Committee for the First Amendment - Director

Remote

Full Time

Manager/Supervisor

About the Organization

The Committee for the First Amendment is a new campaign, inspired by the spirit of the organization of the same name created by Hollywood icons during the McCarthy Era. The newly relaunched CFA - created and led by Jane Fonda and an expert Steering Committee - is a high energy, creative, and ambitious campaign which will organize within the entertainment industry to defend free speech, engage its members to educate the public about what is at stake, and contribute to the broader movement against authoritarianism and for an inclusive, multiracial democracy. By leveraging our members’ profiles, talents, and platforms, we will:

Inspire people to stand in support of free speech rights against government repression.
Halt and reverse the democratic backsliding underway in the U.S.

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced, energetic full time Director to lead the Committee for the First Amendment. The Director will be responsible for leading all aspects of the Committee, including developing the overall campaign and communications strategy, serving as the organization's primary representative, building team capacity in close collaboration with the Steering Committee, and ensuring the organization’s financial health.

Core Responsibilities

Organizational Leadership and Strategy

In close partnership with the CFA Steering Committee, you will provide overall strategic leadership for the organization, guiding CFA from an early-stage initiative into an influential force for defending free speech and strengthening democracy. You will develop and oversee campaign, communications, and member engagement strategies aligned with CFA’s theory of change, while remaining adaptive to a fast-changing political and cultural landscape.

You will support and extend the impact of CFA’s founder, Jane Fonda, ensuring her time, voice, and platform are strategically leveraged for maximum impact. You will bring strong strategic analysis to all areas of CFA’s work, manage up effectively with the Steering Committee and informal advisors, and operate with transparency, collaboration, and decisiveness.

Campaigns, Movement Building, and Political Engagement

You will assess the political, cultural, and social landscape to identify and prioritize campaign, communications, and rapid-response opportunities where CFA can meaningfully shift discourse and build power. You will oversee organizers and volunteers to build a strong, engaged membership base and develop a cadre of leaders equipped to act, speak, and represent CFA’s goals.

You will maintain active relationships with leaders in aligned efforts across other pillars (including faith, business, academia, media) to ensure coordination and shared learning in advancing a functioning, inclusive democracy.

Communications and Public Representation

You will oversee CFA’s internal and external communications strategy, ensuring regular, clear communication with staff, volunteers, Steering Committee members, donors, and partners. You will develop and implement a media strategy that raises CFA’s profile, advances narrative change around free speech, and inspires action.

You will prepare regular briefings and talking points for CFA representatives and serve as a compelling public spokesperson for the organization, including representing CFA in media appearances, public events, and donor settings. You will be able to stand in for Jane Fonda as needed and help cultivate additional public-facing leaders within the CFA community. You will coordinate closely with Sunshine Sachs and other partners to ensure smooth operations and strong collaboration.

Fundraising and Financial Management

You will develop and manage CFA’s annual operating budget, tracking revenue and expenses and ensuring transparent, responsible use of resources. In alignment with CFA’s fundraising model, you will design and execute a fundraising strategy focused on institutional giving, major donors, and Committee members. You will cultivate and steward relationships with donor partners, identify new funding opportunities, and represent CFA in donor meetings. You will bring strong financial management skills, including projections, monitoring, and reporting, to support organizational sustainability and growth.

Team Leadership, Operations and Compliance

You will build, lead, and retain a high-performing, diverse team of staff, consultants, and volunteers, fostering a collaborative, mission-driven culture and establishing sustainable operational systems. You will ensure CFA’s work adheres to all applicable 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) compliance requirements. You will ensure all required reporting is completed accurately and on time.

Values, Equity and Collaboration

You will conduct all work in alignment with CFA’s commitment to justice, equity, diversity, accessibility, and inclusion. You will build a culture of collaboration with allies, partners, and Jane’s broader team, recognizing shared goals and distinct roles while working collectively toward a stronger democracy.

Preferred Qualifications and Experience

Strong commitment to defending freedom of expression, countering authoritarianism, and advancing an inclusive, functioning democracy.
Minimum 5+ years of experience leading campaigns in a volunteer- or membership-based context, preferably at the intersection of culture and social change.
Familiarity with the entertainment industry, including its culture, norms, relationships, and business dynamics.
Demonstrated ability to assess political, cultural, and social landscapes and design impactful organizing or coalition-based campaigns.
Strong public speaking skills and comfort representing an organization in media, public events, and donor settings.
Proven people management experience, including building and leading diverse teams of staff and volunteers.
Strong financial management skills, including budgeting, expense tracking, and financial projections.
Experience with nonprofit fundraising, including donor cultivation and stewardship; existing funder relationships strongly preferred.
Working knowledge of 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) compliance requirements preferred.
Proven ability to synthesize diverse perspectives, align stakeholders, and move teams forward.
Strong writing skills preferred.

Location and Compensation

Location: Los Angeles

This is a full-time role reporting to the CFA Steering Committee consisting of Jane Fonda, Annie Leonard, Rashad Robinson, and Mara Verheyden-Hilliard with additional members to be added from the entertainment industry. It will begin as a contract position with the potential to transition into a staff role as CFA’s infrastructure develops. Compensation includes a salary range of $150,000-180,000, including a health insurance stipend (to be replaced by a group plan once staffing levels allow).

This will begin as a remote role and build towards a hybrid position in Los Angeles.

The Committee for the First Amendment is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team.

This search is being run by Naomi Roth-Gaudette and Arianna Haut at NRG Consulting Group. Please contact [email protected] with questions. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The preferred application deadline is January 15 with hopes of extending an offer in early February.

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The Committee for the First Amendment was founded to defend free speech and strengthen democracy while combatting authoritarianism and government repression. How has your experience - personal, professional, and lived - prepared you for this role? (Please limit your response to 500 words.)*

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Over the past 5 years, I’ve developed a company and a nationwide progressive talent network to meet the dynamic hiring needs of our clients, all of whom I’m happy to report are repeat customers with whom we have long-standing relationships.

If you are a candidate with a question, feel free to contact [email protected] and we will get back to you ASAP. You should also check out the NRG careers page to see even more roles we are hustiling to fill.