Summary
Description
About the job
U.S. Center for SafeSport
The U.S. Center for SafeSport is an independent nonprofit dedicated to ensuring athletes can thrive in a culture of respect and safety. SafeSport provides education, prevention tools, and investigates reports of physical, emotional, and sexual misconduct across the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement. With jurisdiction over 11 million individuals from over 50 sports—including athletes, coaches, and administrators—SafeSport is a national leader in athlete protection.
SafeSport originated from a 2010 USOPC initiative to address misconduct in sports. In 2012, SafeSport launched its first online training with 47 National Governing Bodies (NGBs). By 2017, it became an independent organization, formally authorized by Congress in 2018 through the Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act. A second law, the 2020 Empowering Olympic, Paralympic, and Amateur Athletes Act, secured $20 million in annual funding from the USOPC. SafeSport also receives $2.2 million annually from the U.S. Department of Justice.
Headquartered in Denver with 130 staff, SafeSport operates independently from the USOPC. It is annually reviewed by the Government Accountability Office and complies with strict federal and state reporting laws. The organization has managed over 32,000 abuse reports since 2017 and maintains a public Centralized Disciplinary Database of 2,400+ restricted or banned individuals. More than 7.4 million trainings have been delivered to 3.6 million participants.
With a robust audit program for every NGB, a new strategic plan, and expanded resources, SafeSport is actively reshaping the culture of sport nationwide.
Learn more at: https://uscenterforsafesport.org
The Opportunity
At a critical moment in athlete advocacy, the next Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SafeSport will serve as a national leader in advancing safety, accountability, and inclusion in sport. This role is ideal for a values-driven executive who can lead with strategic clarity, operational strength, and principled integrity.
This is a visible, high-stakes role requiring empathy, vision, and the ability to unify diverse stakeholders. The CEO will lead internal operations while forging partnerships with Congress, federal agencies, the USOPC, NGBs, and survivor communities.
Strategic Priorities
The next CEO will:
- Strengthen operations and sustainability through sound management and strategic growth.
- Safeguard SafeSport’s independence and elevate its national profile through advocacy and collaboration.
- Build trust across athletes, staff, survivors, policymakers, and the broader sport community.
- Drive cultural change through education, compliance enforcement, and prevention.
Key Responsibilities
Reporting to the Board of Directors, the CEO will:
Leadership & Strategy
- Serve as a visible national voice for SafeSport’s mission.
- Champion organizational culture rooted in inclusion, integrity, and excellence.
- Lead the implementation of SafeSport’s strategic plan and priorities.
- Collaborate with survivor advocates, athletes, and allied organizations.
- Respond with transparency to feedback and public scrutiny.
- Represent SafeSport with Congress, funders, media, and sport leadership.
Organizational & Operational Oversight
- Oversee a multi-location, fast-growing team.
- Strengthen systems, infrastructure, and change management practices.
- Lead human capital strategy and support an adaptive, inclusive workplace.
- Ensure financial health, operational compliance, and high-quality services.
Stakeholder & External Engagement
- Build and sustain bipartisan relationships with federal legislators and agencies.
- Deepen collaboration with NGBs and sport organizations.
- Expand partnerships with advocacy groups, academic experts, and community leaders.
Ideal Candidate Profile
The next CEO is a mission-driven, collaborative leader with:
- Minimum 10 years’ leadership experience in complex or regulatory organizations.
- Proven record of engaging with legislative and government stakeholders.
- Strong understanding of nonprofit governance, public trust, and sport culture.
- Demonstrated success in change management and organizational growth.
- Commitment to equity, inclusion, and trauma-informed leadership.
- Track record of fostering high-performance cultures and staff well-being.
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills across diverse audiences.
- Experience with fundraising, fee-for-service models, or sustainable business models.
Other desired traits:
- Results-driven decision-making and financial stewardship.
- Strategic vision combined with operational agility.
- Integrity, humility, emotional intelligence, and ethical rigor.
- Comfort with scrutiny and public accountability.
- Understanding of abuse prevention systems, policy, or compliance frameworks.
Education
A bachelor’s degree is required. A master’s or advanced degree is strongly preferred. Experience in labor, legal, or nonprofit sectors related to sport or abuse prevention is advantageous.
Compensation & Benefits
- Salary: $250,000–$300,000, commensurate with experience.
- Benefits: PTO (vacation, sick, holidays), medical/dental/vision insurance, employer-paid life and disability coverage, parental leave, and 401(k) with up to 5% match.
Application Process
To apply, submit your resume and cover letter by September 12 to:
USCenterforSafeSport_CEO@kornferry.com
Note: Per the Empowering Olympic, Paralympic, and Amateur Athletes Act of 2020, applicants must not have been employed by or served on the board of the USOPC or an NGB within the past two years.
Equal Opportunity Statement
The U.S. Center for SafeSport is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any protected status under applicable law. We are committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace.
