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:
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.
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