Company Name
The Vincent Chin Institute
Company City
Company State
Job Location
Remote/work-from-home position (no physical office), with a preferred base on the West Coast as activity is currently centered in California’s Bay Area, primarily in Oakland.
Company Information
The Vincent Chin Institute (VCI) builds solidarity against hate and division through organizing, education and narrative change. VCI was founded in 2023 to continue the mission and work of the past 40 years of movement and building solidarity against anti-Asian violence and all forms of hate. Our mission is:
• To provide informational resources, empowerment tools and networks of veteran AAPI organizers to communities where there is limited Asian Pacific American advocacy infrastructure.
• To build networks of local activists and a generation of established leaders from around the country who wish to use their expertise where they can be most effective in countering anti-Asian bigotry.
• To strengthen and advance AAPI communities and amplify AAPI voices locally and nationally to bridge both organizing, networks and narrative connectivity between multiple sectors.
With programs focused in these three mission areas, the Vincent Chin Institute plays a vital role in making critical linkages for underserved AAPI communities and today’s generation of committed AAPI organizations with the strategic lessons from historical Asian American organizing. In doing so, VCI aims to inspire new generations of community leadership with the Vincent Chin legacy.
More information is at vincentchin.org.
For the definitive story of Vincent Chin and the national civil rights movement that he and Lily Chin inspired, see The Vincent Chin Legacy Guide: Asian Americans and Civil Rights.
Job Description
We are seeking nominations and applications for our first Executive Director who will inspire and equip the next generation of Asian American and Pacific Islander leaders through the Vincent Chin movement’s legacy of multiracial, multicultural, intergenerational solidarity and community empowerment. Working together in close partnership with our founder, Helen Zia, the board, future staff and external stakeholders, the Executive Director will build the capacity of VCI to advance the mission of the organization and its strategic goals. This leader will strengthen VCI’s national profile, while maintaining a commitment to areas where there is little to no Asian American advocacy infrastructure and exploring opportunities to continually fill gaps in areas of unmet need. The Executive Director will grow the organization’s capacity to effectively steward the legacy of Vincent Chin and the solidarity movement against hate and violence, while elevating the organization’s role in addressing issues that impact the health, safety, wellness, visibility and voice of our communities.
VCI’s first ED will develop the systems and structures of a previously volunteer-led organization. The ED will initially be the sole staff responsible for the full range of functions and day-to-day management of VCI. In partnership with the three-person board and key stakeholders, the ED will have the opportunity to work with experienced OGs to create the next generation vision of a landmark legacy movement. To do this, the ED will help grow the infrastructure, staff, strategies, programs and partnerships to strengthen the organization, positioning it for success and impact. The ED will play a pivotal role by providing thought leadership to the field, internal direction to the organization and in partnership with the board, a vision for the future of VCI’s work.
VCI’s first Executive Director will have the following opportunities for impact:
Strategic Leadership & Visioning
• Contribute to a clear strategic vision on the impact and relevance of the Vincent Chin movement’s legacy of multiracial solidarity against hate and the important role of AAPIs in these movements.
• Communicate and advocate for this vision internally and externally with stakeholders and the public.
• Courageously advance the vision and foster the organization’s national role and reputation as the leading voice to address issues that impact the health, safety, wellness and visibility of our communities.
Thought Leadership, Advocacy & Legacy Stewardship
• Think deeply and strategically about our AAPI communities, asking questions to guide our futures; serve as an advocate and builder who can conceptualize, initiate and articulate clear and compelling linkages to advance the beloved communities, especially in areas where there is little advocacy infrastructure.
• Critical will be ensuring that our historical expertise and memory is passed on in a systemic, constructive and cohesive way that increases community capacity, local and national narratives and networks across sectors.
Community Networks & Partnerships
• Accountable to multiple stakeholders—the founder, board, the AAPI community, organizational partners, funders and donors—the ED will expand the organization’s role as a connector, including with local, regional, state and national advocacy organizations, educational, civil rights, media organizations, etc.
• With a working knowledge of significant developments, trends and participants in the field, and an eye for and orientation to innovation, the ED will identify opportunities to create new pathways and partnerships toward the organization’s goals.
Founder & Board Engagement
• Develop and maintain a strong and effective relationship with the founder, board and key stakeholders characterized by respect, trust, transparency, partnership and clear, direct communication.
• Exceptional board and stakeholder management and development are critical to success.
Organizational Development & Management
• While initially the sole staff, the ED will hire, mentor, inspire, manage and lead future staff, nurturing a work culture that embodies the mission and vision of the organization and attracts and retains a small but mighty team, which includes talented and experienced volunteers.
• There is currently funding to hire support and program contractors, to be determined by the ED and board.
• Building a clear structure to foster high quality work, collaboration and teamwork across functions and alignment toward shared goals will be required.
• Ability to shape culture and programs through the lens of mission, values and vision is essential.
Operations & Financial Management
• Ensure all operations run smoothly, building infrastructure such as technology hardware and software for collaboration, fundraising, document creation and storage, clear lines of communication, record keeping and security, as well as policies and practices throughout.
• Lead and manage the annual operating budget, generating income and ensuring VCI’s assets are well managed and used responsibly toward its mission.
Fund Development, Identity & Communications
• Create the conditions for fundraising success (pitch, vision, materials, systems, training, etc.) and cultivate a culture of fundraising.
• Fearlessly and proactively seek new funding opportunities and steward existing relationships in partnership with the founder and the board to bring in new resources and work together to both maximize current networks and begin to transition some relationships to the organization, decreasing reliance on the founder over time.
• Deepen and refine all aspects of communications—from web presence to external relationships. In partnership with the board and key stakeholders, build awareness of VCI, its niche and vision, communicating regularly with stakeholders and the public.
Compensation and Benefits
This is a full-time, exempt, salaried position requiring occasional evening and weekend work. The targeted salary range is between $125,000 and $150,000 per year, depending on qualifications and experience. VCI provides comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental and vision), paid leave and a 403b retirement plan.
Location and Travel
• This is a remote/work-from-home position (no physical office), with a preferred base on the West Coast as activity is currently centered in California’s Bay Area, primarily in Oakland.
• The position requires the ability to travel, as needed.
Job Qualifications
The ideal candidate will bring an unwavering commitment and passion for the health, safety, wellness, visibility and voices of the Asian Pacific American community and will possess many of the following professional and personal qualities, abilities and experiences and will be able to identify where they need to learn and grow:
1. Emotionally intelligent, transparent and effective executive or senior level leadership in an externally facing role in a racial justice, social justice, civil rights, media, or other related mission-aligned role or organization.
2. Sophisticated understanding of the AAPI experience, diversity, dynamics and complexities; expert capacity grounded in lived experience to effectively work within and across the community, including intergenerationally and from grass roots to grass tops; knowledge of AAPIs in under-resourced areas with little-to-no AAPI presence nor advocacy infrastructure is a plus.
3. Existing relationships with key stakeholders in the AAPI community, other marginalized communities, civil rights ecosystem and funders are desirable.
4. Steeped in a broader civil rights history and understanding of marginalized social identity groups and their contributions; experienced in multiracial, multicultural, intersectional organizing and solidarity with other movements and their communities; fluidity working across social justice sector; and demonstrated contributions to building the beloved community.
5. Proven track record and significant experience in effectively engaging in high profile board, ensuring its structure, membership and actions allow members to fulfill and excel in their governance roles.
6. Demonstrated experience developing programs, infrastructure, systems, policies and practices to support and grow organizational capacity and impact, and successful leadership in a dynamic organization, including fiscal oversight, compliance, budget development, management and reporting, and revenue stewardship.
7. Established track record of contributing to fundraising success, and commitment to build a culture of fundraising that empowers staff, board and volunteers to participate with confidence.
8. A strategic and analytical mind, big-picture, future-oriented thinker and detailed implementer, practiced in creating and executing comprehensive strategic plans, responsive to the political and sector landscape, in partnership with the board.
9. Systems-level thinking and demonstrated experience building cross-sector/cross-system partnerships to influence opinions, leverage resources and build support for new ways of working together to achieve greater impact.
10. Demonstrated success, internally and externally, as a consensus builder and collaborator who can employ exceptional interpersonal and relationship-building skills to earn and maintain trust and rapport with key stakeholders, community leaders, funders and other audiences to whom VCI is accountable.
11. A tested capacity to lead with an authentic interest in listening to and learning from others, including the ability to model unquestionable integrity, accountability, vulnerability and willingness to learn/unlearn and change course; extraordinarily self-aware.
12. Activating and engaging storyteller and public speaker, with superb narrative skills and the ability to respond extemporaneously when needed; an excellent communicator in multiple formats.
How to Apply
See the full job description on our website where you will also find complete directions for how to apply, share nominations and referrals, ask questions, or request accommodations through VCI’s Search Portal (at the bottom on the page).
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Early applications are strongly encouraged and those submitted by January 24, 2025, will be given full consideration. We anticipate phone interviews will begin in February.