NEW Houston
New Economy for Working Houston
2506 Sutherland Street * Houston, TX 77023
https://www.neweconomyhou.com

Executive Director

Based in Houston, TX

 

New Economy for Working Houston (NEW Houston) is a new Houston-based non-profit organization that brings together the power of grassroots organizing and public policy innovation to win a just economy for Gulf Coast working families. We seek to build an inclusive regional economy where workers and neighborhoods thrive, and where people of color, immigrants, women, and low-income residents have an equal voice and share equally in regional prosperity. Our mission is to strengthen the ability of working Texans to shape their local economies through strategic research, campaign advocacy, policy development, communications, and coalition building between labor and community.

Launched by a partnership between the Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation, AFL-CIO and PowerSwitch Action, NEW Houston has worked on campaigns to stop the state legislature from interfering in local government, to protect tenants’ rights, and to raise labor standards in construction. NEW Houston is also participating in work related to the 2026 World Cup in Houston and the implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act in Houston. The organization now seeks to hire an Executive Director to take the organization to the next phase of development.

RESPONSIBILITIES
Fundraising and Administration

• Raise funds to rapidly increase the organization’s ability to run bold and impactful campaigns
• Maintain and build relationships with local and national funders/donors
• Write grant proposals and reports
• Set up systems to record, monitor, and report financials – cash flow, payroll, accounts receivable/payable, monthly/annual budget, tax filings, audit, etc.
• Ensure New Houston meets all requirements to maintain its 501(c)3 designation

Program Implementation

• Recruit, hire, train, and supervise staff to carry out the organization’s mission and campaigns effectively
• Lead campaigns when necessary
• Create tools and processes that support staff in developing and executing goal-oriented work plans to a high standard of performance
• Represent New Houston to the media and present the work to many local and national audiences
• Participate in Racial/Gender Justice trainings and activities

Organizational Development and Governance

• Work with the board to establish the strategic direction and plans for the organization
• Develop relationships with Board members, communicate regularly with the board, and prepare materials for board meetings
• Build shared ownership of work to grow NEW Houston among board members, partner organizations, and staff
• Oversee and guide the development of the organization’s infrastructure and overall development
• Serve on board of PowerSwitch Action

Other duties as assigned

OUR IDEAL CANDIDATE WILL HAVE:
Leadership, Campaign, and Organizing Skills

• At least 7 years experience in leadership roles in labor and/or social justice organizations, with an in-depth understanding of worker organizing
• Has an entrepreneurial approach that enjoys and is excited to build out organizational infrastructure, campaigns, and staff team
• Excellent relationship and coalition-building skills, particularly with people from diverse backgrounds, at all levels of the labor and social justice movements, elected office, and a wide range of constituencies
• Ability to get diverse audiences (funders, large groups, media, etc.) to understand and be excited about the organization’s work and campaigns
• Ability to think big and creatively and execute day-to-day tasks to achieve that vision
• Excellent planning skills and track record for driving change with a diverse group of stakeholders
• Ability to navigate complex systems, and relationships and inspire others to act
• Authentic, self-aware and compassionate

Management and Communication Skills

• Excellent oral, written, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills
• Experience supervising staff
• Ability to plan, prioritize, and manage multiple projects simultaneously, with attention to details
• Ability to work well under stress and deadlines, and maintain confidentiality
• Experience with event planning and implementation
• Good facilitator

Fundraising, Financial, and Organization-building Skills

• Experience with grassroots and grant-based fundraising
• Fluency in designing and managing budgets and understanding financial information
• Ability to oversee and facilitate staff and board meetings
• Advanced proficiency in Office/Google word processing, database, spreadsheet, presentation, project planning and other software applications

General

• Lives in or willing to relocate to the Houston region
• Ability to work long days and weekends as required and travel out of town occasionally
• Valid driver’s license and reliable vehicle
• Fluent in Spanish or a second language
• Excited and committed to building power in the challenging and fluid terrain of Texas

COMPENSATION:
Base Salary Range: $80,000 – $95,000 (salary commensurate with experience)
Benefits: Medical, vision, and dental coverage; retirement contributions; paid holidays and vacation, etc.

The position is open now until filled.

TO APPLY:
Please email a cover letter explaining your interest and qualifications and a résumé with the subject line “Executive Director - NEW Houston” to: jobs@sweetmagnoliaconsulting.com.

NEW Houston is an equal-opportunity employer.