Director of Investigations

American Oversight • Washington, DC

9d • $130,000 - $150,000 • Remote

About The Position

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.

Requirements

• 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).

Nice To Haves

• 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Benefits

• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 1-10 employees