Executive Director

What You'll Do

As the senior most leader of a prominent NYC metropolitan area legal and social services organization focused on unaccompanied minors facing deportation, the Executive Director will address one of the most pressing issues facing youth in our city. Responsible for strategy, programs, people, operations, and long-term sustainability, the Executive Director will guide and support a high-performing, multidisciplinary team navigating a dynamic external context. Working in close partnership with a dedicated Board, the Executive Director will build upon a strong foundation, grow the organization, and continue to safeguard our financial health. In addition, the Executive Director will serve as SPP's leading fundraiser and external ambassador, cultivating and stewarding major donors, while engaging with community partners, and elevating SPP's public profile in service of our mission.

Key Responsibilities

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Organizational Leadership and Management

• Inspire staff, volunteers, and the broader community engaged in SPP's work, ensuring alignment with the organization's mission and core values.
• In partnership with the Board of Directors and staff, support continued implementation of Safe Passage Project's strategic plan and strategic priorities, fostering a culture of innovation and excellence and identifying emerging needs and opportunities.
• Serve as the primary liaison to the Board of Directors, providing timely updates to the Board on operations, finances, and risk issues.
• Lead, coach, manage, and support the leadership team and other direct reports, ensuring best-in-class delivery of key programs and services.
• Drive organization-wide results with inspirational leadership, effective and supportive management, and well-defined objectives with accountability mechanisms and key performance indicators to track progress.
• Engage productively with the SPP Union, Association of Legal Aid Attorneys - UAW Local 2325 (ALAA). (In 2020, Safe Passage Project staff voted to become members of the Association of Legal Aid Attorneys - UAW Local 2325 (ALAA). SPP's prior ED oversaw the signing of our first Collective Bargaining Agreement, a significant and proud milestone in Safe Passage's trajectory as an organization.)

Fundraising and External Representation

• Represent SPP effectively, serving as a visible leader with funders, pro bono and community partners, and other key stakeholders and speaking convincingly about the organization's work and impact. This includes communicating to the press and on television as needed.
• Drive fundraising efforts, with a focus on increasing revenue by actively identifying and cultivating new funding opportunities in partnership with the development team.
• Maintain relationships with existing major donors, institutional funders, and government partners.

Governance and Financial Management

• Ensure effective and responsible financial and operational management of the organization's 2026 $9.5M budget, working in partnership with key staff to oversee the fiscal operations of the organization.
• In coordination with the outsourced finance team and the Finance Committee of the Board, oversee budgeting, cash flow, investments, and financial reporting to ensure prudent financial management practices are in place to sustain organizational activities and initiatives.
• Approve expenditures and monitor compliance with grant and contract requirements.

Who You'll Work With

• You will report to the Board of Directors.
• You will directly supervise the Director of People & Operations, Communications Director, Legal Director, Development Manager, Data Manager, and Director of Social Work. The total team size is 60+ staff.

• At least 10 years serving in a senior leadership role (e.g. Executive Director level) at a social justice organization or a non-profit legal services organization; prior work in a legal setting is required.
• Leadership experience in frontline, service provision settings, immigration issues and/or legal services, with an understanding of trauma-informed approaches particularly valued.
• Strong appetite to lead fundraising efforts, ideally with a demonstrated track record of success leading fundraising in a nonprofit setting. Experience with government contracts is a plus.
• Experience overseeing the financial management and financial strategy of an organization; familiarity with nonprofit financials reporting and compliance.
• Strong management experience with a demonstrated track record of implementing team-focused systems and processes that elevate performance and increase the team's connection to the organization and our mission.
• Outstanding organizational leadership skills, with an ability to articulate a clear and inspiring vision while supporting an engaged board of directors and managing, coaching, and developing a high-performing team
• Strong public speaking and written communication skills, with the ability to serve as a compelling and credible external representative for the organization.
• Ability to navigate a shifting external context and unexpected events that are impacting SPP's day-to-day work.
• Robust understanding of and commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging principles; experience successfully leading with and successfully integrating these principles into practice.
• Ability to bring cultural awareness and political sensitivity in serving clients from 40+ countries.
• Fluency in Spanish is preferred.
• Given the nature of our work, a J.D. is preferred.

Location and Work Environment

SPP is based in New York, NY. The NYC office is located in downtown Manhattan on the campus of New York Law School. The Long Island office is located in Farmingdale, NY. Both offices operate on a hybrid basis with one day a week in office.

Given our mission, SPP encourages applications from individuals with lived experiences relevant to our work, including those with a personal or family immigration story or history. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds.