Director of Organizing Strategy and Training

Position: Director of Organizing Strategy and Training

Position Type: Full-Time ─ Exempt

Location: New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, or Birmingham preferred; remote (work from home) available

Reports to: Co-Deputy Executive Director

Salary Range: $108,000 - $138,000 based on location and relevant experience

Who we are ─ About Jobs to Move America

Jobs to Move America (JMA) is a national and regionally based strategic policy center working to transform public spending and corporate behavior in manufacturing. Grounded in racial and economic justice and community organizing, we partner with workers, community organizations, and coalitions to advance a fair economy with good jobs and healthier communities for all. To learn more, visit our website: www.jobstomoveamerica.org.

About the Role

The Organizing Director is a senior leader responsible for building JMA’s organizing program across regions as we advance an agenda for good jobs and climate justice.

This role goes beyond traditional campaigning to collaboratively developing and deepening JMA’s coalition and worker organizing methodology in partnership with program directors and organizers across the country. The Director will build a training program for core skills which is tailored to each region and its unique context.

What You’ll Do

Develop JMA’s Organizing Methodology.

• Build out JMA’s organizing method and ideology to support winning campaigns
• Create processes for how to build, structure, and assess our coalitions; how to engage and assess workers; how to engage community leaders and organizations
• Standardize worker and coalition assessments and data practices across JMA including using Action Builder for worker organizing and Salesforce for coalition organizing
• Create materials and train staff on these methods and processes
• Develop and strengthen our analysis of power in how we organize
• Ensure that JMA organizers and directors can effectively integrate research, policy, and communications strategies with the organizing programs
• Operationalize intentional considerations of race, gender, and other identity-related oppressions in how our organizing is carried out.

Lead Thinking on Strategic Campaigning

• Collaborate with regional teams (and research, policy and communications programs) to develop multi-faceted campaigns to win enforceable pro-worker policies and agreements between communities and manufacturers through community benefits agreements
• Understand and provide lead thinking about organizing needs, purposes, outcomes, and plans for each of JMA’s campaigns
• Work with JMA’s partner unions to develop a culture of ongoing learning for organizing methods on JMA campaigns including co-developing organizing strategies, messaging, and plans for campaigns; creating systems for JMA and union organizers to collaborate; and identifying opportunities for partnership.

Create an Organizer Training Program

• Develop a curriculum for JMA’s organizers, including onboarding new hires, training new organizers, and upskilling experienced organizers
• Create materials to train organizers on how to organize effective community coalitions and engage workers in campaigns to win community benefits agreements
• Periodically run training workshops for new and current organizers focused on hard skills and developing strategic thinking
• Nurture a culture of winning and institutionalizing protections and gains for working people and in particular impacted and historically marginalized communities and people of color.

Coach JMA Staff

• Support JMA program directors, assistant program directors, and campaign managers in supervising organizers
• Regularly check in, debrief, and provide feedback to JMA organizers and participate in evaluations administered by their supervisors
• Travel to coach organizers in the field and meet with campaign teams and program directors to develop campaign strategy and strengthen organizing skills

What you Bring

Core Experience

• At least 10 years of experience in labor, community, and/or coalition organizing
• At least 5 years supervising organizers and leading them on campaigns
• Experience in building coalitions across a range of stakeholders
• Experience in organizing workers
• Experience working with data management systems to track contacts; Action Builder experience is a plus

Key Skills and Strengths

• Skill in thinking both creatively and analytically about organizing methodology
• Skill in leading or creating organizing training programs
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work independently and remotely when necessary with good Google Suite technical skills
• Good time management and ability to maintain a high level of timely follow-up to follow through on commitments
• Deep understanding of the labor movement

Leadership and Collaboration

• Ability to lead and inspire a team while providing useful and effective feedback
• Demonstrated ability to lead with curiosity, empathy, self-awareness, and accountability
• Experience working across lines of difference and able to build and sustain authentic and productive working relationships with colleagues including JMA employees as well as external partners
• Comfort operating in dynamic, politically nuanced environments

Additional

• Willingness to travel ~ 25% annually

Preferred

• Experience in both coalition building and worker organizing

Other Physical Requirements

• Ability to safely and successfully perform the essential job functions consistent with the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state and local standards, including meeting qualitative and/or quantitative productivity standards.
• Ability to maintain regular, punctual attendance consistent with the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state and local standards
• Must be able to communicate clearly on telephone with reasonable accommodations

What Else You Should Know ─ Compensation/Benefits

• Salary Range is $108,000 - $138,000 depending on years of relevant experience and location with annual salary increases
• 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision premiums for the employee and dependents, including domestic partners
• Generous paid time off including 12 personal days, 12 federal holidays, and 2 floating holidays each year. JMA has a paid, two week winter break at the end of each year. Employees can accrue up to 20 vacation days and 20 sick days. After 5 years of work, all staff are eligible to apply for 3 months of sabbatical leave.
• 401(k) plan with 5% employer contribution after 6 months of employment
• Flexible spending account (FSA)
• Cell phone reimbursement
• Utility/Internet monthly stipend for those working from home
• Work from home office set up provided if needed
• Training and professional development opportunities are available upon completion of the probationary period.
• A strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion policies and practices
• Qualifying Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) employer
• JMA is a unionized workplace. This position is a management-level position and not a bargaining unit member.

How to Apply

Complete the form at the following link, upload a cover letter & resume, and respond to the application questions.

All applications must be submitted through this process—no phone calls, please. Interviews will be conducted virtually.

As part of the process, candidates advancing to later stages will be asked to complete a brief skills assessment. Due to the volume of applications, we may not be able to respond to all applicants.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Jobs to Move America is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from all qualified candidates regardless of race, ethnicity, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, or other protected status.

We are committed to fair and equitable treatment in all aspects of employment and maintain a zero-tolerance policy for discrimination and harassment.

We strongly encourage applications from people of color, women, veterans, formerly incarcerated individuals, and those with experience working alongside these communities.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At JMA, we believe that diverse, engaged, and supported staff are essential to advancing economic, racial, and social justice. We value the perspectives, experiences, and contributions of all team members and believe our work is stronger when everyone’s voice is heard.

As part of our commitment to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, we invite applicants to complete optional self-identification questions during the application process.