Search
Nonprofit
California State Program Director
Details
Description
About Poder Latinx
Poder Latinx is a nonpartisan nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering the Latinx community through voter registration, civic education, and leadership development. Our mission is to foster active participation and leadership within the Latinx community to ensure a better future for all.
Our Mission
Empowering Latinx communities to build sustained political power and actively participate in democracy. Through comprehensive voter engagement, issue advocacy, and leadership development, we create lasting change and progressive policies that reflect the needs and voices of Latinx voters to win on environmental, economic and immigration justice.
Our Vision
We envision a future where Latinx communities are empowered decision-makers in democracy, creating a united, just, and inclusive nation where everyone is safe, belongs and their voices are heard and valued.
Our Core Issues are Environmental Justice, Immigrant Justice, and Economic Justice. These pillars represent the most urgent priorities for our community and serve as the foundation for our actions and initiatives. Even in challenging times, Poder Latinx remains steadfast, we will continue driving progress toward a Latino community that is prosperous, powerful, and protected.
Role Summary
The California State Director is the senior leader responsible for all electoral, organizing, compliance, and operational performance in the state. This role owns strategy execution, staff leadership, coalition representation, and legal-compliant civic engagement programming across c3, c4, and PAC structures.
This is a high-accountability role operating in a regulated election environment with measurable performance goals.
Core Accountabilities
State Strategy & Electoral Execution
- Develop and execute state civic engagement strategy aligned with national priorities
- Own performance targets (e.g., voter registration, voter contact, leadership development metrics)
- Oversee compliance with federal, state, and FEC regulations in coordination with national compliance staff
- Lead election-cycle planning, GOTV operations, and rapid-response strategy
Team Leadership & Management
- Directly supervise – staff, including Program Coordinators and Organizers
- Lead hiring, onboarding, coaching, performance management, and terminations where necessary
- Develop leadership bench and succession pipeline
- Ensure staff accountability to performance metrics and field standards
Operations & Financial Stewardship
- Develop and manage annual state budget
- Approve expenditures within delegated authority
- Partner with National Program Director and Finance Team to monitor burn rate and compliance
- Maintain operational readiness for high-intensity election periods
Coalitions & Public Representation
- Serve as primary state representative with partners, elected officials, labor, funders, and consulates
- Represent the organization in media (English and Spanish)
- Participate in civic participation tables and shared power coalitions
Compliance & Risk Management
- Ensure adherence to 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and PAC legal boundaries
- Maintain documentation standards and program audit readiness
- Manage risk in electoral environments
Required Qualifications
- 5+ years senior-level leadership experience in electoral or community organizing environments
- Direct management of at least 3 full-time staff
- Experience operating within regulated political or nonprofit environments (c3/c4/PAC preferred)
- Demonstrated ownership of program metrics and performance targets
- Experience managing budgets
- Experience working in California civic or political landscape
- Bilingual English/Spanish
- Ability to work extended hours, weekends, and blackout periods during election cycles
Preferred
- Experience in Central Valley communities
- Media-facing experience
- Fundraising or donor stewardship experience
- Experience working in Latinx or immigrant communities
- Knowledge of curriculum and training design methods
Compensation & Benefits
- Salary range: $70,000 – $85,000 annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications.
- Benefits include paid family leave; paid sick and vacation leave; employer-sponsored health, dental, and vision coverage; and retirement plan with employer match.
Benefits
- Benefits include paid family leave; paid sick and vacation leave; employer-sponsored health, dental, and vision coverage; and retirement plan with employer match.
Level of Language Proficiency
Bilingual English/Spanish
Location
How to Apply
Please email your resume, cover letter, and two references to nguzman@poderlatinx.org and ncedeno@poderlatinx.org with the subject line: “CA State Director – Job Application.” Only candidates who meet the minimum required qualifications will be considered. No phone calls, please.
