Executive Director, Innocence Project Delaware

Widener University is currently seeking a passionate, dedicated, and visionary leader to serve as its Executive Director with Innocence
Project Delaware. The Executive Director is the organization’s chief executive and administrative officer, lead fundraiser, chief
spokesperson, and primary advocate. They will provide energetic and optimistic leadership to a strong and committed staff and an engaged
Board, supporting and advancing the Project’s crucial work and its ambitious plan for growth and increased impact.

About the
Innocence Project Delaware

Innocence Project Delaware, a 501(c)(3) organization, was established in 2018 with the mission of
providing pro bono services to investigate and seek relief for victims of wrongful convictions in Delaware. The organization also
addresses and proposes policies to address common causes of wrongful convictions: official misconduct, bad science, eyewitness
misidentification, and false confessions; provides post-exoneration support to individuals who have been proven innocent; and educates the
public about potential criminal justice reforms related to wrongful convictions, exonerations, and access to justice.

Currently, the
organization has four staff and an annual budget of approximately $550,000. In addition to the Executive Director, the staff includes a
Staff Attorney, a DNA Legal Fellow, and a Community Engagement Manager. The organization is also in the process of hiring a part-time
investigator.

Innocence Project Delaware is a state-wide organization housed at the Widener University Delaware Law School. Through
the Law School’s Innocence Clinic, the organization is in the unique position of training the next generation of lawyers eager to work on
these important issues in a clinical setting.

The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors and directly supervises the
Staff Attorney and the Community Engagement Manager. This role is responsible for advancing the Project’s mission by developing and
executing strategic goals; leading all fundraising efforts; overseeing all staff; and managing the organization’s day-to-day operations.
While the Executive Director does not handle individual cases or provide legal services, they may engage in advocacy related to legislative
and policy reform.

The ideal candidate will be an inspirational and collaborative leader, an outstanding fundraiser, an engaging and
credible spokesperson, and a creative problem solver with both high emotional intelligence and strong analytical skills. They will bring a
deep commitment to the mission to correct and prevent wrongful convictions.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
(including, but not limited to):

Essential Duties:

Organizational Leadership

• In collaboration with the Board and staff, create and implement
  organizational long-term and short-term plans, and develop strategies for accomplishing set goals and objectives.
• Develop and lead
  fundraising initiatives including working with the development staff and the Board to create and implement a comprehensive fundraising
  program, including identification and cultivation of donors, identifying and securing grants and foundation support, and planning events for
  fundraising and donor cultivation.
• Work with the Board Treasurer and accounting contractor to ensure timely and accurate financial
  reporting and grant reports.
• Manage overall financial performance of the Project including creation and management of budget, IRS,
  State, and other filings, and providing the Board with financial data and strategic analysis.
• Oversee development and
  implementation of operational systems and processes that enable the staff to work efficiently and effectively, and ensure that the Project
  is in full compliance with all applicable requirements.
• Coach, mentor, inform and inspire a high-performing team, and nurture the
  collaborative organizational culture of the Project.
• Coordinate with the Delaware Law School.

External
Leadership

• Serve as the external voice of the organization.
• Develop and maintain relationships with
  community leaders, partner organizations and other stakeholders.
• Lead strategies for external communications, marketing, and public
  relations to raise the Project’s profile and maximize engagement and support of our work.
• Represent the Project in the Innocence
  Network and maximize the Network relationships for the Project and to further the work nationwide.

MINIMUM
QUALIFICATIONS (education/training and experience required):

Required:

• Seven years
  of progressive, senior-level leadership experience within a nonprofit organization, demonstrating the ability to guide strategy, manage
  teams, and deliver mission-aligned results.
• Proven success as a fundraising leader with a track record of securing significant
  support from individuals, foundations, and other philanthropic partners.
• Strong financial management expertise, including
  budgeting, oversight of bookkeeping and accounting functions, and maintaining rigorous internal controls to ensure organizational integrity
  and sustainability.
• Ability to recruit, develop, and lead a high-performing, multidisciplinary team, fostering a collaborative,
  inclusive, and mission-driven culture.
• Strategic thinker and effective planner, with experience in organizational development,
  program design, implementation, and ongoing evaluation.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills, including the ability to
  persuasively present ideas, proposals, and organizational priorities to diverse audiences (individually, in groups, and in public
  forums).
• Possess a collaborative leadership style with the ability to build strong relationships and work effectively with Board
  members, volunteers, donors, attorneys, students, university partners, and a wide range of community stakeholders.
• Familiarity with
  the criminal legal system is strongly preferred, including experience working with impacted communities, legal practitioners, or
  justice-focused organizations.

Preferred:

• Juris Doctor (JD).

PHYSICAL
REQUIREMENTS AND/OR UNUSUAL HOURS:

• Maintain a consistent physical presence in the office at least three days per week
  to support staff, operations, and organizational culture.
• Remain accessible throughout the workweek for meetings, decision-making,
  and organizational needs.
• Conduct regular travel across Delaware to meet with partners, clients, funders, and key
  stakeholders.
• Represent the organization at events, convenings, and strategic meetings to strengthen relationships and
  visibility.
• Reside in Delaware or the surrounding region to ensure consistent presence and accessibility.
• If currently
  outside the region, commit to relocating within three months of hire to ensure consistent presence and accessibility.

All
qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national
origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Widener University is
committed to fostering an inclusive community in which faculty, staff, and students from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and personal
experiences are welcomed and can thrive. We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to providing equal educational and
employment opportunities for all persons without regard to age, color, national origin, race, religion, disability, veteran status, sex,
sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, or status as a protected veteran. Some positions may be eligible for a hybrid or
remote work arrangement that may include a partially or fully remote work location, consistent with Widener’s Flexible Work policy.

Widener University, an independent, metropolitan, doctoral-intensive university, connects curricula to social issues through civic
engagement. Dynamic teaching, active scholarship, personal attention and experiential learning are key components of the Widener Experience.
Located in Chester, PA, Widener’s main campus is nestled between Philadelphia, PA and Wilmington, DE, with Law Schools located in both
Harrisburg and Wilmington. For more information about the university, please visit our website at
www.widener.edu.

EOE M/F/V/D

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