Job Title: Executive Director

Department: Executive

Reports To: Advisory board and fiscal sponsor

FLSA Classification: Full-time exempt

Work Arrangement: Full-time, hybrid role

Background and Mission

Rising Voices is a nonprofit organization that organizes and develops the leadership of Asian American women, families and young people for power around progressive values and policy in the state of Michigan through community and cultural organizing, electoral engagement, and policy advocacy for a future where all families can thrive.

We envision a state and communities where our families have access to just economic policies, in-language support, affordable and culturally competent healthcare, inclusive education, and a state welcoming to immigrants. Additionally, there is advocacy for workers, policy representation, and electeds accountable to the people. Our theory of change includes multiple strategies for power that serve to develop leadership within Asian American communities that will move local state and federal progressive policy and help elect progressive candidates to champion those issues.

Rising Voices is a fiscally sponsored project of the Center for Empowered Politics, a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization; Rising Voices Fund is a fiscally sponsored project of the Center for Empowered Politics Fund, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Job Summary

The Executive Director embodies and advances the organization's mission through compassionate, strategic, and creative thinking and principled, trauma-informed leadership.

The principal role of the Executive Director is to raise funds for the organization, supervise the Deputy Director, direct overall vision and strategy, and liaise with the Board of Directors. This position will be housed at Rising Voices, a fiscally sponsored project of the Center for Empowered Politics, a 501(c)(4); however, the role will be funded from both the 501(c)(3) and the 501(c)(4). The Executive Director will be responsible for raising funds for both entities.

We encourage people to apply even if they don’t meet all the listed requirements.

Essential Functions

The following responsibilities are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel classified in this manner. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Vision & Leadership

Articulate and steer implementation of the overall mission, vision, and strategy of the organization.
Develop and maintain external relationships including with potential partner organizations and individuals supporting the work of the organization.
Partner closely with and manage the Deputy Director, who leads day-to-day programmatic and operational work.
Lead organization-wide change management initiatives and process improvements with support from the Deputy Director.
Foster a healthy, mission-aligned org culture where staff feel supported and valued.
Lead on board engagement, communications and development, including convening board meetings, implementing bylaws and roles, and recruiting and integrating new board members.

Development

Oversee and drive the overall development and execution of Rising Voices’ annual fundraising plan, including:
- Identifying new revenue sources through institutional funders, individuals, earned income, and future membership structures;
- Development and maintenance of ongoing relationships with major donors;
- Development and execution of strategy for a sustained base of individual donors;
- Managing completion of all applications, proposals and reports, in compliance with terms of agreement and within our fiscal sponsor systems; and
- With support from senior staff, assess current fundraising infrastructure and develop a plan to add capacity (through hiring, fractional support, and/or board engagement).

Accounting & Finance

Oversee financial management including budgeting, cashflow, expenses, and reserves, in partnership with our fiscal sponsor and the Deputy Director
Develop and update annual multi-entity organizational budgets.
Ensure financial performance aligns with organizational and grant budgets, with tracking of activities and expenses managed by the Deputy Director.
Prepare and provide project budgets and reports as needed in compliance with grants.
Provide quarterly and year-end reports to the Board and senior staff.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree and at least five years of community, labor and/or electoral organizing experience; or equivalent experience.
Experience in non-profit management and/or management and supervision of a team.
Knowledge of local, state, and federal politics and policymaking for the purposes of campaign direction.
Knowledge of 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) compliance.
Knowledge of grant writing and fundraising.
Knowledge of budget-making and basic accounting.
Skilled at writing and public speaking.
Skilled at relational organizing.
Skilled at training, mentorship and leadership development.
Ability to lead with compassion and empathy.
Ability to synthesize a great deal of information and communicate it clearly across lines of difference.
Ability to communicate effectively to different audiences for different ends.
Ability to be an authentic leader who is honest and forthcoming.
Ability to address and resolve conflict effectively.

Physical Demands

Occasionally required to lift and move office supplies or equipment (up to 25 pounds).
Participation in event logistics. Event logistics may require physical tasks such as lifting and carrying materials or equipment (up to 25 pounds), setting up tables and chairs, bending or crouching to arrange supplies, standing for up to 30 minutes, and moving throughout event spaces during setup and cleanup.
Must be able to work on a computer, including sitting at a desk for extended periods of time, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Must be able to understand and follow oral and written instruction.

Work Environment

The position is a full-time position that works 40 hours a week, and requires national travel up to 35% of the time.
This position is currently hybrid and will include remote work at home, work at onsite locations and mandatory meetings at Rising Voices’ office in Detroit, MI with moderate level of noise and interruptions.
This position may require some work on nights and weekends (Saturday and Sunday).
The Executive Director reports to the Advisory Board, and directly supervises the Deputy Director.

Compensation & Benefits

This is a full time, exempt position starting at $110,000-130,000 dependent on experience. Position includes a full benefits package.

Excellent medical, vision, and dental insurance with 100% employer sponsored plans
Earned paid time off, including vacation, personal, compensatory & sick time
13 paid holidays
3 weeks end of year winter closure
3-month sabbatical leave after 5 years of service
Employer contribution into dependent care FSA
Employer-sponsored 401k retirement savings account.
Monthly phone and work from home stipend.

Rising Voices has a non-negotiation policy when it comes to salary as part of a commitment to equity in compensation.

Inquiry & Application Process

Applications should be submitted via this portal and include:

Letter of interest;
Resume;
2 writing samples of your choosing; and
Names, contact information, and relationship for three references who can speak the range of qualifications sought, including a recent supervisee/direct report.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

Rising Voices contracts with Resilient Strategies LLC for backend and operational support including hiring and employment. Resilient Strategies is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. Folks who are queer, trans, non-binary, Black, Indigenous, people of color, disabled, parents, are/have been system-impacted, are immigrants, and anyone who has experienced systemic oppression and/or gender-based violence are encouraged to apply. Pursuant of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment.