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Unify Akron is ready for its next chapter. We're looking for an Akron-based civic leader to help turn a promising initiative into a permanent part of the city's civic fabric.Â
About Unify Akron
Unify Akron is a nonpartisan civic initiative that helps Akron residents and local institutions work together to solve shared public problems. Through structured public deliberation and community partnership, we strengthen trust, improve decision-making, and build civic capacity across the city. Unify Akron is part of Unify America’s Democracy League division, and it’s a flagship model for other cities across the country. The Executive Director and local Unify Akron staff are employees of Unify America.
How This Work Is Unique
Working at Unify Akron means helping to build a new kind of civic infrastructure. This is not advocacy, campaigning, or traditional community engagement. It is ongoing deliberative work that prioritizes credibility, fairness, and impact. A key ingredient is taking residents’ time, experience, and judgment seriously.
This is a small, collaborative team. Roles are hands-on, cross-functional, and grounded in partnership with the people and institutions of greater Akron. We value curiosity, humility, follow-through, and the ability to work across differences.Â
The focus of this role is civic leadership, government relations, fundraising, team development, and management. If you are motivated by public purpose and want to help build a healthier democratic culture in Akron, Summit County, and beyond, please apply today.
About the Role
The Executive Director will provide overall leadership for Unify Akron. This role is responsible for stewarding relationships with public officials, funders, and community partners; building a strong internal team; and ensuring that Unify Akron’s work delivers real-world impact and long-term credibility.
 The Executive Director needs to balance vision with execution — helping Unify Akron grow from a successful initiative into a durable civic institution. This position reports to Morgan Lasher, Unify America’s Chief of U.S. Democracy Leagues, and is accountable to an Akron advisory board.
Key Responsibilities
Organizational leadership
Set strategic direction and priorities in partnership with the Unify America national team, the local board of advisors, and core partners
Lead, support, and, as necessary, hire Unify Akron staff and contractors in collaboration with the Unify America leadership team
Build internal systems that support clarity, accountability, and learning
Government & institutional relations
Serve as the primary liaison with local government (e.g., City of Akron, Summit County) and other public institutions
Establish clear expectations for how resident input is received and responded to
Protect Unify Akron’s neutrality, independence, and public trust
Fundraising & sustainability
Lead revenue strategy across philanthropy, local donors, and institutional partners
Cultivate long-term funding relationships to support ongoing civic work
Engage potential local partners interested in democratic or deliberative design for fee-for-service support
External leadership & credibility
Represent Unify Akron publicly with integrity and clarity
Build confidence among residents, partners, and decision-makers that this work has value
What Success Looks Like
Unify Akron is trusted across communities and institutions
Resident-led work clearly influences public decisions through regular deliberation events
Trust and a sense of belonging significantly increase among Unify Akron participants
Unify Akron is financially stable and positioned for long-term impact
Key institutional leaders begin to invest in the sustainability of Unify Akron
Skills and Experience
Senior leadership experience in nonprofit, civic, public-sector, community organizing, and/or philanthropic settings
Demonstrated experience working with elected officials, funders, and community leaders
Fundraising or resource development experience with successful outcomesÂ
Strong judgment, political awareness, and commitment to nonpartisanship
Deep respect for community voice and democratic process
Compensation & Benefits
Annual salary of $100,000 to $120,000, depending on relevant experience.
Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
401k match up to 5%.
Internet and phone reimbursement.
A healthy, appreciative, feedback-driven workplace.
Flexible, self-managed PTO.
A flexible, hybrid work environment. Unify Akron has a working space in the Bounce Innovation Hub, but much of your work will be out in the community, meeting with people in many different settings, and the role also has some flexibility to work from home when you don’t have meetings on your schedule.
Ready to Apply?
Your application materials should include a cover letter that shares three reasons why you’re the right person to take over this important work in Akron and facilitate its future, as well as your resume in one, combined PDF (there will only be one field for Resume in the application, and we are looking for a combined Cover Letter/Resume in that field).
