Executive Director

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Location: Hybrid with 2 days in northern Virginia office

Full-time Position

Compensation: $100,000 to $120,000 annual salary + Benefits

Reports to: Hamkae Center Advisory Board

ABOUT US

Established in 2013, Hamkae Center’s mission is to organize Asian Americans in Virginia to achieve social, economic, and racial justice. Through community organizing, public policy advocacy, and civic engagement, Hamkae Center is a leading Asian American organization striving to build power in Virginia towards a future in which low and middle income, immigrant, and marginalized communities fully participate in U.S. society and work together as changemakers. Hamkae Center focuses on the most vulnerable members of the Asian American community including people with low-income, immigrants of diverse status, English language learners, women, and youth. Hamkae Center is the Virginia affiliate of NAKASEC, a national Asian American Network. At present, Hamkae Center has a 19 member staff.

Hamkae Center has a sister 501(c)4 organization, NAKASEC Action Fund (NAKASEC AF). NAKASEC AF chapters engage Asian Americans through community education, organizing, advocacy and civic engagement programs.

LEADERSHIP PROFILE

Hamkae Center seeks a strategic, justice-driven Executive Director to guide the organization through a critical period of growth and opportunity. As Asian American communities in Virginia grow in number and political influence, Hamkae Center is building collective power to advance immigrant, racial, and economic justice.

The Executive Director will lead with integrity, inclusiveness, and vision—ensuring alignment with the organization’s mission, driving programs and strategy, strengthening internal culture, and securing resources to sustain and grow our impact. They will also serve as a key leader within the NAKASEC national network and lead our sister 501(c)(4), NAKASEC Action Fund Virginia.

Core Responsibilities

Organizational Strategy & Vision

• Lead the implementation and evolution of Hamkae Center’s strategic plan in partnership with staff and stakeholders.
• Stay informed on shifting local, state, and national dynamics to identify opportunities for bold, power-building campaigns.
• Facilitate collaborative annual goal-setting with staff, board, and key partners.
• Ensure strong representation in coalitions at the local, state, and national levels.

Staff Leadership, Organizational Development, and Culture

• Directly manage the leadership team; support strategic decision-making through regular check-ins and coaching.
• Foster a healthy, high-performing organizational culture rooted in collaboration and purpose.
• Oversee inclusive hiring, onboarding, team-building, and performance evaluation processes.
• Support staff professional development and leadership growth.
• Improve internal systems and structures to enhance team coordination and goal achievement.
• Facilitate regular team meetings, retreats, and culture-building opportunities.

Fundraising & Financial Stewardship

• Lead and oversee all fundraising efforts: institutional (foundations, government, corporate), grassroots, and individual donors.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with funders and partners.
• Guide the organization’s financial planning and ensure sound fiscal oversight.
• Expand revenue strategies to support programmatic and operational growth.
• Oversee development of fundraising materials, grant proposals, and reports.

Communications & Public Presence

• Serve as a public spokesperson and represent Hamkae Center in key external forums.
• Oversee the development and execution of a communications strategy that uplifts powerful narratives from Virginia’s AAPI communities.
• Ensure alignment across digital, media, and community-facing messaging.

Board Engagement

• Support board development and coordination through regular meetings and engagement.

Network & Affiliate Leadership

NAKASEC National Network

• Actively engage in NAKASEC network decision-making, strategy development, and campaigns.
• Attend network meetings, retreats, and serve on NAKASEC’s Board of Directors.
• Ensure Hamkae Center constituents are reflected in national initiatives and communications.

NAKASEC Action Fund Virginia

• Serve as Director of the state chapter of NAKASEC Action Fund.
• Lead campaign and program implementation to advance policies benefiting marginalized Asian American and broader communities.
• Attend and support NAKASEC Action Fund board meetings as needed.

Qualifications

Required

• 10+ years of professional experience, including senior-level leadership in nonprofits or aligned sectors.
• Success in strategic planning, team leadership, program oversight, and community organizing
• Experience fundraising six-figure grants, contributions, contracts. Familiarity with foundations, funders and developing relationships with funding personnel.
• Experience managing diverse teams, including director-level staff.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to build trust, resolve conflicts, and work with empathy and accountability.
• Understanding of the range of experiences individuals have with diversity, equity, and inclusion. Experience in supporting individuals and teams with their DEI learning journeys.
• Having a deep cultural competency/understanding of Virginia AAPI communities, and a commitment to immigrant justice and power-building.

Preferred

• Policy and legislative advocacy experience, particularly in immigration.
• Proficiency in an Asian language.

Hamkae Center recognizes that no applicant will have every single criteria checked for this role. The organization encourages applicants with a majority of the desired skills, experiences, and qualifications.

Compensation + Benefits: $100,000 to $120,000 annual salary (commensurate w/ experience). Health, dental, and vision insurance; 100% coverage individual, 70% coverage for family. SIMPLE IRA matching program. Paid time off, vacation, sick days (for sick employee and/or family members), life insurance, 2-month paid sabbatical after 5 years of service. Hamkae Center is closed the week of July 4th and between December 25 – January 1 for rest, reflection and rejuvenation.

Support: In addition to support from the Hamkae Center Advisory Board, as an Executive Director within the NAKASEC network, support from network Executive Directors through monthly meetings and biannual in-person retreats.

TO APPLY

To apply, please send your resume and cover letter (PDF) via the Movement Talent Opportunity Board application portal by clicking the "Apply To This Job" button:

https://recruitcrm.io/apply/17563935847020060944niK

Priority deadline: October 3, 2025

Please provide three professional references who can speak about your character and work/volunteer experience. We would prefer it if one of the references had a supervisory relationship with you, and one who is a former direct report.

When sending reference information, please include the reference’s:

• Full name
• Phone Number and/or Email address
• Short description of your professional relationship with the reference

Deadline to apply: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and will be kept open until filled.

Hamkae Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. People from a wide range of backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. We are committed to a diverse workplace and supporting our staff with ongoing career development opportunities.