Vice President of Programs

Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network (RMIAN) is a nonprofit organization that provides free immigration legal and social services to individuals in immigration detention and to children and their families throughout Colorado. We believe that justice for immigrants means justice for all.

Position Description

The Vice President of Programs is a new position at RMIAN, an exciting opportunity to shape the vision, strategy, and management of successful immigrant advocacy programming that has experienced significant growth in scale and scope. The Vice President of Programs will guide and coordinate the functional experts directing the Detention, Children’s, Social Work, and Advocacy and Litigation programs. As a member of the executive leadership team, the Vice President of Programs works to ensure the organization’s day-to-day services, mission, and vision are reflected in the critical client-centered legal and social services RMIAN offers to detained immigrant adults and immigrant youth.

Traits of an Ideal Candidate

• Steadfast commitment to immigration legal services and to creating a more just and humane immigration system.
• Legal strategist skilled at using the tools of representation, litigation, legislation, and advocacy to secure justice and dignity for immigrants.
• Experience leading or serving as the managing attorney of an organization, practice, or large- scale department.
• Adaptive leader able to track multiple programmatic priorities and maintain alignment with mission and vision.
• Experience with nonprofit funding streams and fund allocation.
• Comfort stepping into a new position and leading change.
• Attuned to the impact of trauma and the importance of formal and informal staff wellness support systems.
• Demonstrated commitment to the well-being and growth of staff, including a successful track record of recruiting and retaining a diverse team.
• Deeply committed to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion; engaged participant in organizational JEDI learning and growth.

Responsibilities

• Serve on the executive leadership team, supporting the Executive Director and Board of Directors in fulfilling RMIAN's mission and vision.
• In collaboration with the Managing Attorneys and Directors, analyze legal issues, develop legal strategies, and support the activation of staff and volunteers.
• Management of the Programs teams, including setting and achieving standards for program quality, capacity, and deliverables, staff performance, team cohesion and functioning, and integration with the organization at large.
• Oversee the collaborative development of program policies and practices for legal and social services, including case handling protocols, electronic case management policies, and intake systems to ensure quality service delivery and unify practices across programs.
• Working with the leadership team and operations support groups, identify and develop methods to mitigate the administrative burden on the program teams through efficiencies, standardization, and information management.
• Develop and implement effective management strategies to meet ambitious programmatic and funding deliverables and mission-critical priorities, including staff recruitment and development, employee engagement, and quality control of RMIAN’s legal services delivery.
• Foster an environment of resource coordination and sharing, creative problem-solving, and optimism and resilience when faced with challenges.
• Promote volunteer support by actively developing and maintaining RMIAN’s relationships with law firms and corporate counsel.
• Consult with regional and national partners and contribute thought leadership on legal practice and social support innovations and trends.
• In partnership with finance and development staff, ensure the accurate, timely, and strategic work of grant applications, management, and reporting.
• Foster an organizational climate that attracts, retains, and values a diverse team and creates equitable pathways for success and growth.
• Participate in Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusiveness initiatives and activities.
• Sponsor or lead internal staff projects and initiatives.

Required Skills and Experience

• Passionate about RMIAN’s mission and demonstrated commitment to creating a more just and human immigration system.
• Licensed attorney admitted to a state bar.
• Minimum of five years of experience practicing immigration law.
• Minimum of three years of experience supervising attorneys and non-attorney staff.
• Expert knowledge of one or more of RMIAN’s program focus areas: Detention, Children, Social Work, and Litigation and Advocacy.
• Ability to manage sustainable workloads to maintain ongoing services and reserve capacity for the unplanned and urgent.
• Ability to use analysis, reasoning, and problem-solving skills to make informed decisions.
• Reliable, self-driven, and motivated, with an entrepreneurial mindset and a strong sense of responsibility and accountability.
• Demonstrated commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience as a Managing Attorney or Legal Director of an immigration legal services organization.
• Experience working with individuals in detained settings.
• Experience managing government and foundation grants, including cost allocation and reporting.
• Spanish proficiency.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods working on a computer.
• Remaining in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods.
• Travel to field locations, including detention centers and immigration courts, and to meet with community members.
• The ability to communicate accurate information and ideas, written and in conversation, so others will understand.

Work Environment

• This position is based out of RMIAN’s office in Westminster, Colorado.
• RMIAN provides a dedicated workstation, computer, and desk in an office setting.
• Currently, remote work is possible when office presence is not required for business operations. Current requirements for onsite presence will be shared during the recruitment process.