Organizing Director

Organizing Director
Power California
Los Angeles or Fresno (Hybrid) 
$100,000-$115,000 per year 
Full Time, Exempt, Regular, At-Will

Who we are…

Power California is a multi-racial, nonpartisan 501(c)(3) charitable organization with a sibling 501(c)(4) organization, made up of on-the-ground community partners in urban, suburban and rural communities throughout the state. We are proudly one of the only statewide organizations dedicated to building the electoral power of young voters of color. Our mission is to harness the energy of young people of color  to create a state that is fair, inclusive and just for everyone who calls California home. We elevate the voices of youth and young adults in our democracy and build their power to participate and lead in systems of government at all levels. As an employee of Power California, you will work alongside dedicated co-workers who are immersed in our mission.

Who you are…

Someone for whom creating change in the world is a value on your short list and to whom making a difference in your community gets you up and going every day. Someone who delights in collaboration with others and achieving meaningful goals as a collective. Someone who values inclusion and the empowerment of low-income immigrants, refugees, LGBTQIA+ communities and young people of color.

Summary: 
The Organizing Director’s work is a key driver in empowering California’s young people to see themselves as agents of change in their communities. This role directs the strategy for building a diverse membership base of young people between the ages of 16-30, with a focus on Black, brown, API, rural and underrepresented communities in Inland CA, who can be mobilized through campaigns to vote, make a difference on key issue like housing and economic justice, while also strengthening leadership pathways for young people to be engaged in their communities. The Organizing Director partners with Power California’s Political Power team in building an integrated voter & membership strategy that utilizes digital engagement tools, social media, and cultural strategy to build a political home for young people. This role will design and lead a team to implement forward recruitment and retention strategies that speak to young people across different identities and ages to grow a membership base that will have the power in numbers to create systemic change in our communities. 

Membership Strategies and Planning:

• Leads the organization’s overall efforts to recruit, grow and engage an active membership base of young people of color in priority Inland regions, by developing and implementing strategies and campaigns 


• Works with Executive Vice President to develop short and long range plans and goals to achieve organization’s membership objectives 


• Oversees the team that manages organizing drives and youth-centered culture-forward strategies and programmatic activities to recruit and grow membership base.  


• Ensures the implementation of our Leadership development ladder across organizationals programs 


• Works with IT Director and Digital Strategist to leverage digital tools to engage, track and recruit members


• Supports the membership team in coordinating cultural activities and events in-person and virtually events to bring members and activists together 


• Works closely with the Field Director to identify and coordinate engagement  opportunities for members to participate in voter engagement campaigns 


• Works closely with the Political Power team & Narrative team to develop & align department strategies to recruit, engage and activate members through policy advocacy, narrative work, and online digital efforts 


• Leads a team to develop curriculum and presentations that share campaigns, values, vision in an accessible and meaningful way for youth of various ages and backgrounds
  

Membership Team Management, Alignment and Coordination:

• Directs a team to manage statewide PowerCA membership base through regular communication and activation; identifies and communicates opportunities for members to engage in policy advocacy, event and community building with a focus on linking the right activity to members based on preferences indicated during their membership enrollment 


• Keeps a pulse on the political landscape and emergent political opportunities to activate and engage members 


• Develops methods for tracking and strengthening membership growth and engagement; works with Data Strategist to maintain and update membership lists  


• Works with Political Power Executive Vice President to ensure integration & alignment of membership strategies with narrative, policy, and alliance


• Works closely with the Director of Development on donor drives


• Ensures project-based budgets for membership meetings and activities, and other relevant membership categories are implemented and managed appropriately


• Is responsible for carrying out all required HR-, payroll- and finance-related supervisory duties in a timely, accurate, and legally-compliant manner


• Works closely with HR and the Executive team to ensures the safety of members and volunteers in programming activities

Management and People Leadership & Organizational Management:

• Recruits, hires, trains, manages and develops 2-3 membership staff


• Leverages direct reports and resources strategically to consistently achieve departmental goals and objectives 


• Collaborates closely with their supervisor and People Power Executive Vice President, regarding campaign strategy for both nonprofit entities 


• Actively participates in regular campaign strategy team meetings and cross team collaborations, prepping for and facilitating meetings as needed


• Supports Campaign Director, Political Director and Executive Vice Presidents to align regional organizing work with overall organization goals 


• Provides one-on-one coaching and technical assistance to organizers, interns and fellows 


• Oversees coordination of trainings for organizers on grassroots organizing, political education and integrated voter engagement methods
  

Campaign Strategy:

• Supports the Campaign Director with local and regional policies in key priority areas and identifies organizing opportunities that improve the wellbeing of young people of color and their families


• Partners with the Campaign Director to lead the planning of regional  campaign strategies (Fresno, Merced, and Contra Costa)  and ensures the integration of narrative, field and organizing strategies


• Develops clear campaign plans and timelines, tracks progress, and identifies

Minimum Qualifications and Experience: 

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in organizing including leadership development, organizing strategy, and organizing campaign implementation 


• Plus if familiar with electoral organizing strategies, campaigns and tools 


• Nonprofit, fundraising, 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4), grass roots, lobbying experience 


• Strong time management, organizational, and work planning skills; ability to adjust work activity as needed and manage multiple projects according to timelines 


• Experience working/partnering with Black, API and Latino, low-income, immigrants and refugees and/or LGBTQIA+ communities 


• Experience using popular education methods for training and facilitation strongly desired 


• Must be computer-literate, with basic skills in word processing, spreadsheets, power point, web/email applications, and other work-related applications; Macintosh knowledge preferred 


• Works well independently and in collaboration with others 


• Excellent cross-cultural skills, including the ability to communicate with people at all levels and from various backgrounds, including, but not limited to, high school students, young adults, and community and elected leaders 


• High level of accuracy and attention to detail 


• Strong written and verbal communication, presentation, and facilitation skills; able to communicate in an outgoing, enthusiastic and persuasive manner


• Able to understand organizational goals, be aware of opportunities and challenges, and take initiative to achieve goals; works well independently 


• Flexible, team-oriented approach to problem-solving 


• Ability to keep sensitive information confidential, exercise good judgment, stay aware of others’ needs


• Thrives in a fast-paced environment; independent, proactive and able to work under the pressure of tight deadlines and changing priorities; comfortable with on-the-ground learning 


• Commitment to embodying the change we seek; able to act with integrity, compassion, and openness to feedback 


• Bilingual or multilingual with English-Spanish skills a plus 


• Occasional nights and weekends required 


• If assigned to drive on business, must have unlimited access to a reliable automobile and have the ability to drive; valid California driver’s license and, if driving own car, proof of adequate insurance coverage required 


• Based in or near Fresno, California (within 25 miles)


• Has cell phone with adequate data plan and home internet connection with adequate speed

Physical Requirements and Environmental Conditions:
(The conditions and requirements below are representative of those required for an employee to successfully meet the essential requirements of the role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable employees to meet these requirements.) 

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position, at a desk or similar, 60% of the time. Time spent in stationary location includes operating a computer and relevant peripherals and communicating via phone 


•  While performing the duties of the position, the employee frequently travels by automobile or public transit or works outside and is thus exposed to changing weather conditions 


• When working inside an office, this position is not exposed to weather conditions 


• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate 


• Regularly required by the duties of this job to move, ascend and descend, remain stationary, position oneself to access and operate machines and/or equipment and supplies, communicate, exchange information and observe details at close and medium range within work surroundings. 


• Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds over medium distance (20-30 feet). Typically involves moving office supplies, campaign material, event set-up material, and/or PPE