Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

The Life You Can Save (TLYCS) translates moral argument into measurable action by identifying rigorously vetted nonprofits that save and improve lives in some of the world’s poorest countries, and inspiring donors worldwide to support them. Since 2009, over 150,000 people have engaged with our work, directing more than $100 million to highly effective poverty-relief organizations. We are seeking a CEO to lead TLYCS through its next chapter of growth and impact.

About the role

As the senior leader of TLYCS, the CEO reports directly to the Board of Directors and is responsible for the organization's strategy, culture, operations, and growth. This role is for a builder who will multiply TLYCS’s impact—currently directing approximately $24 million annually to effective poverty-relief work—by significantly and sustainably increasing that number while maintaining the intellectual rigor and donor trust that underpin our credibility.

Responsibilities

• Set the direction: Shape and execute TLYCS’s long-term strategy in collaboration with the Board, identifying high-leverage opportunities, translating goals into clear priorities, and ensuring decisions remain mission-aligned.
• Own the growth agenda: Drive fundraising as the engine of TLYCS’s impact by cultivating major donor relationships, leading the development team, and expanding both the funds directed to recommended charities and the operational funding needed to sustain TLYCS.
• Control the resources: Determine budget size and allocation (subject to Board approval), making strategic choices to maintain a lean, high-performing organization.
• Lead the team: Manage a senior leadership team spanning marketing, operations, and fundraising, and foster a remote-first culture that is high-trust, mission-driven, and globally distributed.
• Carry the flag: Serve as a principal public voice for TLYCS, engaging donors, media, partners in effective altruism and philanthropy, and broader audiences with a compelling case for evidence-based giving.

Requirements

• Demonstrated commitment to TLYCS’s mission and values through professional work, philanthropy, volunteering, advocacy, or other sustained efforts. Intellectual agreement alone is insufficient.
• Experience in international development and/or global health, including understanding of evidence-based approaches to reducing extreme poverty and identifying high-impact, cost-effective interventions.
• Proven track record in nonprofit fundraising, particularly in cultivating major donors, foundations, or institutional funders, and growing a broad base of individual donors through compelling messaging.
• Experience leading or overseeing marketing and communications, with an understanding of how brand, audience engagement, and strategic communications support fundraising and organizational growth.
• Several years of senior leadership experience, with a track record of organizational growth, strategy execution, team leadership, budget management, and earning the trust of boards and stakeholders.
• Strong communication and external representation skills, including the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences.

Preferred Qualifications

• Effectiveness in a remote and globally distributed working environment.
• Existing networks among potential funders and across philanthropy, global health, and development sectors.

Practical Requirements

• Fully remote role; candidates must have the legal right to work in their country of residence. Visa sponsorship or relocation support is not provided.
• Flexibility to participate in meetings across key markets (United States, Australia) and collaborate with team members in South Africa, which may require working outside standard hours.
• Full-time commitment; this role requires the CEO’s undivided professional focus.
• Willingness and ability to travel internationally for Board meetings, donor engagement, team meetings, conferences, and other organizational priorities.

Pay

Salary range: $150,000 USD – $225,000 USD, commensurate with experience.

Benefits

• Fully remote work flexibility.
• Opportunity to lead an organization that directs tens of millions of dollars annually to highly effective poverty-relief efforts.