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The ACLU of Washington · 4 days ago

Organizing Director

Seattle, WA

Full-time

Hybrid

Lead/Staff, Director/Executive

$133K/yr - $159K/yr

4+ years exp

The ACLU of Washington (ACLU-WA) advances liberty and justice in the courts, in the legislatures, in the streets, and at the ballot box. The Organizing Director will lead ACLU-WA’s organizing program to build political power with communities disproportionately impacted by systemic oppression and ACLU-WA activists, developing and executing strategies to deepen grassroots engagement on priority issues.

CharityCommunitiesNon Profit

Responsibilities

Develop and implement ACLU-WA’s organizing theory of change to provide a clear, structured framework for the organizing program

Lead the ACLU-WA’s organizing program, including strategies to build political power among communities disproportionately impacted by systemic oppression and to cultivate, deepen, and sustain relationships with community leaders, supporters, activists, political influencers, and allies

In partnership with Policy Program Directors, develop and support execution of strategies to assess community support for and opposition to potential campaign priorities, informing the selection of legislative priorities

Develop and help lead strategic coalitions to advance shared political goals in legislative and issue-based electoral campaigns, including establishing clear coalition processes, goals, and work plans

Supervise Campaign Organizer(s) and the Organizing Manager, ensuring effective use of resources and alignment with the ACLU-WA’s mission, values, organizing theory of change, and campaign goals

Oversee the development and implementation of organizing workplans to advance legislative priorities during the legislative session, interim periods, and other priority campaigns

In partnership with the Policy Advocacy Department Director, develop and maintain systems, structures, and processes that support organizers’ work, and evaluate the effectiveness of organizing strategies and tactics

Foster a collaborative, team-oriented culture consistent with the ACLU-WA’s leadership values and race equity principles

Ensure organizers cultivate trusted relationships with community partners, directly impacted people, and ACLU-WA activists, with emphasis on communities identified in or impacted by the ACLU-WA’s strategic and programmatic priorities

Develop and support execution of strategies to deepen the ACLU-WA’s relationships with priority communities identified in the program plan

In collaboration with other advocacy staff, seek and integrate input from organizations led by and centering directly impacted individuals to help shape the ACLU-WA’s priorities, strategies, and tactics

Represent the ACLU-WA in coalition and organizing spaces by accurately communicating organizational positions, listening to coalition priorities, and sharing insights with internal staff

Facilitate or participate in coalitions convened by the ACLU-WA to advance priority issues during the state legislative session

Build organizing skills and capacity among community partners and ACLU-WA activists by sharing tools, information, and identifying opportunities for additional support

Serve as a resource to colleagues across departments in building relationships with coalition partners and navigating coalition dynamics

Work with Policy Program Directors to evaluate support for and opposition to policy proposals and assess readiness for inclusion in the ACLU-WA’s proactive legislative agenda

Maintain a working understanding of the organization’s legal and policy work and the communities impacted

Collaborate across the organization to develop, coordinate, and implement effective messaging, strategies, and tactics that advance the ACLU-WA’s goals

Facilitate internal meetings as appropriate

Actively participate in advancing the ACLU-WA’s race equity goals, community agreements, and color-brave space agreements

Center race equity in organizing work by building community partner capacity and political power, with particular focus on communities marginalized by systemic oppression

Qualification

Coalition buildingGrassroots organizingLegislative advocacyCommunity engagementSupervision experiencePolitical influenceWashington state policyMicrosoft Office SuiteSelf-reflectionCourageous conversationsTrust buildingRacial justice commitmentLanguage proficiencyInterpersonal skillsCommunication skillsProject management

Required

At least 4 years of experience developing and coordinating successful coalition and grassroots organizing efforts to advance public interest, legislative, political, or similar campaigns through state and local legislative bodies or ballot measures

Demonstrated experience developing, integrating, and executing coalition and grassroots organizing strategies, including building and refining organizing programs to advance legislative and advocacy goals

Knowledge of the Washington state policy environment, legislative and electoral processes, and experience navigating partisan political dynamics in Olympia

Demonstrated ability to work effectively with communities impacted by structural oppression, allies, legal professionals, organizers, and individuals with political influence to build power and advance civil liberties and civil rights

Strong interpersonal, relationship-building, and facilitation skills, with experience working diplomatically across politically, ideologically, culturally, and geographically diverse communities and bringing people together around shared goals

Excellent verbal, nonverbal, and written communication skills, including the ability to listen deeply, present complex issues to diverse audiences, and quickly learn and adapt to new issue areas

At least 2 years of experience supervising direct reports, including training, motivating, and supporting staff and community partners

Experience managing multiple projects in fast-paced environments, adjusting to changing demands, and seeing work through to completion

Demonstrated capacity for self-reflection and the ability to seek, receive, and apply constructive feedback

Experience engaging in courageous, respectful conversations with staff, colleagues, and community partners

Demonstrated sound judgment in handling sensitive information and the ability to build trust while stewarding the ACLU-WA's resources, reputation, and relationships

Ability to work both independently and collaboratively, demonstrating initiative while also taking direction

Demonstrated commitment to civil liberties and civil rights

Deep commitment to racial justice and equity, including dismantling white supremacy and applying structural power analysis, with an understanding of how power operates across race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, religion, language, immigration status, national origin, and socio-economic circumstances

Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and the ability to adapt to new technologies; experience working with voter file data and volunteer management software