Job Title: Deputy Director

Location: Cornwall on Hudson, NY

Reports to: Executive Director

Position Type: Full-time (Hybrid, with travel across New York State)

About Rural & Migrant Ministry, Inc. (RMM):

Rural & Migrant Ministry, Inc. (RMM) is a 40-year-old organization dedicated to creating a just and equitable rural New York State. We focus on nurturing leadership, standing with the disenfranchised—especially farmworkers and rural workers—and changing unjust systems and structures. Our mission is carried out through our three primary program areas: Accompaniment, Popular Education, and Youth Empowerment, operating across four worker education centers in New York State.

Recent Highlights:

Received a $1 million gift from the Yield Giving Open Call and MacKenzie Scott.

Partnered with the Clinton Global Initiative, enhancing our strategic effectiveness in addressing issues faced by New York's farmworking and rural families.

Job Summary:

The Deputy Director will oversee all of RMM’s state-wide programs, ensuring they align with our mission and strategic goals. This role includes supervising program staff, coordinating programmatic initiatives, and representing RMM in state-wide efforts. The Deputy Director will also be instrumental in program development, staff management, and organizational representation.

Key Responsibilities:

Program Oversight:

Oversee the implementation, execution, and evaluation of all RMM programs, including:

Accompaniment: Support those who fight for justice through programs that build power bases and advocate for systemic change.

Popular Education: Lead the Rural Academy of the People, offering participatory educational programs to develop rural leaders' skills and understanding.

Youth Empowerment: Oversee the staff that lead creative programs such as the Youth Economic Group, JOY (Justice Organization of Youth), and Voices of Long Island Youth (VOLIY), focusing on nurturing new generations of leaders.

Farmworker Education Centers: Oversee the Amandla Worker Education Center, Spark Rural Worker Education Center, Liturgia Rural Worker Education Center, ensuring they meet community needs and align with RMM’s strategic goals.

Ensure that existing programs meet quality standards and objectives.

Stay abreast of emerging needs and opportunities and collaborate with stakeholders to develop new programs as necessary.

Provide leadership in the planning and implementation of new initiatives, ensuring they align with RMM’s mission and strategic goals.

Encourage a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and efficiency within existing programs.

Solicit feedback from stakeholders and utilize data-driven approaches to identify areas for enhancement.

Champion best practices in program management and advocate for the adoption of innovative strategies to maximize impact and effectiveness.

Foster a learning environment where staff are encouraged to experiment, learn from failures, and adapt strategies to better serve the community.

Staff Supervision:

Directly supervise and evaluate program staff, fostering a collaborative and effective work environment.

Coordinate curriculum development and implementation across the state, especially within the Rural Academy of the People (RAP).

Oversee RMM’s internship and fellowship programs, including college interns and seminarians.

Cultivate a supportive and inclusive environment that values the diverse cultural and generational backgrounds of staff and community members.

Organizational Representation:

Represent RMM in select coalitions, summits, and conferences.

Work with the Executive Director to present programs to donors and potential donors.

Provide necessary information and support to the Managing Director to aid in the development of grant strategies, proposals, and program reports.

Strengthen community connections and enhance advocacy efforts to build collective action towards systemic change.

Strategic Leadership:

Collaborate with the Executive Director and Managing Director on strategic initiatives, including the implementation of RMM's strategic plan.

Ensure that program activities align with the strategic priorities outlined in RMM's strategic plan, which includes four focus areas:

Leadership Development of families & allies:

Ensure that the Rural Academy of the People offers a robust curriculum that equips farmworkers and rural individuals with the skills, knowledge, and support networks necessary to effect change in rural New York.

Support the Youth Empowerment Program in nurturing leaders committed to social justice.

Access to Capital:

Facilitate access to credit, capital, and employment security for farmworkers and rural individuals through initiatives such as establishing a Credit Union across regional centers and initiating rural cooperatives.

Advocacy for a Just Rural New York:

Build a statewide rural power base and network to amplify the voices of New York farmworkers and rural families through presence in decision-making sectors, collaboration with other organizations, establishment of a rural women’s network, and integration of a youth network.

Build Community:

Foster relationships and partnerships through arts, liturgy, hospitality, storytelling, and shared action to strengthen the movement for justice.

Contribute to the ongoing development and implementation of the strategic plan, ensuring that the program teams remain responsive to the evolving needs of the communities served by RMM.

Collaborate with the Executive Director on strategic initiatives.

Contribute to the development and implementation of RMM’s evaluation and reporting mechanisms.

Drive innovative solutions that expand access to resources, such as building up credit unions and cooperatives, to support rural and farm working families.

Cultural Competence and Team Dynamics:

RMM offers a dynamic, multi-generational, and multi-cultural work environment that values collaboration, inclusivity, and creativity.

Engage with diverse communities, including faith communities, unions, and academic institutions.

Play a key role in navigating organizational changes and fostering a sense of unity and purpose among staff and community members.

Requirements:

Minimum of five years in non-profit management with strong organizational skills, including planning, delegation, program development, and task facilitation.

Proven, successful leadership in program management with measurable outcomes.

Bilingual in English and Spanish.

Experience working with rural communities and with faith-based organizations.

Strong budget management skills, including preparation, analysis, decision-making, and reporting.

Experience with fundraising strategies and donor relationships in the non-profit sector.

Ability to convey RMM’s mission and vision to various stakeholders.

Strong written and oral communication skills.

Commitment to travel across New York State, monthly.

Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and experience in working collaboratively with colleagues from diverse backgrounds.

Compensation and Benefits:

Salary: $84,700- $90,000

Fully paid medical and dental insurance

Four weeks of vacation, annually

Contributions to a retirement program

Three months paid sabbatical after seven years of service.

Non-discrimination Policy:

RMM does not discriminate against any employee or applicant based on gender, color, race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, pregnancy, veteran status, genetic information, and/or political affiliation.

Rural & Migrant Ministry, Inc. (RMM) Estb. 1981

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