Executive Director

The Executive Director is the key management leader of Safe Place International. The Executive Director is responsible for overseeing the administration, programs, and strategic plan of the organization. Other key duties include fundraising, marketing, and community outreach. The position reports directly to the Chair of the Board of Directors. The Executive Director assures that SPI and its activities function in keeping with the mission of the organization, the policies and directives of the Board of Directors, and contractual obligations. As the chief professional officer, the Executive Director is accountable for the administrative and financial operations of SPI and its affiliated programs, and the effective management of its staff and volunteers. In addition, the Executive Director serves as a spokesperson for SPI; acts a senior liaison to government, key community groups, social service agencies and the media; and is a recognized leader and advocate within the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and ally (LGBTQIA+) refugee community globally.

General Responsibilities:

1. Board Governance: Works with board to fulfill the organization’s mission. Responsible for leading SafePlace International in a manner that supports and guides the organization’s mission as defined by the Board of Directors. Responsible for communicating effectively with the Board and providing, in a timely and accurate manner, all information necessary for the Board to function properly and to make informed decisions.
2. Financial Performance and Viability: Develops resources sufficient to ensure the financial health of the organization. Responsible for the fiscal integrity of Safe Place International, to include submission to the Board of a proposed annual budget and monthly financial statements, which accurately reflect the financial condition of the organization. Responsible for fiscal management that generally anticipates operating within the approved budget, ensures maximum resource utilization, and maintenance of the organization in a positive financial position. Responsible for fundraising and developing other resources necessary to support SafePlace International’s mission.
3. Organization Mission and Strategy: Works with board and staff to ensure that the mission is fulfilled through programs, strategic planning, and community outreach. Responsible for implementation of Safe Place International’s programs that carry out the organization’s mission. Responsible for strategic planning to ensure that SafePlace International can successfully fulfill its Mission into the future.

Core Responsibilities:

1. Report to the Board of Directors; provide the Board with all information necessary for it to carry out its fiduciary and governance roles.
2. Steward the organization’s Mission and Vision, working collaboratively with the Board of Directors, staff, and Founder.
3. Direct and oversee the organization’s fundraising and donor relations, working closely with the Development team and the Board’s Development Committee. Responsible for identifying and cultivating individual, corporate and foundation donors, and sponsors.
4. Provide key oversight and maintain ongoing financial control of the organization. Plan and manage the operating budget, maximizing revenue and controlling expenses to ensure that Safe Place International is a financially viable and sustainable organization with the resources to meet current and projected growth.
5. Cultivate and manage a high-performing senior leadership team, attracting, developing, mentoring, and retaining a strong, talented staff.
6. Establish employment and administrative policies and procedures for all staff functions and for the day-to-day operation of the organization, including requirements of a global team working across multiple time zones.
7. Be informed about, and stay up to date on, the legal policies and guidelines affecting the organization’s staff and communities in the countries in which the organization has a presence and operates.
8. Serve as SafePlace International’s primary spokesperson to the organization’s constituents, the media, and the public, along with the Founder.
9. Cultivate relationships and, as appropriate and necessary, collaborate with influential and pioneering LGBTQIA+, refugee and asylum organizations around the globe to strategically enhance Safe Place International’s Mission.
10. Lead strategic planning with the board and staff to enable the organization to continue to best serve LGBTQIA+ refugees and asylum seekers; direct and manage the implementation of ongoing strategic programs and initiatives.
11. Other duties as assigned by the Board of Directors.

Key Credentials and Professional Qualities:

• Three to five years successful senior leadership experience at a social impact organization; experience scaling a grassroots organization preferred.
• Experience with, and knowledge of, international refugee populations and asylum processes.
• Passion for human rights and specifically, the rights of LGBTQIA+ individuals and communities.
• Strong understanding of nonprofit and Board governance; experience collaborating with a nonprofit Board of Directors to identify, create, and implement strategies to advance an organization’s mission.
• Demonstrated knowledge of, and hands-on experience with, fundraising, donor relations and leading a fundraising strategy.
• Direct experience in reading, creating, and understanding financial documents, including experience in preparing and managing an annual budget, resource allocation, and expense management.
• Strong mentoring skills and experience in recruiting, training, and developing a talented, multi-cultural, gender diverse team of employees who can lead critical departments and manage strategic programs and initiatives.
• Commitment to results; a “can-do” mindset with an ability to respond quickly to dynamic, fast-changing situations; experience in crisis response preferred.
• Strong organizational and strategic planning abilities, with high technological proficiency.
• Strong written and oral communication skills; public speaking and presentation experience preferred.
• Experience managing a team remotely
• Demonstrated ability to promote transparency and high-integrity leadership.