About Immigrants Rising 

Formerly the Educators for Fair Consideration (E4FC), Immigrants Rising has transformed individuals and inspired broader changes around the country for nearly two decades.  With our resources and support, undocumented people are able to get an education, pursue careers, and build a brighter future for themselves and their communities. Our collective power is helping our nation edge closer to fulfilling its ideal as a land of opportunity and access for all. One of our core values is that our work is driven by and for undocumented people. By uplifting undocumented leadership at all levels, we are making sure that undocumented people are at the center of designing and advancing inclusive solutions to the issues that most affect them. In 2022-2023, we will serve over 3,000 people through our grants, programs, and services and reach almost 750,000 people through our online resources. We are a fiscally-sponsored project of Community Initiatives with an annual budget of $6.5 million.

Our base has historically been undocumented young people in California. But the transition to virtual programming coupled with the expanded reach of our work have resulted in us serving a wider range of ages, backgrounds, and geographic regions. 

For more information, please visit www.immigrantsrising.org.

About the Opportunity

The incoming Executive Director of Immigrants Rising will have the extraordinary opportunity to join and lead the organization during a time of significant evolution. Building on nearly two decades of a successful model of serving and uplifting undocumented leadership, the Executive Director will be responsible for leading Immigrants Rising into its next chapter of impact, charting the path for long-term sustainability, and ensuring we reach undocumented people from a wider range of ages, backgrounds, and regions across the state and country. As the leader of a growing organization, the Executive Director will develop core organizational strategies and capacity that are essential to Immigrants Rising’s future growth and sustainability.

This position is ideal for someone who is passionate and committed to the rights of immigrants, who brings deep knowledge and personal connection to the undocumented experience, and has significant experience and knowledge of issues affecting access to education for immigrants, the U.S. immigration system and immigration politics.  They will also bring experience in fundraising, working with boards, and developing shared leadership which includes building cohesive, mission-driven teams that are aligned around a vision and mission. 

Areas of Leadership

• Executive Leadership & Strategy: In partnership with staff and provisional board, lead the strategic transition of Immigrants Rising from fiscal sponsorship to a 501(c)(3). Spearhead the planning and implementation process to update the vision and mission and lead the strategy for the next phase of impact. Foster an effective and clear decision-making process that is also inclusive of staff and communities who are impacted. 
  • Key qualifications:
    • Experience leading or supporting as a senior leader in a mission-driven organization, particularly through times of evolution, growth, and/or scaling.
    • Adept at organizational and programmatic visioning and strategy. 
    • Experience developing, evaluating, and updating programs and organizational structures with an eye toward sustainable growth and deeper impact. 
    • Outstanding communicator and active, engaged listener, with experience in building clear systems of decision-making that is also inclusive of others’ perspectives. 
    • Strong belief in, and commitment to Immigrants Rising’s mission, as demonstrated by lived experience and/or a track record in advocacy, organizing work, and serving the undocumented immigrant population. 
    • Experience working with a board of directors. 

• People-Centered Leadership: Lead, inspire, and coach a strong, cohesive team by building upon a shared sense of community. Commit to a shared leadership model by continuing to build out the senior management team (including as needed for Human Resources, Finance, and Development functions) as well as enhancing and growing their current skills. Practice and model equity-centered leadership, continuing to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in internal policies, programming, and external partnerships. 
  • Key qualifications:
    • Proven ability to develop thriving teams and organizations, as demonstrated by deep relationship building, an orientation toward mentorship, and an ability to coach and manage individuals to develop their strengths and talents.
    • Demonstrable history of centering equity in all decision making including an equity lens to resource allocations across programs, services, and internal systems. 

• External Partnerships & Fundraising: Ensure financial sustainability and growth of Immigrants Rising through strategic fundraising, partnership development, grants, and strong financial management. Build strong relationships with existing and potential funders and partners and engage in complex and impactful storytelling about undocumented immigrants and education. Represent Immigrants Rising externally to scale presence and impact. 
  • Key qualifications:
    • Significant, proven experience asking for and securing funding from diverse sources (e.g.,individuals/family foundations, private/corporate foundations grants and/or government grants). 
    • Ability to build strong relationships with existing and potential funders and partners to engage in complex and impactful storytelling to bring them along in support of the mission. 
    • Demonstrable experience serving as the public face and advocate of an organization (or a program or cause). Track record of effectively representing an organization to diverse stakeholders, ranging from immigrant youth to educational leaders and others.

Salary, Benefits & Location

This position is a full-time, exempt position and includes an annual salary range of $185,000 - $200,000.  Compensation also includes 20 vacation days, 11 paid holidays, 4 floating holidays, 12 sick days, and a generous benefits package, covering: medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, as well as a 401K plan.

Immigrants Rising is currently operating remotely and will consult the new Executive Director in developing a possible hybrid or in-office work model. This role will require some travel to conferences and events throughout the year. The Executive Director can be based anywhere in the state of California or willing to relocate to California. 

Candidates who meet many, but not all qualifications, are encouraged to apply. Immigrants Rising is committed to an inclusive search and ensuring that candidates with a broad range of applicable skills and experience apply.

Immigrants Rising is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants are considered for positions without regard to veteran status, uniformed service member status, race, creed, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, national origin, marital status, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, caregiver status or any other category protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.