Michigan State Director | Michigan FIRE (a project of the YCA)

Each State Director is the senior leader driving the Youth Civic Accelerator’s work in either Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, or Nevada. Tasked with transforming our regional vision into local power, you will design and lead large-scale civic engagement, advocacy, and electoral programs that build youth and BIPOC political strength on and around college campuses in your state. This includes institutions such as the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, Western Michigan University, Eastern Michigan University, Michigan State University, Grand Valley State University, and Central Michigan University. You will recruit and manage a dynamic team, oversee 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and PAC programming, cultivate donor and partner relationships, and prepare the chapter to transition into an independent organization within two years.

This position is not for idealists who only dream about how the world should be; it is for a builder, a strategist, and an executor who is willing to organize in the reality of how things are to shift power where it matters.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: Develop and execute a two-year state power-building plan that aligns with Youth Civic Accelerator’s national strategy and political priorities.
• Program & Campaign Management: Design and run integrated voter-registration, education, turnout, and issue-advocacy programs across 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and PAC entities, meeting or exceeding annual metrics.
• Team Building & Supervision: Hire, train, and coach a staff (organizing, operations, data, campus fellows), fostering an inclusive, results-oriented culture.
• Budget & Compliance Oversight: Manage a state budget of roughly $1 M+, approve expenditures, and ensure full compliance with federal and state regulations, in coordination with HQ Operations & Finance.
• Fundraising & Resource Development: Partner with YCA National Staff to cultivate local donors, secure foundation grants, and hit aggressive revenue targets that sustain and grow state programs.
• Coalition & Partner Engagement: Represent the Accelerator in state tables, labor and community coalitions, and with elected officials; convene an advisory council of local stakeholders.
• Data-Driven Evaluation: Establish dashboards, monitor field performance, and use insights to refine tactics and report outcomes to the Deputy Executive Director and Board.
• External Communications: Serve as the primary in-state spokesperson, engaging media, donors, and allies to elevate youth and BIPOC civic power narratives.
• Convene and maintain a state-level Advisory Board of community, labor, philanthropy, and campus leaders; leverage its insights to refine strategy, open doors to resources, and ensure accountability.

Qualifications

Minimum Experience:

• At least two full electoral cycles (or equivalent) directing large-scale voter-contact or advocacy programs that exceeded goals.
• 3+ years managing staff and budgets of ≥ $750 K, preferably in youth or BIPOC organizing contexts.
• Demonstrated success navigating 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and PAC compliance—or a fast learner with comparable regulatory experience.

Skills & Abilities:

• Strategic Leadership: Connects day-to-day tactics to long-term power building; comfortable with rapid iteration.
• Collaboration: Builds trust across race, class, and ideology; works well with campus, community, and labor partners.
• Financial & Operational Acumen: Balances ambitious programming with disciplined budgeting and reporting.
• Communication: Compelling public speaker and skilled storyteller who can mobilize volunteers, persuade donors, and handle media.

Preferred

• Existing relationships in Michigan organizing ecosystems.
• Fluency with VAN and other tools within the progressive organizing stack.
• Experience launching or scaling a new organization or major program.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Youth Civic Accelerator is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive environment and encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply.

The pay range for this role is:

$90,000 - 125,000 USD per year (Remote (Michigan, US))