Description
Pilsen Alliance Executive Director Job Announcement
About the Organization
Pilsen Alliance is a 28-year-old grassroots nonprofit dedicated to “building people power for an equitable and socially-just Pilsen, rooted in the historic and cultural legacy of the community.” The organization is emerging from a period of transition with a newly updated mission statement and reaffirmed theory of change: “We use community education tools and programs, direct action organizing campaigns, and advocacy initiatives reflecting the popular education philosophy of building social consciousness for personal and social collective transformation.”
Over the past year, the Board of Directors has led an organizational retooling process focused on strengthening governance, clarifying short-term direction, and rebuilding core systems. An Interim Executive Director is guiding day-to-day operations during this transition, implementing early improvements and preparing the organization for long-term leadership.
The incoming Executive Director will be charged with building upon this progress, deepening community trust, and guiding the organization into its next chapter of growth and impact.
Position Summary
The Executive Director (ED) will lead the organization through the next phase of its relaunch and rebuilding. With an Interim Executive Director (IED) currently in place, the ED will step into a role where early stabilization, system improvements, and mission alignment work have already begun. The ED will build on the groundwork laid by the board and the IED, accelerating momentum and shaping the organization’s long-term vision.
The ED will work with a small team of staff and contractors to strengthen operations, rebuild the organization’s base in the community, expand programming, develop the board, and secure the resources needed to grow the team over time. This role blends strategic vision with hands-on execution — ideal for someone who is entrepreneurial, community-rooted, and energized by building and rebuilding.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Relaunch Implementation
Translate the newly approved mission into clear goals, strategies, and work plans.
Build on the board’s retooling efforts and the Interim ED’s stabilization work by strengthening systems, policies, and organizational infrastructure.
Partner with the Board of Directors to refine strategic priorities and monitor progress.
Ensure youth voice is embedded in decision-making, programming, and organizational culture.
Board Development & Governance Strengthening
Support the board in recruiting new board members, with an emphasis on diversity, youth representation, and needed skill sets.
Provide training, coaching, and tools to help the board function at its full potential.
Collaborate with long-time board members to preserve institutional memory while cultivating a refreshed, future-focused governance structure.
Ensure strong communication and alignment between board and staff functions.
Fundraising & Resource Development
Develop and implement a fundraising plan that stabilizes the organization and supports future staff expansion.
Cultivate relationships with individual donors, foundations, and institutional partners.
Write and manage grants, sponsorships, and fundraising campaigns.
Lead donor communications and stewardship efforts.
Community Partnerships & Public Representation
Build and strengthen relationships with youth, families, community members, partner organizations, and local leaders.
Represent the organization publicly, ensuring youth perspectives are included in community conversations.
Facilitate listening sessions and youth-centered engagement processes to guide programming and advocacy priorities.
Program Oversight & Hands-On Implementation
Oversee the design and implementation of organizing programs and campaigns, with a focus on intergenerational and intersectional leadership development.
Personally carry out programmatic work until additional staff can be hired.
Track program outcomes and ensure accountability to community stakeholders, especially young people.
Operations, Administration & Financial Management
Strengthen administrative systems, technology, and organizational infrastructure.
Manage budgeting, financial planning, and fiscal oversight in partnership with the Board Treasurer.
Ensure compliance with nonprofit regulations and reporting requirements.
Oversee contracts, vendors, and risk management.
Handle day-to-day administrative tasks until additional staff capacity is available.
Team Building & Organizational Growth
Develop a staffing plan aligned with financial realities and strategic priorities.
Hire, onboard, and supervise new staff as resources allow.
Foster a collaborative, inclusive, intergenerational organizational culture from the ground up.
Requirements
Qualifications
Deep commitment to social justice, youth empowerment, and grassroots organizing.
Experience in nonprofit leadership, community organizing, youth development, advocacy, or related fields.
Demonstrated success in fundraising and resource development.
Strong relationship-building, communication, and facilitation skills, including with youth and intergenerational groups.
Experience supporting or developing boards of directors.
Ability to thrive in a start-up or rebuilding environment with limited initial staff capacity.
Experience managing budgets, operations, and nonprofit compliance.
Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to balance big-picture vision and hands-on execution.
Spoken bilingual proficiency (Spanish) and cultural fluency required.
Work Environment & Logistics
Reports to the Board of Directors.
The current team includes a secondary staff member as well as a contracted bookkeeper and accountant.
Hybrid or field-based work depending on organizational structure.
Some evening and weekend work based on community needs.
Local travel required.
Compensation
Salary range: $50,000 to start. This role calls for rebuilding the organization and comes with the assumption that a growing funding base, per the leadership of the new executive director, will make possible an increased salary, subject to board review and approval.
Benefits include: a health insurance stipend/reimbursement, paid time off, professional development support, flexible scheduling, and a hybrid work environment. Pilsen Alliance has an office in Pilsen, but daily staffing of the office is not required.
To send recommendations, inquire, or apply, contact ED.search@thepilsenalliance.org. This search is supported by an outside consultant. No phone calls to the office, please.
To apply, please send your resume, a cover letter, and two writing samples (at least one in English). In the cover letter, please explain why you are interested in leading a tiny non-profit organizing entity through a rebound.
The writing samples do not need to be new pieces; they can be previous documents you personally have written for some other purpose. They are meant to demonstrate your ability to use grammar and language in a tone, length, and approach that are appropriate for the assignment and audience. Appropriate items include but are not limited to: a grant proposal, a professional memo, an academic paper, written testimony, policy paper, etc.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and the position will remain open until filled. But for best consideration, please apply by September 4, 2026.
