At a pivotal moment in history for the immigrant justice movement, GCIR offers a powerful platform for galvanizing philanthropy to advance a long-term affirmative vision for a just, equitable, and inclusive society—and a vibrant and pluralistic democracy.
The new GCIR president will lead a highly influential organization with a stellar track record of accomplishments, an outstanding reputation as a thought leader, and well-established relationships with a wide range of stakeholders in philanthropy and the field. Building upon a solid foundation established by the founding president, the new president will have the opportunity to shape GCIR’s future direction and focus in alignment with the organization’s mission and values.
The president will work closely with a dedicated board of directors, leveraging their expertise, connections, and resources to advance organizational goals. The president will lead a team of talented and high-performing staff, who have a wide range of lived and professional experiences. The senior management team—comprising the vice president of programs, vice president of operations, and director of communications and development—is ready to share leadership responsibility and partner with the new president in defining, prioritizing, and executing the work. With a focus on professional development and internal diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) work over the past year and a half, the entire team is well positioned to help GCIR accomplish its objectives and increase its impact in the coming years.
GCIR is in a strong financial position, with an annual operating budget of $2.6 million. The new president will prioritize fundraising and institutional advancement to maintain GCIR’s strong fiscal health and to strengthen its long-term sustainability. Continued resource development, including membership cultivation and retention, will be another key responsibility.
The immediate focus of the role will be on navigating GCIR through a major leadership transition; forging relationships with staff and board; maintaining the impressive range of external relationships held by the organization; planning and leading a fundraising strategy; and leading the staff and Board through the process of building a new strategic plan to support GCIR’s mission of advancing more affirmative immigrant-related grantmaking.
The role provides an excellent opportunity for the right candidate to expand GCIR’s sphere of influence within philanthropy, utilizing strategic thinking, advocacy, and influencing skills.
KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
LEADERSHIP AND VISION
-
Articulate a bold vision, and clearly defined goals and priorities, that align with GCIR’s mission and values and respond effectively to a dynamic policy environment and philanthropic ecosystem.
-
Advance immigration as a critical cross-cutting issue for philanthropy and maximize long-term philanthropic support.
-
Position GCIR as the leading authority that informs and influences philanthropic action on immigrant-related issues, from making grants to impact investing to taking a public stand.
RELATIONSHIPS AND THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
-
Cultivate, build, and maintain relationships with a diverse range of funders, PSOs, field organizations, government institutions, academia, and other stakeholders and allies—and keep them apprised of GCIR’s work, accomplishments, and strategic direction.
-
Develop and maintain a high level of knowledge and expertise on immigration, staying informed of key immigration policy developments; the latest trends, research, and analyses; as well as developments and innovations in the field.
FUNDRAISING
-
Develop a fundraising strategy to ensure GCIR’s long-term sustainability, taking the lead on approaches to major funders.
-
Establish a model of shared responsibility for fundraising, defining annual financial targets, prospects, and responsibilities with senior managers.
-
Ensure that existing funder relationships are nurtured and maintained. Pursue new and diversified funding sources, and additional earned-revenue opportunities.
-
Coach senior managers to develop their fundraising skills and to approach funders.
PROGRAMS AND COMMUNICATIONS
-
Ensure that GCIR programs, resources, and services galvanize philanthropy to address urgent and persistent needs and invest in a long-term movement for immigrant justice.
-
Oversee organizational messaging, branding, and positioning.
-
Serve as GCIR’s principal spokesperson to media, members, and other constituencies.
-
Promote GCIR’s work, brand, and impact to various stakeholders and audiences.
FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION
-
Maintain a fiscally sound operation, overseeing the development and management of budgets, and ensuring that regulatory, audit, and reporting processes are well managed.
-
Expand GCIR’s operating reserve over time.
-
Ensure that proper systems, policies, protocols, and practices are in place for full ethical and legal compliance under all tax, employment, and other applicable laws.
PARTNERSHIP WITH THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
-
Ensure that the board of directors remains engaged and provides effective governance, leadership, and fundraising support to advance GCIR’s mission and vision.
-
Work with the board to set the strategic direction, goals, and priorities for the organization.
-
Support the work of the board’s executive, governance, and finance committees, as well as any time-limited task forces.
MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE
-
Strengthen the capacity and cohesion of the senior management team based on a model of distributed responsibility and shared leadership; and oversee the goals, activities, performance, and development of the vice president of programs, vice president of operations, and director of communications and development.
-
Continue to maintain a dynamic, inclusive, and equitable organizational culture centered on integrity, accountability, respect, excellence, growth, joy, and well-being.
-
Provide development opportunities for all staff, and ensure that compensation, personnel, and other management policies are up to date and reflect organizational values.
-
Ensure that staffing and organizational structure support GCIR’s needs and goals.
IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE
Organizational Leadership: The successful candidate will be a strategic thinker with passion, vision, a can-do spirit, and a deep commitment to GCIR’s values. They will have a bold vision for elevating GCIR’s leadership in its field: broadening the organization’s reach and influence and engaging a community of stakeholders working individually and collectively to advance GCIR’s mission. They will be able to demonstrate a record of innovation.
Knowledge of the Field: The candidate will bring a deep knowledge of immigration issues and trends, and a track record of advocating for positive change with diverse audiences. They will also bring a sophisticated understanding of the complex intersection and interplay of immigration with other issues and movements.
Relationships and Influence: The new president will be highly skilled in cultivating and maintaining relationships with philanthropic and movement leaders. They will understand the unique dynamics in philanthropy, and how GCIR’s role as intermediary can create opportunities to advance a progressive agenda in the sector. They will have a genuine appreciation of different perspectives, and the skill to influence diverse stakeholders to find common ground and work on shared goals. With wisdom and maturity, they will know when to lead, when to partner, and when to step back to allow others to lead.
Fundraising Skills and Record: The candidate will bring a recent track record of significant fundraising from a diverse range of grantmakers and donors. They will have proven experience assessing funders’ priorities, determining how/if those align with GCIR’s priorities, and making the case for financial support aligned with those interests in a clear and persuasive manner. A positive reputation among funders in the community and/or philanthropic sector experience would be particularly welcome.
Finance and Operational Skills: The candidate will have the business acumen and operational expertise to ensure a fiscally and operationally healthy organization. They will have experience with overseeing budgets and financial reporting, and the ability to read financial accounts. They will know how to set and manage priorities and deadlines effectively for the team yet be able to pivot quickly in response to new challenges in the volatile policy environment and dynamic philanthropic ecosystem in which GCIR operates.
Leadership Qualities: GCIR seeks a leader who will bring emotional intelligence, and an approachable, humble, and compassionate leadership style, with a deep commitment to equity. They will be able to inspire, motivate, and empower staff, and support an inclusive organizational culture. Their self-confident, direct, and honest style will instill trust, promote collaboration, and support leadership development and professional growth. Given the gravity of the work, having an optimistic outlook, good sense of humor, and a high level of resilience will be essential to success. The new president likely has a personal connection to the immigrant or refugee experience.
REQUIREMENTS
-
Experience with leading an organization of comparable size and complexity to GCIR, or taking a senior leadership role within a larger organization. Ideally, that experience will be with a community-based or state/national advocacy organization, a charitable grantmaking institution, or a philanthropy-serving organization.
-
At least 10 years of thought leadership experience, ideally in the immigrant and/or social justice movement.
-
Proven recent track record of fundraising (preference for a minimum of $3M per annum), including developing the case statement and making the “ask.”
-
An established network of relationships and connections with institutional funders and individual donors who support immigrant justice and related fields.
-
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills and the ability to make persuasive arguments and presentations to a variety of audiences.
-
Experience in human resources management, and demonstrated success in supervising and developing staff, particularly in a multi-office organization and/or a technology-based virtual setting.
-
Experience and ability to oversee finance and operations functions and supervise staff managing them.
-
Demonstrated experience working directly and effectively with boards of directors and board committees, leveraging their knowledge, leadership, and connections.
-
Ability and willingness to travel an average of twice a month to meet with stakeholders, represent the organization, or speak at conferences. [We recognize that Covid-19 may continue to limit travel in the short term].
LOCATION
GCIR currently has two physical offices in the San Francisco Bay Area, where most of the staff work. We also have two staff members who work remotely. Ideally, this position would continue to be based at one of the Bay Area offices or in another part of California.
Preference will be given to candidates living in, or willing to relocate to, the Bay Area (modest relocation assistance is available). Candidates based in other locations are invited to apply and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
COMPENSATION
Salary range between $190,000 - $220,000 (depending on experience) plus benefits
GCIR offers a competitive salary and an excellent benefits package, including health insurance, retirement contribution, vacation and sick leave, support for professional development, and an employee matching-gifts program.
TO BE CONSIDERED
As an Equal Opportunity Employer, GCIR is committed to building and retaining a talented, diverse, and inclusive team. Our team members represent diverse backgrounds; bring a wide range of educational, professional, and lived experience; and contribute expertise from varied disciplines within the philanthropic, nonprofit, public, and corporate sectors. We welcome candidates of all races, ethnicities, nationalities, religions, abilities, sexual orientations, and gender identities and expressions. We strongly encourage women, people of color, those from immigrant and refugee backgrounds, and others who fit our candidate profile and requirements to apply for this president role.
If you wish to apply, please submit a cover letter and résumé or curriculum vitae to virtual-assistant@gcir.org by close of business on Monday, August 10, 2020. In your cover letter, please explain why you are interested in this role and how your experience and skills are relevant to the requirements of GCIR outlined above. All inquiries and submissions will be kept strictly confidential.
Candidates who are selected for an interview will be contacted by Sarah Burton, the search consultant retained by GCIR to lead this search.
Please note on timing: we recommend that you apply early, as we will review applications throughout July and may choose to close the search earlier than the deadline noted above.
