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La Plaza is a nonprofit organization that supports the health and wellbeing of migrant and immigrant communities in Mesa County, Colorado. Through empowerment and advocacy, we ensure that our members and their families can equitably access and benefit from the resources that make all our lives better.
Founded in 1954 and rooted in decades of service to migrant farmworker families, La Plaza’s mission is to serve, empower, and cultivate the wellbeing of migrant and immigrant agricultural workers and their families in the Grand Valley. Today, the organization provides direct resources at our Palisade location — including education programs, a seasonal food pantry, and a clothing closet — while facilitating access to health clinics, tax preparation, and hunger and economic relief programs. We advocate for migrant and immigrant communities at the local, regional, and statewide level, and we build community through resource nights, social gatherings, and volunteer opportunities.
The Executive Director works in partnership with the Board of Directors to provide strategic, financial, and operational leadership for a close-knit organization with a dedicated staff. This role ensures that La Plaza remains a trusted, welcoming, and effective resource for migrant and immigrant farmworker families across the Grand Valley.
This is a hands-on leadership role. The Executive Director will lead, mentor, and directly support a small team, fostering a collaborative culture where every team member’s contribution is visible and valued, and will step in alongside staff and volunteers to deliver services when needed. The Executive Director ensures that programs and services are developed, implemented, monitored, and adapted as community needs evolve — including seasonal shifts tied to the agricultural calendar and changes in the policy environment affecting immigrant communities.
Responsibilities span strategic planning, resource development, financial management, staff and volunteer leadership, program oversight, advocacy, public relations, and governance. The Executive Director reports to the La Plaza Board of Directors, exercises significant discretion in carrying out their duties, and must be able to work independently, lead confidently in a small-team environment, and make sound, timely decisions.
Partners with the Board of Directors to develop, implement, and periodically update a multi-year strategic plan that advances La Plaza’s mission.
Gathers and analyzes community needs information — including direct input from members, partners, and staff — to anticipate emerging needs and guide program and resource decisions.
Monitors local, state, and federal developments (e.g., immigration, labor, public benefits, and health policy) and assesses their impact on members and on the organization.
Identifies organizational risks and opportunities, and leads contingency, continuity, and succession planning in coordination with the Board.
Provides direct, hands-on leadership to a small staff team, setting a positive tone and building a culture of trust, accountability, and shared purpose.
Develops job descriptions and leads the hiring process for new and existing positions, prioritizing candidates who reflect and can authentically serve the communities La Plaza works with.
Ensures staff receive appropriate job-specific training and ongoing professional development, including training in confidentiality, cultural responsiveness, and trauma-informed care.
Routinely monitors and evaluates staff performance, providing regular coaching and feedback; recognizes strong performance and addresses concerns through corrective action as needed; completes annual evaluations for all employees.
Ensures personnel practices comply with La Plaza policies and all applicable federal and Colorado employment laws, and maintains an up-to-date employee handbook.
Attends to staff wellbeing and workload, recognizing the emotional demands of community-facing work and taking proactive steps to prevent burnout.
Models and reinforces La Plaza’s mission, vision, and values in day-to-day team leadership, especially given the close working relationships inherent to a small organization.
Supervises the grant lifecycle, including identifying prospects, ensuring the completion of applications, defining outcomes and measurement methods, fulfilling reporting and compliance requirements, and building relationships with funders.
Develops and implements an annual fundraising plan with revenue targets that diversifies La Plaza’s funding across foundations, government sources, individual donors, businesses, events, and in-kind gifts.
Develops and grows La Plaza’s individual donor base, including planning and implementing fundraising campaigns, ensuring donor records are well managed and maintained in a donor database, and ensuring timely acknowledgements and tax documentation.
Cultivates and helps maintain partnerships with local funders, corporations, agricultural employers and growers, civic and religious organizations, and other nonprofit agencies.
Engages and supports Board members in fundraising, donor cultivation, and stewardship.
Oversees and coordinates the staff team in executing fundraising activities and events.
Prepares the annual budget and presents it to the Board of Directors for review and approval; ensures the organization operates within approved budgetary guidelines.
Provides monthly budget reports and financial statements to the Board of Directors, explaining variances and recommending adjustments as needed.
Works closely with the bookkeeper and Office Administrator on day-to-day financial operations, audits or financial reviews, and tax filings (including the annual Form 990).
Ensures financial integrity by overseeing all bookkeeping, accounting, and financial activities, and by maintaining sound internal controls.
Monitors cash flow, tracks restricted and unrestricted funds, and allocates grant expenses in accordance with funder requirements.
Works with the Board to build and maintain operating reserves and long-term financial sustainability.
Oversees the development, implementation, and ongoing evaluation of La Plaza’s programs and services, including food, clothing, education, health navigation, transportation, tax preparation access, and other member-facing activities.
Evaluates program quality and compliance across all sites and activities, using data, member feedback, and outcome measures to drive continuous improvement.
Ensures services are delivered with dignity, in members’ preferred language whenever possible, and in a manner that is accessible and welcoming to families of all backgrounds.
Safeguards the privacy and confidentiality of member information, with particular care for sensitive information such as immigration status, health, and financial details.
As needed, provides or supports direct services to farmworkers and family members alongside other team members.
Represents La Plaza and the interests of migrant and immigrant communities at the local, regional, and statewide level.
Participates in coalitions, networks, and collaborative tables that address farmworker and immigrant wellbeing, health access, food security, and economic opportunity.
Ensures all advocacy activities comply with the legal limits that apply to 501(c)(3) organizations.
Serves as a visible, credible representative of La Plaza throughout Mesa County and the Grand Valley.
Responds to media inquiries and provides information for publication or broadcast; serves as primary spokesperson, including during sensitive or crisis situations.
Ensures effective use of social media, the website, and other communications to share La Plaza’s mission, programs, and impact, in both English and Spanish.
Oversees the development and distribution of print and digital materials such as brochures, flyers, newsletters, and an annual impact report.
Ensures member stories and images are shared only with informed consent and with respect for members’ safety and privacy.
Works closely with the Board of Directors, preparing reports for monthly Board meetings and supporting transparent communication and a healthy organizational culture.
Supports Board recruitment, orientation, and committee work, and helps the Board fulfill its governance and fiduciary responsibilities.
Ensures organizational compliance with legal, regulatory, insurance, and contractual requirements, including state charitable registration and corporate filings.
Oversees implementation and periodic review of La Plaza’s policies and operations.
Bachelor’s degree in human services, nonprofit management, social work, public health, or a related field (or an equivalent combination of lived and professional experience).
At least three years of management experience, including direct personnel leadership — ideally within a small team or small-organization setting.
Proven ability to lead, motivate, and develop staff, with the interpersonal skill to build a strong, cohesive team culture in a small nonprofit environment.
Demonstrated experience in budget development and financial oversight.
Demonstrated success in fundraising and/or grant writing and management.
Experience working with diverse communities, including people from low-income and immigrant backgrounds.
Strong written and oral communication skills.
Fluent in English and Spanish, sufficient to communicate with La Plaza members.
Lived experience in, or deep connection to, migrant, immigrant, or agricultural worker communities.
Established relationships in Mesa County, the Grand Valley, or the Western Slope.
Experience working with and supporting a nonprofit board of directors.
Familiarity with health access, food security, public benefits, or immigrant-serving systems in Colorado.
Working knowledge of accounting software (e.g., QuickBooks) and donor/constituent management databases.
Knowledge of nonprofit management principles, including governance, fund development, financial management, and program evaluation.
Ability to build trust and maintain strong relationships with members, staff, volunteers, funders, partners, and public officials.
Ability to analyze information, set priorities, manage multiple deadlines, and make sound decisions under pressure.
Valid Colorado driver's license and an insured personal vehicle suitable for work-related travel.
Location: Palisade, Colorado (Mesa County/Grand Valley), with travel throughout the region and occasionally statewide
Salary Rate: $60,000–$80,000 annually, commensurate with experience
Benefits: Health benefits and paid time off (details provided during the hiring process)
Start Date: Preferred start date on or before February 1, 2027.
Reports to: Board of Directors
Other Key Relationships:
Small staff team (including the Office Administrator)
Contract support including a bookkeeper
La Plaza Volunteers
Key funders, foundations, and individual donors
Community members, partners, and coalition organizations
The search is being led by Marisol Solarte-Erlacher and Sonya Ulibarri with Cultura Leadership Consulting. Candidates should submit a cover letter, outlining their interest and qualifications, along with their resume to info@culturaleadership.com. Applications will be reviewed as they are received until the position is filled. We encourage submissions by the priority date of 11:59 pm on Sunday, November 15, 2026.