Project Director, California Reparations Education Initiative (Tides Center FSP)

ABOUT TIDES CENTER

Fiscal sponsorship at Tides Center is a powerful tool for justice. Our unique fiscal sponsorship offerings provide changemakers with a variety of options. Whether they’re fundraising for a specific initiative or relying on our full infrastructure to run their organization, we help social change leaders fuel their mission-driven work.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Project Director provides operational leadership for a statewide initiative to advance education, strategic communications, and coalition building to build public support for comprehensive reparations funding and programming for California.

This role leads operations and supports day-to-day activities of this initiative, working closely with Advisory Board members, who serve as strategic leads, as well as working groups of community and nonprofit leaders responsible for guiding and implementing key programs. This role will serve as the primary point of contact for the fiscal sponsorship service team at Tides Center, and will establish the operational foundation for the initiative to ensure the work advances with alignment, discipline and accountability. The position balances high-level coordination and operational strategy with hands-on execution, administration, and compliance oversight.

This initiative builds on years of important work led by the California Reparations Task Force. As the first hire, this role requires an entrepreneurial approach and comfort with wearing multiple hats. In collaboration with the Advisory Board, this role will assess the need for additional support or skills and address those with the appropriate staff or contractor hires in alignment with project priorities and budget.

This is a full-time, remote position for candidates based in California. Out-of-state candidates with a strong, relevant network in California will also be considered.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

OPERATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND IMPLEMENTATION

• Serve as a primary project manager for initiative operations and activities, coordinating with the Advisory Board and Steering Committee(s) to develop and align on priorities and translate these into action via strategic work plans, timelines, and measurable outcomes.
• Track progress towards goals and objectives, and prepare progress reports for the Advisory Board and California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) leadership, as necessary.
• Develop and implement workflow processes and systems to integrate or complement Tides Center processes and procedures, including administrative systems, documentation, and reporting to ensure operational rigor.
• Identify and manage risks, dependencies, and opportunities; elevate concerns, opportunities and recommendations to the Advisory Board.
• Hire, onboard and manage additional staff, consultants and volunteers, as needed; coordinate with the assigned Tides Center HR Manager to ensure compliance with all applicable employment laws and regulations.
• Manage contracts and payments in accordance with Tides Center systems and policies.

INITIATIVE COORDINATION AND COMMUNICATIONS

• Manage initiative financials and reporting with rigorous transparency and accountability, including collaborating with the Advisory Board to develop and manage an annual budget, enter and track expenses, and coordinating with assigned Tides Center accountant to manage cash flow and regular financial reporting.
• Ensure effective management of grants and other funding in accordance with Tides Center and funder policies, including timely preparation of narrative and financial reporting.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• As the organization grows, establish and model clear values and develop aligned policies and practices to support a positive and productive work culture.
• Other duties, as needed, as the initiative evolves.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

REQUIRED:

• 7+ years of experience in senior operations or project management roles, including multimillion dollar budget management, in a high-visibility, multi-stakeholder environment
• Demonstrated experience working with boards, steering committees, or executive advisory bodies.
• Demonstrated experience managing diverse teams and partnerships, including staff, advisors, volunteers and consultants.
• Demonstrated experience operationalizing complex strategies via actionable project plans and supporting implementation.
• Experience launching new organizations or programs, including building and implementing new workflows and systems.
• Experience operating within nonprofit or grant-funded environments, and familiarity with nonprofit governance, compliance and financial management practices.

OTHER HELPFUL EXPERIENCE, BUT NOT REQUIRED:

• Experience in developing and implementing fundraising strategies.
• Grant management experience, including proposal development and reporting.
• Experience with managing website updates and posting social media content.
• Familiarity with regional and national racial justice movements and networks, especially within California

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Operational leadership and execution skills, with the ability to set and manage clear priorities across multiple workstreams; strong analysis and project management skillss.
• Comfort leading in an entrepreneurial and ambiguous environment; proven ability to move projects and stakeholders towards clarity.
• Executive-level written and verbal communications, including developing compelling presentations and content.
• Meeting planning and inclusive multi-stakeholder facilitation.
• Buildinging and managing nonprofit governannce structures; ability to build trust and navigate diverse perspectives towards alignment and cohesive decision-making.
• Risk management and compliance awareness, especially in a high-visibility settings.
• Accountability, judgment, and discretion.

COMPENSATION

This role offers a competitive compensation package with a salary range of $145,000-$165,000/year and robust benefits.

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

Employee is requires to work closely with diverse stakeholders including the Advisory Board, Tides Center service team members, steering committee members, initiative volunteers and advisors, CLBC leadership, community partners and funders.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Employee is required to sit for extended periods of time and work on a computer. The position requires phone conversations and in person or virtual meetings with both internal and external partners.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• This is a fully remote role. Residency in California is preferred.
• Occasional travel within California or to other areas of the US may be required for initiative coordination and related convenings.
• Employee is required to sit for extended periods of time and work on a computer. The position requires phone conversations and in person or virtual meetings with both internal and external partners.

TO APPLY

Please submit a resume and cover letter expressing why you are well-qualified for this role and your motivation for joining this initiative. For best consideration, apply by Wednesday, July 8, 2026 at 11:59pm ET.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

We look forward to reviewing applications from all qualified job seekers. We strongly encourage applications from women, people of color, and bilingual and bicultural individuals, as well as members of the LGBTQIA+ communities. No applicant will be discriminated against because of their race, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, color, marital status, or medical condition including acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and AIDS-related conditions. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we encourage and will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Where required by state law, we utilize E-Verify as a part of our employment authorization process.

APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES

Reasonable accommodation will be made so that all who are interested may participate in our interview process. If you are in need of an accommodation, please advise in writing at the time you apply.