President & Chief Executive Officer

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The Organization
The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) is one of the nation’s most influential forces for racial justice in the South and beyond, working in partnership with communities to dismantle white supremacy, strengthen intersectional movements, and advance the human rights of all people. Founded in 1971 to ensure that the promise of the Civil Rights Movement became a reality for all, the organization continues to engage in both legal and community-based efforts to topple institutional racism and stamp out remnants of Jim Crow segregation; unmask and defeat some of the nation’s most violent white supremacist groups; and protect the civil rights of communities of color, children, women, people with disabilities, immigrants, the LGBTQ+ community, prisoners, and many others who face discrimination, abuse, or exploitation.

The SPLC works across the Deep South, focusing on five priority states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and Mississippi—regions that have played historic roles in the Civil Rights Movement and remain critical battlegrounds for racial justice. Headquartered in Montgomery, Alabama, the organization also maintains offices in Miami, Florida; Atlanta, Georgia; New Orleans, Louisiana; Jackson, Mississippi; and Washington, D.C. This network of offices allows the SPLC to implement people-centered programs while developing broader strategies to confront systemic challenges both regionally and at the highest levels of government. By transforming the Deep South, SPLC is leading the way for the rest of the country.

History
By the late 1960s, the civil rights movement had broken the legal framework of Jim Crow, yet the lived reality of racial inequality in the South persisted. African Americans continued to face exclusion from quality jobs, housing, education, and public life, and few institutions were equipped—or willing—to champion the rights of the poor and disenfranchised. In response to this urgent need, a new civil rights law center was established in 1971 to provide legal representation in cases that few southern lawyers would take, challenging discriminatory systems and advancing equal protection under the law. In its early years, the organization helped desegregate public facilities, reform state institutions, and secure more equitable political representation. Over the decades, it went on to win landmark victories against violent white supremacist groups, dismantle vestiges of Jim Crow, defend the rights of marginalized communities, and expose extremist activity nationwide. It also expanded into education, launching a nationally recognized anti-bias program that now reaches millions of students and educators. As the nation has grown more diverse and new forms of hate and inequality have emerged, the organization’s mission has only become more urgent—guided by a steadfast commitment to justice, dignity, and human rights for all.

Today
At a time when unprecedented and coordinated efforts seek to divide and demoralize those working toward a fair, inclusive, multiracial democracy, SPLC remains unwavering in its mission to confront racism in all its forms. The organization is rooted in the belief that a society where communities of color thrive benefits everyone, and it is guided by a deep commitment to building a future where white supremacy, poverty, and mass incarceration are relics of the past.
The Southern Poverty Law Center remains committed to challenging racism with unwavering determination and an unshakable belief in the power of unity and justice. Through its work, the organization continues to build a future where all communities thrive, and discrimination is consigned to history.

Leading SPLC Into Its Next Chapter
This is a pivotal moment in the history of SPLC, as the next CEO will not only inherit a legacy of courage and conviction but also have the opportunity to shape the future of civil rights in America.

This role is far more than a position of leadership—it is an invitation to stand at the forefront of one of the most urgent and consequential movements of our time. In collaboration with a committed Board, Leadership Team, and staff, the CEO will propel the SPLC into its next chapter to fulfill a powerful mission and vision.

This remarkable opportunity calls for an exceptional leader to join a pioneering institution and inspire a group of passionate and talented stakeholders in transforming the social justice movement for the 21st century, at a time when racial tensions and social inequality have reignited violent clashes and pervasive fears reminiscent of decades past. At the heart of this work, the next CEO will be charged with ensuring that the hard-won victories of the modern civil rights movement do not fade into history but instead shine as enduring beacons of justice, equality, and human dignity for generations to come.

Position Summary
As SPLC enters this next era, it seeks an exceptional CEO to elevate the organization to new levels of strategic influence, operation, impact, and innovation—recognizing that these external achievements are rooted in a healthy institution with talented staff, strong partnerships, and a respected reputation in the field. The CEO will be responsible for ensuring the SPLC’s consistent fulfillment of its mission, strategic vision, and financial objectives, bringing transparency and visionary leadership to every facet of the organization.

Reporting to the Board of Directors and leading a team of 360 professionals across 6 offices, the CEO will oversee strategies that support SPLC’s operational, financial, and cultural vitality. This includes fortifying internal systems, aligning resources with priorities, nurturing organizational culture, and ensuring transparent, mission-driven decision-making. The CEO will also play a critical role in strengthening resource development, elevating the organization’s profile, and maintaining a meaningful and accessible presence across SPLC’s footprint.

This leader will embody SPLC’s unwavering commitment to racial and social justice, guiding the organization with clarity, integrity, and depth of experience. In doing so, the CEO will cultivate the conditions that allow SPLC’s programs, partnerships, and people to thrive—positioning the organization for sustained impact in the years ahead.

Key Responsibilities
The CEO’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
Strategic Vision and Leadership
• Serve as an inspirational, innovative, visionary leader for the SPLC, aligning bold mission aspirations with strong operational and business acumen and discipline to ensure sustainability and continued impact for the organization;
• In collaboration with the Board of Directors and the Leadership Team, enhance and drive the overall strategic plan and priorities to thoughtfully maximize capacity and resources to reach organizational goals; and
• Promote the organization’s racial and social justice vision by elevating the voices of impacted communities, encouraging awareness, and inspiring others to join in the mission of uprooting hatred, bigotry, and inequality in our society.
• Anticipate emerging threats and opportunities, using data, stakeholders' insight, and system thinking to drive through uncertainty.
• Ensure transparent communication and accountability for progress toward strategic goals, keeping staff, partners, and Board aligned on direction, decisions, and outcomes.

Organizational Leadership
• Provide inspirational, supportive, accountable, and disciplined leadership for a diverse range of extraordinarily passionate, committed, and skilled staff members across multiple locations; strengthen a culture of trust, openness, communication, transparency and shared responsibility;
• Assume overall operational and fiscal management and accountability for the organization, ensuring systems, structures and resources are aligned so that SPLC meets the highest standards in stewarding its financial and other resources;
• Lead organizational transformation by investing in development, role clarity, and cohesion of staff and leaders while modeling availability, collaboration, and attentiveness;
• Partner with the Leadership Team to enact sound, consistent, timely informed decision-making for staff leadership; manage the balance of internal leadership alongside external responsibilities through high levels of communication and collaboration; and
• Ensure the implementation of measures that advance the SPLC’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

Board Relations
• Partner closely with the Board of Directors to drive strategic vision, leverage its experience and
expertise, and thoughtfully grow and evolve the Board as the organization moves forward;
• Serve as an advisor, keeping the Board informed with appropriate information to support its
policymaking and oversight responsibility; and
• Collaborate with the Board to ensure good governance and assist in the identification and cultivation
of new Board Members.

Fundraising and Resource Development
• Serve as a clear, persuasive, and compelling spokesperson for the SPLC by effectively representing its mission, goals, and services to the Board, staff, and both current and prospective partners and supporters;
• Inspire trust and confidence by developing and strengthening new and existing partnerships with key stakeholders and constituencies, including funding organizations and individual donors;
• Cultivate and grow relationships to strategically increase the SPLC’s funding and donor base; and
• Identify, develop and engage key staff who can speak on behalf of the SPLC and enhance the organization’s visibility, reach and impact.

The Candidate Profile
Candidates will bring a combination of strong skills and transferable experience to lead and manage a complex organization with geographically dispersed employees. They will be able to serve as a compelling spokesperson and cultivate strong relationships externally and internally to drive the SPLC’s mission. They will also have a track record of advancing the agenda of a dynamic, evolving organization and balancing strategic vision with operational excellence.

Desired qualifications include:
• Several years of experience building and leading strategic growth and change for a social justice mission.
• Community-based experience supporting and partnering with communities most served by SPLC.
• Deeply credible and meaningful work experience in the civil rights space, with leadership in law, advocacy, or other complex environments.
• Experience and understanding of leadership in a multi-racial, multi-generational setting, fostering justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.
• Experience working with development professionals to cultivate new donors and steward existing relationships with donors at all levels.
• A commitment to a collaborative and constructive labor-management partnership. Appreciation for the dynamics of a unionized work environment and a strong commitment to fostering collaborative, constructive labor–management partnerships.
• Although a J.D. and/or legal background is preferred, candidates with exceptional backgrounds will be considered if able to bring or readily develop legal literacy needed to confidently lead SPLC’s civil rights mission and legacy.

Compensation
This position is expected to have a salary range of $450,000 to $525,000 with a comprehensive benefits
package.

Contact
For inquires, to apply, or to provide recommendations, please send an email to: SPLC_CEO@KornFerry.com

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.