National Director, Diverse Elders Coalition

Founded in 2010, the Diverse Elders Coalition works to improve aging in racially and ethnically diverse communities, American Indian and Alaska Native communities, and LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning, and additional identities) communities. Our six Member organizations are trusted, committed experts on aging in the communities they represent, and together, we have developed a powerful voice committed to ensuring that diverse elders’ needs are represented in the policies and programs that impact their lives.

Our member organizations include:

Summary: The Diverse Elders Coalition (DEC) is seeking an accomplished, passionate National Director with substantial executive-level experience to lead our coalition’s growing presence in the fields of aging policy advocacy and programs. The National Director will be responsible for leading the ongoing development and implementation of a coalition-wide mission; representing our members and our work at public events; overseeing the coalition’s policy advocacy efforts (in close partnership with the DEC’s Director of Policy and Advocacy); and coordinating the successful completion of grants and projects.  Strong candidates will have a demonstrated track record of proactive leadership at the executive level; demonstrated effectiveness in working with non-profit leaders, including Executive Directors and CEO’s; and the skills and self-confidence to make strategic executive-level recommendations for action.  The successful candidate will combine self-confidence and initiative with the wisdom to work within a coalition context that emphasizes the centrality of coalition membership and the patience to work with partners who often are overstretched and resource-strained.  We are looking for someone who is committed to social justice, interested in helping our Member organizations to improve the lives of older adults and family caregivers in diverse communities, and excited to work with our staff and coalition member organizations toward our vision of a just, equitable aging experience. Currently, the National Director supervises 2 full time DEC staff, works closely and meets regularly with the Coalition’s Executive Committee, and ultimately reports to the 6 Principals of the Coalition’s Member Organizations. At this time, the Diverse Elders Coalition is fiscally sponsored by SAGE, and therefore the National Director will be a SAGE employee.

Responsibilities: Under the guidance of the leadership of the Member Organizations, direct all aspects of the Diverse Elders Coalition. Specific responsibilities include:

Coalition Governance

  • Develop and maintain a strong working relationship and a system for sharing information to ensure that the National Director receives the guidance and support they need to carry out their role, and that allows the Principals to effectively carry out their governance responsibilities for the Coalition. Meet regularly (monthly or bi-weekly) with the Coalition’s Executive Committee, and quarterly with the full group of Principals.  Ensure proper preparation for all meetings with Principals
  • Provide timely, regular updates to the Coalition’s Principals. Facilitate the ongoing engagement of Coalition members in the Coalition’s work
  • Make executive recommendations to the Coalition’s Executive Committee and Principals
  • Use consensus-building to foster and sustain relationships across all levels of the Coalition, including with DEC Principals, staff at Member organizations, Coalition staff, community partners, funders, and government officials and agencies

Strategic Leadership and Core Knowledge of the Field

  • Oversee the Coalition’s day-to-day operations to ensure alignment with the DEC’s vision, the priorities of Coalition members, and the guidance of Coalition leaders, through strategy and execution. Design and implement strategies to guide the Coalition towards its articulated short-, mid-, and long-term goals
  • Under the guidance of DEC Members, oversee the Director of Policy and Advocacy in developing and leading implementation of national advocacy strategies related to key policy priorities
  • Identify and develop opportunities to promote, increase, and diversify the DEC’s program, including but not limited to the Coalition’s training, to positively impact systems by lifting up the needs of diverse elders and to maximize revenue

Systems and Management

  • Develop and implement systems and practices that ensure top performance against the DEC’s mission
  • Supervise, mentor, develop, and provide leadership to Coalition staff and sub-recipients/contractors to achieve project/program goals
  • Work in an effective and collegial way with the staff of Member organizations
  • Lead a strong and healthy workplace that reflects the DEC’s values, including diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and age-sensitivity
  • Develop organizational structures and strategies that are both responsive to current context and strategic in anticipating future needs and opportunities

Resource Development

  • Lead and implement a fundraising strategy that ensures the Coalition’s activities are properly resourced
  • Ensure that the Coalition’s funding strategies do not compete with the funding strategies of individual Coalition Members
  • Identify and pursue funding opportunities for the Coalition, including through consultation with the Princials
  • Ensure that funding opportunities secured for the Coalition provide sufficient resources to ensure that the participation of Members in Coalition activities is properly resourced
  • Work with funders to develop and secure funding opportunities for the Coalition
  • Effectively steward current Coalition funder relationships
  • Draft funder proposals and reports; retain and oversee consultants for support on proposals and reports as needed
  • Ensure that the Coalition fulfills all funder deliverables
  • Track and complete all programmatic and financial grant reporting requirements, including managing subgrant reports from Members and other sub awardees
  • Identify and develop opportunities for income-generating programs or projects

Strategy, Projects and Programs

  • Lead strategy development processes for the Coalition, in consultation with the Principals
  • Partner closely with the Principals in their decision-making about the Coalition’s strategic directions and priorities
  • Propose projects and programs to the Principals for approval
  • Organize and oversee approved projects and programs. Oversee the development end execution of program and project workplans
  • Supervise program staff and partner with Member staff to deliver on program goals and funder deliverables

Operations and Administration

  • Develop the DEC’s project workplans and operating budgets for approval by Principals
  • Manage the efforts of any consultants or partners engaged on individual projects or Coalition business
  • Coordinate the travel and other logistics for DEC presence at meetings and events, including conferences, briefings and in-person coalition meetings
  • Execute contracts and commitments to accomplish the work of the organization
  • Per SAGE HR policies, directly hire and supervise all DEC personnel. In coordination with SAGE’s HR department and consultation with the Principals, make determinations about staff compensation, promotion, and terminations
  • Effectively manage the Coalition’s assets
  • Engage in sound financial, programmatic, and HR management practices. Monitor ongoing expenditures and propose adjustments as needed to offset unexpected changes in revenues and/or expenses
  • Manage and mitigate risks on behalf of the Coalition

Communications

  • Serve as a spokesperson for the Coalition, including making speeches and appearances, presenting at conferences, talking with the media, and pursuing other appropriate opportunities for contact with the public, philanthropic, and private sectors
  • Foster dialogue and collaboration among the Coalition’s Members and between Members and external stakeholders such as federal agencies, private corporations, nonprofit organizations, and academic institutions
  • Develop communications strategy for the DEC’s online and offline media, and work with DEC staff to execute that strategy, including authoring and coordinating content for the DEC’s website, blog, and social media accounts
  • Work closely with Members to facilitate effective communications about the DEC’s priorities with partners and constituents around the country, helping the Aging network to learn more about the concerns of diverse elders
  • Build the Coalition’s profile and reputation in local, regional, national, and professional communities

Required Skills

  • 4-year college degree or equivalent work experience;
  • At least three years’ experience working in an executive role at a nonprofit or coalition organization
  • Demonstrated ability to work at the executive level, including developing and recommending strategies and organizational direction, and liaising effectively with fellow executives
  • Experience working with a board or board-like structure
  • Experience in fundraising, including working with philanthropic foundations
  • Experience building resources through strategic partnerships
  • Strong writing skills and experience writing public-facing reports, articles, blog posts, etc. for a variety of consumers
  • Strong communication skills, with demonstrated ability to efficiently facilitate both public and private meetings and deliver trainings
  • Self-starter who has experience working remotely, good organizational skills, strong attention to detail, team player, and ability to successfully manage multiple simultaneous projects
  • Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to successfully and respectfully work with a diverse group of stakeholders from varied backgrounds
  • Lived or professional experience with the unique needs of racially and ethnically diverse populations, American Indian and Alaska Native communities, and / or lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning (LGBTQ+) communities preferred but not required
  • Demonstrated track record in advancing issues related to aging, diversity, and/or healthcare with an equity lens preferred but not required
  • Expertise in building relationships with policymakers and stakeholders preferred but not required
  • Ability to think across systems, sectors, and movements to identify opportunities for collaboration and shared outcomes

Preferred

  • Master’s degree preferred
  • The ability to speak a second language is a plus

Department: Diverse Elders Coalition
Status: Full-time, Exempt, Salaried Position
Location: Remote with 10-15% travel to meetings, conferences, and Washington D.C.
Schedule:Monday to Friday, 9:30 am – 5: 30 pm EST
Salary Range: $125k – $140k, commensurate with experience
Reports to: DEC Executive Committees
Benefits: SAGE offers an attractive benefits package

How to Apply: Click Here to begin the application process. Contact careers@sageusa.org if you have any questions.

Equal Employment Opportunity: SAGE is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, ethnicity, creed, color, religion, sex or gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, alienage or national origin, ancestry, age, citizenship status, marital or family status, family medical history or genetic information, veteran status, HIV serostatus, military or military discharge status, height, weight, disability or handicap, domestic violence victim status, employment status, socioeconomic status, criminal history or arrest record, sexual or other reproductive health decisions, natural hair or hairstyle, or any other status or characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. SAGE is dedicated to this policy, with respect to all matters concerning employment.