Entrepreneurship and Economic Wellbeing Director

IRC Background:

The mission of the International Rescue Committee (IRC) is to help people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover and gain control of their future. Founded in 1933, the IRC has 25 offices in the United States and a presence in over 40 countries. The International Rescue Committee in Salt Lake City (IRC SLC) operates a broad suite of entrepreneurship and economic wellbeing (“EEW”) programs. These include a refugee Small Business support program, a Financial Capability program and two innovative food entrepreneurship programs: New Roots in Salt Lake City (New Roots SLC) and Spice Kitchen Incubator (SKI). New Roots SLC is an agriculture and food access program that provides opportunities for refugees to garden, start farm-based businesses, and access healthy, local, culturally appropriate produce. SKI is a business incubator that brings together refugees and other disadvantaged community members interested in starting a full or part-time food business. IRC SLC’s Small Business program includes support for refugee and other new American small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs, including a strong childcare business development program. IRC SLC’s Financial Capability program connects refugee and other new American entrepreneurs and individuals with financial education and access to capital.

Job Overview / Scope:

The Entrepreneurship and Economic Wellbeing Director is responsible for strategic oversight and leadership of IRC SLC’s entrepreneurship and economic wellbeing (“EEW”) programs. The Director of Entrepreneurship and Economic Opportunity is part of the IRC SLC senior leadership team and reports to the Executive Director of IRC SLC. The Director is responsible for leading the Small Business program, the Financial Capabilities program, Spice Kitchen Incubator, and New Roots SLC, leveraging the collective strengths of each program to support the other. The Director will lead strategic initiatives for each program and will support and promote the development of economic opportunity, sustainable food, and entrepreneurial systems within Utah. The position will work with the Small Business Program Manager, Spice Kitchen Incubator Manager, New Roots Program Manager, and Financial Capabilities Program Manager to recruit and supervise staff, oversee fundraising and grant management, support market development opportunities, cultivate and develop key partnerships, support media relations, and other duties as required.

Major Responsibilities:

I. Strategic Program Development

• Collaborate with IRC SLC Leadership Team and key EEW staff on strategic planning including: program growth and improvement, inter-program collaboration, client-driven programming, fundraising, and evaluation.
• Cultivate and maintain key partnerships for EEW programming. Key partners include local refugee leaders, local and state officials and agencies, lenders, business development groups, non-profit entities, for-profit supporters, donors, foundations, and local universities, among others.
• Work collaboratively with other IRC offices around EEW programming, and provide mentorship or support to other offices as needed.
• Engage with community leaders and participate on applicable public and private working groups, taskforces, committees, and boards so as to support development and strengthening of food access and entrepreneurial systems in Utah.
• Work with all EEW teams to identify and mitigate risks to respective programs.

II. Fundraising and Fiscal Management

• Identify key fundraising opportunities and oversee all grant writing for EEW programs, including leading state and federal opportunities and work with the Deputy Director of Finance and Operations and IRC SLC Executive Director to administer grants, including completing all programmatic reports and supporting financial reporting.
• Foster collaboration within the IRC SLC office with other programs on joint programming and fundraising.
• Oversee non-grant fundraising, public relations, and donor management for EEW programs.
• Work closely with Deputy Director of Finance and Operations and finance team to oversee finances of all EEW programs, including allocation of grant funds, management of unrestricted funds, financial protocols, and general financial sustainability of program operations.

III. Supervision and Program Oversight

• Support program managers to recruit, hire, and supervise EEW staff and provide leadership to all program staff.
• Support and facilitate regular team meetings and communication between team members of project activities.
• Review and provide feedback on outreach, curriculum, evaluations, and other program materials.
• Assist key staff members overseeing project areas in designing protocols, program structure, and program delivery methods, and oversee implementation.
• Provide professional development opportunities for all staff through internal IRC learning opportunities, relevant regional and national workshops and conferences, and mentorship and support on new skill development.

IV. Service Provision

• Support programmatic Gender, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (GEDI) efforts, including those focused on decoloniality, anti-racism, and gender equity.
• Support staff in design and management of workshops, training, and application processes for participants.
• Lead initiatives to move programming to being client-driven and client-led.
• Support staff in identifying and providing access to outside resources from partners in key areas including livelihoods and basic needs support.
• Work with staff to troubleshoot challenges with program participants and determine solutions that benefit both participants and the program.

V. Data, Monitoring, and Evaluation:

• Ensure appropriate documentation of program services including entering data into the program’s information data systems and other internal and external tracking forms/systems.
• Oversee evaluation efforts including developing new tools for pre- and post- evaluations, tracking entrepreneur’s income metrics, and keeping records of all program sites.
• Work closely with Data and Evaluation team to develop and refine programmatic Theories-of-Change, data management plans, program evaluations, and funding opportunities.
• Ensure compliance by program staff and participants with all local, state, and federal guidance and laws including: income tax, sales and use tax, organic standards, food safety, and food handling.

VI. Other:

• Maintain professionalism, customer service, and uphold the IRC Way, the IRC’s code of conduct;
• Participate in program meetings, weekly staff meetings, staff development activities and national skills building trainings, calls, and communities of practice, while fully engaging as a member of the team;
• Support general office logistics, such as office support and front desk, as applicable and feasible;
• Comply with all policies, procedures, and protocols of the organization;
• Other related duties as assigned.

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Job Requirements:

Work Experience:

• Substantial experience of at least 6-8 years in Small Business Development, Entrepreneurial Incubation, Culinary Entrepreneurship, Agriculture, Economics, Finance, Business, Non-profit Management, or related field, with progressively responsible leadership experience;
• Demonstrated understanding of entrepreneurship, small business development, personal finance education, food business development, agriculture, and food access work;
• Demonstrated background of employee management, staff mentorship and development across tiered cross-functional teams;
• Strong organizational skills including: multi-tasking, prioritizing, planning, and effective time management;
• A background of working with high-level donors, community partners, and volunteers is highly desirable;
• Demonstrated strategic leadership and strategic program development experience;

Education:

Undergraduate degree in a related field OR equivalent level professional experience required; Master’s/graduate level education OR equivalent professional experience preferred;

Demonstrated Skills & Competencies:

• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities;
• Excellent interpersonal skills: the ability to work effectively with partners and colleagues in a cross-cultural, multi-disciplinary environment;
• Proficient computer skills: MS Word, Excel, and email/internet software;
• Proven track record with fundraising, grants management, and administration;
• Motivated, flexible, and able to work independently;
• Fluency in written and spoken English, with bi-lingual ability preferred, and with ability to communicate with limited-English speakers;
• Valid driver’s license, active insurance policy, and access to reliable transportation.

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: Executive Director

Position Directly Supervises: Small Business Program Manager, Spice Kitchen Program Manager, New Roots Program Manager, Financial Capabilities Program Manager, other EEW staff as required

Work Environment:

• Standard office work environment along with travel in and around the service delivery area
• Flexibility to work some Saturdays and some weekday evenings as needed to support programming.

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Posted pay ranges apply to US-based candidates. Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget. Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement: In accordance with IRC’s duty to provide and maintain a workplace that is free of known hazards and our commitment to safeguard the health of our employees, clients, and communities, IRC requires new hires to furnish proof of vaccination against COVID-19 in order to be considered for any in-office or hybrid positions. All IRC US offices require full vaccination to attend any in-office functions (e.g., meetings, trainings).​

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusivity: IRC is committed to building a diverse organization and a climate of inclusivity. We strongly encourage applications from candidates who can demonstrate that they can contribute to this goal. ​

Equal Opportunity Employer: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.​

US Benefits: We offer a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. In the US, these include: 10 sick days, 10 US holidays, 20-25 paid time off days depending on role and tenure, medical insurance starting at $120 per month, dental starting at $7 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with immediately vested matching, disability & life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis and mental health struggles.