NEXT Harm Reduction, Executive Director
About NEXT Harm Reduction
Founded in 2017, NEXT Harm Reduction (aka NEXT Distro) provides online and mail-based harm reduction resources to individuals who cannot access in-person services. Built on the premise that people who use drugs should have access to the supplies, education, and support they need to stay alive and healthy, regardless of where they live. NEXT Distro was one of the first online and mail-based harm reduction programs in the United States.
Operating through its flagship program, NEXT Distro, NEXT addresses a substantial need. Despite decades of growth in the harm reduction field, most U.S. counties have no harm reduction services. Geographic isolation, economic barriers, stigma, and limited transportation keep millions of people from accessing harm reduction supplies and naloxone, which means that the communities most exposed to overdose risk are often those furthest from existing resources. NEXT was designed specifically for them.
Through its hub-and-spoke affiliate model, NEXT partners with more than 30 harm reduction organizations nationwide to coordinate free mail delivery of sterile syringes, naloxone, sharps containers, safer-use supplies, and overdose-prevention education directly to households. To date, NEXT has reached households in more than 80% of U.S. counties and has received requests from across all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Its naloxone distribution platform was among the first statewide mail-based program of its kind in the country, and NEXT's technology infrastructure now powers mail-based programs operated by affiliate partners in multiple states.
NEXT's work sits at the intersection of public health, racial equity, and drug user rights. The organization is grounded in the belief that people who use drugs deserve non-judgmental, privacy-protected access to care, and that the communities most harmed by the overdose crisis and by structural exclusion from the healthcare system deserve a program built around their needs.
In 2025, NEXT shipped 54,063 naloxone packages and 12,462 full-service harm reduction packages. NEXT received 5,211 reports of naloxone being used in an overdose incident.
The Mission
NEXT is focused on expanding free harm reduction resources, supplies, and support through an online and mail-based modality of service provision. NEXT’s platform is designed to reduce opioid overdose death, prevent injection-related disease transmission, and improve the lives of people who use drugs. NEXT does this by engaging and supporting people who are not served or are underserved by pre-existing public health infrastructure and traditional models of harm reduction.
Organizational Highlights
Founded: 2017
Annual Operating Budget: $2.6 million
Board of Directors: 5
Staff: 10
Headquarters: New York, NY
The Opportunity
This is a rare opportunity for a visionary leader and skilled fundraiser to take a nationally recognized organization with an urgent mandate and grow it to the scale the moment demands.
The Position
Reporting to the Board of Directors and leading a talented, values-driven nine-person hybrid team, the Executive Director is responsible for setting the organization's vision and strategic direction, building financial sustainability, managing external relationships, and aligning strategy, culture, and operations.
The new Executive Director will leverage the organization’s solid infrastructure and proven model to expand national reach and deepen impact for the communities NEXT serves. The visionary new leader will develop and implement a strategic growth plan, diversify revenue, and ensure the organization has the capacity to match its ambitions. Essential responsibilities include:
Fundraising and Revenue Development
Comprehensive fundraising strategy development and execution to diversify revenue across individual, institutional, and government funders;
Cultivation and stewardship of relationships with current and prospective funders to build a durable base of philanthropic support;
Leadership of grant proposals and funder reports, in close partnership with program staff, to ensure accuracy and mission alignment;
Grants portfolio oversight, in partnership with the fiscal team, ensuring timely and accurate reporting to all funders;
Annual fundraising goal-setting and progress tracking, with regular reporting to the Board of Directors.
Strategic Leadership and Organizational Development
Partnership with the Board and staff to develop and implement a new strategic plan;
Clear, transparent, and inspiring leadership of a nine-person hybrid team, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and joy;
Supervision of department-level leaders, ensuring cross-functional alignment across programs, finance, and operations;
External representation at national, state, and community levels, including speaking engagements, coalitions, and public-facing communications;
Active commitment to racial equity and the inclusion of people with lived experience in organizational culture and decision-making at every level.
Partnerships and National Presence
Stewardship of trust-based relationships with 30+ affiliate partner organizations to strengthen their capacity to deliver mail-based harm reduction services in their communities;
Identification and development of new affiliate partnerships in states where mail-based services do not yet operate;
Representation in national harm reduction networks, coalitions, and policy spaces;
Communication of model and impact through writing, speaking, and media engagement.
Technology, Security, and Systems
Strategic oversight of digital infrastructure, including ordering and fulfillment systems, internal platforms, and organizational data security, to ensure systems are appropriate, scalable, and mission-aligned;
Championing of a strong organizational security culture that protects the privacy and safety of program participants, who depend on discretion;
Partnership with the Program Director to sustain and complete the current technology systems review, implement improvements, and ensure platforms are fit for scale.
Financial Oversight and Board Partnership
Oversight of organizational financial health in partnership with the external Fiscal team, including budget development, reserve fund strategy, and cash flow management;
Regular financial reporting and strategic updates to the Board of Directors;
Partnership with the Board on governance matters, committee work, long-term planning, and Board recruitment aligned with organizational values and strategic needs.
Position Overview
The Executive Director
Reports to: The Board of Directors
Leads: A team of 9 staff
Oversees: Program Director, Distribution Manager, Intake Coordinator
Manages: A $2.6 million budget
Location: Remote with regular travel to NYC
Professional Requirements
The new Executive Director will be a seasoned nonprofit leader and skilled fundraiser with deep commitment to harm reduction values and the communities NEXT serves. They will be as comfortable cultivating a major donor as they are building relationships with affiliate partners across the country and will approach the work of organizational growth with both strategic vision and hands-on discipline. The ideal candidate will have:
Significant senior leadership experience in a nonprofit organization, with direct accountability for fundraising outcomes;
A demonstrated track record of growing revenue through multiple channels, including grants, individual donors, and institutional funders;
Experience managing a complex, multi-funder grant portfolio;
Strong people management skills with demonstrated ability to lead, develop, and support a remote team;
Experience developing and executing organizational strategy in partnership with a board of directors and program staff;
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to speak compellingly to audiences ranging from foundation program officers to national policy stakeholders;
Demonstrated commitment to racial equity and the meaningful inclusion of people with lived experience in organizational leadership and decision-making;
A strong, genuine understanding of and commitment to harm reduction principles;
Experience in a multistate or national nonprofit organization is strongly preferred;
Experience in harm reduction, public health, drug policy, or adjacent fields is preferred;
Familiarity with online service delivery or technology-enabled program models is a plus;
Understanding of technology security and privacy as it relates to serving criminalized or otherwise vulnerable communities is a plus;
Existing relationships in the national harm reduction or drug policy landscape are a plus;
Personal or family experience with drug use, criminal legal system involvement, homelessness, or sex work is valued.
Essential Qualities
Leaders who will thrive in this role will be energized to redefine healthcare, passionately believe in the rights of people who use drugs, and be comfortable challenging legal precedent.
Personal Characteristics
NEXT is looking for a leader who is energized by the work of building something sustainable, not just managing what exists. You are a fundraiser at heart, someone who builds relationships with ease and follows through with discipline. You understand that NEXT's financial future depends on expanding beyond its current funder base, and you are ready to lead that work personally.
You lead with both clarity and warmth. You are direct without being rigid, collaborative without being passive, and principled without being preachy. You inspire trust in the people you work with because you listen well, communicate honestly, and do what you say you will do.
You take NEXT's security and privacy obligations seriously. You understand that the communities we serve depend on us to protect their information, and you bring that awareness into every technology decision.
Most importantly, you believe in the autonomous rights of people who use drugs and in the power of harm reduction to save lives. If you are new to this field, a genuine curiosity and deep respect for the communities we serve is equally welcome.
Compensation
The salary range for this position is $165,000–$175,000. NEXT’s benefits include 100% employer-sponsored health insurance, a retirement plan with a 3% employer match, and a generous paid time off policy.
Location
The position is remote with the expectation of travel to NEXT Harm Reduction's distribution center in New York City at least six times during the first year. Additionally, the Executive Director is required to be onsite in January during the biannual New York State site visit.
Contact
Please submit a résumé and an original cover letter describing your interest in NEXT’s mission and qualifications through the application portal on our website.
Michelle Kristel, Principal
McCormack + Kristel
1325 Avenue of the Americas, 28th Floor | New York, NY 10019
Phone: 212.531.5003 | Email: search@mccormackkristel.com
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. This position will remain open until filled. All inquiries will be kept strictly confidential.
Background Check Statement
Please note that McCormack + Kristel will check references, verify employment history and academic credentials, and our clients frequently request background checks before finalizing an offer.
EOE Statement
McCormack + Kristel works only with equal opportunity employers. NEXT Harm Reduction is an equal opportunity employer. NEXT encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status and record of arrest or conviction, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Black people, Indigenous people, people of color; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex people; women; people with disabilities, protected veterans, and formerly incarcerated individuals are all strongly encouraged to apply.
NEXT recognizes the valuable skills that can be gained through internships, fellowships, volunteer work, and non-traditional work experience. This experience helps build competencies and knowledge that may translate to job openings. NEXT seeks a diversity of experience and skills in its workplace and encourages people from all backgrounds to apply for its openings.