About Start Without a Shot
Founded in 2024 following the debut of a trauma-informed start sound at the Nova Post First Barrier-Free Marathon in Kyiv, Ukraine; Start Without a Shot (www.startwithoutashot.org) exists to replace triggering starter sounds — including gunshots, airhorns, and cannons — with inclusive, research-backed alternatives.
Born from a collaboration between Barking Owl, Gres Todorchuk, Nova Post, and Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the non-profit social impact initiative aims to establish a new global standard for race starts ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Our work centers on three core pillars:
Modernization & Infrastructure: Providing a free, digital, World Athletics-compliant start sound compatible with any start-line system.
Policy & Industry Adoption: Partnering with governing bodies, race directors, veterans organizations, and event producers to standardize inclusive start practices.
Research & Storytelling: Elevating the voices of veterans, trauma survivors, and neurodivergent participants while grounding adoption in research and measurable impact.
We believe sport sets cultural norms. Modernizing how races begin is both a competitive integrity evolution and an inclusion imperative.
The Opportunity
Start Without a Shot is seeking a dynamic, globally minded part-time Executive Director to lead the initiative’s next phase of international adoption and institutionalization.
This is a high-impact leadership role for an operator who is equally comfortable in governing body boardrooms, race director summits, and strategic planning sessions. The Managing Director will be responsible for driving global adoption of Start Without a Shot — securing commitments from governing bodies, major marathons, mid-size races, and local event operators — while building the operational and financial infrastructure required to scale responsibly through 2028 and beyond.
Reporting to the Global Chairman, the Executive Director will serve as the initiative’s chief external relations and implementation leader — overseeing global partnerships, communications strategy, fundraising, and financial stewardship.
Key Responsibilities
Global Adoption & Governing Body Engagement (Primary Focus)
● Proactively engage national and international sport governing bodies, race directors, and event organizers to secure formal adoption of Start Without a Shot.
● Represent the initiative in global sport forums, conferences, and governing meetings.
● Develop and execute a structured adoption roadmap segmented by major marathons, mid-size races, and local events.
● Negotiate partnership frameworks, memoranda of understanding, and implementation agreements.
● Track and report adoption milestones leading up to the 2028 Olympic Games.
Strategic Communications & Marketing Oversight
● Oversee global marketing, communications, and social media strategy.
● Manage external contractors (PR firms, social agencies, content producers, researchers) to ensure cohesive messaging and measurable growth.
● Develop campaigns that drive awareness among race directors, veterans communities, sponsors, and governing bodies.
● Ensure brand integrity and consistency across all platforms and partnerships.
● Leverage storytelling to convert visibility into institutional adoption.
Fundraising & Revenue Strategy
● Design and execute a multi-year fundraising strategy aligned with adoption and scale goals.
● Secure institutional, corporate, foundation, and philanthropic funding.
● Build and manage a global sponsorship and donor pipeline.
● Develop funding strategies tied to research validation, international rollout, and long-term sustainability.
Financial, Legal & Operational Stewardship
● Own and manage the initiative’s annual budget and financial forecasting.
● Work with legal counsel to structure agreements with governing bodies, sponsors, and event partners.
● Ensure compliance with nonprofit, international, and sport regulatory standards.
● Evaluate ROI on marketing, travel, and implementation expenditures.
● Align growth velocity with operational capacity and fiscal responsibility.
Strategic Planning & Impact Measurement
● Develop a multi-year global expansion roadmap through LA 2028 and beyond.
● Establish KPIs tied to adoption rates, participant impact, media reach, and governing body commitments.
● Report regularly to stakeholders on financial performance, regulatory milestones, and global progress.
Collaboration with the Global Chairman
The Executive Director will serve as the operational and external leader of Start Without a Shot, working in close partnership with the Global Chairman to advance global adoption and institutional reform.
While the Global Chairman focuses on high-level strategy, industry influence, and long-term vision, the Executive Director will lead day-to-day execution and growth.
Together they will:
● Translate global strategy into structured adoption roadmaps and measurable milestones.
● Align governing body engagement and race director outreach with financial capacity and operational readiness.
● Ensure marketing, communications, and partnership efforts reflect the initiative’s long-term positioning and brand integrity.
● Coordinate annual budgets, fundraising targets, and resource allocation.
● Oversee legal, compliance, and partnership frameworks required for international implementation.
● Maintain consistent reporting to stakeholders on adoption progress, financial performance, and strategic priorities.
The Executive Director will operate with meaningful autonomy while maintaining close alignment with the Global Chairman on mission-critical decisions and global expansion strategy.
Qualifications
Required
● 5–7+ years of leadership experience in sport governance, nonprofit leadership, public affairs, or multi-stakeholder initiatives.
● Demonstrated experience working with governing bodies, federations, event organizers, or regulatory institutions.
● Proven ability to secure institutional partnerships, sponsorships, or multi-year funding commitments.
● Experience overseeing marketing, communications, and external contractors or agencies.
● Strong financial acumen, including budget ownership, forecasting, and ROI evaluation.
● Comfort navigating legal agreements, partnership frameworks, and compliance requirements.
● Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including executive-level presentations and negotiations.
● Willingness and ability to travel internationally.
Preferred
● Experience in global sport, endurance events, Olympic sport ecosystems, or race/event management.
● Background in veterans advocacy, accessibility, inclusion initiatives, or policy reform.
● Familiarity with nonprofit governance and board reporting.
● Experience scaling a mission-driven initiative from early traction to institutional standard.
Compensation & Structure
This is a part-time contract position with compensation commensurate with experience. Benefits and incentives can be tailored to the selected candidate’s background and fit.
To learn more and apply use this Online Application