Background* In 1998, SIREN was founded and now is unique in the field of immigrant rights organizations due to its commitment in three critical areas that further the immigrant rights agenda:

o Community Organizing – Empowering immigrant communities through leadership development, mobilization, and civic engagement, to improve education and communication among all communities.

o Immigration Legal Services – Providing free or low-cost legal consultations, application assistance, information, and education to immigrant and refugee communities so that they may become full participants in society and avoid becoming victims of fraud.

o Policy Advocacy – Analyzing and promoting federal, state, and local policies that protect immigrant rights and empower immigrants to make an impact on the political decisions that affect their lives. We address barriers that prevent immigrants from being fully integrated into their communities.

SIREN’s integration of the three programmatic strategies guides staff and board as they seek to fulfill its mission: To empower low-income immigrants and refugees in Santa Clara County through community education and organizing, leadership development, policy advocacy and naturalization services. We believe that all people regardless of legal status or nationality are entitled to essential services, human dignity, basic rights and protections, and access to full participation in society.

SIREN provides these important services to our community through the tireless work of its proactive and committed staff and board. To a person, SIREN personnel are compassionate experts in the field of immigrant advocacy and services. Though small in number, SIREN staff members pride themselves on being well-informed and believe in information-sharing about the depth and breadth of the issues facing immigrants and their families. Thoughtful team support is key to this band of colleagues’ ability to have such a significant impact in our community.

Strategic Direction and Priorities – 6-12 months

 Fund Development In the midst of a historic emphasis on immigration rights through the Administrative Relief by President Obama, SIREN’s ability to stay sustainable is a renewed commitment to fundraising made by the board and staff. Key among the work is diversifying funding streams by raising unrestricted funds from individual donors. Mosaic Consulting and Coaching in partnership with The Strickland Group

 Collaboration At the heart of the SIREN’s work is building, participating, and leading collaborations and coalitions that advance its mission and the collaborative vision of the community. Enhancing and formalizing SIREN’s collaborative model is critical in a time where so much needs to be done and our work will be successful through effective alliances with existing and new partners.

 Strategic Vision, Planning and Execution SIREN envisions a United States where immigrants are valued, integrated, and seen as essential to our society, where the human rights of all persons are protected and honored. Within our ever changing political and economic environment, SIREN needs to affirm its values, priorities, goals and strategies through a planning process aimed at defining our uniqueness and creating a living road map for our work ahead.

 Delivering On Our Commitments The aforementioned priorities help focus our efforts while SIREN’s staff and board continue to deliver on our work in the Administrative Relief arena with DAPA (Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents) and DACA/Dreamers (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) and other critical organizing, outreach, education, policy, and legal programs.

SIREN seeks an Executive Director with strong organizational-building skills, demonstrated nonprofit management experience, and a deep understanding of policy issues impacting immigrant communities. The Executive Director will provide leadership in the implementation of SIREN’s long-term strategic plan and will convey the organizational direction to staff, the Board of Directors, community members, and organizational supporters.

Key Areas of Responsibility Fund Development and Communications

 Develop and implement a fund development plan which outlines key fund raising and communications strategies to sustain organization’s operational budget.

 Work in partnership with the Board and bring the energy, skills, and experience needed to diversify funding streams and create sustainability.

 Be SIREN’s public spokesperson at key community events, within political and government settings and with media.

Organizational Management
 Lead organization through strategic planning process and manage goals and objectives established in the plan.
 Work with staff leaders to oversee programs, establish program evaluation, and human resources management systems.
 Work with Board Chair and all its members to establish and maintain a top-notch governance Board of Directors.

Finance and Administration
 Develop annual budget based both on program needs and funding outlook for Board approval.
 Supervise the maintenance of financial records and statements. Provide necessary information for the annual independent audit.
 Monitor financial information, including income statements and cash flow, for accuracy and growth.

Collaborations
 Define and communicate SIREN’s collaborative style and values.
 Maintain ever increasing leadership roles in immigrant and other collaborations.
 Value internal and external collaborations.

Experience and Qualifications
Preferred
 Visionary, humble, collaborative leader who knows when to lead and when to follow.
 Relationship builder who is as comfortable talking with an individual immigrant family as s/he is testifying in Sacramento and meeting with regional leaders.
 Experienced fund raiser with many successful individual donor solicitations and demonstrated stewardship and cultivation skills.
 Proven background in one of SIREN key program areas (organizing, policy, legal services).
 Ability to navigate often complex collaborative waters with ease, confidence, humility and action.
 Excellent bi-lingual public speaking skills and strong presence as the public face of SIREN. (English and Spanish or Vietnamese)
 Exhibits a good working knowledge of SIREN’s local funding, political, and immigrant landscape or similar experience in a comparable community.
 Established and well respected by immigrant community and those working to further the rights of immigrants.
 Leader who believes in succeeding by promoting and supporting others to innovate, create, and thrive.

Proven ability to work well within a small team, of both staff and board, to bring SIREN to its next strategic level.
Required
 5+ years of nonprofit management experience, as the Executive Director or equivalent, including partnering with a Board of Directors.
 4+ years of fund development experience, not only managing but doing fund raising.
 Bachelor’s degree (BA or BS). Master’s degree highly desirable.
 Good writing skills, and a respectable knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and alike.

Salary and benefits competitive and commensurate with experience. SIREN is an equal opportunity employer. People of color, immigrants, women, gay men, lesbians, transgendered persons, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to seek employment at SIREN.

How to apply

To apply, please send resume and cover letter that addresses how your experience meets SIREN’s stated priorities by April 17th to Lisa Breen Strickland at The Strickland Group – lisabstrickland@mindspring.com or Amari Romero-Thomas at Mosaic Consulting and Coaching – mosaicconsulting@yahoo.com. Please note – interviews will take place the weeks of May 4th and 11th with the possible opportunity to spend time with departing Executive Director in early June.

Additional information on SIREN can be found at www.siren-bayarea.org.