Director, Intelligence Project

Director, Intelligence Project

The SPLC is seeking a Director of Intelligence Project who is committed to dismantling white supremacy!

The Intelligence Project (IP), perhaps SPLC's most well-known initiative, tracks the activity of a wide variety of hate and anti-government groups and individuals, and provides analysis and public education to the general public, lawmakers, researchers, media, peer organizations, and others through its publishing platforms. Its greatest strength is that it is a trusted resource to explain complex ideas to laypeople about the radical right movement in the United States. In collaboration with other departments, IP devises advocacy campaigns to pressure stakeholders to adopt policies that expose, isolate, and starve extremist groups and individuals.

Beginning in 2025, the Intelligence Project will shift some of its work to the SPLC Action Fund (SPLC Action), a 501(c)(4) organization. With the radical right increasingly operating in political spaces, and specifically in candidate elections, this change is intended to give IP greater flexibility to track and discuss extremist candidates and other issues specifically related to candidate elections. IP's work, though, will overwhelmingly remain "primary purpose" or (c)(3)-permissible. In addition to helping with this transition, the Director will take responsibility and work with managers to ensure all staff are properly tracking their time, as well as working with the General Counsel to properly identify work that is and is not the primary purpose.

The Director will lead the Intelligence Project, expand its capacity to respond to the increasing threat posed by extremist individuals and organizations, and offer strategic direction along with tenacity, passion, and urgency for the critical intelligence work of the SPLC and SPLC Action.

To broaden its impact and reach, the SPLC seeks an individual who brings a well-developed ability to manage and coordinate the efforts of a talented team in a complex and rapidly changing environment. This individual will be calm under pressure, continue to build on a strong departmental culture that values passion for the SPLC mission and celebrates collective impact.

Who You Are

Experienced. Experience managing large department budgets and staff. Demonstrated experience devising integrated advocacy campaigns that have successfully brought about change. Experience in taking on the radical right in an advocacy role.

Exemplary. Ability to set high standards for research and reporting, ensuring the credibility and accuracy of the SPLC's work, and that the work is always aimed at advancing the SPLC's mission and impact goals.

Passionate. Has a passion for the mission and the courage to fully embrace the work of confronting hate groups.

Leader. Demonstrated leadership in building and maintaining an innovative and positive working culture that inspires trust, invites collaboration, and engenders an environment of teamwork.

Mission, Vision & Values Alignment. Demonstrates an understanding of and a commitment to SPLC's mission, vision and values.

What You'll Do

Oversee the Intelligence Project department's overall activities of editorial, publication, programs, planning, strategy, implementation, and evaluation. They will manage all aspects of IP programs including publishing, research, the annual hate group count, training, briefings, and advocacy campaigns.

Expand capacity. Help the team function more efficiently and ensure that the research and intelligence work of the SPLC keeps pace with the rapid growth and capacities of hate groups and the extremist community and meets the highest standards of research.

Partner with key stakeholders to design annual planning and reporting processes.

Support cross-departmental planning and cultivate collaborative relationships with other members of the Leadership Team as well as members of the Executive Team.

Manage a team, monitor staff performance and development goals, assign duties and conduct performance reviews as well as provide mentoring and coaching to support staff member's professional growth.

Perform other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties in this job classification.

Uphold our JEDI principles by seeking diverse collaborators and partners that can deliver genuine, authentic and impactful work while ensuring their contributions are directed towards the shared mission, vision and values of the Center and the IP Department's goals.

Minimum Qualifications

We are committed to equitable hiring practices; therefore, you must meet the minimum qualifications to be considered for the role.

• At least 10 years of experience in journalism, investigative reporting or research on far-right extremism or a related field;
• A minimum of 5 years of leadership and managerial experience overseeing large teams;
• Demonstrated experience devising integrated advocacy campaigns;
• Understanding with laws governing 501(c)(3)- and 501 (c)(4)-permissible lobbying and electioneering activities; and
• High school diploma or GED.

Compensation & Benefits

This is an exempt role and the minimum starting salary is $208,865.00 annually. Salary will be commensurate with experience.

To view the benefits available to SPLC staff, click here.

Where & How You'll Work

This role has the following work designations.

Other Special Considerations

This job is performed under general office conditions and is not subject to any strenuous physical demands or dangerous conditions.

Disclaimer

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the employee in this position. These statements are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of a person in this position.

An Equal-Opportunity Employer with a Commitment to Diversity

Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and as an organization committed to diversity and the perspective of all voices, we consider applicants equally without regard to age, caregiver status, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, gender identity, marital status, national origin, on the basis of genetic information, political affiliation, pregnancy, or veteran status.