MISSION

To empower immigrants and refugees with the tools they need to successfully acclimate to the world around them and become active participants in their communities by championing underserved individuals including immigrants and delivering culturally responsive services that uplift community voices.

THE OPPORTUNITY

This is the opportunity to lead a dynamic, culturally diverse human services organization that is dedicated to empowering immigrants and refugees. This is a pivotal moment for both the immigrant and Settlement House communities in New York City. The Executive Director of the Arab-American Family Support Center will play a critical role in ensuring access to culturally responsive services and uplifting community voices.

• Are you a leader who leads with empathy and humility and is a true “people person” able to build consensus and work collaboratively to maximize the contributions of staff and Board?
• Do you believe in justice, equity, and access to services for all immigrants including Arab, Middle Eastern, North African, South Asian, and Muslim populations?
• Do you model and promote sensitivity and compassion in a work culture that values excellence, equity, mutual respect, transparency, diversity, and collaboration?
• Are you excited about and committed to serving as AAFSC’s public-facing champion, promoting the organization and its work to community members, funders, and other partners?
• Can you raise money, foster partnerships, and lead this 31-year-old community-based organization with a spirit of confidence and optimism and build upon existing strengths to face new opportunities ahead?

If so, we invite you to keep reading and think about the untapped opportunities for you to make a lasting difference in the lives of immigrant New Yorkers.

SEARCH SUMMARY

The Arab-American Family Support Center (AAFSC) seeks an Executive Director to lead this well-known and well-respected member of the Settlement House Community. The new Executive Director will lead an organization with a strong record of serving immigrants in all five boroughs of New York City. To further AAFSC’s impact on a growing immigrant population, the Executive Director will possess a high level of cultural competence, emotional intelligence, and strategic vision. The leader will manage and guide a growing organization in the complex arena of multigenerational human services for marginalized and under-resourced populations.

The Executive Director will be a credible and passionate advocate, thought leader, and spokesperson who will elevate the voices of the individuals, families, and communities served.   The Executive Director will represent AAFSC and its mission to community-based partners and relevant agencies and will coalesce support for AAFSC from individual and corporate donors, private foundations, and government funders, as well as decision makers in state and local policy arenas.

The Executive Director will inspire and nurture a knowledgeable, talented, and dedicated  staff that has been a proven asset to the ongoing success of the organization. The Executive Director will also partner with an engaged and dedicated board from a wide range of backgrounds.

OVERVIEW

Since its founding in 1994, AAFSC has provided culturally and linguistically competent, trauma-informed, multigenerational social services to marginalized and under-resourced communities. Established to serve Arab-American immigrants, AAFSC has broadened its constituency significantly. AAFSC is open to all but has particular expertise in serving Arab, Middle Eastern, Muslim, North African, and South Asian immigrant communities.

AAFSC currently serves more than 20,000 community members a year and has an annual budget of almost $16 million. With a full- and part-time staff of approximately 160, AAFSC’s headquarters is located in downtown Brooklyn. Currently, AAFSC operates on a hybrid model.

BASIC FUNCTION

INTERNAL MANAGEMENT

• Leadership – Ensure cohesive leadership at the executive level so that day-to-day operations and programs are professionally and efficiently administered, holding the organization to the highest levels of accountability, consistency, and transparency.
• Programs – Assess and ensure that programs are structured, staffed, and funded appropriately to meet the needs of the communities served. Ensure that program, impact, and performance are measured effectively. Monitor how money is being spent and what it costs to ensure and deliver high-quality services efficiently. Ensure the integration of and collaboration between the different divisions and programs.
• General Management, Administration, and Finance – In partnership with the Chief Financial Officer, ensure that financial systems, budgets, and planning strategies accurately reflect the financial realities of the organization. Establish realistic and attainable financial projections and ensure continued fiscal stability.
• Staff – Attract, build, lead, and manage a diverse and highly dedicated team with a common vision, sense of purpose, and shared objectives. Ensure that collaboration, open communication, equity, and accountability are the norm. Foster a culture of professional growth and leadership development to retain and attract top talent.
• Board – Foster a strong and collegial working relationship with the Board of Directors, which comprises 14 individuals. Forge relationships that will bring forth their best ideas and efforts in support of AAFSC. Steward transparent and beneficial Board-staff relationships that serve the mission, vision, and values of the organization. Help attract new Board members.

EXTERNAL REPRESENTATIVE

• Resource Development – Increase private funding, steward current and cultivate new, strong, and collaborative relationships with the government agencies. Respond to and capitalize on a changing funding environment and course correct as necessary. Leverage existing donor relationships while aggressively identifying and cultivating new sources of funding to deepen impact; identify new sources of funding, especially among individuals, foundations, and the corporate sector. Work closely with the Board of Directors to inspire continued and greater participation with fundraising efforts to identify, plan, and execute new and innovative ways to raise money.
• Public Role – Serve as a visible champion for AAFSC; engage and coalesce stakeholders around the mission and provide leadership in an effort to raise the organization’s profile and to attract resources. Strategically position AAFSC as a leader in delivery of human services to one of the largest immigrant communities in the United States.

IDEAL EXPERIENCE AND QUALITIES

The Executive Director should have a deep and abiding commitment to and passion for AAFSC’s mission and core values. They should also have or be:

• Proven nonprofit organizational leadership experience including problem-solving in a competitive funding environment; nimble yet strategic orientation; an understanding of how to undertake implementation decisively when possible and more iteratively when not; the ability to foster and reinforce an internal culture of cooperation and mutual support; astute, fiscal acumen; experience working with government funders; and comfort engaging in hands-on fundraising.
• Deep cultural competence and experience in human services; expertise in delivering high-quality, community-based services using a trauma-informed and community resiliency approach.
• Extensive operational management experience. Able to balance multiple priorities and maintain forward momentum. A keen understanding of the financial and management systems and compliance guidelines required to support a large, complex, community-serving operation.
• A track record of success as a fundraiser and policy leader with a demonstrated ability to work with, cultivate and secure support from New York City and State agencies as well as officials, foundations, corporations, and individuals. Able to develop overall fundraising strategies and mutually reinforcing alliances with funders, partners, and key constituencies.
• The ability to recruit, advise, motivate, and lead a highly dedicated staff to whom much responsibility and authority are delegated.
• A demonstrated ability to engage and support program leadership and field staff. The ability to respond effectively to RFPs to support new initiatives with a deep understanding of how decisions about funding, resources, and staff allocations are experienced by staff and clients.
• Able to identify trends, take strategic risks, and apply sound risk management principles in a mission-driven environment.
• Sophisticated in the utilization of metrics in decision making and strategic planning. Someone who champions best practices in organizational and program design and implementation.
• A good listener and strategist; comfortable receiving feedback and new ideas from many Able to analyze and formulate disparate information into sound, well-organized plans and communicate effectively at all levels.
• An effective relationship builder internally and externally who is approachable and has a high degree of compassion.

COMPENSATION

The salary range for the AAFSC Executive Director is $250,000 to $275,000 per year.

APPLICATIONS

AAFSC is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity at all levels. All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply.

Please send applications, including cover letters and resumes, and nominations to G. Angela Henry and Paul Spivey, Principals, at AAFSC@PhillipsOppenheim.com.