How to apply for Executive Director of SFWA

About Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association

SFWA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit for published writers and industry professionals in science fiction, fantasy, and related genres. Founded in 1965, it runs the annual Nebula Conference, the Nebula Awards, and programs that assist authors worldwide.

About the role

The executive director is the key management leader for SFWA, reporting to the Board of Directors and leading a fully remote team of employees, contractors, and volunteers. The role covers strategic direction, administration, programs, fundraising, marketing, and community outreach for the organization.

A typical day

A typical day might include meetings with remote staff and volunteers, reviewing program plans for the Nebula Conference or author assistance programs, and working on fundraising or outreach with the board. The role also involves administration and strategic planning, with travel to the annual conference location. Exact daily routines depend on the board's priorities; ask about them in the interview.

Who Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association is looking for

• Has nonprofit executive or senior management experience, including working with a board of directors on governance and strategic planning.
• Has a track record in fundraising and development, since the role includes scaling bonuses for meeting development goals.
• Can manage a fully remote team of employees, contractors, and volunteers across different time zones and work styles.
• Knows the science fiction and fantasy publishing landscape, including writers' organizations, conventions, and industry professionals.

Tips for this application

• Address the hybrid location requirement directly. State that you are US-based, eligible for legal employment, and able to travel to the annual conference location.
• Show familiarity with SFWA's specific programs: the Nebula Conference, the Nebula Awards, and its author assistance programs. Name them in your materials.
• Give concrete fundraising numbers from past roles, since compensation includes scaling bonuses tied to development goals.
• Describe how you have managed remote teams that include both paid staff and volunteers, because this role leads all three groups.
• Explain how you would work with a board of directors on governance, not just day-to-day operations.

What to cover in your cover letter

Your experience reporting to or working with a nonprofit board on governance and strategy. Your fundraising record with specific results. Your ability to lead a remote team of employees, contractors, and volunteers. Your connection to or knowledge of the science fiction and fantasy writing community.

Research before applying

• Read SFWA's published programs and member benefits to understand what the organization does beyond the Nebula Awards.
• Review recent Nebula Conference and Nebula Awards information to see the scale and format of these events.
• Look up SFWA's board structure and governance model to understand the executive director's reporting line.
• Check SFWA's public communications and any available annual reports for fundraising priorities and development goals.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• How would you build and maintain a strategic plan with the board and volunteers?
• What fundraising strategies would you use to meet development goals and earn the scaling bonuses?
• How do you manage a fully remote team that mixes employees, contractors, and volunteers?
• What do you know about the Nebula Conference and Nebula Awards, and how would you support them?
• How would you handle the hybrid schedule, including travel to the annual conference location?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Applying without nonprofit board experience when the role reports directly to a Board of Directors.
• Ignoring the fundraising and development goals that drive the scaling bonuses in the compensation package.
• Treating the role as a general operations job and missing the strategic leadership and community outreach duties.