Executive Vice President (EVP) - Programs and Strategy

Opportunity

The Executive Vice President (EVP) of Programs and Strategy is a senior, forward-looking leader responsible for shaping IRAP’s global program direction and strengthening relationships with key internal and external stakeholders to advance and fund the organization’s mission.

As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, this role partners with senior leaders on organization-wide strategy and leads the Programmatic Leadership Committee. In a public-facing capacity, the EVP works closely with the President and Development team to present IRAP’s strategic direction and program impact to funders and other external audiences, reinforcing the organization’s reputation as an innovator and supporting long-term sustainability.

This leader will guide program priorities across the organization’s global offices in the US, Germany, Jordan, and Lebanon, represent IRAP in policy and thought-leadership spaces focused on refugees, migration, and immigration, and help broaden funding streams by cultivating relationships with current and prospective donors. The role also connects client services, systemic change work such as litigation and policy, and innovative approaches that expand pathways to safety for displaced people. It carries a major responsibility for annual planning and budgeting for the Programs Division and for the organization as a whole.

Global Program Oversight

The EVP is expected to define and communicate IRAP’s Theory of Change, program vision, and annual priorities. This includes leading strategic and program planning, setting objectives and key measures of progress, aligning all global programs with IRAP’s mission and strategic goals, and promoting innovative approaches that improve effectiveness and impact.

The role also involves building and sustaining partnerships that strengthen the Programs Division, expanding networks of support, and maintaining a strong culture of collaboration, high performance, and inclusive practice. Program results must be tracked and shared in partnership with the Evaluation and Learning team, while the EVP supports the growth of staff through coaching, development, and equitable leadership.

Executive Leadership and Cross-Team Collaboration

Working alongside the President and the EVP for External Relations & Organizational Planning, the EVP will help build external relationships that support program success and funding sustainability. As part of the ELT, the role contributes to major organizational decisions, strategic direction, and enterprise-wide priorities, while also engaging with the Senior Leadership Team on planning and execution.

Planning and Budgeting

The position leads annual planning and budgeting for the Programs Division, ensuring that plans are realistic, strategically aligned, and matched to available resources. It also includes ongoing monitoring of performance against goals and budget, with adjustments made when needed.

Qualifications

IRAP is seeking someone with an advanced law degree and a strong background in senior leadership within nonprofit or international development settings, especially work involving refugees, forcibly displaced people, or immigrants. The ideal candidate brings extensive experience leading innovative, transformative programs and supporting systemic change, along with at least eight years of supervisory experience that includes mentoring and developing leaders.

Additional strengths include knowledge of impact litigation in the US and/or Europe, understanding of refugee protections internationally and in at least one IRAP operating region, and proven success working with development teams to build donor relationships, broaden support, and strengthen organizational sustainability. The role also calls for strong strategic planning, budgeting, team leadership, sub-granting awareness, and the ability to communicate clearly in English, both verbally and in writing.

IRAP is looking for someone with a deep commitment to its mission, an equity-centered leadership approach, strong judgment and analytical ability, and the skill to translate complex legal ideas into persuasive narratives for funders and other stakeholders. The right candidate will also demonstrate excellent interpersonal and management skills, comfort in legal services or legal representation environments, and a commitment to developing future leaders inside the organization.

Job-related requirements

This role is remote within the United States and requires about 30% travel, mainly domestic travel across the US. International travel is generally once a year to IRAP offices in Germany, Lebanon, and Jordan, typically lasting 5 to 7 nights.

Benefits

IRAP states that benefits may differ by office location, but the organization aims to provide equitable and generous support to all staff. Benefits include fully paid family health insurance, retirement options for US full-time tax-paying employees through a 401(k) with employer match, 20 or more vacation days, 18 or more public or organization-wide holidays, comprehensive sick leave, parental leave of more than 27 weeks, a childcare stipend for staff who travel for work, reimbursement for work-from-home equipment, and generous professional development opportunities.

Additional information

The organization is committed to full inclusion and will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities during the hiring process, job performance, and access to employment benefits. Applicants who need accommodations should mention this in their cover letter.

IRAP is an equal-opportunity employer and encourages applications from people of color and candidates from diverse backgrounds. The organization does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, citizenship status, ethnic background, religion, political orientation, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or any other protected class. Candidates with criminal histories will be considered in line with applicable Fair Chance Act requirements.

Compensation is based on education, experience, and internal equity. The stated salary range is $250,000 to $260,000. The role is at-will, and funding has been committed for two years. Priority will be given to applications submitted by July 20, 2026, though applications will continue to be reviewed until the position is filled.

Application materials requested are a resume and a brief cover note. A resume upload is also required for record-keeping.