Co-Deputy Director

The Florence Immigrant & Refugee Rights Project (The Florence Project) is searching for two Deputy Directors to collectively oversee Legal and Social Services Programs, People and Culture, Operations, and Finance at the organization. This is an excellent opportunity for two proven leaders in the legal and social services and non-profit administration field to provide leadership, vision, and strategy for a prominent, trailblazing, historic organization that has experienced significant growth in recent years. The Deputy Director positions are an important part of leadership within the organization and directly report to the Executive Director. The Deputy Directors will collaboratively oversee organization-wide strategy and development as well as contribute to the design of policies, procedures, and practices. The Deputy Director positions will work closely with the Executive Director and the Leadership Team to ensure the organization’s day-to-day services, mission, and vision are reflected in the critical client-centered legal and social services that the Florence Project offers every day to detained immigrant children and adults, to immigrant youth released in Arizona, and to immigrant adults, children, and families at the U.S. Mexico border through partnership with the Kino Border Initiative. Each Deputy Director will also oversee two to three program areas, to be determined during the hiring process and in close collaboration with the Executive Director. Program areas will be assigned through generative discussion, allowing for cross pollination among both Deputy Directors to encourage professional growth and learning, and potential reassignments throughout their terms as Deputy Directors. This is a rewarding opportunity for collaborative and adaptive leaders, to be an integral part of a collegial Leadership Team and mission-driven organization.

THE CO-DEPUTY DIRECTOR MODEL

The Co-Deputy Director model emerged from a desire to diversify perspectives and share the intense responsibilities facing leadership of the fast-growing organization. Committed to approach leadership as a collaborative process rather than a top-down process exercised by a singular leader, The Florence Project is now seeking an opportunity for Co-Deputy Directors to express their agency and share their talents at every stage of leadership, transformation, and growth. The Florence Project seeks leaders who embrace shared leadership to join a Senior Leadership Team in a well-established model of collaborative and participatory leadership to move the work of The Florence Project forward.

OPPORTUNITIES & EXPECTATIONS FOR THE CO-DEPUTY DIRECTORS

The Co-Deputy Directors will engage immediately in the following opportunities for impact:

Leadership

• Provide oversight of programs and departments as assigned, including ensuring that there is effective professional development, coaching, and mentoring.
• In collaboration with the Legal Director and with Legal and Social Work Program Managers, analyze legal issues, develop legal strategy, and support the implementation of legal strategies, as appropriate.
• Lead and promote an organizational culture that reflects FIRRP’s mission and values and commitment to equity and belonging.
• Partner with the Leadership Team in providing direction and leadership of the organization regarding development, funding, implementation, reporting, and evaluation.
• Work with the Development Team to respond to requests for grant proposals and applications. Understand funding received and requested, and what reporting is needed from programs. Collaborate with programs to determine staffing plans to sustain and develop programmatic capacity, and to achieve program goals and objectives.
• Serve as a spokesperson for FIRRP at meetings with stakeholders and funders.
• Liaise with the Board of Directors, including delivering regular presentations on program or department activities and updates.
• Collaborate with leadership including the Legal Director to identify and advance policy initiatives consistent with FIRRP’s mission.
• Actively develop and maintain relationships with community-based organizations, advocates, funders, government agencies, elected officials, courts, and other stakeholders.
• Cultivate an organizational culture of excellence through creativity and innovation.
• Assist in strengthening internal dialogue to promote transparency and engagement between management and staff.
• Participate in organizational JEDI (justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion) work in a leadership capacity, including participating in the JEDI committee and institutionalizing systems that ensure an inclusive work environment for all staff.
• Participate in labor relations within FIRRP in a leadership capacity, including in collective bargaining negotiations, Labor Management Committee, administering labor relations policies as needed, and addressing personnel matters as needed.
• Respond to client and staff concerns and maintain open and inclusive attitude/growth-centered attitude/learner’s mindset.
• Support managers throughout the organization to provide trainings and coaching as needed.
• Liaise between senior attorneys and ethics counsel on major ethical questions that come up in cases.
• Other duties as assigned by the Executive Director.

Systems Management

• Oversee the collaborative development of program policies and practices for the Legal Services and Social Services Programs, including case handling protocols, electronic case management policies, and intake systems.
• Regularly communicate with the Operations Teams to review new technology enhancements, modules, and features to determine utility for FIRRP.
• Keep abreast of and analyze innovative models of service delivery, in collaboration with Program Managers and Legal Director. Make recommendations and operationalize best practices delivery of services, new technologies that assist in client-centered work, and other forms of programmatic development, support, and outreach.
• Oversee the development and maintenance of office-wide systems to track outcomes, improve productivity, and establish standards for programs. Promote a data-driven culture in decision-making and action.
• Work collaboratively with the Executive Director and Finance Team leadership, including assistance in budget development and stewardship of resources.
• Encourage interaction between program areas, including but not limited to increasing internal collaboration between programs.

Strategic Management

• Partner with the Development Team to develop, coordinate, and lead the strategic direction and implementation of new and existing programs in alignment with community need and FIRRP’s priorities.
• Set vision for and model strong inclusive, collaborative practices. Develop opportunities for cross-collaboration and representation between units and projects.
• Strengthen, mentor, and standardize capacity building programs for a dynamic team of supervisors with the goal of creating open communication and an environment where all staff thrive.
• Foster a culture of continued learning and support office-wide professional development and training programs.
• Manage FIRRP’s current strategic plan and develop other change management initiatives, as needed, in collaboration with the Leadership Team.
• Provide perspective and assist in operationalizing goals for staff development, increased retention, and developing a pipeline of talented and diverse staff.
• Provide coverage for the Executive Director during sabbaticals and vacation time.

For the full position description, please visit: https://npag.com/firrp-co-depdir

Success in the Co-Deputy Director role will require a deep commitment to the mission, vision, and values of The Florence Project.

Minimum Qualifications

• A law degree and admission to any state bar are required.
• Minimum of five years legal practice experience, preferably in immigration law.
• Strong management and leadership skills.
• Fluency or advanced proficiency in Spanish.
• Self-directed with strong initiative, efficient time management, excellent follow through, and ability to be flexible and navigate changing priorities and deadlines; must be comfortable in ambiguous situations.
• Passion for social justice and commitment to working with under-resourced communities and communities of color to advance equity.
• Strong communication and active listening skills.
• Demonstrated ability to build, nurture, and retain a collaborative, diverse, and inclusive team.
• Understanding of financial and budgeting practices.
• Ability to manage FIRRP’s case management system(s) to ensure accurate data collection and statistical tracking.
• Aptitude for critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making.
• Strength of character, integrity, ethics, commitment, and reliability. Must adhere to strict confidentiality requirements.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work with diverse populations. Must be a positive team player.
• A solid understanding of change management and ability to steward team members through processes to move toward a common vision.
• Proficient understanding of MSOffice applications and standard computer skills.
• Travel is required for this position. Access to reliable transportation and the ability to travel regularly is required, especially between offices and secondary work locations including the Tucson, Phoenix, and Florence offices.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with large-scale organizational change efforts strongly preferred.
• Experience with managing teams, and across teams, strongly preferred.
• Experience managing across multiple locations preferred.
• Experience working with government agencies preferred.
• Experience working in a unionized environment preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of supervision of attorneys preferred.

Working Conditions/Physical Demands

• Operates in a professional office environment and requires the ability to sit for long periods of time with intermittent walking, standing, bending, squatting, pulling, and pushing.
• Ability to use standard office equipment such as scanners, computers, keyboards, phones, shredders, photocopiers, and filing cabinets. Requires the ability to lift up to ten pounds, accommodations may be available.
• Travel regularly between offices and secondary work locations.

Effective September 1, 2021, FIRRP has implemented a mandatory COVID-19 vaccine policy. To comply with this policy, active employees must be fully vaccinated by employment. Employees seeking an exemption due to a medical condition or sincerely held religious belief should contact our Human Resources Department at humanresources@firrp.org.

The compensation range for this position starts at $129,355 and is commensurate with candidate experience.

More information about the Florence Immigrant & Refugee Rights Project may be found at: firrp.org

This search is being led by Katherine Jacobs and Sharon Gerstman of NPAG. Candidates may submit their cover letter, outlining their interest and qualifications, along with their resume via NPAG’s website.

If you need assistance and/or accommodation during the application or recruiting process due to a disability, please note that in your submission.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

The Florence Immigrant & Refugee Rights Project is an equal opportunity employer and proudly values diversity. Candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.