Executive Director

Organizational Background:

VECINA empowers immigrant justice advocates by mentoring attorneys, educating communities, and mobilizing volunteers. We help immigrants seeking asylum receive status in the United States, reduce children’s exposure to detention, and promote migrant family unity.

Position Summary

VECINA is seeking a visionary and enthusiastic Executive Director who will provide strategic leadership, drive organizational growth, oversee financial management, and engage stakeholders. The role involves close collaboration with staff and the Board of Directors.

Responsibilities and Duties:

Strategic Leadership:

• Guide organizational vision and priorities.
• Develop and implement strategic plans and initiatives that further VECINA’s mission.
• Foster a collaborative and respectful leadership culture that encourages professional development, inclusion, and collegiality.
• Manage staff in a supportive manner, learning new skills as necessary, creating user-friendly systems, and fluidly adapting to changes.
• Engage with the Board of Directors to build, sustain, and strengthen board functions, including strategic planning, policy compliance, and committee work.

Operations Management:

• Oversee all aspects of VECINA’s operations, ensuring compliance with applicable laws and standards.
• Supervise senior staff, support programmatic implementation, and ensure regular review and improvement of projects.
• Identify opportunities for new projects and make decisions regarding project initiation, continuation, and termination.

Financial Management:

• Ensure the overall financial health of the organization.
• Work with VECINA’ accountant to manage accounting systems, tax filings, and audits.
• Oversee day-to-day financial operations in compliance with financial policies.
• Work closely with senior staff to create and manage the organization’s budget, ensuring fiscal responsibility and sustainability.
• Supervise staff to ensure comprehensive accounting, policies, financial analyses, and internal/external financial reporting are in place and followed in accordance with VECINA policies.

Fundraising and Donor Engagement:

• Develop and implement annual fundraising plans, including grant management, donor development, and event fundraising.
• Identify and cultivate diverse funding sources and strategic partnerships with stakeholders, including donors, government, and community organizations.
• Evaluate changing trends in philanthropy to develop and expand fundraising programs.
• Ensure compliance with funder requirements and provide timely reporting.

Board Communication and Development:

• Work with the Board of Directors to establish objectives, goals, and policies.
• Present regular operational reports to the Board, including detailed status updates on finances, programs, and strategic metrics.
• Engage the Board in strategic planning and priority setting, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.

Human Resources:

• Oversee hiring, firing, and salary adjustments, ensuring compliance with organizational policies.
• Continuously review and update HR policies and procedures.
• Supervise employee reviews, performance management, and dispute resolution.
• Promote continued professional development for all employees and foster an environment of creativity and learning.
• Ensure sound human resource practices are followed.

External engagement, advocacy, and media:

• Represent VECINA publicly, engaging with media, attending events, and participating in professional organizations.
• Develop and maintain strategic relationships with key external stakeholders.
• Identify advocacy opportunities and coordinate organizational responses to current events.
• Ensure 501(c)(3) organizational compliance.
• Engage in community education and government advocacy opportunities.

Qualifications:

• JD or a master’s degree in a field related to immigration law, policy, or non-profit management preferred.
• Ten years experience in immigration law or policy, pro bono practice, and/or a related field.
• Extensive leadership experience, including team building, budget management, and organizational growth.
• Demonstrated commitment to immigrant and social justice.
• Strong attention to detail and outstanding communication skills.
• Empathy, flexibility, and commitment to principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and accessibility
• Experience with fundraising and grant writing/management.
• Excellent leadership skills including the ability to build trusting and transparent working relationships in a non-hierarchical culture.
• Experience working with diverse stakeholders.

Salary Range

$120,000-140,000, commensurate with experience.

This Position

This is a full time, salaried position, at 37.5 hours per week. The wages for this position are reliant on ongoing donations and grant-funding. Travel may be required from time to time. Ability to work at a computer for long periods of time and access to high speed internet are required.

Our Workplace

VECINA is an entirely remote workplace and this opportunity is available remote from within the United States. VECINA offers competitive compensation packages, including 403(b) retirement matching plans, a QSEHRA health reimbursement plan, and generous PTO.

At VECINA, we believe diversity makes the world a better place and brings immeasurable value to our work. People of color, LQBTQ+ individuals, and individuals from diverse backgrounds or immigrant communities are strongly encouraged to apply, whether or not your application aligns with the totality of the posting. VECINA does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, veteran or disability status, or other protected identity.

To apply:

Please submit your resume, cover letter, and written answers to these questions to executive.hiring@vecina.org.

1. Describe a time you balanced staff needs with program demands. How did you manage this, and what did you learn about leadership?
2. What was your most successful fundraising initiative? How would you adapt those strategies to our immigration legal services nonprofit?
3. Tell us about a program you managed that required significant adaptation. How did you lead this change and measure its success?