Madison-based Open Doors for Refugees seeks a dedicated, energetic, inspirational, and experienced leader to become our Executive Director. If you are passionate about enriching our community by welcoming and supporting refugees, this may be the perfect job for you!
Position Title: Executive Director
Organization: Open Doors for Refugees (ODFR)
Location: Madison, WI (primarily remote with in-person events and meetings)
Reports to: Leadership Council Chair, Center for Community Stewardship (fiscal sponsor)
Salary Range: $60,000 – $70,000 per year, plus benefits
Organizational Overview: Established in 2016, Open Doors for Refugees (ODFR) is a volunteer-driven community organization based in the Madison area. We welcome refugees to our community by helping them make a home, celebrating their cultures and contributions, and supporting their progress towards self-reliance and community involvement. ODFR is a non-profit organization that achieves its 501(c)(3) status through fiscal agency from the Center for Community Stewardship.
Position Overview: ODFR seeks an experienced, dynamic, collaborative and visionary leader who will provide overall strategic leadership and operational responsibility for the implementation of ODFR programs and strategic goals. This role involves managing day-to-day operations, fostering a positive organizational culture, and building strategic partnerships to enhance ODFR’s impact and sustainability with the refugee community in the Madison area. This position is the only paid position in the organization. The executive director works closely with volunteer-based program teams and leadership council.
Key Responsibilities
- Serve as an effective spokesperson for ODFR; represent the organization and its interests to outside agencies, organizations, and the general public.
- Develop and maintain relationships with our refugee communities in the Madison area.
- Develop and execute long-term and short-term strategic plans aligned with ODFR’s vision and values.
- Engage and motivate large group of diverse volunteers.
- Oversee the development, implementation, and evaluation of programs and volunteer teams to ensure alignment with strategic goals.
- Build and maintain strategic relationships and cooperative arrangements with other organizations, community councils, and stakeholders; create and implement MOUs and other agreements with community partners.
- Actively participate in fundraising activities and cultivate relationships with individual and organizational donors to support program expansion and sustainability.
- Collaborate effectively with leadership council members to leverage their expertise and support organizational priorities.
- Develop and implement a comprehensive communication strategy to ensure clear, consistent, and impactful communication both internally and externally.
- Oversee daily operational needs of ODFR, including data entry, handling email inquiries, preparing donor acknowledgements, and other administrative tasks.
Qualifications
Required
- Demonstrated background and commitment to advocacy for improving opportunities and experiences for refugees.
- Visionary and collaborative leadership skills with ability to bring people and communities together to support our mission.
- Demonstrated resourcefulness in setting priorities, productive multi-tasking, creating efficiencies, building investment in people and systems, and strong organizational skills.
- Strong ability to work effectively in partnership with people from diverse cultures, showing cultural sensitivity and inclusivity.
- Proven track record of successful fundraising for organizations, including personal requests for donations, grants and/or planned giving, or equivalent revenue development experience.
- Residence in the Madison Metropolitan area.
- Minimum of two years in a management and/or supervisory role
- Fluent in spoken and written English, with excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Proficiency in Microsoft and/or Google Suite, capable of creating and managing documents, spreadsheets, and presentations.
- Valid driver’s license, adequate liability insurance, and regular access to a vehicle for occasional work-related travel.
Preferred
- Bachelor’s degree in fields such as international relations, public administration, refugee and/or immigration studies, social work or related sector(s).
- Experience working with or serving on a board of directors, with knowledge of governance practices and effective board relations.
- Familiarity with analytics software and communication software.
Application Process
If you are interested in applying, submit the following to [email protected] no later than August 1. Please combine all materials into one PDF.
- A cover letter that speaks to how your experience relates to the job description. Specifically address relevant international and cross culture experience and cite examples of how you have demonstrated strategic leadership skills in various environments. In short, tell us why you are interested in this position and why you think you will make an excellent fit.
- A resume and a list of three professional references.