Director of Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)

POSITION SUMMARY

As Director of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program you'll play a crucial role in supporting individuals and families by providing high quality, people-centered, professional tax preparation services. Your knowledgeable, warm, and friendly approach will create an inviting environment for all who seek our services. In this leadership position, you'll be responsible for the design, implementation, and measurement of a highly impactful program that drives organizational mission.

The VITA program provides free, professional tax preparation services to income-eligible individuals and families. The Director of VITA directs the overall operation of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) including serving as a visible community leader and advocate for the program, this includes providing financial oversight and reporting, identifying strategic priorities developing a highly effective volunteer engagement strategy, writing grants, and tracking, evaluating, and reporting on program outcomes.

This hybrid position is based in either the Kalamazoo or Lansing office and requires a minimum of three days in the office each week. The VITA team is co-located across both offices, so frequent travel between Kalamazoo and Lansing will be required, along with occasional travel throughout the region as needed. During tax season, evening and weekend work will also be required.

Please Note: Two positions are currently posted; however, there is only one available opening.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion:

• Contribute to an equitable, diverse, and inclusive organizational culture that centers people in every solution, process, and function.
• Commitment to trauma-informed and people-centered care principles, with an understanding of the impact of trauma on individuals and communities.

Program Strategy and Execution

• Lead the development and implementation of program strategies, including setting measurable goals, cultivating strategic partnerships, and driving continuous process improvement to enhance program effectiveness and impact.
• Provide overall strategic and operational leadership for the VITA program, ensuring program quality, compliance, sustainability, and achievement of organizational and community outcomes.

People Leadership

• Supervise and support team members by ensuring they are effectively trained, equipped, and performing at a high level to deliver successful VITA services.
• Develop and implement volunteer engagement strategies to support regional VITA program goals, with a focus on engaging community-driven participation.
• Provide strategic leadership and oversight to the VITA team, ensuring alignment with program objectives and community needs.

Grant Management and Resource Development

• Ensure compliance with grant requirements, regulatory guidelines, and financial reporting standards, maintaining transparency and accountability in all financial matters.
• Identify, research, and actively pursue diverse funding opportunities, including federal, municipal, and private foundation grants.

Stakeholder Engagement and External Relations

• Build and maintain strong relationships with community members, partners, and key stakeholders-including national, state, and local organizations, businesses, and individuals-to advance holistic financial stability initiatives.
• Facilitate connections between community members and financial education resources, products, and services.
• Lead and advance UWSCMI's financial stability and economic mobility strategies in partnership with internal teams, community stakeholders, and regional partners.

Organizational Collaboration and Leadership

• Participate in community planning efforts that address increased effectiveness and efficiency in human service delivery systems, strategies, and processes
• Serve as the UWSCMI liaison to financial stability workgroups, coalitions, and committees as assigned
• Participate in internal an external cross-functional projects and initiatives as assigned

Other duties as assigned.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Demonstrate a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion and ability to apply anti-oppressive and anti-racist principles in the workplace. 

• experience managing complex direct-service program(s). This should include multiple years of human services or related experience. This may be supplemented with formal education such as a bachelor's or advanced degree in social work, non-profit administration, accountancy, law, or other related field.
• Prior accounting or tax knowledge and experience.
• Ability to communicate highly technical information to employees and volunteers.
• Within 6 months of hire, demonstrates a high level of expertise in tax preparation and tax law, required; demonstrate a deep knowledge of financial literacy and asset-building strategies for low-income families, preferred.
• Strong people leadership abilities to inspire, coach, and provide feedback and accountability to team members and volunteers.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute successful program strategies to meet external funder metrics/requirements and internal outcomes.
• Annually pass the IRS VITA Advanced Certification test.

• Ability to multi-task, work in a fast-paced environment, and meet deadlines with frequent interruptions.
• Must be committed to ensuring strict confidentiality and records maintenance.
• Ability to learn new software, hardware, and processes then teach others while providing technical assistance as needed.
• Demonstrated knowledge of spreadsheets, database management and financial software proficiency

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Ability to work in front of a computer for extended periods of time.
• Frequent sitting, standing and walking.
• Reliable transportation for regional travel. Use of a personal motor vehicle for transportation requires proof of insurance, valid Driver's license, and ability to pass a Motor Vehicle Record standard.
• Occasional work outside of normal business hours except during tax season where it is consistent.
• Successful completion of a criminal background check.
• Candidate must be able to work successfully in a remote environment with private office space and high-speed internet.

SALARY: All the roles within UWSCM have pay ranges that are commensurate with the knowledge, skills, and abilities of the successful candidate. The minimum salary for this position is $81,520.

ABOUT UWSCMI 

United Way of South Central Michigan (UWSCMI) gathers the power of three legacy organizations-Capital Area United Way, United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region, and United Way of Jackson County-to mobilize financial and volunteer resources, partners, and voices, creating equitable and lasting change for the most vulnerable people in our communities. 

Our vision: Strong, caring communities where every person is valued, thriving, and connected for the common good. 

Our path: Our work lifts our local communities by reducing racial and economic disparities; addressing the needs of ALICE (Asset-Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) households in financial stability, education, health, and basic needs; and creating opportunities for every person to reach their full potential.   

EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION  

UWSCMI is committed to dismantling systemic inequities that continue to cause harm for Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color (BIPOC), Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual (LGBTQIA+) people, women, and people with disabilities. To do so, we are dedicated to building capacity and accountability into our policies, practices, and partnerships. 

NOTE 

All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" relationship. 

BACKGROUND CHECK DISCLOSURE 

We require background checks for certain roles. The checks are completed by ProScreening and results are only ever communicated to the Hiring Manager if they may impact someone's employment. We do not use prior arrests, only convictions. These convictions will only be considered as hiring criteria if they are directly connected to the roles & responsibilities of the job (for example, financial related convictions for a finance officer). We know that the criminal legal system is not equitable, and negatively impacts marginalized communities - specifically people of color - at rates much higher than other identities. This is why our background check process is only in place for explicit situations.   

TOTAL REWARDS PACKAGE 

United Way of South Central Michigan offers a competitive total rewards package including a competitive salary, medical coverage with an employer contribution of 85% towards single coverage and 70% towards dependent coverage, dental and vision with a 90% employer contribution towards single and dependent coverage, life insurance with an employer-paid benefit of 2 times annual salary, short-term disability and long-term disability effective the date of hire.  In addition, United Way provides a 10% employer contribution into the 403(b) retirement plan each year with full vesting after 3 years of service and 20 days Paid Time Off, 13 days Paid Sick Time, 5 Paid Volunteer Days, 3 Floating Holidays and 11 Paid Holidays each year (Paid time off, sick time. Paid volunteer time and floating holidays are prorated the first year).