Are you interested in working at Freedom House? Learn more about our organization, our culture, and our people.
About Freedom House
Established more than 80 years ago on the core conviction that freedom flourishes in democratic nations where governments are accountable to their people, Freedom House is a nonpartisan non-profit organization that works to expand and defend freedom globally to help secure a world where all are free.
We are dedicated to ensuring that the United States serves as a positive model of democratic practice at home and a consistent champion of freedom globally. By gathering authoritative data and leveraging our global networks, Freedom House is an unwavering beacon in protecting human rights and promoting democratic governance.
Our Organizational Values
Excellence: We are dedicated to delivering high-quality work that has a meaningful impact on the expansion and resilience of freedom worldwide.
Integrity: We believe that the best way to earn the trust of our colleagues and partners is by acting with courage and honesty in accordance with ethical and democratic principles.
Respect: We strive to treat all of our colleagues and partners with dignity, appreciate their unique contributions, and honor the boundaries they set on their personal and professional lives.
Belonging: We work to foster an environment of compassion and camaraderie, where everyone enjoys mutual support and feels free to share their perspective, whatever their role or background.
Collaboration: We believe that success in our mission requires a collective effort and the active cultivation of open, collegial relationships across the organization and with external partners.
About Our People
Located in more than 30 countries, our staff are passionate human rights and democracy professionals, researchers, advocates, technical experts, and support staff with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and identities who are a force for democracy and hope.
New President Search
Freedom House has contracted Russel Reynolds Associates to conduct a search and recruitment for our new President. Please see more information below and submit recommendations, or applications if interested in this position, to [email protected].
Read Full Position Description
- Position Summary
Based in Washington, D.C. with a dozen field offices around the world, the President reports to the Executive Board, and works closely with the Board of Trustees. The President has responsibility and accountability for the strategic, programmatic, financial, and management operations of the organization.
Specifically, the President will:
▪ Embody the organization’s nonpartisan history as it strategically confronts the key threats to freedom around the world;
▪ Provide inspirational organizational management and visionary leadership;
▪ Maintain a culture of scholarly excellence and intellectual vibrancy across the institution’s research, advocacy, and programmatic areas;
▪ Strengthen collaboration among and between research, advocacy, and operational departments;
▪ Grow the institution’s reach and impact through its research, programming, engagement with audiences, including media and government;
▪ Collaborate with the executive leadership team and the board to achieve unity of purpose;
▪ Diversify the organization’s financial support by cultivating and stewarding private philanthropy as well as public funding;
▪ Maintain and build upon Freedom House’s legacy as a leading voice on expanding and defending freedom globally; and
▪ Ensure that the organization is transparent, aligned with the stated mission, values, and vision, and led by dedicated, diverse, and creative staff.
Candidate Profile
The next President of Freedom House will be an inspirational leader who will have the demonstrated ability to earn the respect of policymakers, experts and leaders in civil society across the political spectrum. The President will possess an intellectual depth, practical experience, and demonstrated management capability to ensure Freedom House’s ability to continue to produce the highest quality research, policy recommendations, programmatic work that will expand and defend freedom globally.
The candidates we look for
With programs in countries around the world that offer opportunities to grow within the organization and learn from the rich experiences of our global staff, we seek candidates with an array of backgrounds and skills. We believe our people are our most important resource and value their diversity of viewpoints, deep commitment to democracy, and entrepreneurial drive, all of which help make Freedom House a more effective and impactful organization.
We are looking for candidates who care deeply about global democracy and human rights, and who are committed to nonpartisanship and democratic values. We encourage candidates of all backgrounds—particularly Black, Indigenous, and people of color, individuals from the LGBTI+ community, and people living with disabilities—to apply.
Benefits of working at Freedom House
We couldn’t achieve our mission without our dedicated employees and their incredible work.
That’s why we strive to provide them with the support they need to do their best work in a healthy balance with their lives.
- Our total compensation package includes:
- Generous paid leave
- Flexible, Hybrid Work Policy options (hybrid, onsite, remote)
- Progressive and generously subsidized health, dental, and vision insurance
- Up to 10% match on 403(b) retirement plan
- Paid parental leave
- Life insurance
- Free robust Staff Care and Resilience Program via KonTerra
- Flexible spending accounts for medical and dependent care
- Commuter benefits
- Monthly telecommunications allowance
- Up to $1500 annual professional development stipend
- Washington DC office: Free gym on-site
- Emergency travel coverage via ISOS
- And more
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
We are passionate human rights and democracy professionals, researchers, advocates, technical experts, and support staff with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and identities who are a force for democracy and hope.
We strongly believe that diversity—in identities, beliefs, and life experiences—makes our work stronger. We recognize that to achieve our vision of a world where all people live freely, we must be an organization that attracts and retains a diverse workforce; has a culture of inclusion, belonging, and respect for all differences; and embeds the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion in all we do.
Resources for Applicants
- Equal Employment Opportunity
Freedom House is an equal employment opportunity employer. Freedom House will ensure equal employment opportunity, and will not discriminate or engage in harassment on the basis of assumed or self-disclosed lived experience of homelessness, race, color, ethnicity, age, national origin, native language or dialect, immigration or citizenship status, indigeneity, sex (including intersex identity), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation (including asexuality), romantic attraction, body type or size, disability (visible or invisible, including mental health and neurodivergence) regardless of formal diagnosis, HIV status, arrest or conviction record or court involvement, parental status (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), sexual and other reproductive health decisions (including family planning, history of abortion, miscarriage etc.), credit history, salary history, housing status, residential location, caregiver status, marital status, partnership(s) status, family structure, status as a survivor of domestic violence (including dating or intimate partner violence), status as a survivor of stalking and/or sexual violence, status as a survivor of any other type of violence, religion or spiritual beliefs and practice, genetic information, military status, employment status, educational background, wealth background, political affiliation or practice, drug use history, history of sex work, participation in other underground economies or any other characteristic as protected by law in any aspect of the employment relationship, including recruiting, hiring, promotion or demotion, transfer, layoff or other form of termination, compensation, assignments, and benefits. With regard to the Americans with Disabilities Act and other related laws, Freedom House will endeavor to make reasonable accommodations for the following reasons: known physical or mental disabilities; the sincere religious beliefs of its employees; and pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.
- Applicant Rights Under Federal Laws
- Questions?
For any additional inquiries or questions, please contact [email protected].