Careers

At CHANGE Illinois and the CHANGE Illinois Action Fund, we are committed to a reform agenda to improve our governments and elections. Through public policy, public education, research and coalition-building, we work and advocate for change to create a better democracy for all.

Current Opportunities:

Executive Director Opening for CHANGE Illinois and the CHANGE Illinois Action Fund

CHANGE Illinois (the Coalition for Honest and New Government Ethics) and its affiliated CHANGE Illinois Action Fund seek an experienced leader who is passionate about voting rights, democracy and ethical government powered by the people.

The organizations are nonpartisan nonprofits that champion equitable democracy, ethics and efficiency in government and elections in Illinois. Through research, education and advocacy, we work to achieve an Illinois with ethical and efficient governments, including fair maps and ballots and vibrant elections.

We believe in the power of Illinoisans. We believe if more of us participate in state and local government and politics and demand better, we can succeed in improving Illinois.

Executive Director:
The Executive Director of both CHANGE Illinois and the CHANGE Illinois Action Fund will lead the organization under the direction of Boards of Directors. The Executive Director is responsible for maintaining the health and vitality of the organization, setting, leading and maintaining its strategic direction, and assuring the accountability of the organizations to its diverse constituents.

Key responsibilities of the role:

  • Provide leadership and vision for the organization with staff and external partners, including policy makers
  • Develop organizational goals and strategies in partnership with the Boards of Directors and implement those goals and strategies as approved in the 2023 Strategic Plan
  • Direct, oversee and implement diversified fundraising efforts seeking foundation support, grants, and private donations
  • Cultivate and maintain productive and collaborative relationships with, and increase the size and diversity of, community partners and other stakeholders
  • Continually evaluate the progress of organizational initiatives and their effectiveness
  • Maintain a sound working knowledge of relevant priority policy issues at local, state and national levels
  • Communicate the work of the organizations to both internal and external audiences
  • Supervise staff, interns and volunteers
  • Create and oversee the annual budget and work with board treasurers to manage the organizations’ finances
  • Establish and implement organizational policies and procedures
  • Maintain official records and documents and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations

Candidate Profile:

CHANGE Illinois and the Action Fund seek an experienced leader with an understanding of, and commitment to, political and governmental reform, and coalition building.

The successful candidate will have the experience and temperament to lead nonpartisan governmental reform initiatives, be both decisive and collaborative, and have the utmost integrity.

The ideal candidate will have a track record of successfully securing funds from foundations, individuals, and other sources.

Experience in a leadership role reporting directly to or working closely with a Board of Directors and managing a team of staff is preferred.

Compensation and Benefits:
Pay will be commensurate with experience, but likely will range between $120,000 and $140,000. CHANGE Illinois offers full medical, dental, retirement, holiday and vacation benefits for this full-time position. We currently are fully remote, but convene as a team regularly.

Organizational Commitment to Equity:
As nonpartisan, nonprofit organizations that advocate for ethical and efficient government, we acknowledge that historically, democracy has not equitably included nor represented all communities.

Our organizational responsibility and commitment, as an agent of change, is to ensure we acknowledge those disparities, hold democracy to a higher standard and advocate for policies that equitably represent all Illinoisans while working toward justice.

We call for racial equity to be centered in all of the policy areas for which we advocate, and we acknowledge that we do not have all the answers. We will rely on and work with the people and leaders who work in the communities most burdened by unjust policies and practices and will remain steadfast in our commitment to collaboration.

Before supporting or advocating for a specific policy platform, we will:

  • Acknowledge harm done by existing policies, before providing solutions
  • Amplify the voices of those hurt by the policy
  • Understand who is burdened by the policy
  • Work toward making the policy racially equitable


Organizational History:
Launched in February 2009, CHANGE Illinois began as an informal coalition intent on changing our state’s culture of corruption. Our initiative resulted in the state’s first-ever law limiting campaign contributions. Since then, CHANGE Illinois and the CHANGE Illinois Action Fund have grown into stand-alone, nonpartisan nonprofits that amplify the efforts of our coalition members and that advance innovative ideas to improve Illinois’ democracy.
CHANGE Illinois, an independent 501(c)3 organization, and the CHANGE Illinois Action Fund, its advocacy-focused 501(c)4, are committed to working on a statewide basis with, and in support of, collaborative efforts to improve Illinois government and elections.

TO APPLY:
Candidates for the position should send a cover letter, resume and no more than three brief writing samples to applications@changeil.org by October 16, 2023.

Please reference “Executive Director Application” in the subject line. No phone calls please.

CHANGE Illinois is an Equal Opportunity Employer. People of color, people with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

CHANGE Illinois and the CHANGE Illinois Action Fund are hiring for seven Regional Community Organizer roles at this time.