Job description
Who We Are
American Oversight is a nonpartisan, nonprofit watchdog that advances truth, accountability, and democracy by enforcing the public’s right to government records. We use multiple tools, backed by aggressive litigation, to fight attacks on democratic institutions, threats to civil rights and liberties, abuses of power, and erosion of government transparency. We expose and disrupt these attacks, and the officials and networks behind them, by forcing the government to turn over records officials would rather keep secret.
Since our founding in 2017, American Oversight has:
- Shut down Trump’s bogus “voter fraud” commission.
- Revealed the Trump-sanctioned pressure campaign on the Ukrainian government by forcing the Trump administration to turn over records initially withheld from Congress.
- Uncovered rampant preventable deaths of immigrants in federal custody.
- Unmasked taxpayer-funded sham “audits” of the 2020 election.
- Obtained the fake electors’ forged certificates submitted by fake electors during the 2020 election.
- Exposed networks of election denialists and subverters around the country.
- Halted the impeachment of a newly elected state supreme court justice in Wisconsin.
- Blocked state election board members in Georgia and Wisconsin from taking anti-democratic actions in secret.
We are committed to fighting threats of democracy at the federal, state, and local levels, using time-tested and innovative tools to expose misconduct, defend against attacks on marginalized communities, and demand accountability.
For more information, please visit our website:www.americanoversight.org
About the Role
Reporting to the Vice President, Litigation and Investigations, American Oversight is seeking a Director of Investigations to join its team.
The Director of Investigations will lead American Oversight’s Investigations Team — managing a team of investigators and senior investigators, advising executive leadership, and collaborating across departments to help develop and execute high-impact investigations that surface critical insights and inform the organization’s broader litigation strategy.
The Director will play a central role in shaping investigative approaches — including methods that enhance and go beyond public records work — to uncover government misconduct, reveal behind-the-scenes influence and decision-making, and expose the disproportionate impact of policies and practices on Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and other marginalized communities.
What You Will Do
- 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.
What You Will Bring
- 10+ years of experience conducting and leading progressively complex investigations — including in fields such as, but not limited to, 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.
- Exceptionally strong skills in the following areas:
- People Management:Leads a high-performing team through clear direction, mentorship, and support. Fosters an inclusive, collaborative culture and aligns individual growth with organizational goals.
- Project Management: Leads multiple investigative projects with varying scopes and timelines. Balances long-term planning with rapid response, ensuring timely, high-quality execution.
- Communication: Communicates complex ideas, information, and findings clearly and confidently — both orally and in writing — tailoring language to suit diverse audiences and contexts. Produces well-organized, error-free work that reflects strong subject-matter expertise and professionalism.
- Accountability: Takes ownership of team performance and deliverables. Sets clear expectations, addresses challenges proactively, and upholds high standards of integrity and professionalism.
- Thrives in a dynamic, fast-paced work environment where priorities can shift quickly.
- Proven ability to think strategically, exercise sound judgment, and act with entrepreneurial initiative in fast-paced, evolving environments.
- Experience working in and/or desire to contribute to workplaces with a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- 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.
- Demonstrated ability to use strategic communications to amplify investigative outcomes and increase public awareness and impact.
We encourage individuals to apply even if they do not have any of the desired qualifications.
What We Offer:
American Oversight offers its employees a generous and comprehensive benefits package that includes 80% of health, dental, and vision premiums paid by the organization, a retirement plan with a matching contribution, and remote office reimbursements for personal devices and wireless connectivity.
Location:
This is a remote position and may require occasional travel to American Oversight’s Washington, DC office for team meetings and staff retreats. Our office in Washington, DC is an optional workspace.
Salary Range:
$130,000 - $150,000 (commensurate with experience)
Timeline:
Interested applicants are encouraged to apply by August 22 to ensure consideration of your application. Following August 22, we will be interviewing candidates and continue to review applications on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
Our Commitment to an Inclusive Workplace:
At American Oversight, we value and strive to hire, develop, and grow a diverse and inclusive team. We are an equal opportunity employer, and encourage applications from all individuals without regard to an individual’s race, color, sex, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local laws. We strongly encourage individuals to apply for opportunities at American Oversight even if they do not have any of the desired qualifications.
