Position: Executive Director

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Type: Full Time

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Based in: Irondale, AL (Birmingham area)

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Deadline: Open until filled

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About ACIJ:

The Alabama Coalition for Immigrant Justice (ACIJ) is a network of individuals and organizations working for the rights and dignity of all people by cultivating just policies, encouraging grassroots leadership and participation, building alliances, and amplifying the voices and contributions of immigrants in Alabama. Coalition partners include the Southern Poverty Law Center, Alabama ACLU, Greater Birmingham Ministries, Alabama Appleseed, Alabama State NAACP, Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama and immigrant-led grassroots organizations. 

In 2011, a wave of terror and racism swept Alabama when the state legislature passed the harshest anti-immigrant law in the country, HB56. Tea Party conservatives saw Alabama as a gateway for introducing anti-immigrant extremist laws harsher even than Arizona’s renowned SB 1070, laws designed to purge the South and subsequently the rest of the nation of immigrant families through making daily life unlivable. 

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Just over 8 years later, we are celebrating what has grown into a solid statewide grassroots movement. We have built an organized base of immigrant leadership in Alabama where previously communities were isolated and completely shut out of civic engagement. Now, our work is led by undocumented mothers, fathers, and children who have joined together with African-American civil rights leaders, southern LGBTQIA communities, communities of faith, students, lawyers, and elected officials. Together we are building a strong coalition that represents a broad cross-section of Alabama, working collectively for immigrant justice as well as the dignity and humanity of all families. ACIJ has now not only permanently gutted the nation’s most extreme anti-immigrant law, but we have closed the floodgates, stemming the tide of anti-immigrant state laws that only 8 years ago were threatening to wash over the entire nation. Now more than ever, ACIJ is committed to organize against the xenophobic (isms) rhetoric that is targeting our state’s immigrant community.

 

Position summary:

We are seeking an Executive Director with energy, commitment, and vision to continue rallying ACIJ as a strong force for justice in the heart of the Deep South. The Executive Director will support the continued growth of our network of grassroots immigrant leaders who have been recognized regionally and nationally for their incredible level of commitment and leadership in campaigns. You will be responsible for strengthening ACIJ’s infrastructure, managing staff and member capacity necessary to defend against attacks on immigrant communities and to push for proactive policy changes. The Executive Director must be able to communicate effectively, share cultural values, and implement organizing strategies toward transformative change that will convey the vision of the organization’s strategic future to the staff, board, volunteers, and donors. 

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Core responsibilities include:

• Work with the board, staff, and membership to establish overall direction and specific goals and strategies 

• Based on member-identified priorities, work with staff, immigrant leadership and coalition partners to set a policy agenda and develop advocacy strategies at the local, state, and national levels 

• Provide supervision and oversight for all of ACIJ’s programs and initiatives 

• Maintain and develop relationships across the state with immigrant communities; key local, state and national allies; donors; public officials; and the media 

• Direct and oversee the organization’s fundraising campaigns, leading efforts to grow the annual budget and diversity of the resource base to ensure long-term financial sustainability. 

• Identify new sources of funding, cultivate relationships with potential and existing funders, and write and report on grants.

• Develop and maintain effective board member relationships, leveraging board skills and resources to support fundraising and program activities. Support the orientation of new board members and participate in board committees. 

• Oversee all aspects of financial management, human resources, and general operations 

• Oversee the recruitment, supervision, training and evaluation of employees 

• Serve as a spokesperson for the organization. Maintain a working fluency in key policy issues and current events impacting the coalition’s work, as well as effective messaging on these issues.

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Ideal qualifications and qualities:

• Strong commitment to ACIJ’s goals and mission 

• Commitment to democratic process and enabling directly affected people from the grassroots to lead statewide and national movements 

• A minimum of five years of leadership experience in a non-profit environment and demonstrated commitment to immigrant and social justice. 

• Ability to demonstrate a high level of management experience 

• A successful track record of raising revenue from individual and foundations. 

• An ability to connect with and inspire others to build momentum across diverse groups toward shared goals 

• Community organizing and/or political campaign experience with low-income and/or immigrant communities. 

• Understanding of the issues impacting immigrant communities at the local, state and national level, especially in the South. 

• Experience building and leading diverse coalitions 

• Strong written and oral communication skills including excellent public speaking skills. Oral/written fluency in English and Spanish strongly desired. 

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with experience in group facilitation and conflict resolution.

• Experience with project coordination in an interdisciplinary team environment. 

• Personal vehicle with applicable insurance. Ability and willingness to travel and work nights and weekends as needed.

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Salary will be based on experience and qualifications. Health and dental insurance, as well as vacation and sick time will be provided. 

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Please submit a cover letter, current resume, and 3 reference letters to hiring@acij.net with “Executive Director Position” in the subject.

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Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. ACIJ does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, or status with regard to public assistance. We are an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourage immigrants, people of color, women, and LGBTQIA+ individuals to apply.