Director of Organizing Strategy and Training

Title: Director of Organizing Strategy and Training

Location: United States 

(Remote) Full-Time

Department: Organizing

Job Description:

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. 

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.