Chicago Irish Immigrant Support - Executive Director

Job Type: EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 

Schedule Type: Full Time

Location: Chicago, IL

Practice Areas: Social Justice Issues, Fundraising, Immigration, International Law/Human Rights, Legal Services, Non-Profit Management, Social Services.

Job Description

Chicago Irish Immigrant Support (CIIS), a 501(c) (3) social and legal services provider, seeks an energetic and creative Executive Director. Founded in 1998, CIIS serves the needs of immigrants and seniors in Chicago, Illinois, and throughout the Midwest. Our mission is to help immigrants and seniors lead high quality lives. We achieve this through delivering direct legal aid and referral services to immigrants and direct case management, social support, and agency referral services to seniors and at-risk populations. CIIS also conducts workshops to educate the community and public officials about matters affecting these constituencies. Traditionally, our clients were Irish; as the immigration landscape in Chicago has changed, so too has our clientele.

The Executive Director will be responsible for the vision, management, and fundraising activities of CIIS. He or she will report to the Board of Directors, and is responsible for the organization's consistent achievement of its mission and financial objectives.

Responsibilities:

• Assure that the organization has a long-range strategy which achieves its mission;
• Keep the Board of Directors fully informed on the condition of the organization;
• Carry out plans and policies authorized by the board;
• Maintain official records and documents relating to the organization’s legal and financial existence, and ensure compliance with federal, state and local regulations;
• Maintain a working knowledge of significant developments and trends in the fields of social services, immigration services and policy, and non-profit management;
• Publicize the activities of the organization, its programs and goals;
• Establish sound working relationships and cooperative arrangements with community groups and organizations;
• Act as the spokesperson for the organization; represent the programs and point of view of the organization to agencies, organizations, and the general public;
• Be responsible for developing and maintaining sound financial practices;
• Prepare CIIS’ budget for Board Approval; guide the organization to operate within budget guidelines;
• Ensure that adequate funds are available to permit the organization to carry out its work;
• Jointly, with the president and secretary of the board of directors, conduct official correspondence of the organization, and jointly, with designated officers, execute legal documents;
• Recruit and release all paid personnel;
• Develop staff job descriptions; hold regular performance evaluations; develop and maintain sound human resource practices;
• Manage the CIIS team, ensuring that appropriate provisions for promotion are in place;
• Encourage staff development and education;
• Maintain a climate that attracts, keeps, and motivates a diverse staff of top quality people.

Qualifications

• A Master’s Degree with 3 years experience or a Bachelor’s degree with 7 years experience in Public Policy, Non-Profit Management, or a related field preferred;  
• Experience working in a small non-profit environment, preferably in a managerial capacity;
• Experiencing managing staff and/or volunteers;
• Experience with grant writing & annual reporting;
• Experience organizing and managing fundraising activities;
• Experience with planning and administering program budgets and services;
• Experience liaising with government agencies on the local, national, and international levels;
• Experience creating and working in partnership with community-based and other non-profit organizations;
• Commitment to the vision, mission and values of CIIS;
• Excellent leadership and management skill including good communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills;
• Strong work ethic; ability to lead by example and work effectively in a small, resource-constrained environment;
• Ability to work well in multicultural team and with diverse constituencies;

• Developed technology skills, especially in the area of data reporting and social media;
• Previous experience working with persons of Irish descent and immigrants.

To apply for this position please send a cover letter, resume and salary history to ciissocialservices@gmail.com before November 21st, 2014.

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