About MFSA
The MIT Free Speech Alliance (MFSA) is a nonpartisan organization committed to the promotion and preservation of free speech, viewpoint diversity, and academic freedom at MIT.
MFSA was formed in the Fall of 2021 in order to investigate the current climate toward free speech on campus and recommend ways that MIT can restore free speech, open scientific inquiry, and tolerance for viewpoint diversity. MFSA is nonpartisan and will stand up for free speech and academic freedom for all faculty, students, staff, and other members of the MIT community.
About the Role
MFSA seeks an Executive Director to help fulfill its mission. The Executive Director will be responsible for effectively communicating MFSA’s work and ideas to strategic constituencies, including current faculty and students, alumni, prospective donors, and allied organizations.
The ideal candidate will have 5+ years of experience in the nonprofit sector and a deep passion for improving free speech on MIT’s campus. This savvy individual will be knowledgeable about the various movements around free speech at colleges and universities and the significance an organization like the MFSA can play in generating and directing change. This is a full-time role based in Cambridge, MA. The Executive Director will need to establish a presence on MIT’s campus in order to engage with students, faculty, staff, and administration. Being on-campus 1-3 times weekly is expected. Relocation assistance is available for a successful candidate outside the Boston area.
Responsibilities:
- Organizational Management: As the sole employee of a volunteer organization, the Executive Director will oversee the daily operation of the organization
- Coordinate the activities of the volunteer committee members and staff
- Day-to-day oversight and management of MFSA’s contract webmaster and accounting support
- Working in partnership with the Chair of the Strategy & Ops Committee to plan and execute key initiatives
- Stakeholder Engagement: The Executive Director will be responsible for building a robust network of supporters and allies within the broader MIT community. The Executive Director will build effective relationships with key strategic partners
- Represent the MFSA to the public
- Work with the Chair of the External Relations committee to liaise with sister organizations and supporters
- Work with the Chair of the Membership Committee to grow the membership
- Developing relationships with similarly aligned on-campus student organizations such as the Adam Smith Society
- Developing relationships with members of the MIT faculty, staff and administration including both those supportive and not supportive of free speech
- Liaise with off-campus MIT communities, such as the Alumni Association regional and affinity groups
- Fundraising and Financial Oversight: The Executive Director will develop/implement a fundraising strategy and serve as the chief fundraiser. The Executive Director will have the benefit of a very supportive board that is willing and able to assist with fundraising efforts
- Duties will include maintaining a donor database, identifying new donors/prospects, and making personal appeals
- Achieve the first-year milestones required under the MFSA’s grant program, assuring grant renewal
- Work with the Chair of the Finance Committee to manage the finances, including budgeting, forecasting, and approval of account spending
- Marketing and Communications: The Executive Director will effectively and persuasively communicate with various audiences
- Work with the Communications Committee to develop key messages and public relations strategies for MFSA
- Effectively execute these strategies on social media, creating a larger presence for the organization
Skill Requirements:
- 5+ years of experience, preferably in outreach, coalition-building or a similar field
- Excellent written communications skills, including the ability to draft coherent and persuasive narrative text as well as visual presentations such as PowerPoint
- Excellent verbal skills, including the ability to engage and persuade in one-on-one conversations as well as in both prepared and extemporaneous speaking to small and medium size groups
- Some experience with social media. The Executive Director will represent MFSA on social media and must and have the ability to positively represent present MFSA and its cause
- Well-organized. Able to manage multiple work-streams
- Good ambassadorial instincts – can win friends and influence people
- Strong networker. The Executive Director is expected to engage with a wide range of individuals and organizations including the MIT community, allied campus free speech organizations, and national free-speech advocacy groups
- Assertive but non-combative
- Basic financial and numerical literacy a plus (It is MIT!). The Executive Director should be able to read income statements, balance sheets, and use basic Excel spreadsheets
Personal Attributes:
- Ideological alignment with the mission of the MFSA. For a successful candidate, this role must be a mission, not just a job. Be prepared to explain and demonstrate a commitment to freedom of expression
- Ability to work well with individuals with diverse perspectives who share MFSA’s commitment to free speech
- Self-starter. Able to work independently with minimal direction, but willing to accept guidance and feedback from more experienced hands
- High-twitch communicator
- Tenacity. Doesn’t stop when hitting obstacles, but finds a way around, under, or through them
To Apply
Qualified candidates should submit the following application materials in one PDF:
- Resume
- Cover Letter detailing your interest in the position, the mission of MFSA, and your salary requirements
Applications should be submitted to Talent Market via this link: talentmarket.org/apply-for-your-dream-job/.
There is no application deadline for this position. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. This job will remain posted on our site until it is filled.
Questions can be directed to Stephanie Keaveney, Network Engagement Manager of Talent Market, who is assisting with the search: [email protected].
While we thank all applicants in advance for their interest in this position, we are only able to contact those to whom we can offer an interview. Only direct applications will be considered. No phone calls, please.
Talent Market is a nonprofit entity dedicated to promoting liberty by helping free-market nonprofits identify talent for critical roles. We provide free consulting and recruiting services to free-market think tanks, policy organizations, research centers, and capacity-building institutions dedicated to advancing the principles of limited government and free enterprise.
