COMPANY OVERVIEW

Founded in 2012, the Model Alliance’s mission is to address labor abuses in the fashion industry, starting in New York State with ripple effects across the U.S. and beyond. The Model Alliance is a New York City-based 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that advances workers’ rights in the fashion industry. From establishing child labor protections in the modeling industry to creating a lookback window for adult survivors of sexual abuse to pursue justice, we have made meaningful strides towards a safer, more equitable fashion industry and world. 

The founding purpose of the Model Alliance is to address exploitative structures and limited regulatory oversight in the fashion industry that result in harm to workers and the broader public by advocating for labor rights and survivor justice. 

The mission of the Model Alliance is focused on organizing fashion workers to establish meaningful standards, build the evidence base, and advance legal protections. Examples of the impact the Model Alliance has made in the fashion industry since its inception are as follows: 

• 2013, we championed the Child Model Act, which extended labor rights to children who work as models in New York State. 

• 2018, we championed the Talent Protections Act, which requires talent agencies in California to educate models and other performers about sexual harassment and eating disorders. 

• 2022, we championed the Adult Survivors Act, providing a pathway to justice for adult survivors of sexual assault who fall outside the statute of limitations. 

• 2024, we championed the Fashion Workers Act, which regulates model management companies and creates labor protections for models working in New York’s fashion industry. The Fashion Workers Act went into effect on June 19, 2025.

Today, as a Labor Rights & Advocacy Nonprofit we’ve served thousands of individuals with work-related concerns and championed legislation that allowed time-barred survivors of sexual assault to hold their abusers accountable. Given our influential impact on workers’ rights in the fashion industry, and as a lean organization with a team of two (2) employees, we are looking for an Deputy Director.

Location: New York, NY or California (Remote)

Position Type: Full-Time

Reports To: Founding Executive Director (ED)

The Deputy Director champions and plays a vital role in labor rights and mobilizes support for workers and survivors of abuse. This internally and externally facing role blends strategic and tactical tasks such as overseeing and managing the operations of the organization, representing the organization, and identifying and leading initiatives that increase the organization's impact. Additionally this role will focus on overseeing the expansion of the Model Alliance’s worker engagement, organizing, and communications work, which is core to our impact. The areas of responsibility for this position focus on policy and advocacy, education and awareness, direct worker support, research and development, and overseeing and managing operations.

Policy & Advocacy

• Fully owns and executes administrative and logistical tasks for items such as: meetings with stakeholders, press conferences, lobby days, written or verbal correspondence to consultants, vendors, worker council, legislators, lobbyists, and Board.

• Represents the Model Alliance internally and externally by actively participating in coalition, stakeholder and Board meetings.

• Fully owns, oversees and tracks proposed bill language.

Education & Awareness

• Manages the development and distribution of Model Alliance content such as: newsletters, graphics, and short-form video content.

• Oversees, manages, and executes social media initiative: LinkedIn, Website, Instagram, and newsletter

• Plans and executes of Know Your Rights events and awareness campaigns with ED, worker leaders, and consultants.

Direct Support

• Is the primary point of contact for inquiries received through our support line and reports on activities

• Tracks recurring issues and shares observations to help inform enforcement and policy priorities

• Owns and coordinates referrals to trusted attorneys, as appropriate

Research

• Manages worker participation in research projects and supports research partners

Development

• Prepares draft materials for fundraisers, grant proposals and reports, and newsletters, social posts, and customizable outreach notes

• Participates in meetings with current and prospective funders and tracks grants and donor renewal timelines

• Fully owns and executes on administrative and logistical tasks for fundraising activities such as preparing and distribution of fundraising materials and pitch decks

Operations

• Interacts with the Board by preparing materials for quarterly board meetings, recording and drafting, and distributing board meeting minutes.

• Owns operational tasks such as serving as safeguarding lead by monitoring inbox for concerns, scheduling of meetings, and coordinating vendors for events. 

• Owns administrative and compliance tasks, including lobbying disclosures, compiling accounting documentation, renewing insurance, and more as needed

• 5-9 years experience in labor organizing, public affairs, public policy, nonprofit administration, digital strategy, or advocacy journalism. 

• Familiarity with the fashion industry and the political landscape and grassroots community organizations, preferred.

• Blends sharp written and verbal communication skills, strong attention to detail and a deep dedication to social and economic justice.

• Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Political Science, Law, or a related field (or equivalent grassroots campaign  experience), preferred.

• Familiarity with social media platforms, programs, and tools such as Mac, Canva, Zoom, Whatsapp, Signal, Gmail, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, Mailchimp, PitchDeck and Squarespace.

• High level of organization, ability to juggle multiple priorities and tasks, and pivot quickly based on urgency.

• Excellent time management skills and the ability to delegate or escalate as needed.

• Ability to build relationships and engage in strictly confidential conversations with internal and external stakeholders and willingness to own problems through to resolution.

• Willingness to work remotely and meet in person when needed.

In compliance with the New York City and California Pay Transparency Law, the expected base salary range for this role is $100,000 - $110,000 per year, depending on experience and size of organization.

• Retirement savings plan with a dollar-for-dollar employer match of up to 3%

• 100% employer-paid comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance

• Flexibility to work from home

Please submit your resume and cover letter for consideration by emailing our hiring team at hiring@modelalliance.org. To ensure your application is processed quickly, please follow these guidelines:

• Subject Line: Application: [Job Title] – [Your Last Name, First Name]

• Attachments: Please attach both your resume and cover letter as PDF documents.

• File Naming: Name your files clearly (e.g., FirstName_LastName_Resume.pdf).

• Email Body: In the body of your email, please include a brief introduction (2-3 sentences) stating the position you are applying for and why you are a strong fit.

Model Alliance is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.