Director of Investigations

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August 12

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American Oversight

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Government • Non-profit • Compliance

American Oversight is a nonpartisan, nonprofit watchdog organization that focuses on promoting truth, accountability, and democracy by enforcing the public's right to access government records. They engage in investigations and litigation to uncover evidence of government misconduct, and work to ensure transparency in government activities, with a particular emphasis on issues like election integrity, attacks on education, and voting rights. Their efforts are aimed at strengthening democratic principles and holding those in power accountable for their actions.

11 - 50 employees

Founded 2017

🏛️ Government

🤝 Non-profit

📋 Compliance

📋 Description

• Set and drive the strategic direction of American Oversight’s Investigations Team — ensuring the organization is positioned to respond to current events and emerging threats to government accountability, and to proactively advance its mission through innovative investigative strategies. • Oversee high-impact investigations from design to execution, guiding the team in turning complex information into actionable insights and making strategic decisions about when to launch, adjust, or close investigations. • Collaborate with the legal, communications (editorial and media relations), and partnerships departments to identify, design, and lead high-impact investigations that align with American Oversight’s strategic priorities and help inform litigation efforts. • Ensure the quality, accuracy, and strategic alignment of all investigative work by reviewing and approving internal and external outputs, including content supporting litigation and public education. • Identify and implement tools, systems, and processes that improve the efficiency, coordination, and impact of investigative work across the team. • Provide strategic guidance, mentorship, and professional development to investigators and senior investigators, ensuring they have the resources and direction needed to excel. • Set clear goals and expectations, develop metrics to assess team performance, and cultivate a culture of accountability, continuous learning, and high-impact investigative work. • Represent American Oversight in high-level external engagements — including briefings, convenings, and coalition meetings — to elevate the visibility and credibility of the organization’s investigative work. • Other duties as assigned.

🎯 Requirements

• 10+ years of experience conducting and leading progressively complex investigations — including in fields such as investigative research, investigative journalism, congressional oversight, or a related field — with 3+ years of experience overseeing teams, managing and directing the investigative work of others, and mentoring early-career investigators in a formal leadership capacity. • Proven track record of leading high-impact or high-profile investigations that have advanced public accountability, informed litigation, or driven policy or institutional change. • Proficiency with the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and/or state-level public records laws, as well as experience using open-source intelligence (OSINT) tools and techniques to support or lead investigations. • Genuine interest in American Oversight’s mission of government accountability and transparency, and a demonstrated commitment to public interest advocacy. • Strong technology skills with an aptitude to learn quickly, ramp up on, or test new platforms or technology (e.g., AirTable). • Proficiency in Microsoft Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint); Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides) and file-sharing platforms (Dropbox). • Desired Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university; experience working in a remote-first or hybrid nonprofit or mission-driven organization, particularly one focused on government accountability or civil rights, where investigations inform litigation, advocacy, or public education efforts. • We encourage individuals to apply even if they do not have any of the desired qualifications.

🏖️ Benefits

• 80% of health, dental, and vision premiums paid by the organization. • a retirement plan with a matching contribution. • remote office reimbursements for personal devices and wireless connectivity.