Director of Organizing

Position Title: Director of Organizing

Position Location: Candidates are welcome to apply from across the U.S. Those that are near a Popular Democracy office in DC or Brooklyn may be asked to work from the office one or two days/week if necessary. Applicants outside of those areas may be required to travel to a Popular Democracy office occasionally.

Popular Democracy is seeking a Director of Organizing to join the Organizing Department. This is a full-time, exempt position.

About Popular Democracy:

Popular Democracy works to promote equity, opportunity, and a dynamic democracy in partnership with innovative base-building organizations, organizing networks and alliances, and progressive unions across the country. We work with 50 affiliates in 34 states and DC to build the strength and capacity of democratic organizations that envision and advance a pro-worker, pro-immigrant, racial and economic justice agenda. We are a rapidly-expanding, changing organization that partners with organizations across the country to build political power and win tangible victories that improve the lives of low-wage workers, immigrants, and communities of color.

About the Position:

We are seeking a Director of Organizing who will oversee Popular Democracy's work to strengthen organizing programs within a set of affiliates. This work includes the assessment of affiliate organizing programs and managing a team of organizers who serve as primary contacts for assigned affiliates. The Director of Organizing will manage a team of organizers to provide direct support to drive affiliate member recruitment and development as well as organizing capacity building, and will coordinate with Organizing leadership, Data & Technology, and other Popular Democracy teams to track progress toward affiliate organizing and capacity building goals. This position will also implement direct training and field support and will collaborate across Fightback and Communications & Narrative teams to drive initiatives.

It is expected that the Director of Organizing will travel and attend in-person trainings, meetings, and actions with Popular Democracy affiliates and partners approximately 1-2 times a month.

We estimate that candidates will have about 15 years of relevant experience, including experience leading a grassroots organizing program or team, but our review of candidates for this role will focus on whether they can fill the needs of the position, not years of experience.

The Director of Organizing will supervise a team of Organizers and will report to the Chief of Organizing.

Primary Responsibilities:

The Director of Organizing will:

• For a set of affiliates, conduct regular assessments of organizing programs and set annual basebuilding and capacity building goals with affiliate organizing leadership.
• Manage a team of organizers to advance affiliate basebuilding and organizing capacity goals with a set of assigned affiliates and track progress towards those goals.
• Collaborate with internal Fightback teams to develop dynamic organizing programs grounded in Popular Democracy’s organizing methodology.
• Implement and evaluate basebuilding tactics and strategies for growing our base through field, digital, and member to member outreach, in deep collaboration with Popular Democracy Organizing leadership.
• Partner with affiliates to track goals, metrics, and reporting, assessing the overall success of the program.
• Oversee and execute site visits, trainings, and direct affiliate support, including one-on-one check-ins with Organizing Directors.
• Support multi-affiliate blitzes and larger training and network events.
• Expand and deepen internal and external partnerships that advance the organization’s core vision.
• Provide coaching, strategic guidance and training to Popular Democracy staff and the network.
• Cultivate key funder relationships and drive fundraising activities to support programs, including, but not limited to, managing subgranting to affiliates and partners.
• Other related duties as needed and assigned.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have:

• Significant experience as an organizer and institution-builder, with at least 5 years of experience as a supervisor in an organizing capacity;
• A track record of effectiveness in base-building, campaigning, electoral engagement, staff and member training and leadership development, supervision, building and sustaining coalition and ally relationships;
• Experience working collaboratively and effectively across teams in complex, dynamic environments;
• Ability to build and maintain relationships of trust with diverse organizations and partners;
• The ability to communicate effectively to a wide variety of audiences through training and written and verbal communication skills;
• Deep alignment with Popular Democracy’s theory of change and commitment to building strong people’s institutions;
• The ability to travel frequently (average one to two times per month ranging from day trips to weeklong site visits);
• Fluency in Spanish language skills preferred, but not required;
• A demonstrated commitment to social, racial, and economic justice and a deep understanding of challenges facing low-wage workers, immigrant communities, communities of color, disabled people, LGBTQ+ folks, and people at the intersections of the above communities.

Hiring Process:

Candidates should expect to participate in two rounds of group interviews and a job simulation exercise. Final candidates will be asked to provide references.