Title: Director of Organizing & Political Action
Program area(s): Organizing Department
Reports to: Deputy Director
Note: Please do not apply unless you have direct experience with running political, union or community organizing campaigns.
Organization Summary
Hate Free Zone advances the fundamental principles of democracy and justice at the local, state and national levels by building power within immigrant communities, in collaboration with key allies. We were formed immediately after September 11, 2001 and have grown to organize and build power in diverse immigrant communities. Our main strategies include:
• Increasing civic participation in immigrant communities;
• Building capacity of local organizations across the state and country to lead and advocate for change;
• Winning positive policy change for and with immigrant communities; and
• Improving the public climate for immigrants across the state and country.
We use a combination of strategies including base building and mobilization, leadership development, direct-action, policy advocacy, media and public education, voter education and engagement, and coalition building to lead campaigns to build power and advocate for positive change in immigrant communities. We are building a nimble, creative and strategic team of field organizers passionate about building power in immigrant communities and grounded in common skills of coalition building, leadership development, and organizing for policy change and political accountability.
Job Summary
The Director of Organizing and Political Action will be a senior strategist and manager within the organization and will lead a team with diverse expertise and objectives to accomplish short and long-term organizational goals. We seek a motivated and visionary leader to join our leadership team to lead Hate Free Zone to the next level of strategic organizing. The ideal candidate is a seasoned organizer, a strategic campaign planner and an experienced staff manager and leader. She/He will have at least five years of grassroots, labor or political organizing experience, and a minimum of five years experience building, leading and managing teams. As Hate Free Zone matures as an organization, the Director will help lead and manage through culture and program change to shape our future growth.
Areas of Responsibility
The Director of Organizing and Political Action leads and manages the organizers who provide the grassroots muscle to win concrete campaign victories and build power in immigrant communities. The Director coordinates and drives campaign planning and implementation, and oversees all organizing staff and policy organizers and their training. This position reports to the Deputy Director. The job of Director focuses on:
1) Civic Engagement. Developing the year-round and election-based campaigns and organizing strategies that will organize immigrant voters, community members and coalition partners to lead and advocate for positive policy change at national, local and statewide levels.
2) Membership & Leadership Development. Building a membership base of leaders and activists within immigrant communities and providing leadership on curriculum design and implementation. We define leaders as people who can organize others to act together with them around shared goals. Most people can become leaders if they give the time and bring commitment to it. Leadership skills are taught in the informal process of organizing on issues and in structured leadership training sessions.
3) Capacity Building. Developing internal staff capacity around a common set of skills to a) effectively organize, recruit and develop potential leaders and community members, and b) lead coalitions, campaigns and training. Also, oversee and support capacity building program that works with leaders and staff of other small and emerging non-profits to build their capacity to lead and advocate for change.
4) Strategic Policy Direction and Political Action. Understanding and translating national, state and local policy into strategic action, community education and organizing. Lead and educate organizers and policy staff to fully understand the implications of proposed policy changes and to fine-tune our campaigns to organize and engage community members to pass progressive policy change.
5) Coalition Building. Leading strategic partnerships with in-state and national organizations, both immigrant and non-traditional allies, to collaborate and develop campaigns to advance the goals of HFZ and the movement. Leading regional efforts to improve coordination and field organizing among coalition partner. Leading HFZ efforts to partner effectively with state and local organizations.
Specific Tasks and Duties
• Oversee development and implementation of long- and short-term organizing and outreach goals, strategies and tactics for the organization, in conjunction with campaign teams.
• Supervise and mentor policy and organizing staff, ensuring individual performance goals are met.
• Oversee the hiring and training of organizing team staff. Coordinate trainings and other organizational and staff development activities. Facilitate organizing team meetings.
• Oversee development of organizing materials, issue updates, action alerts, membership materials and media materials needed to implement campaigns, in conjunction with leadership team and organizers.
• Works with coalition partners to build strong relationships and partnerships, and develop and implement strategies at the national, state and regional level.
• Serves as a liaison between Organizing Department and other departments (Executive, Communications, Development and Administration).
• Represents Hate Free Zone with coalition partner meetings, media and public events, as needed.
• Manages grant reports, organizing budget and coordinates with other staff to manage overall budget.
• Other duties as assigned.
Experience and Accomplishments
• College degree or commensurate qualifications.
• Minimum of 5 years staff management experience with a proven track record of leading and building teams and managing staff.
• Minimum of 5 years experience as a grassroots, field, or national organizer or campaigner.
• Proven ability to manage and evaluate projects and budgets with attention to detail from start to finish.
• Extensive knowledge of campaigns, including grassroots organizing strategies and advocacy techniques.
• Experience building a membership program.
Skills and Requirements
• Passion for social justice and building power in immigrant communities. Excellent interpersonal, supervisory, leadership development and training skills.
• Excellent long- and short-term campaign, strategic and organizational planning.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, planning, and analytical skills.
• Experience working with the media and acting as a spokesperson a plus.
• Experience working with policy analysis and research.
• High energy and enthusiasm.
• Experience in organizational development and culture change desirable.
• Experience building, training and leading teams.
• Strong computer skills in all Microsoft Office Applications including MS Access. Experience with Salsa, Salesforce, VAN, a plus!
• Familiarity with online organizing strategies helpful.
• Proven ability to work well with a wide range of people, work well under pressure, handle multiple tasks at once, and adapt to changing situations on a daily basis.
• Sense of humor.
• Ability to work long hours and travel.
Compensation:
Competitive salary, dependent on experience. We offer an excellent benefits package that includes medical/dental/long-term disability, 403(b) retirement plan, and generous paid leave.
To apply, please send resume and cover letter describing why you think you are the perfect candidate for the job to Candace Inagi, Deputy Director of Hate Free Zone, at
candace@hatefreezone.org. (No phone calls, please!)
