Executive Director

Refugee Support Services of the Carolinas, Inc. (“RSS”) Executive Director Position Description

RSS: The organization is an 18-year old 501(c)3, focusing on post-resettlement programs for refugees, asylees, human parolees and other internationally displaced populations legally in the United States, trying to establish community ties and enhance their quality of life.

RSS has grown steadily, servicing ~900 program participants annually, working with an operating budget of ~$2M and coordinating almost 300 volunteers.

Critically, the organization is often a first experience in Charlotte for many displaced people who may arrive into a world where language, culture, customs and resources are challenging. RSS directors, staff and volunteers must project (and believe) in the power of being curious, warm, welcoming, and collaborative. We strive to provide access, assistance, and support in a multitude of ways.

RSS’ offices are located just East of the Plaza area of Charlotte. RSS oversees 6 programs focused on assisting its refugee population. These programs currently include:

- Fruitful Friends: Establishing volunteers with program participants to make one-on-one relationships and serve as a support and friendship resource for individuals navigating cultural integration into local communities.

- Food & Community Programs (“Park & Pick Market”) works to locate and coordinate large scale fresh food and organize weekly distribution to program participants.

- Help Desk: Provides virtually and in-person direct assistance on all manner of issues including housing, education, health, finance, employment social services and other matters.

- Youth Education (“Love & Learn”) assists with literacy skills and school readiness for younger children and their parents.

- Artisan Workforce Programs (“Knit Together”) enables women to craft goods in a supportive environment that builds community and awareness for both participants and the community.

- Adult Education – including English as a Second Language (“ESL”) training and other critical skill development.

Each of these programs has full or part time Program Coordinator as well as specialists who work within the programs under the Program Coordinators. Many of the coordinators and specialists have come through RSS as program participants, and these roles serve not only to further the mission of the organization, helping refugees arrive, survive, and thrive, but also serve as initial employment training to launch them into future employment.

RSS also serves as a critical distribution point whereby RSS collaborates with many Charlotte community organizations to direct RSS program participants to other resources more directly established and servicing their needs. RSS seeks to never duplicate services that are already existing in the community.

The Executive Director Role: The Executive Director has three main responsibilities: (1) S/He is tasked with overseeing the operations of RSS’ programs: ensuring they are staffed, the ethos of inclusion, support and individual personal value is embedded in all that we do, and strategically setting goals for existing programs or consideration of new directions for the organization; (2) The Executive Director oversees all the administrative operations of the organization, including working closely with the Administrative Manager to ensure policies, procedures and protections are in place to ensure fluid and compliant accounting, grant administration, payroll, and other day-to-day functions; and (3) The Executive Director, working with the Board of Directors, is tasked with strategic growth of the organization: ensuring that donor relationships are cultivated, community connections are enhanced, development events are effective and evolved, and reporting (financial and otherwise) is timely, accurate and effective.

The Executive Director requires a leader with presence, a mindset for execution, but a heart for helping people establish new and better lives in our community. The position requires a problem solver who can work across a broad spectrum of people. Communication abilities are a priority, as is the ability to work with a variety of technologies and a degree of financial and budgeting acumen/experience. Critical to the role is being an outward-facing, community-building, relationship developer – someone who will convey to individuals and groups, the passion, importance and effectiveness of the RSS mission.

Key Responsibilities:

- Closely partner with Program Coordinators to ensure solid operations and program evolution.

- Work with all staff members to establish individual and program metrics, goals and personal development.

- Closely work with staff and outside resources to maintain and grow grant programs and community partnerships with like organization.

- Closely partner with board and outside resources to cultivate and update donor events and relationships.

- Maintain ownership of the overall RSS’ goals and performance – establish what key metrics drive successful implementation of RSS’ goals, architect with integrity, the mining of those metrics and monthly reporting around them.

- Coordinate content and updates for website and social media platforms.

- Manage a staff of 15-20 full and part-time employees, as well as key vendors (outside accounting firm, social media consultant, board/grant writing specialist).

Qualifications and Skills:

- 5-10 years in progressively increasing roles and responsibility in a non-profit organization.

- Experience in resettlement or immigration issues preferred.

- Ability to work with team members to build a budget and manage financial obligations.

- Ability to utilize technology to streamline processes and effectuate key tasks.

- Strong written skills, ability to communicate electronically, organize larger grant applications, and timely manage projects.

- Willingness to jump into the fray and timely and pleasantly assist staff and program participants on key needs.

- Strong public presentation skills – ability to read a room, and if necessary, stand before it and win it over.

- Curiosity to see who/what else is out in the community that can help RSS participants – and the polish and gravitas to reach out and build an effective connection.

- Effective listener and relationship builder.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $90,000.00 - $110,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Tuition reimbursement

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Ability to Commute:

• Charlotte, NC 28215 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Charlotte, NC 28215: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $90,000 - $110,000