Economic Empowerment Manager

Job Overview:

The IRC in Denver assists newly arrived refugees and similar populations to foster the best possible initial resettlement experience, advance client self-sufficiency and promote community integration. Using a trauma-informed, client-centered approach that empowers clients, the Economic Empowerment Manager guides a team that strives to assist clients in meeting their immediate needs for financial stability while ensuring that near-term demands do not overshadow longer-term economic wellbeing. This position will oversee a team that coordinates and implements a portfolio of workforce development programs, including Refugee Social Services (RSS), Refugee Cash Assistance, and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) employment services within the Reach Program under contract with the Colorado Refugee Services Program (CRSP), as well as Matching Grant (MG), financial capability, public benefits screening and navigation, and other economic empowerment programs and services that may be established in accordance with the office’s Strategic Action Plan.

Specifically, the Economic Empowerment Manager will develop and monitor annual and strategic plans for the department; ensure program goals are met; supervise, coach, and develop staff; identify and secure grants to sustain and grow impactful economic empowerment programs; ensure quality data tracking to gauge impact and satisfy reporting requirements; manage program budgets; and conduct ongoing monitoring and evaluation to promote compliance and improve quality through oversight of team members, activities, and documentation. The successful candidate must be able to work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment within a matrixed organizational structure to lead a team that is offering high-quality, community-based programs that are responsive to clients. They must demonstrate sound judgment, be highly flexible, a commitment to empowering staff and clients alike, and comfort making decisions in a fluid environment. This position reports to the Deputy Director, Programs.

Major Responsibilities:

Program Design, Development and Management

• Support the Economic Empowerment team in delivering high-quality, timely, and proactive services using strengths-based coaching that empowers clients to move toward their goals.
• Disseminate information from IRC HQ, CRSP, and other donors; provide guidance and training to ensure team members fully integrate new information, requirements, and policies.
• Develop processes and systems that facilitate smooth coordination with counterparts in resettlement and integration, health and wellness, education, and legal services.
• Provide consultation to the team on client grievances and cases that require escalation to meet heightened needs, including engaging directly with clients and community partners as needed.
• In coordination with the Senior Finance and Budget Manager and the Deputy Director for Programs, develop program budgets and monitor budget versus actual reports.
• Together with the Deputy Director, IRC in Denver’s development and finance teams, and IRC HQ where applicable, prepare grant proposals and complete narrative and fiscal reports for donors.

Supervision and Coaching

• Recruit, hire, train, supervise, and evaluate team members; currently, this includes six direct service coordinators who collectively manage a team of 10 direct service staff.
• Provide leadership for the economic empowerment team in accordance with IRC’s People Manager Standards, convening regular one on one meetings with direct reports; effectively delegating duties and responsibilities; providing consistent communication and ongoing feedback; mentoring and coaching staff; and supporting their professional development.
• Oversee initial onboarding and training plans for new Economic Empowerment staff members.
• Implement and document annual training plans per HQ and donor requirements, including delivering routine and refresher training, and developing new training modules as needed.
• Engage direct reports in the performance management cycle, including goal setting, mid-year check-ins, and annual performance evaluations.
• Address performance concerns proactively and manage disciplinary action as needed.
• Offer mentorship and support to the Economic Empowerment team to enhance their ability to deliver high-quality services, effectively respond to client needs, manage workload, prioritize tasks, troubleshoot challenges, and fulfill program requirements.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Program Quality

• Create and implement quality assurance systems, processes, and protocols to promote consistent and complete documentation of all Economic Empowerment services, financial assistance, and other required data in both client case files and relevant systems.
• Design a department-wide evaluation framework to gauge impact, assess strengths, and identify opportunities for growth and improvement in each program area.
• Participate in efforts to better measure client satisfaction, capture and learn from client feedback, and to engage clients in program design, delivery, and quality improvement.
• Engage the Economic Empowerment team in regular data analysis to review outcomes.
• Ensure compliance with the service delivery standards and grant terms and conditions outlined by IRC, CRSP, Office of Refugee Resettlement, and other donors.
• Work collaboratively within Economic Empowerment and across other teams to fully integrate a 2Gen approach and advance gender, equity, diversity, and inclusion (GEDI) commitments.

Community Partnerships and Capacity Building

• Act as the key point of contact for external partners and service providers.
• Conduct outreach activities related to economic empowerment, engaging with local communities, businesses, relevant partner organizations, and other key stakeholders.
• Routinely attend and report on relevant coordination meetings with CRSP and IRC HQ to consult with key stakeholders on resettlement trends, integration efforts, and other issues.

Other

• Promote and model collaboration and the concept of “One IRC” in interactions with colleagues.
• Participate in strategic planning and make recommendations to shape priorities and programs.
• Serve on the IRC in Denver’s Senior Management Team (SMT).
• Engage as a member of the direct services management team, working colleague managers and their teams to foster positive working relationships, streamline services, ensure service quality, consult on client needs, integrate client feedback, and design and implement new programming.
• Adhere to professional and ethical standards, including the IRC Way and HIPAA.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements:

Education

Master’s degree in social work or related field strongly preferred. Bachelor’s degree or equivalent years in work and/or lived experience required.

Work Experience

• At least 5 years of relevant work experience in a social services setting.
• A minimum of 3 years managing complex teams and programs, including providing supervision for staff providing direct services, preferably in case management using a coaching approach.
• Experience developing and management programming in refugee resettlement and working with displaced people, survivors of trauma or torture, and similar populations strongly preferred.

Demonstrated Skills & Competencies

• Well-developed understanding of Economic Empowerment programs and strategies that build economic self-sufficiency and cultivate financial wellbeing.
• Knowledge of motivational interviewing and coaching techniques in a human services context.
• Familiarity with the local job market and key sectors and industries is a plus.
• Commitment to working collaboratively with staff to promote a positive culture that empowers people and values the contributions they make to the team.
• Demonstrated ability to navigate complex problems and engage different stakeholders in solutions.
• Strong capacity to navigate differences and work as a team member in a cross-cultural environment.
• Excellent communication skills, including strong presentation skills and technical writing skills.
• Self-starter with excellent problem-solving skills.
• Adept in identifying and leveraging resources to enhance processes and outcomes.
• Flexible, adaptable, and able to effectively manage time and competing priorities under pressure.
• Ability to contribute independently and as a team member.
• Working knowledge of federal and state workforce development grants highly desired.
• Experience with grant writing, grant management, budget administration, program development, and/or monitoring and evaluation a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and cultivate partnerships to further program development goals.
• Fluency in written and spoken English; fluency in language(s) of current refugee populations preferred (Arabic, Burmese, Dari, Kiswahili, Pashto, Spanish, Tigrinya, Ukrainian, Vietnamese, etc.).
• Computer proficiency, including MS Office, internet applications and case management databases.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and insurance, a reliable vehicle, and ability to travel in and around the local community frequently.

Working Environment:

• A combination of standard office environment and time in community-based locations to perform the above responsibilities in the service area, with the potential for some remote work.
• Occasional domestic (non-local) travel required; up to 10%.
• Occasional weekend and/or evening work required.

Posted pay ranges apply to US-based candidates. Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget. Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements.

Equal Opportunity Employer: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

US Benefits: The IRC offers a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. All US employees are eligible for sick time, a 403b retirement savings plans: up to 4.5% immediately vested matching contribution, plus an 3-7% additional IRC contribution, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support in times of crisis and mental health struggles.

In addition, full-time employees are eligible for 10 US paid holidays, 20-25 paid time off days, disability & life insurance, medical, dental, and vision insurance (employee contribution starting at $135, $7, and $5 per month respectively) and FSA for healthcare, childcare, and commuter costs. Part-time employees are eligible for a proportionate amount of paid time off. These additional benefits apply to employees who work at least 6 months within a 12-month time period.