Executive Director (Hybrid)

About Daya

Daya’s mission is to empower South Asian survivors of domestic and sexual violence in the Greater Houston area with culturally specific services and educate the community to end the cycle of abuse and violence. Daya provides free and confidential services such as intake and assessment, individual counseling, client advocacy, legal advocacy, rental assistance, long term case management, support groups, translation and interpretation, career and educational assistance, assistance with accessing public benefits, and referrals.

In 2023, Daya served over 600 survivors, hosted over 100 community education events, and provided more than 50 clients with safe housing.

To learn more, please visit: https://www.dayahouston.org/

Position Summary

At this pivotal point in its growth, Daya seeks a deeply compassionate and strategic leader with a genuine interest in addressing abuse and violence in the South Asian community. We are seeking a hands-on, results-driven, and collaborative Executive Director to decisively promote our mission in the Greater Houston area for years to come. The Executive Director will be accountable for the growth, sustainability, and impact of the organization and serve as the primary spokesperson with community stakeholders, partners, and funders. 

The Executive Director is responsible for the achievement of all operational and strategic goals, including donor development, fiscal management, board relations, staff oversight, compliance with legal and ethical standards, community relations and engagement, and all other administrative matters. Most importantly, the ideal candidate will have an entrepreneurial spirit to evaluate, design, and implement strategies and programs that address the mission and emerging needs in the field. Reporting directly to the Board, the Executive Director will oversee an annual operating budget of ~$1.7M+, a team of 12+ passionate employees and an endowment fund that is being planned for the future.

Candidate Profile

Passion for the Mission

The Executive Director will embody the values embedded within Daya’s mission, programs, and work. A forward thinker, the new leader will boldly and strategically identify opportunities for expanding and deepening the work locally. Working in close collaboration with the staff and Board, the Executive Director will be motivated to achieve the greatest possible impact using Daya’s resources to support survivors of domestic and sexual violence in the South Asian community.

Strategic Thinker

The Executive Director will be a strategic and tactical leader who will, in partnership with the Board and the leadership team and staff, develop and execute the vision for Daya’s next chapter and help the organization strike the right balance between stability and growth.  The successful candidate will have the ability to set priorities decisively, delegate responsibilities, assure accountability, and allocate resources to produce results. With experience scaling programs and/or organizations, the ideal candidate will demonstrate growth capabilities while also ensuring that the organization’s structures and systems are built to support that growth.

Relationship Builder & Impactful Fundraiser

Understanding the significance of Daya’s mission, programs and impact, the Executive Director will possess the ability to speak to diverse audiences with conviction and passion. The ideal candidate will possess knowledge and experience in fundraising and will be adept at engaging donors to support the work of Daya. This leader will have exceptional interpersonal and communication prowess that will facilitate positive, new and ongoing connections with funders, corporate donors, nonprofits partners, and local religious and community leaders.

Inclusive People Manager

The ideal candidate will possess the ability to empower a talented, mission-driven staff to execute on the organization’s vision and to attract new talents to advance the work. An engaged leader with a strong ability to inspire, the Executive Director will manage day to day operations, encourage collaboration across functional areas, and assist all staff to understand and excel in their role in achieving Daya’s strategic goals, together as a strong cohesive and mutually respectful team.

Key Responsibilities:

• In partnership with the Board, develop strategic plans and goals, evaluate and implement programs and initiatives.
• Serve as the organization’s lead fundraiser; identify, cultivate, and steward relationships with current and prospective donors to achieve annual revenue goals; lead annual fundraising events.
• Oversee grants management and forge relationships with a broad spectrum of funding sources including corporations, public and private grant funders, government agencies, and individual contributors.
• Guide the annual budget process and goals, monitor cash flow and financial reporting, verify program expenditures against funding sources, manage annual audits, and advise the Board on short- and long-term fiscal health and sustainability.
• Nurture a culture that is supportive, trusting, challenging, energetic, diverse, and accountable to each other and the communities Daya serves.
• Manage personnel matters including hiring and termination, performance evaluations, staff professional development, disciplinary actions, grievances, and compliance with agency policies and procedures.
• Cultivate and maintain strategic partnerships with domestic violence and sexual assault service agencies, South Asian advocacy groups, local/state/national coalitions, legal and law enforcement entities, and other groups to advance the agency's mission and values.
• Coordinate monthly Board meeting schedules, meeting agendas, and Board reports.

Desired Qualifications

The Executive Director will be a strong communicator with a demonstrated track record of leading an emerging organization or team through a period of growth and will possess:

• Passion, empathy, and commitment to ending gender-based violence.
• Minimum bachelor’s degree; preferably in a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of leadership and supervisory experience as an Executive Director, CEO, or equivalent/relevant experience.
• Knowledge and experience working with an organization, preferably serving female population, focused on gender-based violence, trauma, abuse, and direct client services.
• Experience in leading an organization to newer heights through vision, strategic planning, and informed decision-making with strong organizational and multi-disciplinary project management skills.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills to appropriately interact with board, staff, volunteers, funders, policy makers and other stakeholders.
• Disciplined and organized with good time management skills
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse communities in the Greater Houston region, including immigrant and refugee communities, faith-based groups, and other mainstream and ethnic groups.
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of South Asian culture and migration history
• Ability to speak or understand a South Asian language is a plus.

Location 

This is a hybrid role based in Houston, TX, and is open to candidates willing to relocate. The team is offered a flexible work schedule.

Compensation and Benefits

Salary is based on a variety of factors including but not limited to skill set, level and years of applicable experience. Salary range for this role is between $140,000- $165,000, with a generous benefits package, which includes 100% employer paid health insurance, vision, 403b retirement plan with employer contributions, life insurance, short term disability, ADD plan, and competitive PTO policy. Relocation assistance considered.

How to Apply

Maneva Group, a woman and minority owned national executive search firm that specializes in mission-driven searches, has been exclusively retained for this engagement. To express interest in this role, please submit your resume and cover letter to this link: https://adr.to/wyhesai - All inquiries and discussions will be considered strictly confidential. This position is available immediately; we will accept and review new applications until the position is filled.

A generous benefits package includes 100% employer paid health insurance, vision, 403b retirement plan with employer contributions, life insurance, short term disability, ADD plan, and competitive PTO policy. Relocation assistance considered.

Maneva Group, a woman and minority owned national executive search firm that specializes in mission-driven searches, has been exclusively retained for this engagement. To express interest in this role, please submit your resume and cover letter to this link: https://adr.to/wyhesai - All inquiries and discussions will be considered strictly confidential. This position is available immediately; we will accept and review new applications until the position is filled.