Executive Director (Oakland/San Jose)

International Rescue Committee • San Jose, CA

1d • $137,925 - $153,247 • Onsite

About The Position

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future. The IRC is seeking an Executive Director (ED) to advance its work in Oakland and San Jose, California. The ED sets the vision, articulates the mission, and manages the implementation of quality, evidence-based or evidence-generating programming to maximize client outcomes. They are responsible for the development of resources vital to operate national and local programs, including building positive relationships with local, regional, and national resource partners. The offices currently have a projected FY26 operational budget of $11.7 million and approximately 93 staff. Programs primarily focus on refugee resettlement and case management, employment, behavioral health, economic empowerment, education, anti-trafficking, youth, and immigration services. This position can be based in either Oakland or San Jose, with regular onsite presence at the primary office and frequent visits to the other office.

Requirements

• Undergraduate degree required, advanced degree in related field preferred.
• Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible work experience with social services or humanitarian assistance programs; strong preference for previous experience with direct services delivery to clients in cross-cultural environments.
• Demonstrated staff management, program development, monitoring, evaluation, and advocacy experience.
• Authentic leadership: demonstrated ability to promote an organizational culture that reflects IRC’s core values of service, accountability, integrity, and equality. Ability to lead in a way that recognizes that IRC’s work is best accomplished through the true collaboration of individuals from many cultures with a great variety of skills and perspectives.
• Successful and significant fundraising and grant writing experience.
• Financial management experience, including effective management of budgets.
• Proven people management skills: demonstrated ability to deliver results and translate words into action.
• Keen diplomatic and interpersonal skills; ability to enhance internal and external relationships, including with partners and donors.
• Ability to work successfully and with utmost integrity and respect in cross-cultural environment and with limited English-speaking client population.
• Ability to heighten the visibility of the office and programs, both within the IRC network and in the external environment.
• Superior organizational skills: ability to set priorities and effectively manage time in a fast-paced team environment.
• Proven digital literacy to include experience using MS Office.
• Ability and willingness to travel up to 50%.

Responsibilities

• General Management and Leadership
• Organizational Leadership: Establish and articulate vision and strategy for IRC location. Engage with local leaders and communities to advance IRC’s mission and serve as a thought and operational leader; cultivate collaborative working relationships with state and local agencies and service providers, donors, advocacy partners and community organizations. Ensure the development and implementation of effective and holistic strategies to improve outcomes for clients.
• Planning: Lead local strategic planning process. Coordinate with IRC headquarters and ensure office's strategic plan reflects the agency’s overall mission and goals. Contribute to RAI network-wide initiatives and capacity building models to advance the IRC Strategic Plan.
• Team Management: Plan, organize, distribute, and coordinate the flow of work. Hire, supervise, guide, and advise staff in accordance with IRC processes and values. Promote compliance with the IRC Code of Conduct; take ownership for actions and be accountable for those of the team. Maintain office management structure that bolsters coordination across departments. Ensure effective onboarding, capacity building, professional development and performance management strategies, and compliance with applicable labor laws.
• Operations: Ensure timely and consistent communication with HQ on operational issues, policies and reporting; support local implementation of IRC policies including procurement, IT, and security and safety protocols.
• Financial Management
• Budget Oversight: Coordinate annual budget development; regularly review the operating budget as well as monthly budget-to-actuals; maintain effective systems for tracking spending rates; address anomalies in revenue and expenses. Build capacity of program managers to support responsible financial management of their assigned programs.
• Fundraising & Business Development: Be responsible for development and tracking of annual fundraising plan to ensure achievement of goals and adequate resourcing of restricted and unrestricted funds.
• Advocacy, External Relations, Development, and Fundraising
• Advocacy: Lead local advocacy efforts and support national advocacy efforts; host Board, senior staff, and donor visits; engage in and support community and policy outreach efforts.
• Resource Development: Define resource development strategy and develop a local fundraising plan based on analysis of office and program strengths, service gaps and local environment. Collaborate with colleagues to optimize use of technical support and resources; cultivate local donor relationships to maintain and expand funding base.
• Marketing: Coordinate development of a marketing strategy and plan contextualized for the local environment; ensure marketing materials are consistent and of high quality.
• Media and Communications: Maintain positive public image of IRC; engage with the local media outlets and develop working relationships; collaborate closely with IRC Communications Department on media efforts in accordance with IRC policies on external messaging.
• Partnership: Build positive relationships in relevant sectors and refugee communities. Collaborate with partners to address refugee needs and support an enabling environment for refugees.

Benefits

• We offer a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. In the US, these include: 10 sick days, 10 US holidays, 20-25 paid time off days depending on role and tenure, medical insurance starting at $163 per month, dental starting at $6.50 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with immediately vested matching, disability & life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis and mental health struggles.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive