On-Ramps · 1 week ago
Executive Director at Safe Passage Project
New York, NY
Full-time
Hybrid
Director/Executive
10+ years expOn-Ramps is partnering with Safe Passage Project, an organization that provides free legal support to immigrant and refugee youth. The Executive Director will lead the organization in strategy, operations, and fundraising while ensuring support for unaccompanied minors facing deportation in New York City and Long Island.
ConsultingHuman Resources
Responsibilities
Inspire staff, volunteers, and the broader community engaged in SPP's work, ensuring alignment with the organization's mission and core values
In partnership with the Board of Directors and staff, support continued implementation of Safe Passage Project's strategic plan and strategic priorities, fostering a culture of innovation and excellence and identifying emerging needs and opportunities
Serve as the primary liaison to the Board of Directors, providing timely updates to the Board on operations, finances, and risk issues
Lead, coach, manage, and support the leadership team and other direct reports, ensuring best-in-class delivery of key programs and services
Drive organization-wide results with inspirational leadership, effective and supportive management, and well-defined objectives with accountability mechanisms and key performance indicators to track progress
Engage productively with the SPP Union, Association of Legal Aid Attorneys - UAW Local 2325 (ALAA). (In 2020, Safe Passage Project staff voted to become members of the Association of Legal Aid Attorneys - UAW Local 2325 (ALAA). SPP's prior ED oversaw the signing of our first Collective Bargaining Agreement, a significant and proud milestone in Safe Passage's trajectory as an organization.)
Represent SPP effectively, serving as a visible leader with funders, pro bono and community partners, and other key stakeholders and speaking convincingly about the organization's work and impact. This includes communicating to the press and on television as needed
Drive fundraising efforts, with a focus on increasing revenue by actively identifying and cultivating new funding opportunities in partnership with the development team
Maintain relationships with existing major donors, institutional funders, and government partners
Ensure effective and responsible financial and operational management of the organization's 2026 $9.5M budget, working in partnership with key staff to oversee the fiscal operations of the organization
In coordination with the outsourced finance team and the Finance Committee of the Board, oversee budgeting, cash flow, investments, and financial reporting to ensure prudent financial management practices are in place to sustain organizational activities and initiatives
Approve expenditures and monitor compliance with grant and contract requirements
You will report to the Board of Directors
You will directly supervise the Director of People & Operations, Communications Director, Legal Director, Development Manager, Data Manager, and Director of Social Work. The total team size is 60+ staff
Qualification
Required
At least 10 years serving in a senior leadership role (e.g. Executive Director level) at a social justice organization or a non-profit legal services organization; prior work in a legal setting is required
Leadership experience in frontline, service provision settings, immigration issues and/or legal services, with an understanding of trauma-informed approaches particularly valued
Strong appetite to lead fundraising efforts, ideally with a demonstrated track record of success leading fundraising in a nonprofit setting. Experience with government contracts is a plus
Experience overseeing the financial management and financial strategy of an organization; familiarity with nonprofit financials reporting and compliance
Strong management experience with a demonstrated track record of implementing team-focused systems and processes that elevate performance and increase the team's connection to the organization and our mission
Outstanding organizational leadership skills, with an ability to articulate a clear and inspiring vision while supporting an engaged board of directors and managing, coaching, and developing a high-performing team
Strong public speaking and written communication skills, with the ability to serve as a compelling and credible external representative for the organization
Ability to navigate a shifting external context and unexpected events that are impacting SPP's day-to-day work
Robust understanding of and commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging principles; experience successfully leading with and successfully integrating these principles into practice
Ability to bring cultural awareness and political sensitivity in serving clients from 40+ countries
Preferred
Fluency in Spanish is preferred
Given the nature of our work, a J.D. is preferred
Company
On-Ramps
On-Ramps is a full-service search firm that helps mission-driven organizations within the social sector recruit the best talent available.
11-50 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Early StageLeadership Team
Harry W.
Founding Partner
Nakia James-Jenkins, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
Partner & Head of HR & Operations
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