Executive Director

Job Overview:

The IRC is seeking an Executive Director (ED) to advance its work in Colorado. The ED sets the vision, articulates the mission, and manages the implementation of quality, evidence-based or evidence-generating programming to maximize client outcomes. They are responsible for the development of resources vital to operate national and local programs, including building positive relationships with local, regional, and national resource partners.

The Denver office currently has a projected FY23 operating budget of $13 million and approximately 125 staff, serving a caseload of 2,500 people across all programs. Programs primarily focus on case management, employment, health services, mental health and psychosocial support, economic empowerment, education, torture rehabilitation, youth, and immigration legal services.

Major Responsibilities:

General Management and Leadership

• Organizational Leadership: Establish and articulate vision and strategy for the IRC in Denver. Engage with local leaders and communities to advance IRC’s mission and serve as a thought and operational leader; cultivate collaborative working relationships with state and local agencies and service providers, donors, advocacy partners and community organizations. Develop and implement inclusive, effective, and holistic strategies to improve outcomes for clients.

• Planning: Lead the local office strategic planning process. Coordinate with IRC headquarters and ensure the office’s strategic plan reflects the agency’s overall mission and goals. Contribute to RAI network-wide initiatives and capacity building models to advance Strategy 100, the IRC’s strategic plan.

• Team Management: Build and cultivate a diverse and inclusive team. Plan, organize, distribute, and coordinate the flow of work, information, and decision-making authority. Promote compliance with the IRC Code of Conduct; take ownership of actions and be accountable for those of the team. Maintain office management structure that bolsters coordination across departments.

• Human Resources: Hire, supervise, guide, coach, advise, and evaluate staff in accordance with IRC processes and values. Ensure effective onboarding, capacity building, professional development, and performance management strategies. Monitor applicable labor laws, assure compliance, and collaborate with colleagues as needed to address changing requirements. Promote staff wellbeing and use of Duty of Care resources.

• Operations: Ensure timely and consistent communication with HQ on operational issues, policies, and reporting; support local implementation of IRC policies including procurement, IT, facilities management, and security and safety protocols.

• Gender, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (GEDI): Collaborate with staff and clients to establish and advance office-level GEDI priorities. Ensure robust client feedback and responsiveness mechanisms. Promote an environment in which all staff are valued and find opportunities to contribute. Actively assess progress toward GEDI goals and objectives, support the work of the staff-led Racial Equity Collective (REC), and ensure adequate resourcing of GEDI-related initiatives.

Financial Management

• Budget Oversight: Coordinate annual budget development and subsequent reforecasting; regularly review the operating budget as well as monthly budget-to-actuals; maintain effective systems for tracking spending rates; address anomalies in revenue and expenses. Build capacity of program managers to support responsible financial management of their assigned programs.

• Fiscal Stewardship: Serve as a responsible steward of organization’s assets and cash and in-kind resources. Monitor implementation of sound internal controls and fiscal management practices consistent with IRC finance policies and donor requirements. Ensure consistent application of cost allocation principles and accounting for funds within allowable use. Participate in monthly and yearend close, annual audits, financial reporting cycles, and periodic fiscal monitoring activities.

• Resource Development Plan: Take responsibility for annual resource development plan and related tracking to achieve goals and secure adequate resources from a diverse portfolio of donors, and a mix of restricted and unrestricted funds.

Advocacy, External Relations, Development, and Fundraising

• Advocacy: Lead local advocacy efforts and support national advocacy efforts; host Board, senior staff, and donor visits; engage in and support community and policy outreach efforts. Cultivate and maintain strong working relationships with federal, state, and local elected officials and policy makers.

• Resource Development: Set resource development strategy and develop a local fundraising plan based on analysis of office and program strengths, service gaps and local environment. Liaise with donors to cultivate strong relationships and garner support. Collaborate with colleagues to optimize use of technical support and resources; cultivate local donor relationships to maintain and expand funding base.

• Marketing: Coordinate a marketing strategy and plan contextualized for the local environment; ensure marketing materials are consistent, of high quality, and aligned with IRC brand guidance.

• Media and Communications: Maintain positive public image of IRC; engage with the local media outlets and develop working relationships that generate earned media coverage. Collaborate closely with IRC Communications Department on media efforts in accordance with IRC policies on external messaging.

• Partnership: Build positive relationships in relevant sectors and refugee communities. Collaborate with partners to address refugee needs and support an enabling environment for refugee integration.

Requirements:

Education

• Undergraduate degree required; advanced degree in related field preferred.

Work Experience

• Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible work experience with social services or humanitarian assistance programs; strong preference for previous experience with direct service delivery to clients in cross-cultural environments.

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies

• Demonstrated staff management, program development, monitoring, evaluation, and advocacy experience.
• Demonstrated ability to promote an organizational culture that reflects IRC’s core values of service, accountability, integrity, and equality.
• Authentic leadership style; ability to lead in a way that recognizes that IRC’s work is best accomplished through the true collaboration of individuals from many cultures with a great variety of skills and perspectives.
• Successful and significant fundraising and grant writing experience.
• Financial management experience, including effective management of budgets.
• Proven people management skills; demonstrated ability to deliver results and translate words into action.
• Keen diplomatic and interpersonal skills; ability to enhance internal and external relationships, including with partners and donors. Ability to work successfully and with utmost integrity and respect in cross-cultural environment and with limited English-speaking client population.
• Outstanding communication skills; high level of comfort with public speaking and presenting to a wide range of audiences.
• Ability to heighten the visibility of the office and programs, both within the IRC network and in the external environment.
• Superior organizational skills: ability to set priorities and effectively manage time in a fast-paced team environment.
• Demonstrated commitment to trauma-informed care, safeguarding principles, and client empowerment.
• Proven digital literacy to include experience using MS Office, internet applications, and relational database systems.
• Ability and willingness to travel up to 15%.

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 based on 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 at [email protected] to request accommodation.

Compensation and Benefits: This is a full-time, regular position classified as exempt and ineligible for overtime under state and federal law. Starting compensation is $99,600-$139,400 depending on experience and qualifications. We offer a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. In the US, this total compensation package includes: 10 sick days, 10 US holidays, 20-25 paid time off days depending on role and tenure, medical insurance starting at $120 per month with low to no deductible; dental insurance starting at $7 per month; vision insurance starting at $5 per month; FSA for healthcare, dependent care, and commuter costs; a 403b retirement savings plans with immediately vested employer matching; disability & life insurance; generous parental leave; 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. The IRC in Denver actively promotes learning and growth for its team, through staff development accounts, access to talent development offerings, and opportunities to engage with IRC colleagues and represent the Denver office through special roles and assignments.