Overview

About the Organization

The New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) is an umbrella advocacy and advocacy organization for nearly 200 groups in New York State. We envision a New York state that is stronger because all people are welcome, treated fairly, and given the chance to pursue their dreams. Our mission is to unite immigrants, members, & allies so all New Yorkers can thrive. We represent the collective interests of New York’s diverse immigrant communities and organizations and devise solutions to advance them; advocate for laws, policies, and programs that lead to justice and opportunity for all immigrant groups; and build the power of immigrants and the organizations that serve them to ensure their sustainability, to improve people’s lives, and to strengthen our state.

Our organizational values: Inclusive & Representative; Fair & Just; Accountable & Trusted.

Position Overview

The Vice President of Advocacy will play a leadership role within the organization, working in close partnership with the NYIC’s executive leadership team to help guide the organization and ensure successful execution of strategic priorities. The VP of Advocacy will be a big thinker, creative, innovative, someone who can manage a robust team and ensure systems are well maintained. The VP will be someone who can take an idea from fruition to planning,  implementation and execution. The VP will work with the NYIC’s Advocacy department to help win the NYIC’s immigration policy agenda on the federal, state and local levels; lead strategy in engaging NYIC members across New York State in advocacy; and leverage all organizing, civic, community and political engagement strategies to achieve success. 

Reports to: Executive Director

Key Responsibilities

Leadership

  • Work with the Executive Director and NYIC executive leadership to identify goals, priorities, strategies, and timelines for the organization and for immigration advocacy work.
  • Provide strategic guidance and direction across the NYIC’s advocacy efforts at the federal, state, and local levels.
  • Sets priorities and establishes a shared vision. Develops and communicates goals that align with the organization’s vision and purpose; anticipates and prepares for roadblocks.
  • Analyzes the organization’s position relative to similar institutions and develops strategy based on current position; understands how vision and purpose in other areas of the organization interrelate with their own area.

Organization

  • Represent the organization to government officials.
  • Serve as spokesperson for NYIC and its campaigns when necessary.  Work with the Communications team to do media outreach, including organizing press events, helping draft media alerts and releases, developing talking points, etc.
  • Lead efforts in coordination with the Development team to pursue and develop new funding prospects. Support development efforts by preparing proposals and reports, and support organizational fundraising campaigns such as annual gala.
  • Oversee program budget and ensure proper use of fiscal resources for the department.
  • Lead efforts to stand up “rapid response” efforts when necessary. Develops priorities for the organization’s advocacy agenda. Ensures that projects or programs are properly resourced. Works with senior leadership to allocate resources.
  • Maintains effective communication related to priorities. 

Advocacy and Program 

  • Lead effort to build and maintain a strong, statewide multi-ethnic and geographically diverse group of NYIC member organizations and engage NYIC member organizations in local convenings across the state.
  • Lead effort to engage NYIC member organizations to play leadership role in effective advocacy and organizing around campaigns.
  • Lead political engagement efforts at the federal, state, and local level, to ensure successful coordinated outreach and lobbying to elected officials on city, state and Federal levels.
  • Lead community engagement efforts to educate diverse immigrant community members and engage them in NYIC campaigns at the federal, state, and local level.
  • Identify and oversee efforts to leverage other advocacy strategies to achieve success on campaigns.
  • Develop and manage relationships with strategic allies involved in campaigns.
  • Identify opportunities to bring new allies from diverse sectors into Coalition’s work; and forms and manages strategic alliances; strengthens participation from current groups.

Management 

  • Work to ensure integration of the Advocacy department with the organization and its other departments and teams.
  • Supervise and direct Advocacy department team – staff, fellows, and volunteers – to successfully meet NYIC’s goals.
  • Manage performance, guide professional development, and provide key feedback for direct reports.
  • Oversee the Advocacy department’s overall management, functioning, and success, including leading goal-setting efforts and ensuring adherence to NYIC’s strategic plan.
  • Assists to recruit, interview, and select qualified, diverse staff. Understands and uses effective interviewing questions and techniques.

Qualifications

  • At least ten (10) years of professional experience, preferably including five+ (5+) years of senior leadership experience in a fast-paced nonprofit.
  • Strong management skills, including five+ (5+) years of successfully managing a team. 
  • Excellent judgment, ability to exercise strategic vision, proven ability to identify challenges/threats/opportunities – while also being grounded in practicality. 
  • Proven expertise in the Policy portfolio and issues that affect immigrant communities.
  • Strong attention to detail is a must, along with the ability to see the big picture and understand the nuance of our programmatic and advocacy work. 
  • Demonstrated ability to work with diverse partners, and experience in building coalitions and successfully engaging stakeholders in these coalitions.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, public speaking and writing skills. Strong cultural competence and a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
  • Strong analytical skills, and the ability to identify potential risks and strategies to mitigate risk.

Salary Range: $125,000 to $127,500

In addition to a competitive salary, NYIC offers a full benefit plan, paid sick time, unlimited vacation leave, commuter benefits and a comprehensive retirement plan.