Marijuana reform is one of the country’s most popular and bipartisan issues, with public support more than doubling over the last 20 years. The Executive Director will shepherd the nation’s leading marijuana policy reform organization through the end of marijuana prohibition in the U.S. and into an era of continual improvement of medical and adult-use marijuana systems in the states.
Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) has been the largest organization in the U.S. that’s focused solely on ending marijuana prohibition. MPP has played a leading role in nearly half of the current medical marijuana and adult use legalization laws in the country, and the Executive Director should be able to help the organization build on its history of concrete reforms. MPP lobbies to regulate marijuana like alcohol via multiple state legislatures as well as working in coalition to legalize and regulate marijuana by voter initiative. Meanwhile, MPP is also working with patient advocates to advance medical marijuana and incremental decriminalization measures in other states. In Congress, MPP helped secure protection from federal law enforcement for medical marijuana patients and businesses in spending bills since 2016.
The Executive Director will lead MPP’s 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) entities, directing staff, programs, finances, fundraising, communications, reporting, and strategy. They directly supervise the department heads, with responsibility for day-to-day decision-making for the organization. The position is responsible for the financial stability of the organization and requires a substantial amount of time dedicated to raising millions of dollars for the organization and campaigns. The position develops and implements the organization’s political strategy, philanthropic support, and goals in conjunction with the staff and Board of Directors.
Specific responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to:
Policy Reform
Developing and supporting key staff in annual and long-term policy strategy
Leading efforts to change federal laws with grassroots political organizing, lobbying, and coalition building
Supporting policy directors in efforts to change state laws through ballot initiatives and legislative reform
Negotiating with a broad range of stakeholders with interests in policy outcomes
Leading a diverse movement of passionate stakeholders and organizations with interests in public health and individual liberty
Fundraising
Directly raising philanthropic funding from high-net-worth individuals, companies, and foundations
Developing and overseeing execution of annual philanthropic strategy
Supporting execution of grassroots fundraising strategy and membership programs
Seeking and overseeing foundation, donor-advised, and corporate grants
Collaborating with members of the Board of Directors to meet write-and-raise commitments
Communications
Communicating with the media to shape public opinion
Securing thought leadership and commentary opportunities with top-tier local and national media
Advising and participating in stakeholder communications
Board Development
Work closely with the Board and Executive Committee to recruit, retain, and develop an effective Board of Directors
Ensure regular reporting is provided to the Board on financial, programmatic, and governance activities
Attend all Board meetings and attend Committee meetings as needed
Administration
Overseeing budgets, financial reporting, internal controls, and contracts
Directly managing leadership staff and executive support staff; improving all staff’s effectiveness, productivity, and job satisfaction
Fostering and maintaining a positive and ambitious work environment for all staff
Developing and maintaining a staff-wide bonus structure based on achievement of fundraising and policy goals
Qualifications:
The ideal candidate will have a track record of fundraising six- and seven-figure gifts and a demonstrated ability to run a fast-paced, mission-driven organization with a primary focus on changing laws.
Preferred qualifications:
Ten or more years in a professional capacity with increasing levels of responsibility, preferably in politics, public policy, or organizational management
A track record of executive leadership in growing organizations
Excellence in verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills; ability to motivate teams and participate in and facilitate group meetings
Experience in strategic planning and execution; knowledge of contracting, negotiating, and political deal-making
Ability to adapt and respond to a rapidly changing environment and to encourage and motivate others to do so
Experience managing budgets, raising at least $1M annually in philanthropic funding, and nonprofit administration
Interest in or personal commitment to marijuana policy reform and related issues
Frequent travel and hours commensurate with a C-level position are required. This position reports to the Board of Directors.
MPP advances equity and inclusion in the workplace by providing equal employment opportunity to support a work environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, military and veteran status, arrest or conviction record, and any other basis prohibited by law.
Compensation
Base salary commensurate with a C-level position, with opportunity for bonus compensation
MPP pays the full individual premium for a Blue Cross / Blue Shield High-Plan. MPP offers multiple plans for employees to choose from. Children and spouses, including domestic partners, can be added to these plans with pre-tax deductions from employees' paychecks.
Optional dental and vision coverage is available through United Health Care (as a pre-tax deduction from employees' paychecks). Subject to change during open enrollment.
MPP also offers HSAs and FSAs to employees with eligible plans. MPP contributes $50/month to each HSA or FSA. Employees can make additional monthly deposits with pre-tax deductions from their paychecks (up to an annual maximum).
A $25,000 life insurance policy is 100% covered by MPP.
An optional 401(k) plan is offered through ADP. Employees may make pre-tax deductions from their paychecks of up to $23,000/year, with an additional catch-up contribution of $7,500/year for employees 50 or older). In addition, MPP will match these employee contributions dollar-for-dollar, up to 4% of the employee's annual salary.
MPP observes 12 holidays (the 11 standard federal holidays plus DC Emancipation Day). MPP doesn’t have separate sick days, personal days, and vacation policies. Rather we have one paid time off policy. New, full-time employees accrue paid time off at a rate of 1.5 days per month. After 3 years with MPP, they accrue at a rate of 2 days per month, and 2.5 days per month after 6 years. Employees are entitled to one week off in the summer, one week off Thanksgiving week, and one week off between Christmas and New Year.
For confidential consideration, please send a cover letter, resume, and a list of professional references to EDsearch@mpp.org.
