Arena Careers

AAAF is looking for an inspiring, innovative, results driven, visionary thinker to lead AAAF as Executive Director. The Executive Director is responsible for the success and impact of AAAF. They are responsible for maintaining the organization’s financial, legal, and organizational success, with the support of the Leadership Team and staff. They serve as a key spokesperson and ambassador for the organization to funders, partners, and the community at large.

The ideal candidate will be first and foremost committed to the Asian American Advocacy Fund’s mission and vision and are excited about building the political power of the Asian American Community throughout Georgia. This mission driven leader will bring distinguished leadership in 501(c)4 political campaign work, strong people management skills, and a deep belief in the power and capability of our community. They will be a strong relational leader, energized by opportunities to work across lines of difference and skilled at forging working partnerships and driving for consensus.

Leadership and Vision:

• Serve as the chief leader for AAAF, guide its strategic direction and mission alignment, and pave the path for long-term success.
• Build on past successes by inspiring, creating, and implementing new strategies that advance AAAF's work in a challenging political climate.
• Serve as the lead fundraiser and spokesperson for the AAAF's mission and programs. Grow and expand the AAAF's reputation and influence; provide clear vision and direction to guide programs.
• Work closely with the Board and staff to develop and periodically update the organization’s priorities, strategies and policies, and to design and implement campaigns that support successfully achieving strategic goals.
• Exhibit courage and clarity when addressing highly controversial and complex issues and lead the Board through thoughtful consideration of conflicting positions on those issues.
• Guard the organization’s integrity, credibility, by emphasizing these qualities in all aspects of AAAF's work

Fundraising & Finances:

• Ensure financial resources we need to meet our goals and that we steward our resources responsibly
• Oversee the financial health of the organization;
• Maintain sound financial practices and ensure effective stewardship of the organization’s resources.
• Set and manage to the annual organizational budget, in collaboration with department leads Oversee and directly drive our fundraising efforts, with a clear fundraising strategy that leverages the power of multi-entity organizations.
• Serve as primary “pitchmaker” and relationship steward for most high-stakes/ important funder relationships.
• Develop strong relationships with existing funders and cultivate relationships with new supporters, funders and allies.
• Develop and deepen relationships with local Asian American community members and allies, while strengthening the potential for greater streams of grassroots fundraising.

Organizational Strategy & External Relations:

• Lead AAAF strategy and deepen external partnerships
• Guide, develop, and sustain a shared vision and strategic direction with staff and Board.
• Consult with Board, senior leadership & staff, and movement partners to develop long-term organizational strategy, vision, and direction
• Monitor the horizon of threats and opportunities;
• Lead or serve as an active resource in our pursuit of new areas of growth or development
• Oversee the annual (and longer-term) strategic planning processes, ensuring the budget process aligns with and supports organizational priorities
• Serve as an effective spokesperson for AAAF, representing the interests and perspectives of the organization externally to other institutions and the general public.
• Contribute to the broader field by publishing thought leadership articles, participating in panels, and engaging in strategic discussions.
• Build and maintain strong collaborative relationships with allied organizations, elected officials, media, and other key stakeholders.

Management & Leadership:

• Deliver on our mission and goals, with a healthy, equitable and sustainable culture
• Manage day-to-day work of the organization to ensure we meet our organizational goals
• Offer high-level oversight of all finance, admin, legal, operations, HR, and infrastructure related matters, ensuring compliance and equitable policies and practices are followed consistently across the org
• Lead the leadership team, ensuring alignment, collaboration, and effective decision-making
• Own all major organizational decisions, seeking input from those most impacted, weighing competing priorities, and bringing good judgment to bear in determining whether strategic pivots are needed
• Manage a high performing and sustainable leadership team: determine appropriate roles and reporting lines; hire and fire staff; ensure strong management support and skills development; provide coaching and ongoing feedback, troubleshooting, and support so that leadership team members can do their best work
• Ensure a strong organizational culture where core values are embedded in the day-to-day work, and everyone can thrive and feel a sense of belonging
• Own Board relations and ensure strong, consistent, and transparent communication and alignment (through regular reports, meetings, and ongoing thought-partnership as needed)
• Motivate and maintain a cohesive staff, ensuring that there is strong internal communication, coordination, and accountability.
• Mediate conflicts between team members, departments, and other stakeholders if they arise, fostering a culture of open communication and understanding.
• Work with team leads to establish goals for their respective departments and encourage and motivate the staff to focus on the organization’s mission.
• Ensure that the staff has the resources needed to accomplish their goals. Foster an environment of continuous improvement, learning, and effectiveness.
• Foster a supportive team-oriented environment where independent thinking is encouraged, and staff are held accountable to specific metrics and goals.
• Engage in honest, thoughtful conversations with a trauma-informed approach that accepts feedback openly, emphasizing learning and healing, while balancing accountability

Qualifications

• At least five years of relevant experience
• Excellent skills in political analysis, developing long-term vision and strategy, fundraising, interpersonal communication and facilitation
• Experience in implementing fundraising strategy, navigating philanthropy, and grantseeking and compliance
• Demonstrated ability to inspire and align diverse groups of stakeholders around a shared vision and translate that vision into reality
• Strong financial management skills
• Ability to execute equitable, sustainable, and results-driven management, coach a senior-level staff, build and manage a high-performing team, and develop and implement program strategies
• A strong track record of effectively leading a project or an organization with a complex array of programs; the ability to leverage strengths across program areas
• Proven track record of inspiring people to action, building alliances, and operating in deep partnership
• Builds and sustains trusting, transparent, and accountable relationships, internally and externally
• Experience working in/with a base-building organization and understanding and ability to advocate for the power building role of state based organizations
• Demonstrated commitment to racial, gender, immigrant and economic justice and their intersection, and experience with organization culture that is committed to antiracist work, education, and growth
• Experience working in/with c3s, c4s, and PACs
• Demonstrated knowledge of local, state, and federal politics and policymaking for the purposes of campaign direction
• Experience in at least two cycles of leading electoral campaigns
• Demonstrated success with community organizing or labor organizing campaigns, coalition / network building

Additionally,these qualifications are not essential but preferable:

• Previous experience in advocacy, particularly working knowledge of legislative advocacy
• Knowledge of 501(c)3, 501(c)4 and 527 political organization compliance
• Understanding of Georgia politics and regional landscape
• Experience organizing in AAPI or AMEMSA communities, or other immigrant spaces
• Experience working in multi-entity organizations and a deep understanding of how these work together towards change

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The position is located at the AAAF’s office in Norcross, Georgia. This position qualifies as a hybrid role, meaning that the staff person may work remotely but will: Need to reside in the State of Georgia; Prioritize being in office/ in person to nurture the growth of relationships and oversee staff management; and Plan to appear in-person regularly for community meetings and events, legislative advocacy, and AAAF-related meetings and retreats. Occasionally required to sit, stand, and lift materials Occasionally required to drive to out-of office events and meetings Occasionally required to drive to external meetings and events Occasionally required to travel for meetings and conferences

All of the above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Compensation and Benefits

AAAFoffersacompetitivesalaryandbenefitspackagethatiscommensuratewith experience.Thetargetsalaryrangeforthepositionis$125,000-$135,000.

• Fully Paid Health (Medical, Dental, and Vision) Coverage for the Employee
• Paid Holidays are at minimum: 10 Designated Holidays plus One Floating Holiday, plus two weeks end-of-year closure
• Paid Time Off (PTO) – To start, 12 days Personal Leave and 12 days Sick Leave
• Support Stipends for Professional Development, Technology, and Wellness Relocation
• Stipend for out-of-state hires
• 401K Retirement Benefits provided by Voya Financial via ADP TotalSource
• Paid Parental Leave
• Basic Term Life Insurance provided by MetLife via ADP TotalSource
• Basic Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Professional Development Assistance Employee Discounts via ADP LifeMart
• Technology & Wellness Stipends

To apply for this position, please send a resume, along with a one-page document answering the following questions (in lieu of a cover letter) to [email protected]: Apply What specifically about the role and AAAF interests you? What is your understanding of the role of electoral politics in long-term power building? What is one key aspect of your approach to staff management? People of color, people who identify as LGBTQ+, people who are justice-involved and people with disabilities are highly encouraged to apply for open positions at all levels within AAAF. We don’t expect that a candidate will “check every box” and we are interested in considering candidates who bring compelling transferable skills and experiences. AAAF is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type. We afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or veteran status. All are encouraged to apply.