Deputy Director
Reports to: Executive Director
FLSA: Exempt
Job Type: Full Time
Job Location: Hybrid/Remote Oakland, CA
About TURN:
TURN (The Utility Reform Network) is a non-profit advocacy organization committed to ensuring affordable, reliable, and sustainable utility services for all people living in California. We advocate for equitable policies that protect all consumers, while centering the needs of lower-income and BIpoc communities, through policy change, research, and grassroots organizing.
TURN believes in a society where clean power, phone, and broadband are treated as basic rights for all families.
Job Summary:
The Deputy Director is a senior leadership role responsible for supplementing and extending the capacity of the Executive Director (ED) in organizational strategy, internal management, development/fundraising, and key external partnerships. This role serves as a strategic thought partner to the ED and Board of Directors, works closely with program directors, and ensures cohesive alignment across departments.
The Deputy Director will play a pivotal role in expanding TURN’s impact, identifying new funding opportunities, strengthening donor engagement, cultivating institutional partnerships, and enhancing organizational effectiveness, including technological advancement. The ideal candidate is an experienced nonprofit leader with a strong background in development, operational management, equity-centered leadership, and community-based social justice movement building.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Executive Leadership & Organizational Strategy
Serve as a key partner to the Executive Director on organizational priorities, strategic initiatives, and operational planning.
Coordinate cross-departmental coordination to ensure smooth communication, accountability, and progress toward organizational goals.
Support development and implementation of multi-year strategic plans, annual work plans, and organizational performance metrics.
Lead special projects and initiatives at the direction of the ED, including new program development, process improvements, and organizational restructuring when needed.
Partner with the ED to attend staff, program team, and board meetings, and fill in when the ED is unavailable.
2. Development & Fundraising
Partner with the Executive Director and Philanthropy Director to build and execute a comprehensive development strategy.
Lead efforts to diversify and grow TURN’s funding streams, including individual giving, institutional grants, corporate partnerships, foundation support, and government funding.
Identify, research, and pursue new funding opportunities aligned with TURN’s mission and strategic priorities.
Build strong relationships with key funders, donors, and philanthropic partners; serve as a strategy partner with ED to prepare for high-level donor engagements.
Draft and review compelling proposals, letters of intent, case statements, annual reports, and grant reporting materials.
Familiarity with technologies that strengthen internal systems for tracking development metrics and ensuring fundraising compliance.
3. External Relations & Strategic Partnerships
Represent TURN in external meetings, public forums, coalitions, philanthropic convenings, and community engagement opportunities.
Build and maintain strategic partnerships with community-based organizations, advocacy groups, regulatory agencies, and legislative offices.
Partner with ED in strengthening TURN’s public profile through media engagements, presentations, briefings, and stakeholder outreach.
4. Organizational Management & Team Leadership
Provide supervision and coaching to key program and administrative leaders, fostering a collaborative and inclusive culture.
Champion TURN’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion; integrate equity principles into organizational policies and practices.
Support HR, Finance, and Operations leaders with organizational planning, staffing needs, talent development, and workload alignment.
Lead internal communication, staff development initiatives, and culture-building efforts.
Support the alignment, development, and efficacy of individual staff, teams, and initiatives.
5. Board Relations
Partner with the ED in preparing materials for Board meetings, including strategic updates, funding reports, and program summaries.
Represent the ED in Board meetings, committees, and retreats when the ED is unavailable.
Participate as lead staff in Board committees as assigned by the ED.
Strengthen transparency, communication, and alignment between the Board and staff.
Required Skills:
Minimum 8–10 years of senior leadership experience in nonprofit management and regulatory requirements, public policy, advocacy, or related fields.
Demonstrated success in fund development, including grant writing, donor cultivation, and partnership-building.
Strong understanding of issues related to consumer advocacy, energy justice, telecommunications equity, and social justice organizing.
Experience managing teams, cross-functional projects, and organizational change.
Excellent verbal messaging for media engagement and written communication skills to effectively represent TURN policy and priorities.
Familiarity with the effective use of social media as an advocacy tool.
Strong strategic thinking, problem-solving, and political analysis skills.
Demonstrated experience and commitment to advancing racial equity, economic justice, and community empowerment.
Willingness to live in proximity to the Bay Area or Sacramento.
Preferred Skills:
Experience working in the California nonprofit, advocacy, and/or legal policy landscape.
Subject matter expertise in energy, climate, telephone, broadband, and race equity policy is highly desirable.
Demonstrated experience with California regulatory agencies such as the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and the CA legislative bodies and electoral process.
Prior experience serving as a chief of staff, Executive Director, deputy director, development director, or program director.
Advanced degree in Public Administration, Nonprofit Management, Public Policy, Social Sciences, or related field (or equivalent experience).
Bilingual Spanish language proficiency is a plus.
Reporting and Supervision:
Reports to the Executive Director
Salary Range for Position – Deputy Director
$210,000– $265,000 annually, depending on experience
Why Join TURN
Influence fast-moving energy and climate change issues in a cutting-edge state
Work with a mission-driven, high-impact advocacy team
Competitive pay and excellent benefits
Hybrid/California remote flexibility
Application Process:
To apply, submit to chouston@turn.org with the Subject line: Deputy Director – [Your Name] the following by February 28,:
Resume
Cover Letter (Letter of Interest)
Writing Sample
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
Please contact hr@turn.org to request an accommodation for the application process if necessary.
TURN is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.
