Executive Director

ABOUT the Community Asylum Seekers Project (CASP)

Formed in 2016, the Community Asylum Seekers Project (CASP) is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization based in Brattleboro, Vermont.

CASP’s mission is to cultivate a supportive community for people seeking asylum in Vermont, while supporting basic needs and accompanying them on their journey towards building a life in this country. CASP currently supports over 30 asylum-seeking adults and children with wrap-around support, and approximately 60 people with general services, whom we refer to as our clients. Our clients come from Honduras, Sudan, Colombia, Afghanistan, Ghana, Russia, Mexico, Cuba, and several other countries. They attend local schools and churches, staff local businesses, and volunteer at local food banks and nonprofits.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Executive Director is responsible for providing visionary leadership, strategic direction, and operational oversight to fulfill CASP’s mission. They will take a leadership role in supporting CASP’s asylum-seeking clients currently living in Southern Vermont, while working toward building a welcoming community for future arrivals; recruiting, supervising and retaining staff; leading, inspiring, and utilizing the talents and experience of volunteers; and building an organizational culture that supports CASP's mission.

The Executive Director will work in close collaboration with the Board of Directors, staff, and key stakeholders to elevate the visibility and impact of CASP’s work. This individual will provide direction in fostering supporter and donor relations and overseeing development, publicity, alliance building, and fundraising for the growth and sustainability of the organization. They will secure and manage diversified funding streams to ensure that sustainable resources are in place to accomplish mission goals.

This position requires a dynamic, innovative leader who will lead our small and mighty organization and continue to provide essential services to asylum seekers in a rapidly changing and challenging landscape. Our new Executive Directive will have excellent leadership, financial, fundraising, and communications skills. They will be a strong community builder, seasoned fundraiser, innovative systems thinker, empathetic leader, and collaborative and supportive teammate. This role is perfect for someone passionate about upholding the rights of people seeking asylum and a drive to campaign and advocate for positive reform of the asylum system.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

Non-Profit Management and Strategic Leadership:

• Work closely with the organization’s staff to oversee the effective delivery of services; budget; financial stewardship; evaluation, and data reporting of the organization's services; and strategic direction of a small non-profit.
• Collaborate with the Board and CASP staff to proactively bring strategy and solutions to ongoing challenges and opportunities.
• Ability to lead and champion organizational change initiatives including identifying areas for improvement, developing change strategies, and guiding the organization through transitions with clear communication, stakeholder engagement, and thoughtful planning.
• Be innovative and adaptable within a small, resource-constrained organization to leverage strategic opportunities and community support.

Lead and Implement Financial Management and Fundraising Strategy:

• Work with the Board of Directors to create, monitor, and manage the annual budget, stewarding the growth of the organization, and keeping donors informed about its financial health.
• Develop, lead, and evaluate a comprehensive annual development plan that focuses on fundraising with ambitious goals and clear metrics for cultivating diversified and sustainable funding sources (grants, annual appeals, major gift giving, etc.), deepening donor commitments, and securing long-term support.
• Oversee grant research, writing, and reporting -- building the grants program to achieve growth in the number of grants we apply for and receive each year.
• Develop and execute special cultivation and stewardship opportunities for supporters-- representing CASP in local speaking engagements, community organizing events, and other donor cultivation events.
• Lead CASP’s strategic alliance-building efforts--representing the organization on local and statewide coalitions, as well as developing and sustaining relationships with local partners.
• Oversee external communications, such as newsletters and press releases, to effectively communicate CASP’s mission, activities, stories, and successes to increase philanthropic support and visibility of CASP’s work within the community.
• Promote a culture of philanthropy amongst CASP staff, board, donors, and volunteers.
• Manage and create a comprehensive, strategic plan for donor outreach and cultivation.

People Management:

• Develop and implement a five-year growth plan that includes the addition of a part-time case manager to support the ED and part-time volunteer coordinator.
• Supervise, evaluate, and mentor staff and interns.
• Serve as staff liaison to the working Board of Directors and its committees--establishing working relationships and delegating tasks as needed to carry out CASP’s services and mission goals.
• Oversee maintenance of support systems such as the website, database, CRM tools, and email.
• Ensure regular, clear communication across the organization--the Board of Directors, staff, volunteer network, and key stakeholder partners.

Client Management:

• Work with and supervise the Case Manager to oversee case management services, including developing contracts with clients and a tiered support structure for offboarding clients from CASP’s services and referring them to partner organizations.
• Assess new clients’ case posture and eligibility for state and federal service programs--ensuring legal compliance.
• Have general knowledge of clients’ cases to fully understand, identify, and communicate priorities, high-need areas, strategic direction, legal implications, and financial impact to CASP’s board, key stakeholders, and donors.
• Work with and supervise the Volunteer Coordinator to create a volunteer engagement strategy and volunteer database to bolster volunteer coordination, support, and engagement and case management.

Required Qualifications:

• At least five years in a nonprofit management role with a Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field.
• Demonstrated support of CASP’s mission and values with a demonstrated passion for social and immigration justice.
• Familiarity with supervision under a working Board of Directors.
• Experience building a team and managing staff.
• Proven experience with budget oversight and management.
• Fluency in English.
• Experience successfully building and growing grants, major gifts, corporate giving, planned gifts, and individual giving programs.
• Exceptional interpersonal, oral, and written communication and presentation skills, with a demonstrated ability to simplify complex themes and activities into a short, compelling presentation or written piece.
• Professional and/or lived experience with the U.S. immigration legal system.
• Ability to network effectively with (or strong willingness to learn) immigration-related resources.
• Exceptional organizational skills, with an ability to multitask and juggle competing priorities.
• Flexibility and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances.
• Commitment to promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
• Proficiency in Microsoft and Google Suites, virtual meeting platforms, and other online project management tools.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bilingual, bicultural candidates encouraged to apply.
• Proficiency in languages other than English. Intermediate or higher level of Spanish strongly preferred.
• MA or higher in a related field (social work, nonprofit management, human migration, ethnic/area studies, immigration law, etc.).
• Proficiency in website management, accounting software, CRMs (e.g. Little Green Light), and/or task management software (Sales Force).

Compensation and Benefits:

This is a full-time position at 37.5 hrs/week with an option for remote work 1-2 days a week and in-person work 3-4 days a week. Some availability on evenings and weekends is necessary for speaking engagements and board meetings.

Salary range is $65,000 - $80,000. Benefit package includes 11 paid floating holidays, 20 days paid PTO (vacation and sick time), contribution to retirement fund, dental insurance, healthcare stipend and training and professional development.

To apply

Applications will be given full consideration by July 15th. After July 15th, applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis. The position will be open until filled. Please submit a cover letter and resume via email to board@caspvt.org. Please include “Executive Director Search” in the subject line of the email.

A Note to Potential Candidates: We recognize that potential candidates with identities that have been historically excluded from the nonprofit field may be less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every one of the qualifications as described in the job description. We consider lived experience, volunteer work, and transferable work skills valuable. We also recognize that diverse experiences and a diverse staff enhance our ability to carry out our mission. If you feel passionate about our efforts and believe you have the skills to contribute to the growth of our organization, we want to hear from you!

CASP is an equal-opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. CASP encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, and record of arrest or conviction, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Black people; Indigenous people; people of color; LGBTQI+ people; immigrants; women; people with disabilities; protected veterans; and people from other underrepresented backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.