Interfaith Action for Human Rights (IAHR) is seeking to hire an executive director to lead the organization starting in the fall of 2022. IAHR represents people of faith who educate and advocate in Maryland, DC and Virginia for corrections systems that avoid unnecessarily punitive practices such as solitary confinement and that instead focus on rehabilitation and successful reentry.
The Position
In 2021, IAHR conducted a strategic planning process to develop organizational and program priorities for the next two years. IAHR is poised to grow its capacity to produce high-quality work that will contribute to changing the priorities of regional correctional institutions from punishment to rehabilitation. IAHR’s next executive director will be a committed leader savvy in forging relationships with stakeholders who will help IAHR build capacity and effect change.
Along with staff, the executive director works with a volunteer board of directors and a volunteer council of advisors. The board of directors is engaged in all aspects of IAHR’s operations, including fundraising, advocacy, correspondence between IAHR volunteers and incarcerated people (the pen pal project), education, and engaging with correctional administrators and area law firms.
The executive director reports directly to the board chair and works under the general direction of the board of directors. The executive director will provide leadership and supervision in board and staff relations, external relations, strategic planning and execution, operations, financial management, and resource development. The executive director will manage and motivate IAHR’s staff and volunteer leadership and manage IAHR’s day-to-day affairs.
The executive director has lead responsibility for raising the annual budget of $243,000 and for the prudent stewardship of both the organization’s financial resources and its reputation as a respected independent and moral voice in the justice system.
Responsibilities
The Position
In 2021, IAHR conducted a strategic planning process to develop organizational and program priorities for the next two years. IAHR is poised to grow its capacity to produce high-quality work that will contribute to changing the priorities of regional correctional institutions from punishment to rehabilitation. IAHR’s next executive director will be a committed leader savvy in forging relationships with stakeholders who will help IAHR build capacity and effect change.
Along with staff, the executive director works with a volunteer board of directors and a volunteer council of advisors. The board of directors is engaged in all aspects of IAHR’s operations, including fundraising, advocacy, correspondence between IAHR volunteers and incarcerated people (the pen pal project), education, and engaging with correctional administrators and area law firms.
The executive director reports directly to the board chair and works under the general direction of the board of directors. The executive director will provide leadership and supervision in board and staff relations, external relations, strategic planning and execution, operations, financial management, and resource development. The executive director will manage and motivate IAHR’s staff and volunteer leadership and manage IAHR’s day-to-day affairs.
The executive director has lead responsibility for raising the annual budget of $243,000 and for the prudent stewardship of both the organization’s financial resources and its reputation as a respected independent and moral voice in the justice system.
Responsibilities
- Supervise staff and volunteers, including the Liaison to the Maryland Legislature, the Coordinator of the VA Coalition on Solitary, the Special Advisor on Virginia, and the Special Advisor on Criminal Justice,
- Work in partnership with the board of directors and the council of advisors. Support and work with the board’s committees which include fundraising, the pen pal project, strategy, and advocacy in Maryland and Virginia,
- Identify new volunteers and invite them to participate,
- Cultivate and expand IAHR’s circle of donors by working with the fundraising committee,
- Seek out foundation support and write grant requests,
- Work with the Board to develop legislative goals for Virginia, Maryland and DC,
- Plan educational programs,
- Cultivate and expand our network of non-profit partners,
- Cultivate and expand our partners in the religious community,
- Work with and expand our partners in the legal community,
- Work with and expand our partners in regional universities and colleges,
- Represent IAHR before governmental agencies, religious communities, the media, and other non-profits,
- Oversee IAHR’s financial management which includes bookkeeping, accounting, budgeting, and financial reporting,
- Manage the website to ensure its content is timely and reflects IAHR’s mission and interfaith identity,
- Oversee IAHR’s daily operations.
- This fast-paced position will require some regional travel and weekend work.
Qualifications
A range of skills and experience is needed to succeed as IAHR’s next executive director. Leadership, analytical, communications, fundraising, and capacity-building skills are essential. IAHR is looking for a leader who
- Is committed to a faith community,
- Has at a minimum a bachelor’s degree,
- Some post-secondary theological or religious education is a plus,
- Is committed to criminal justice reform especially in correctional facilities,
- Is committed to fostering interfaith dialogue and working with different faiths,
- Is committed to racial equity,
- Has experience working with interfaith groups in Maryland, DC, and/or Virginia,
- Is knowledgeable of the diversity of religious life in the DMV,
- Is familiar with the different non-profit organizations who are involved in criminal justice reform and/or in providing services to returning citizens and their families,
- Is familiar with the political leadership in Maryland, DC, and Virginia,
- Has experience in advocating for legislation,
- Can work with correctional officials and political leaders in a non-partisan way,
- Can work easily and respectfully with people from diverse backgrounds.
Compensation
The salary range is between $75,000 and $90,000 depending on the candidate’s qualifications and experience.
To Apply
Please email, preferably as one PDF, a cover letter, resume, and three references to [email protected]. Please include “ED search-{name}” as the subject. IAHR will not contact references without prior notification to candidates.
Application deadline is March 31, 2022. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. IAHR expects to make a final selection by July 1, 2022, with a start date between September 1 and October 15, 2022.