dedicated to electing young progressives: This person sees the value in electing progressive young people and believes they have a critical role to play in our party and in advancing the progressive agenda.
• Detail-oriented and thoughtful: This person understands that working at a small organization means that the details and precision matter, but also doesn't let perfection stand in the way of action.
• Excellent communicators: This person will be a proactive communicator with management and co-workers, and will engage productively in conflict when it arises. They can give feedback in a direct and respectful way - we're looking for radical candor, not "brutal honesty."
• Creative thinkers: This person brings a high level of creativity and constantly questions conventional knowledge. They know that just because something was done one way in the past, that doesn't mean it has to continue to be done that way.
• Self-starters: This person possesses a can-do attitude and constantly thinks about how we can exceed what seems possible. They are independent workers and collaborate across departments.

Managing Director Responsibilities

• People Management - 40%
• Organize the Directors as true partners and peers in strategy, integrating their expertise into mission-driven and proactive decision-making, and strengthening cross-team alignment.
• Provide ongoing feedback, troubleshooting, and support to Directors and staff at large for optimal performance.
• Model and foster a collaborative, inclusive culture grounded in equity, learning, and curiosity.
• Act as an internal leader and multiplier, ensuring Directors have the space, authority, and trust to fully lead their own departments effectively.
• The ideal applicant will be able and willing to lead with organizational priorities in mind, utilizing emotional intelligence and coaching in day to day collaboration with senior staff.
• Organizational Leadership - 30%
• Build strong internal relationships, hold senior and junior staff to high standards, and provide real-time feedback and accountability to ensure the organization grows and improves.
• Provide leadership to department Directors, ensuring the organization's mission is executed effectively, while aligning strategically with LWD's goals.
• Foster a work culture that is rooted in progressive morals and ethics, and leads by walking the walk of those values.
• Create effective cross-departmental communication lanes to stimulate creativity and align on goals.
• The ideal applicant is an enthusiastic leader with the ability to challenge thinking and offer genuine perspectives.
• Programmatic Strategy and Leadership - 15%
• Collaborate with the President to ensure all programs align with the mission of the organization and offer thought partnership in the execution of the mission of the organization.
• Lead the development, implementation, and evaluation of the organization's strategic plan and departmental work plans.
• Oversee and maintain an organizational budget, ensuring that the programs and operations of the organization are matched to the resources available. Ensure fiscal responsibility at all times, balancing strategic, longevity, and implementation needs.
• Operational Oversight - 15%
• Ensure the organization operates in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and ethical standards.
• Work in partnership with staff to hire, retain, and develop a strong team with a deep commitment to building a working environment that is values-aligned and driven by the mission of the organization.
• Oversee the collaboration of staff, consultants and vendors to ensure all campaign finance, legal, and operations practices are adhered to. Oversee and manage the consultant and vendor relationships, alongside the internal LWD point of contact.

Managing Director Qualifications

• 5-6 years of experience as a senior leader, Managing-level leader or Director within a similar political organization or a related type of organization is a requirement. Extended leadership work at a single organization for a sustained period of time is a plus. Experience with development and fundraising is also a plus but not a requirement.
• Deep history of effective people and process management, with practical knowledge and experience implementing and leading organizations from within.
• Confident and strong communication is a foundational requirement. Communication must be clear, compelling, and authentic, both verbally and in writing.
• Progressive political experience is required.
• The ideal applicant is highly self-motivated, organized, detail-oriented, and effective.
• The ideal applicant is adept at making smart strategic decisions in complex, political and fast paced situations.
• The ideal applicant brings a high degree of emotional intelligence and a leadership style driven by curiosity, active learning and listening, maturity, and judgment.
• Comfortable speaking publicly about the next generation of young, progressive leaders and how the organization navigates the current political environment is a plus but not required.

Managing Director Compensation and Benefits

• Annual Salary: $165,000 - $180,000 annually, less applicable taxes and deductions
• Moving allocation to be determined based on location
• Healthcare: 100% employer paid platinum level healthcare, dental, and vision.
• Benefits:
• 5% employer match for 401k retirement plan
• Cell phone stipend
• Transportation stipend
• Professional development stipend
• Classpass fitness benefit
• Paid time off policies:
• Vacation (starting at 15 days per year)
• Sick (10 days per year)
• 14 paid holidays, along with bereavement and voting time off
• Work From Home (up to 15 days per year)
• 12 week paid parental leave policy, with a service qualification.

We value diversity, equity and inclusion. Leaders We Deserve is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, or covered veteran status. We are committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all members of our community.