Executive Director

Overview

Asian Americans United is looking for an experienced leader to continue it’s mission for the Asian community in the Philadelphia region.

Asian Americans United was founded in 1985 by a small group of volunteers seeking to create an organized response to rising issues of anti-Asian violence, substandard housing, and the need for equitable educational services for a growing Asian community. Today, AAU exists so that people of Asian ancestry in Philadelphia exercise leadership to build their communities and unite to ensure justice and equity for all.

For more than 35 years, AAU has worked in Philadelphia’s Asian American communities and in broader multiracial coalitions to ensure quality public education for all students, develop youth leadership, combat anti-Asian violence, advocate for immigrant rights, and support folk arts and reclaim cultural heritage.

Currently, AAU takes a multifaceted approach to community-building with programming primarily focused in three areas:

• YOUTH LEADERSHIP: AAU maintains a consistent focus on working with young people — to harness their bilingual and bicultural skills, and to engage their critical thinking in the service of their communities. AAU currently runs 3 after-school programs and 2 summer youth leadership programs.
• ADVOCACY AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT: AAU advocacy focus areas include language access, neighborhood development, immigrant rights, and our Chinatown Vote civic engagement program. AAU works in broad coalitions to grow progressive API leadership in the electoral landscape in Philadelphia and across the state.
• RECLAIMING CULTURE: AAU’s arts and culture work builds pride in cultural heritage through our Chinatown Mid-Autumn Festival. AAU also supports folk arts programming at the Folk Arts-Cultural Treasures Charter School (FACTS) as well as through the Inch By Inch community garden.
  AAU is headquartered at the FACTS Charter School at 1023 Callowhill Street in Chinatown North.

THE POSITION

Reporting to a Board of Directors, the Executive Director is the lead staff person for AAU. The Executive Director provides leadership and strategic direction to the organization, promotes the goals of AAU, serves as the public representative of AAU, and works in concert with the broader progressive community to advocate for change.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• In concert with the Board, establishes and implements program priorities and direction
• Oversees general operations and financial management of the organization
• Works with the Board and staff to establish specific goals and strategies
• Maintains current funder relationships and develops relationships with potential new funders
• Supervises and provides direction for administrative and program staff
• Keeps abreast of trends within, and collaborates with various sectors of, the Asian community
• Promotes the public presence of the organization and works in alliance with other progressive sectors of the social change community
• Analyzes, synthesizes, interprets issues, responds, and represents AAU to the broader community

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Strong identification with the goals and mission of AAU and a deep commitment to social justice
• Demonstrated leadership abilities working collaboratively with diverse groups and people with the capacity to move them toward shared goals
• Strong managerial and coaching skills for diverse staff and volunteer base
• Particular ability and experience in working with young people
• Experience in grassroots community organizing
• Excellent verbal, written, communication and interpersonal skills
• Fundraising skills at various levels including grant writing/reporting, the ability to deal personally with funders, and the ability to cultivate donors
• Capacity to deal with program planning from logistics to budgeting
• Broad familiarity with social justice movements and institutions and the ability to work in coalition with them

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• A minimum of five years of leadership experience in non-profit environment
• Understanding of issues confronting the city of Philadelphia
• Bilingual proficiency in an Asian language an asset

COMPENSATION: Salary commensurate with experience ranging from $55,000 – $85,000 with an attractive benefits package

TO APPLY: For any questions or to apply, please submit a cover letter and resume via email to jobs@aaunited.org with the subject heading of “AAU Executive Director.” Applicants will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The position will be open until filled.

Asian Americans United is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be contacted for interviews.