Chief Technology Officer

Anticipated Start Date: April 2023 

About Run for Something  Run for Something recruits and supports young progressives running for down-ballot offices in the United States. Since launching in 2017, we’ve recruited 126,000+ young people who want to run, and we’ve endorsed over 2,300 candidates across all 50 states + DC. We’ve elected 793 candidates across 49 states – 57% are women, 57% are BIPOC, and 21% are LGBTQIA+. and all are age 40 or younger. Our alumni have meaningfully and intentionally made life better for millions of Americans across the country. We are a high-reaching, hungry team changing the face of politics in America. Learn more about our work in this clip. 

The Run for Something network includes Run for Something (a 527 non-federal PAC),Run for Something Action Fund (a 501c4), and Run for Something Civics (a newly launched, non-partisan 501c3). 

We have ambitious plans for 2023 and beyond. Read about them in our Strategic Plan here.

We highly encourage all job applicants to visit our Careers page to learn about our work environment, values, compensation and benefits policies, interview process, and more.

Position Name: Chief Technology Officer

Reporting Structure: This role reports to the the Co-Executive Director, Amanda Litman 

Location: Remote (U.S.)

Job Classification: Full Time, Exempt 

Essential Duties: The primary responsibilities include: 

– Chart vision, manage execution of and oversee maintenance of critical Run for Something technologies;

– Manage budgets for technology investments, and build a team of staff and vendors; 

– Manage staff IT onboarding/offboarding processes, IT implementation and strategy. 

– Ensure security and optimization of all Run for Something systems. 

Position summary:  

Run for Something is hiring for a Chief Technology Officer. In this role you will report to the Co-Founder/Co-Executive Director, Amanda Litman.  

This exciting role will lead the strategy, vision, and execution for how Run For Something uses technology to further its mission of recruiting and supporting progressive candidates with lived experiences and from marginalized backgrounds for down-ballot offices. As part of a growing organization, you will help shape how RFS can use technology internally and externally to achieve its goals. This role will take a people-centered product strategy approach to first understand team processes and user needs, identify strategic opportunities for tech improvement and innovation, and then oversee development and maintenance of existing and new technology systems.  

These innovative technologies will support Run for Something’s various programs, such as recruiting, supporting, and endorsing candidates and tracking election results, along with ensuring our websites are accessible from an equity lens. The CTO will manage budgets for technology investments and make recommendations for, hire, and supervise technical staff and vendors. And this role will be responsible for the security and optimization of all IT and tech applications within the organization.  

Finally, as a member of RFS leadership, you will contribute, integrate, and hold yourself and your team accountable to the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) goals that Run for Something has established, and actively contribute towards the creation of a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture. 

Responsibilities

The Chief Technology Officer will help RFS accomplish our strategic imperatives via:

Chart vision, manage execution of and oversee maintenance of critical Run for Something technologies [50% of time]:

– Own the success of core technology systems including all public facing WordPress websites, custom-built candidate recruitment pipeline technologies and corresponding data, with a focus on ensuring data operations, accessibility, usability and equity are at the forefront

– Lead development and scaling of these core technology applications and data warehouses

– Own the strategy and processes for evaluating technology gaps, needs, and capacities and collaborate with Co-Executive Directors, team leaders, staff members, and end users to identify, prioritize, and make plans for areas of improvement and innovation

– Coordinate across teams to identify alignment and drive efficiency

– Proactively propose innovative solutions that would elevate our work when current strategies aren’t achieving organizational goals and objectives

– Communicate potential issues that could impact technology deployment

– Measure the impact of all work delivered

– Maintain the health of existing applications and ensure systems are running properly, which includes developing a strategy for observability, maintenance schedules, and unexpected downtime

– Review the engineering and DevOps practices of the RFS technical ecosystem and identify areas for improvement and a plan to follow industry standards and best practices

– Assess implementation pathways for where technology fits in to Run For Something (eg., assess build from scratch vs buy off-the-shelf approaches).Create new internal and external products and services

-Develop and execute a candidate services strategy to allow RFS to provide advice and support on technology strategies for campaigns 

Manage budgets for technology investments, and make recommendations for, hire and supervise technical staff and vendors [40% of time]:

– Assess and build the vision for where additional staffing resources are needed and lead the hiring and management of core technology staff (both full-time and contractors)Lead annual budgeting process for IT and tech across the organization

– Manage, mentor, and coach staff in line with RFS values and performance management standards to ensure relevant key performance indicators are met; identify and support areas for professional development; ensure RFS performance standards and values are apparent through all reporting lines

– As a member of RFS leadership, contribute to organization-wide strategy and initiatives; be an active leader and advocate for RFS’ philosophy, mission, values, culture, and DEI goals throughout the organization 

Ensure security and optimization of all Run for Something systems [10% of time]:

– Run regular staff training sessions around organizational and operational security

– Develop strategy to ensure the security of reduce the risk of technological breaches; deploy and implement a recovery plan in the event of a breach

– Manage existing contract IT vendor and oversee security upgrades when relevant, including serving as point of contact with IT vendors

– Regularly assess org strategy for in-house vs external IT management and lead any relevant IT hiring and/or contract processes

-Support internal teams in ensuring any new tool setup meets org IT security and data integration system standards

-Support staff in writing technical and system documentation and guidance internal teams 

Key Goals 

– Recruit, manage, and lead a team responsible for delivering technology

– Develop the vision and overarching technology strategy for RFS

– Ensure the technology team contributes to organizational mission

– Partner with key internal stakeholders and vendors to implement technology solutions that supports our ability to recruit and support young and diverse candidates running for down-ballot offices

Qualifications

Technical experience

– 7+ years of software development and product management experience

– Fluency and experience with user-centered and agile software development practices 

– Deep familiarity with SQL and Data Warehouse architecture

– Experience architecting and maintaining complex environments with both custom-build and third party applications

– 3+ years of technology full-time team and vendor technical management experience

– Comfort maintaining existing production applications regardless of the technical stack such WordPress, Python/Django and Node and React applications

– Comfort with data storage, data warehouse and containerized orchestration (eg. Kubernetes, BigQuery, Redshift) on cloud-native infrastructure (GCP or AWS) 

Leadership experience

– Previous experience building, hiring, managing, coaching staff and overseeing contractors

– Ability to operate with a level of ambiguity and autonomy, solutions-oriented mindset with proactive approach to problem solving

– Ability to independently balance competing priorities, complex situations and deadlines

– Ability to build strong and collaborative relationships with deep emotional intelligence

– Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to explain technology terms and concepts to colleagues without technical experience

– Ability to connect organizational mission to the capabilities of technology solutions Exceptional judgment; ability to make decisions/recommendations and communicate them to staff across all levels

– Demonstrated ability to work in and contribute to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment Ability to demonstrate Run for Something’s organizational values: Bold & Fearless; Open & Honest; Supportive & Respectful; Progressive & Diverse; Long-term & Strategic.

– Ability to work independently for extended periods of time in a remote environment Strong commitment to the Run for Something mission 

Plus Qualifications

– Previous experience serving on a leadership team 

– Experience working on campaigns, committees or advocacy organizations

– Experience managing or working with fully remote teams

– Prior experience as a sole technical team-member within an organization and/or CTO of a fast growing organization

– Familiarity with PHP/WordPress and/or Python/Django.  

Run for Something is committed to building teams that reflect the diversity of our candidates, and to building equitable and inclusive environments that fully leverage the skills, potential, and unique perspectives of our employees. We strongly encourage applications from members of marginalized communities who have been disproportionately affected by lack of representation in elected office, including Black, Indigenous, and people of color, women, and the LGBTQIA+ and disabled communities. Learn more about our commitment here. 

In order to prioritize the health and safety of our employees, all Run for Something employees are required to provide proof of COVID vaccination. Run for Something will discuss reasonable accommodations with employees who may be unable to receive a vaccine due to disability, the advice of a medical provider, or sincerely held religious beliefs.  

Work Environment 

Run for Something is (and always has been and will be) a remote office environment; you will collaborate with colleagues who are based across the United States. You should be prepared to either work from home or a location of your choosing.

When it is safe to do so, this position will require attendance at approximately 2 all-staff events per year, which may include overnight travel.  This position requires the ability to work core hours, Monday through Thursday. Rarely, this position could require some nights and weekends work if an unforeseen situation arises outside of core working hours.  Learn more about what it’s like to work at Run for Something at our Careers page.

Essential Physical Requirements  

– As this is a remote position, the person in this position must be able to communicate with colleagues and partners via phone, including conference and video calls, as well as written communication such as Slack and email

– The position requires the ability to work on a computer for all or part of the work day

– The position requires the ability to attend events which may encompass all or part of the work day

– This position will include travel, as described above 

Compensation & Benefits 

Salary for this position is set at $198,100. In order to counter pay inequality and uphold internal parity, salaries are non-negotiable for new and current employees. Run for Something salary bands for a given staff level are benchmarked to the 75th percentile for our sector, and all new employees are paid at the entry point of those bands. Employees then have the opportunity to progress through current salary bands through annual cost of living increases and performance-based pay increases, and into new salary bands through promotions. 

Learn more about our compensation policy here.  

Benefits at Run for Something include: 

– Four Day Work Week (learn more here)

– Unlimited Paid Time Off policy 

– Platinum Medical Insurance (100% of premium covered for employees; 50% of premium covered for dependents) 

– Dental and Vision Insurance (99.9% of premium covered for both employees and dependents) 

– Professional Development Stipend

– Treat Yourself Stipend ($500 a year to do something that brings you joy)

– Equipment Stipend

– 401k

– Work from Home Stipend

– Cell Phone/Internet Stipend 

– 12 weeks paid family leave

– Paid Sabbatical (after 3 years of service to RFS)

~ Four weeks in organization-wide holiday closures, including a two-week winter break

– Flexible, remote work environment

– Transition payment for departing employees

Work Authorization

Given campaign finance restrictions, candidates for this position must possess valid work authorizations, and cannot be foreign nationals. This means that we are legally prohibited from hiring anyone for this position who is not a US citizen or lawful permanent resident (green card holder).

 

To Apply

We will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis, with priority review given to earlier applications. The anticipated start date for this position is April 2023. 

Learn more about our interview process here.

No phone calls, emails, or social media inquiries, please. Due to the volume of applications, we are unable to respond to individual inquiries. We know that applying to jobs is difficult, and we do our best to alert every applicant as to their status in the process. However, be aware that you may not receive a response from us until after the application deadline has passed.

If you need accessibility or disability accommodations in any step of the application or interview process, please contact hiring@runforsomething.net, with the job title + “accommodation request” in the subject line.