Executive Director

Executive Director

Students Against Destructive Decisions

 

Reports to: Board of Directors

Location: Remote Position, Hdqtrs in Glendale, Arizona

 

OVERVIEW

 

MISSION

 

Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) empowers and mobilizes students and adult allies to engage in positive change through leadership and smart decision-making.

 

VISION

 

All students collaborate to create a healthier and safer world, one positive decision at a time.

 

VALUES

 

• Student-Led: SADD students lead at the national and state levels, rooted in our school and community-based, peer-to-peer chapters.

• Action: SADD develops and shares prevention programming to engage students in the pursuit of healthy decision-making.

• Inclusion: SADD fosters a sense of belonging among students from a wide range of identities and experiences who are committed to improving the health and safety of all students and communities.

• Leadership: Students and adult allies passionately advance the mission of SADD through character, integrity, and service.

 

SADD’s mission is accomplished by creating, equipping, and sustaining a network of student-run chapters in schools and communities focused on peer-to-peer education. SADD fosters a sense of belonging and promotes resiliency, leadership, and advocacy skills so that young people make positive life decisions that will carry them throughout life

 

SADD’S POSITIONS

 

SADD empowers and mobilizes students and adult allies to engage in positive change through leadership and smart decision-making. SADD endorses the following policies and positions that promote student health and safety.

 

VIEW SADD’S POSITIONS ON

 

→ MOBILITY SAFETY

→ SUBSTANCE USE

→ PERSONAL HEALTH & SAFETY

→ LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

 

ABOUT SADD

 

SADD is a national non-profit dedicated to the safety and wellness of all students. Using 40 years of expertise to facilitate educational and engaging programming, SADD operates through school and community chapters (like student clubs) dedicated to advocating healthy decision-making. SADD works through 5,000 middle school, high school, and college SADD chapters to impact more than 32 million students throughout the United States. Among these school-based chapters, approximately 2,000 virtual organizations were established in response to COVID-19 to benefit from SADD’s programs, toolkits, activities, e-learning resources, and more.

 

SADD was founded on the simple philosophy that young people, empowered to help each other, are the most effective force in prevention. SADD focuses on four main initiatives: leadership development, mobility safety, substance use prevention, and personal health and wellness.

 

• Leadership Development: SADD is building the youth leaders of today to advocate for tomorrow through mentorship, self-exploration, volunteerism, and advocacy.

• Mobility Safety: A leader in mobility safety since 1981, SADD equips young people with the knowledge on how to be great safety advocates on and off the road for their communities at large.

• Substance Use Prevention: Preventing substance use and educating communities on the effects of substances, SADD prepares youth to advocate for their health and the health of others and to be proactive bystanders.

• Personal Health and Wellness: From mental health to good sleep habits, stress reduction, and more, SADD students lead the way, exhibiting how to lead a healthy lifestyle and make positive decisions.

 

THE OPPORTUNITY

 

This is a rare opportunity for a visionary leader to shape the future of a nationally respected youth-serving organization.

 

SADD’s peer-led model has proven transformative for thousands of students across the country, and its staff and board are deeply committed to sustaining and expanding this reach and impact. Strategic priorities for the next Executive Director will include expanding public and private partnerships, securing diversified funding, and elevating SADD’s brand in both the public and private sectors.

 

With a strong foundation of a passionate staff, a committed board of experts and advocates, and a network of chapters eager for renewed direction and support, the organization is ready for a leader who can unify internal efforts while amplifying SADD’s voice nationally. Candidates will find a mission-driven culture, a collaborative team, and a community eager for bold, strategic leadership. With the groundwork laid for strategic planning and operational growth, the incoming leader will continue to focus on SADD’s financial strength, to enhance trust, and to position SADD as the gold standard in youth prevention and leadership.

 

POSITION SUMMARY

 

The Executive Director will serve as the chief ambassador, strategist, and fundraiser for SADD.

 

The Executive Director serves as the chief ambassador and strategist for SADD, responsible for advancing its mission, securing financial sustainability, and fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation. Key responsibilities include leading fundraising and development efforts, cultivating national partnerships, overseeing strategic planning and operations, and – with the assistance of three leaders in field engagement - mentoring staff across a national remote workforce. The Executive Director will represent SADD externally with charisma and clarity, while internally building trust, transparency, and shared leadership with the management team. This role requires a dynamic balance of outward-facing engagement and inward-facing stewardship, with a focus on empowering youth, supporting staff, and driving measurable impact.

 

The Executive Director will report to and work closely with the 11-member Board of Directors, comprised of leaders in the fields of education, law, public policy, nonprofit management, mental health, and mobility safety. The Executive Director will work to implement a strategic plan, manage organizational operations, and foster a culture of collaboration and accountability – ensuring alignment between national goals and grassroots implementation. The Executive Director will provide overall management and oversight of the $2.9 million budget and SADD’s team of 21 committed and mission-focused staff members.

 

CANDIDATE PROFILE

 

The ideal candidate will be a charismatic, mission-driven leader with a proven track record in development, executive management, and serving as their organization’s lead ambassador. They will possess deep empathy for youth and a passion for prevention, ideally informed by personal or professional experience.

 

The next Executive Director must be both visionary and hands-on – advancing SADD’s values of empowerment, inclusivity, and innovation, leading with both heart and strategy to ensure the organization’s continued success. Fund development, executive management experience, and experience serving as the key external representative of a nonprofit organization will be given top priority.

 

Experience in youth development, public health, or traffic safety is preferred, along with a collaborative leadership style that empowers staff across distributed locations and that honors SADD’s student-centered mission. Personally, the Executive Director should be approachable, empathetic, and collaborative – able to inspire staff, students, and stakeholders alike. Strong communication skills, financial acumen, and the ability to build authentic relationships across diverse constituencies are essential.

 

Important qualifications include:

 

• Fundraising and Development Expertise: The ideal candidate will possess a proven track record in securing diverse revenue streams, including corporate sponsorships, foundation grants, and individual donor support. This leader must prioritize fundraising from day one, ensuring financial strength and enabling strategic growth. Experience in donor cultivation, stewardship, and campaign execution is essential.

• Strategic and Operational Leadership: Candidates should demonstrate strong strategic planning capabilities paired with practical operational oversight. The Executive Director will be responsible for aligning national goals with field-level execution, managing budgets, evaluating programs, and ensuring compliance. A history of leading complex organizations through growth or transition will be highly valued.

• Collaborative and Empowering Leadership Style: SADD seeks a leader who fosters trust, transparency, and shared ownership. The Executive Director must empower staff, particularly state coordinators and field engagement teams, by recognizing their expertise and supporting their work. Leadership presence in a hybrid role will be important to the Executive Director’s success in this role. A collaborative approach to decision-making and team development is essential.

• Exceptional Communication and Brand-Building: Skills The Executive Director will serve as the public face of SADD, representing the organization to funders, partners, media, and national audiences. Candidates must be skilled communicators— able to articulate vision, inspire stakeholders, and elevate SADD’s visibility. Experience in video communications, brand positioning, and external engagement is a plus.

• Mission-Driven and Relational: The ideal candidate will be deeply passionate about SADD’s mission and authentically connected to youth issues. Whether through personal experience, professional background, or community involvement, this leader must demonstrate empathy, integrity, and a commitment to positive youth outcomes. Approachability and relational intelligence are key.

• Youth Advocacy and Programmatic Insight: An understanding of youth development, prevention programming, or public health is desirable. The ideal candidate will appreciate the nuances of peer-led models and be committed to elevating student voices. Experience working directly with youth or youth-serving organizations will help the Executive Director remain grounded in SADD’s mission. A background in education, youth development, or traffic safety is advantageous, as is familiarity with federal and state grant landscapes.

• Resilient and Adaptable: Leading a national youth organization requires flexibility, perseverance, and the ability to navigate uncertainty. The Executive Director must be comfortable managing change, responding to emerging challenges, and adapting strategies to meet evolving needs. A steady, solutionsoriented mindset will be critical to success.

 

ANTI-DISCRIMINATION POLICY

 

A founding principle of SADD has been a conception of inclusion. We believe all individuals are created equal and stand equal in the eyes of this organization. The organization complies with all applicable anti-discrimination laws and does not discriminate against or give any individual or group preferential treatment. This basis includes but is not limited to age, race, gender, color, economic status, ethnicity, linguistic heritage, cultural background, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability or ability, medical condition, religious creed, marital status, employment status, housing status, sexual orientation, gender identity or veterans’ status or any other characteristic or status or distinction that is protected by law.

 

SADD is committed to providing an inclusive, safe, and educational environment for all participants, volunteers, and staff. The organization ensures compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; 49 CFR, part 21, related statutes and regulations to the end that no person shall be excluded from participation in or be denied the benefits of or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Transportation on the grounds of race, color, sex, or national origin.

 

We believe the most effective leadership for our organization will come from individuals who bring diverse perspectives and backgrounds to this role. Your unique experience could be exactly what SADD needs. If you have a passion for youth, experience in youth programming, health or safety, and leadership skills that could advance our mission, we encourage you to apply.

 

COMPENSATION, BENEFITS & APPLICATION FOR POSITION

 

SADD offers a competitive salary and benefits package.

 

The salary range for this position annually is between $140,000 and $160,000 and will be commensurable with experience. The comprehensive benefits package includes health, dental, vision, group life insurance, and a 403(b) retirement plan. SADD offers flexible, unlimited paid time off to empower employees to manage their work-life balance responsibly.

 

How to apply

 

To apply, please submit a current resume and letter of introduction to Kittleman & Associates, LLC. For best consideration, kindly apply by January 16, 2026.

 

→ SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION TO KITTLEMAN ONLINE (CLICK THE APPLY BUTTON AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE)

 

→ CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT SADD