Director

Position: Director, Reparations Stakeholder Authority of Evanston

Location: Hybrid in Evanston, IL (2 days/week at Evanston office)

Position Type: Full Time

Compensation: $65,000/year

About Reparations Stakeholder Authority of Evanston

The RSAE is an independent, non-profit organization with the fiscal responsibility in directing and distributing funds from the Evanston Reparations Community Fund held at the Evanston Community Foundation. We serve in capacity in line with the local Black residents of Evanston and the City of Evanston’s Reparations Committee, ensuring voices are heard, considered, and amplified.

Our diverse, rotating board of advisors, composed of Black residents of Evanston (stakeholders), provides thoughtful guidance on funding, programming, and the desired outcomes that are then recommended to the Evanston Community Foundation for implementation.

The RSAE also encourages public participation, facilitating forums for stakeholders to voice their needs, ideas, and grievances. These diverse inputs are compiled and presented to the City of Evanston Reparations Committee, ensuring a responsive and inclusive reparations process. Learn more at https://rsaevanston.org/.

The Role

Reporting to the Reparations Stakeholder Authority of Evanston Board of Advisors (RSAE), the Director provides senior leadership for the advancement, implementation, and stewardship of Evanston’s Reparations program. This role is responsible for leading community engagement, managing the implementation of reparations programs, supporting the delivery of direct and community-based benefits to eligible Evanston residents and organizations, and strengthening RSAE’s operational and financial sustainability.

The Director serves as a key leader translating board direction and community priorities into effective programs, partnerships, and measurable outcomes, while upholding transparency, accountability, and the principles of reparative justice.

This is a full-time position based at the FirstRepair offices in Evanston, IL, with regular participation in community meetings, public events, and partner convenings.

While this position is for the RSAE, the position is formally hosted and employed through FirstRepair. FirstRepair provides the administrative, operational, and office infrastructure, including office space at the FirstRepair headquarters in Evanston, IL, to support the Director. Day-to-day programmatic priorities, community deliverables, and strategic direction are established and overseen by the RSAE Board of Advisors, with collaborative coordination with FirstRepair on community initiatives.

What Will You Do?

Reparations Program Leadership & Implementation

• • Lead the implementation of reparations programs approved by RSAE, including direct benefits and community-based benefits for eligible Evanston community members and/or organizations
  • Manage application processes, documentation, tracking, and reporting related to reparations benefits
  • Ensure compliance with program guidelines, timelines, and funding requirements
  • Prepare implementation updates, program summaries, and outcome reports for the Board of Advisors, funders, and community stakeholders

Community Engagement & Public Accountability

• • Lead ongoing communication and engagement with the Evanston community and all reparations partners
  • Design and lead public meetings, listening sessions, and community forums to ensure the community voice is prioritized in our programming
  • Plan and execute community events in partnership with FirstRepair
  • Represent RSAE in meetings with community groups, institutional partners, local government, and the public

Governance & Board Support

• • Support the work of the RSAE Board of Advisors by developing meeting calendars, agendas, materials, and minutes
  • Ensure follow-through on board directives and action items
  • Support onboarding and engagement of board members

Organizational Operations & Administration

• • Lead day-to-day administrative functions of RSAE, including website management and internal systems
  • Monitor RSAE bank accounts and reparations funds held at the Evanston Community Foundation (ECF), ensuring accurate documentation and reporting
  • Respond to requests for information from board members, funders, auditors, and partners
  • Develop and maintain operational systems that support a growing reparations program

Fundraising & Resource Development

• • Lead and support fundraising efforts to sustain and expand the RSAE program
  • Cultivate relationships with philanthropic partners and funders
  • Support grant development, reporting, and donor stewardship
  • Track funding commitments and compliance requirements

FirstRepair Responsibilities

The Director’s responsibilities related to FirstRepair are limited to collaborative efforts that support Evanston’s leadership in reparations and the National Resource Center for State and Local Reparations.

• • Coordinate events and public-facing programs in partnership with FirstRepair
  • Support the operational leadership of the National Resource Center for State and Local Reparations, headquartered in Evanston
  • Facilitate communication among Resource Center partners, co-designers, and local reparations leaders to ensure alignment with Evanston’s priorities and national best practices.

Reports to:

The Director reports to the Reparations Stakeholder Authority of Evanston Board of Advisors (RSAE).

• • Formal reporting occurs through regularly scheduled Board meetings
  • Ongoing supervision and coordination will occur through designated Board leadership, via a combination of in-person and virtual (Zoom) meetings, as appropriate
  • The reporting cadence will be mutually established to ensure accountability, support, and alignment with RSAE goals

Who Are You?

You are a dynamic leader with experience managing complex, community-centered initiatives. You bring strong judgment, operational discipline, and a deep commitment to reparative justice. You are effective at building trust across diverse stakeholders, translating strategy into execution, and holding systems accountable to community outcomes.

You are a clear communicator, collaborative leader, and thoughtful steward of public trust. You are motivated by meaningful impact and understand the responsibility that comes with leading reparations work.

Qualifications / Experience

• • Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Demonstrated experience leading programs, initiatives, or organizations in nonprofit, public, or community-based settings
  • Ability to build and sustain relationships across community, government, nonprofit, and philanthropic sectors
  • High adaptability and comfort operating in a growing and evolving organization
  • Demonstrated commitment to equity, reparative justice, and social justice
  • Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed
• This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities. The Director may be asked to perform other duties as assigned, consistent with the mission and goals of the Reparations Stakeholder Authority of Evanston.

How to Apply

• Send a letter of interest and resume to info@rsaevanston.org with the subject line "Director Application". Applications will be reviewed as received.
• RSAE and FirstRepair are Equal Opportunity Employers and explicitly prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. We encourage applicants of all ages and backgrounds to apply.