Executive Director

Executive Director

Reports To:

Board President

Location:

12337 Lake City Way NE, Seattle, WA 98125

Schedule:

Full‑time salaried;
Requires some evenings and weekends

Founded in 2017, Refugee Artisan Initiative (RAI) is a nonprofit that envisions creating a welcoming global community that values and invests in refugee and immigrant women as they achieve healthy, stable, and fulfilling lives in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. RAI partners with refugee and immigrant women to foster an inclusive, prosperous transition to the United States through artisan skills training and microbusiness development.

The Executive Director (ED) serves as the chief executive and an ex‑officio non‑voting Board Member of RAI. The ideal candidate is a seasoned nonprofit leader who combines strategic vision with strong execution, understands how to grow impact responsibly, and values shared leadership, accountability, and sound governance. This individual shares a commitment to empowering under‑represented communities, cultural competency, and experience connecting and representing non‑profits to officials and agencies.

They are a dynamic leader who ensures alignment with the organization’s mission, vision, and values; provides strategic direction; oversees day‑to‑day operations; leads fundraising efforts; manages staff and financial performance; and represents the organization to stakeholders.

Reporting to the Board President, the Executive Director fosters an inclusive, positive, and collaborative culture among staff, contractors, volunteers, and artisans; represents RAI in the community; and ensures compliance with all grant obligations and the organization’s bylaws.

• Mission & Artisan Impact:
  Champion RAI’s mission by centering artisan success and ensuring RAI remains a safe, welcoming gathering space for refugee and immigrant artisans. Serve as a compelling representative of RAI’s mission and impact.
• Strategic Leadership:
  Develop annual and multi‑year strategies that advance economic empowerment for refugee women that align with RAI’s mission, vision, and four pillars. Translate strategies into clear priorities, operational roadmaps, and measurable outcomes. Ensure organizational systems and structures support long‑term impact and resilience.
• Financial Stewardship:
  Drive revenue goals that optimize RAI’s impact and advance artisan financial independence. Oversee budgeting, grant management, cash flow management, financial reporting, and long‑term forecasting to safeguard fiscal health.
• Board Partnership & Governance:
  Partner with the Board in strategic planning and informed decision‑making. Provide timely, accurate updates on organizational performance, mission‑critical opportunities, risks, and mitigations. Strengthen governance through effective processes, clear communication, and committee participation.
• Program & Operations Oversight:
  Work with staff to ensure seamless day‑to‑day operations, product quality, services, and program excellence, aligned refugee and immigrant services, and public programming. Steward RAI‑owned property and uphold health, safety, and regulatory standards.
• Fundraising & Resource Development:
  Lead a cohesive, measurable fundraising plan to grow more opportunities for the refugee community. Secure diversified financial and in‑kind support from foundations, corporations, individuals, and public sources. Cultivate and steward donors and support grant applications.
• Sales, Marketing & Product Strategy:
  Reassert RAI’s strength and continue to build RAI’s brand through integrated marketing, merchandising, and sales plans. Set annual sales goals and expand customer targets. Oversee product development and inventory to meet stakeholder needs while sourcing and maximizing the use of upcycled products and participating in a circular economy.
• Team Leadership & HR:
  Lead, support, and develop a small, high‑performing team. Cultivate an inclusive, supportive culture that attracts and retains talent. Establish the framework for recruiting, hiring and evaluating staff, consultants, and volunteers where cultural competency is a critical requirement. Provide…