Executive Director

Founded in 2024 following the debut of a trauma-informed start sound at the Nova Post First Barrier-Free Marathon in Kyiv, Ukraine;
Start Without a Shot ((Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). ) exists to replace triggering starter sounds — including gunshots, airhorns, and cannons — with inclusive, research-backed alternatives.

Born from a collaboration between Barking Owl, Gres Todorchuk, Nova Post, and Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the non-profit social impact initiative aims to establish a new global standard for race starts ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

Our work centers on three core pillars:

Modernization & Infrastructure: Providing a free, digital, World Athletics-compliant start sound compatible with any start-line system.

Policy & Industry Adoption: Partnering with governing bodies, race directors, veterans organizations, and event producers to standardize inclusive start practices.

Research & Storytelling: Elevating the voices of veterans, trauma survivors, and neurodivergent participants while grounding adoption in research and measurable impact.

We believe sport sets cultural norms. Modernizing how races begin is both a competitive integrity evolution and an inclusion imperative.

Start Without a Shot is seeking a dynamic, globally minded part-time Executive Director to lead the initiative’s next phase of international adoption and institutionalization.

This is a high-impact leadership role for an operator who is equally comfortable in governing body boardrooms, race director summits, and strategic planning sessions. The Managing Director will be responsible for driving global adoption of Start Without a Shot — securing commitments from governing bodies, major marathons, mid-size races, and local event operators — while building the operational and financial infrastructure required to scale responsibly through 2028 and beyond.

Reporting to the Global Chairman, the Executive Director will serve as the initiative’s chief external relations and implementation leader — overseeing global partnerships, communications strategy, fundraising, and financial stewardship.

• Proactively engage national and international sport governing bodies, race directors, and event organizers to secure formal adoption of Start Without a Shot.
• Represent the initiative in global sport forums, conferences, and governing meetings.
• Develop and execute a structured adoption roadmap segmented by major marathons, mid-size races, and local events.
• Negotiate partnership frameworks, memoranda of understanding, and implementation agreements.
• Track and report adoption milestones leading up to the 2028 Olympic Games.

• Oversee global marketing, communications, and social media strategy.
• Manage external contractors (PR firms, social agencies, content producers, researchers) to ensure cohesive messaging and measurable growth.
• Develop campaigns that drive awareness among race directors, veterans communities, sponsors, and governing bodies.
• Ensure brand integrity and consistency across all platforms and partnerships.
• Leverage storytelling to convert visibility into institutional adoption.
• Design and execute a multi-year fundraising strategy aligned with adoption and scale goals.
• Secure institutional, corporate, foundation, and philanthropic funding.
• Build and manage a global sponsorship and donor pipeline.
• Develop funding strategies tied to research validation, international rollout, and long-term sustainability.

• Own and manage the initiative’s annual budget and financial forecasting.
• Work with legal counsel to structure agreements with governing bodies, sponsors, and event partners.
• Ensure compliance with nonprofit, international, and sport regulatory standards.
• Evaluate ROI on marketing, travel, and implementation expenditures.
• Align growth velocity with operational capacity and fiscal responsibility.

• Develop a multi-year global expansion roadmap through LA 2028 and beyond.
• Establish KPIs tied to adoption rates,…