Jobs

Currently, QEJ is seeking an Executive Director to begin April 1, 2012. Please email your cover letter and resume to jobs@q4ej.org by October 1, 2011. Take a moment to read the full job description below:

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Queers for Economic Justice
147 West 24th Street, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10011
www.q4ej.org
jobs@q4ej.org

Position Title: Executive Director, Queers for Economic Justice
Resumes due October 1, 2011
Hire planned April 1, 2012.
This position is full-time.
Salary: $60-65,000

POSITION SUMMARY

Queers for Economic Justice seeks an experienced, creative, collaborative, visionary, progressive leader to fill the position of Executive Director.

Queers for Economic Justice (QEJ) is a progressive non-profit organization committed to promoting economic justice in a context of sexual and gender liberation.  Our goal is to challenge and change the systems that create poverty and economic injustice in our communities, and to promote an economic system that embraces sexual and gender diversity.  We are committed to the principle that access to social and economic resources is a fundamental right, and we work to create social and economic equity through grassroots organizing, public education, advocacy and research.  We do this work because although poor queers have always been a part of both the LGBTQ rights and economic justice movements, they have been, and continue to be, largely invisible in both movements.  This work will always be informed by the lived experiences and expressed needs of queer people in poverty.

Queers for Economic Justice is supported by a multi-racial, multi-class, multi-cultural group of people of diverse marginalized sexual and gender identities, as well as diverse ages, educational levels, backgrounds and abilities.  The organization has a staff of three and associated consultants, and a budget of $350,000.   QEJ’s work is well known and respected in progressive social justice communities throughout the United States.  The organization primarily works in the five boroughs of New York City with a history of national outreach, education and advocacy.  QEJ’s current work prioritizes organizing LGBTQ residents of the city’s homeless shelter system. Previous work has included welfare organizing, immigrant rights and coordinating a network of grassroots progressive LGBTQ organizations.

The Executive Director (E.D.) provides vision and leadership for the organization’s growth and development ensuring that projects (short and long term) fulfill the mission and vision of the organization. The E.D. collaborates with its Board of Directors, staff and community stakeholders, including but not limited to consultants, former Board members, volunteers and LGBTQ low-income stakeholders. The E.D. is also responsible for ensuring fiscal viability for current and future programs as well as increasing the visibility of QEJ both locally and nationally. The E.D. works closely with the Board of Directors and development staff/consultants to develop and implement fundraising strategies to sustain the annual budget. In addition, the E.D. reports to the Board of Directors on the fiscal and programmatic status of the organization.

RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Responsible for the day-to-day management of the organization including the creation and use of systems and resources that facilitate the effective operation of the organization.
  • Articulate QEJ’s strategic vision, which includes appropriate goals that advance the mission and reflect the shared vision of the organization in collaboration with the Board of Directors, staff, volunteers and LGBTQ low-income stakeholders.
  • Balance the efforts of QEJ’s Board of Directors, staff and volunteers in local and national projects, as well as the individual projects of the organization.
  • Research and pursue new fundraising opportunities including writing grant proposals, building an individual donor base and overseeing various fundraising streams including special events and direct mailings.
  • Ensure the fiscal viability of the organization including overseeing the daily spending and supervising a fiscal consultant in creating and managing an annual budget.
  • Simultaneously supervise programmatic work while supporting the autonomy of the staff and volunteers that manage the programs.
  • Assist the staff in creating and budgeting for new programs that fulfill the mission of the organization.
  • Support and supervise the staff.  Manage human resources issues.
  • Collaborate with the staff in representing the organization at public events, with community leaders, elected officials, government agencies, funders, academics and the media.
  • Build coalitions and partnerships with other LGBTQ and non-LGBTQ social justice organizations.
  • Engage in local and national advocacy and education and support community organizing efforts.
  • Organize and prepare status reports for Board of Director meetings on the fiscal and programmatic standing of the organization.
  • Coordinate a multi-stakeholder exploration of QEJ becoming a membership organization. Integrate participant leadership throughout administrative and programmatic activities.

QUALIFICATIONS

    The ideal candidate would possess the following:

  • A minimum of three to five years of management experience with the demonstrated ability to lead, train, motivate, supervise and support paid staff, volunteers, consultants and interns.
  • A successful fundraising track record with a minimum of three to five years experience that includes donor cultivation, securing major gifts, and grant writing experience for grassroots, progressive social justice organizations.  Experience developing and implementing marketing campaigns.
  • Experience developing and managing human resource related policies and procedures;
  • Strong fiscal management skills, with a minimum of three to five years of budget management experience that includes budget development and oversight.
  • A broad understanding of class, race, gender and economic justice issues on a local and national level and how these issues affect LGBTQ people and an understanding of political, operational, and ethical issues that impact QEJ work.  In addition, an understanding of national welfare and local HRA policies, New York’s homeless shelter system, marriage politics, and criminal justice and immigration issues is a plus.
  • Experience working in multi-racial and multi-class LGBTQ and non-LGBTQ organizations in local communities and on the national level.
  • An understanding of strategies needed to build external coalitions and partnerships.
  • Interest in and ability to work in a membership-based organization.
  • Experience working with a board of directors.
  • Ability to problem solve, be self-directed and proactive.
  • Superior writing skills that include a background in writing proposals, professional reports and other scholarly materials, opinion pieces, and press releases.  New York City print and TV media contacts is a plus.
  • Strong public speaking skills.

HIRING LOGISTICS

This position is located in New York City.

Send cover letter, resume and two writing samples, one of which must be a proposal for funding, as Word documents or PDF files to the Executive Director Search Committee at jobs@q4ej.org by October 1, 2011.

No phone calls please.

Women, people of color, people with disabilities, gender nonconforming people and transgender people are encouraged to apply. QEJ welcomes applications from applicants regardless of nationality, race, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, sex, citizenship/status or disability.