Description

Executive Director, Indiana Innocence Project (INIP)
Location: Indianapolis, IN (hybrid/remote flexibility, but must be based in Indiana)

About the Indiana Innocence Project

The Indiana Innocence Project (INIP) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to identifying and correcting wrongful convictions and preventing future miscarriages of justice. INIP provides pro bono legal advocacy to individuals who have been wrongfully convicted in Indiana, educates the public, and works with policymakers to improve the fairness and reliability of the criminal legal system.

INIP is at a pivotal moment of growth and seeks an Executive Director who will steward this next phase of growth, strengthen organizational infrastructure, and champion the mission with integrity and vision.As the organization navigates a leadership transition, INIP seeks an Executive Director who will steward this next phase of growth, strengthen organizational infrastructure, and champion the mission with integrity and vision.

Position Overview

The Executive Director serves as INIP’s chief executive and public ambassador. This is a senior leadership role focused on advancing high-quality innocence work while building the organizational systems, partnerships, and resources needed for long-term sustainability.

The Executive Director reports to and works closely with the Board of Directors and collaborates with legal staff, development and communications partners, and justice-sector stakeholders across Indiana and the country.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic & Organizational Leadership

• Provide mission-aligned leadership during a period of growth and transition.
• Partner with the Board on financial and strategic planning, governance, and organizational priorities.
• Strengthen internal systems, fundraising, and communications for long-term sustainability.
• Serve as a visible statewide ambassador for INIP.

Fund Development, Donor Relations & Visibility

• Lead a comprehensive fundraising strategy with diversified revenue streams.
• Steward major funders and institutional partners.
• Cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors in partnership with the Board.
• Oversee grant strategy, proposals, reporting, and funder communications.
• Manage and strengthen public-facing communications, events, and reputation-building.
• Lead the organization’s use of its CRM (Bloomerang) and donor stewardship systems.

Partnerships, Advocacy & External Engagement

• Build and sustain strong relationships with innocence organizations, law firms, universities, and justice-sector partners.
• Represent INIP with integrity in public, philanthropic, educational, and policy spaces.
• Support ethical and sustainable engagement with exonerees and impacted communities.

Governance, Operations & Financial Management

• Serve as the primary liaison to the Board; provide regular reporting and strategic guidance.
• Support Board recruitment, development, and engagement.
• Oversee budgeting, financial planning, and fiscal stewardship.

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Significant leadership experience (typically 10+ years) in nonprofit, legal, advocacy, policy, or mission-driven settings.
• Demonstrated fundraising success (major gifts, institutional giving, or partnerships).
• Experience leading teams and managing organizational growth or change.
• Strong communication, public speaking, and relationship-building skills.
• Experience working collaboratively with diverse stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior executive or senior nonprofit leadership experience.
• Experience in criminal legal reform, innocence work, civil rights, or related fields (strongly preferred, not required).
• Familiarity with Indiana’s legal, nonprofit, or philanthropic ecosystem.
• Experience in early-stage or scaling nonprofit environments.

Additional Information

Location: Indianapolis, with some flexibility for hybrid/remote work. Must be based in Indiana
Compensation: $115,000–$130,000, commensurate with experience. This is the full and complete compensation for the role; no additional benefits are offered.
 

To Apply

Please submit:

• Cover letter
• Resume or CV
• Three professional references (names and contact information)
• (Optional) Relevant writing sample

Send materials to:
INIP Board of Directors
c/o Sara Beanblossom
sbeanblossom@indianainnocenceproject.org

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Preference will be given to those who apply by March 9th.