idealist.org

EMPLOYER: Common Cause
1133 19th Street N.W. 9th Floor
Washington, D.C. 20036
www.commoncause.org

DEPARTMENT: State Operations

POSITION AVAILABLE: Executive Director, Common Cause Michigan

REPORTS TO: Vice President, State Operations; Regional Director, State Operations

SUMMARY OF POSITION: Michigan is home to thousands of Common Cause members, who have a long history of supporting Common Cause reform goals at the federal and state level. This position will allow the right leader to be on the ground floor of reinvigorating Common Cause Michigan, through the mobilizing of thousands of new and old Common Cause members and supporters to achieve democratic reform and renewal in Michigan. Michigan is a key part of Common Cause’s democracy initiative in the Midwest region, a new organizing and advocacy strategy designed to build upon our region’s history and today’s exciting new opportunities for democratic reform, civic engagement, and holding power accountable. Common Cause is a leader in today’s popular impulse to reinvent government as an instrument of the common good. The right leader will help reinvent a democracy in Michigan capable of winning critical changes that Michiganders want and need. This position presents an excellent opportunity to use one’s creative organizing and advocacy skills to help build a better democracy in Michigan and across the country, to ride the wave of popular desire for significant political reforms, and to work through collaborative strategies with Michigan’s strong public interest advocacy community for such reforms. These include reducing the impact of money in politics through “clean elections” and public financing reforms; strengthening ethics and lobby reforms so that every public official serves the public interest, and not special interests; restoring faith in government’s ability to address people’s needs; and, renewing the ability of the people to hold power accountable, especially for the poor, the powerless and the voiceless.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Develop and implement grassroots organizing strategies to build support for the Common Cause agenda. Develop and execute lobbying strategies to generate pressure on federal, state, and local elected officials and other decision-makers. Work to build and participate in effective and diverse political coalitions, including the Midwest Democracy Network and similar allies. Communicate with the public and Common Cause members across the state, both through the media and other means. Coordinate state membership activities and expand Common Cause membership in the state by attracting new and diverse constituencies to the organization. Raise money, using a variety of fundraising strategies, to fund Common Cause programs. Develop and oversee the state budget. Produce timely and high quality policy research. Develop a strong working state advisory board. Manage the operations of the Common Cause state organization, including recruitment, training and supervision of other staff, volunteers and interns. Work with staff in Washington, DC, the region, and in other states, and serve as liaison to the national office.

QUALIFICATIONS: Demonstrated leadership and organizing ability; excellent written and oral communications skills; strong fundraising skills; familiarity with the state legislature and legislative process; strong interpersonal skills; commitment to the public interest; ability to work independently in a deadline driven environment with competing priorities; willingness to travel; skill in public speaking, desktop publishing, volunteer management, database management and financial management desirable.

About Common Cause:
Common Cause is a nonpartisan nonprofit advocacy organization founded in 1970 by John Gardner as a vehicle for citizens to make their voices heard in the political process and to hold their elected leaders accountable to the public interest. Now with nearly 300,000 members and supporters and 36 state organizations, Common Cause remains committed to honest, open and accountable government, as well as encouraging citizen participation in democracy.

Common Cause is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, creed, color, religion, ethnicity, national origin, party or political affiliation, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any illegal or prohibited factor.

TO APPLY: Please submit resume, cover letter and salary requirements to Director of Human Resources at hr@commoncause.org and include Executive Director – Michigan in the subject line; or fax to 202.355.7546 No phone calls please. Applicants are encouraged to respond as soon as possible.