Pennsylvania Program Director - Cycle Position

Pennsylvania Program Director - Cycle Position 

Organization Overview

America Votes is the coordination hub of the progressive community, leading collaborative efforts among a diverse coalition of more than 400 state and national partner organizations to advance progressive policies, win elections and protect every American’s right to vote. America Votes works nationally and in more than 20 states to provide a range of services to partners, including strategic planning, advocacy and electoral campaign coordination, data tools and targeting services, and on-the-ground leadership in key states. 

America Votes is committed to developing long-term roadmaps and setting critical goals for states. With an eye on redistricting and the consequences of extreme conservative gerrymanders and attacks upon voting rights, these efforts are essential to building progressive power in the states, session-by-session and election-by-election. 

America Votes and its partner organizations are at the heart of the progressive movement’s effort to create progressive change, expand access to the ballot, and win elections. In 2020, the America Votes coalition deployed their largest-ever voter engagement and mobilization effort to reach millions of voters in states. For more information about America Votes, visit www.americavotes.org.

Commitment to Racial Equity

America Votes is committed to advancing racial equity through organizational systems and policies that are consistently tested, evaluated and updated. Some organizational priorities include:

• Building reflective and equitable state and national networks and partnerships.
• Increasing engagement of state-based groups building power in communities of color in the planning process.
• Expanding the Community Power Builders program, designed to support organizations led by and working in communities of color as they emerge into the 501(c)(4) space.

America Votes sees its commitment to racial equity as an integral part of its success. Applicants are encouraged to reflect on how they see themselves contributing to America Votes’ work on advancing racial equity.

Position Description

The Pennsylvania Program Director plays a key role in the advancement of the progressive movement  and is responsible for supporting the year-round coordination and alignment of electoral, organizing, and advocacy work among partners and allies. This person will be a critical part of our state team and be responsible for projects such as coordinating and leading a coalition of partners coordinating electoral field programs and working to advance public legislative accountability programs. The position works directly with the America Votes team in Pennsylvania in support of progressive partners and allies in the state’s progressive movement. This position reports directly to thePennsylvania State Director. This position ends December 31, 2022. 

Location

This position is based in Pennsylvania with Philadelphia, Pittsburgh or Harrisburg preferred. The position may require travel around the state and reasonable access to an airport is required. America Votes has offices located in DC and CO, FL, GA, MI, MN, NC, NH, NM, NV, OH, PA, and WI. America Votes is currently working remotely, however if you are based in a state with an America Votes office, a hybrid approach may be possible depending on local guidance. 

Responsibilities

• Strategic Planning Assistance – Support coalition partners through the development of campaign plans (electoral, voting rights and issue campaigns), providing technical and organizing assistance, responding to programmatic requests, and supporting the implementation of winning strategies.
• Coalition Coordination - Support coalition coordination with activities like tracking electoral and advocacy programs along with voter registration programs. Coordination and tracking includes activities like organizational programs, monitoring benchmarks, providing technical assistance including scaling up tactics and basic use of tools like VAN, and identifying gaps in collective strategy. Provide support to leading and coordinating a coalition of partners to advance legislative and electoral accountability programs with a clear focus on advocacy. Work with existing infrastructure to assist partner organizations in developing and coordinating  earned media and social media opportunities with research-driven messages.
• Direct Voter Contact Leadership and Partner Program Support -Support coalition campaign work on electoral field campaigns (like canvassing), including supporting the integration of best practices as well as managing coordination and universe coverage. Support electoral, voter registration, and advocacy program implementation across partner organizations including script development and program timing and support some partners in using VAN (Voter Activation Network).
• Partner Capacity Building - Coordinate and support grassroots programs and outreach. Develop capacity-building opportunities for partners and work directly with the state team to assess program gaps and overlaps to maximize program impact for both issue and electoral efforts.
• Program Implementation -  Lead meetings of coalition partners, which may include work groups on election-related topics. Support events of America Votes partners and allies including coalition meetings and trainings. Support electoral and advocacy program implementation across partner organizations including script development and program timing and support some partners in using VAN (Voter Activation Network) or other direct voter contact tools like GetThru.
• Partner Organizing and Collaboration - Support external communications with partners (i.e. may include weekly emails) and workgroup listservs, meeting follow-up, regular phone calls, etc.  Organize and facilitate coordinated and/or collaborative partner events, including coalition meetings, trainings, and direct voter contact activities. Support the creation and development of written reports and products to tell the story of and support the work of America Votes coalitions (includes plans, reports, scripts, briefs/memos).
• Other responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

Required

• Ideal candidates will have at least  3 - 6 years of experience in progressive political campaigns, progressive non-profits (with an organizing focus), or within similar entities.
• Experience working with underrepresented and/or historically marginalized communities, particularly in political, electoral, and organizing settings.
• Experience with campaign field operations including canvass operations and script writing; experience at the statewide level preferred but not required. 
• Familiarity with VAN (Voter Activation Network) and familiarity with digital campaign technology.
• Experience with data and targeting, using data to inform organizing and electoral campaign strategies. Stand out candidates will have experience packaging and presenting data-heavy information for various audiences. 

• Demonstrated ability to build consensus, negotiate, and strategically disagree within a highly collaborative work environment; ability to be respected by progressive stakeholders, to be trusted to lead and to be able to practice confidentiality, discretion and legal compliance in the work.
• Ability to build strong relationships with partners and allies and to cultivate those relationships quickly.
• At least two years of experience working in a coalition, including experience facilitating and working within broad and diverse coalitions.
• Ability to work independently and to drive and manage own workload; ability to manage several tasks/projects concurrently and prioritize work effectively by making and meeting team goals.
• Excellent writing, communication, presentation, and time management skills, with attention to detail. Demonstrated ability to manage a high-volume of information with impeccable attention to detail in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office / Google Drive with emphasis on using Excel, Powerpoint, Google Slides and Google Sheets. Must have ability to run and create functions, pivot tables, and charts as well as create informational presentations.
• Ability to travel within the state (as needed); ability to  work irregular hours, especially during the peak months of the electoral cycle. Must be a self-starter. 
• Candidates should have a spirit of service and curiosity, along with a diplomatic approach to problem-solving in work with outside partners and while working internally, independently or on a team.

Preferred

• Knowledge of and experience with Pennsylvania’s political landscape and/or independent expenditure political campaigns.
• Experience with voter registration programs.
• Experience with mail programs and relational organizing.
• Knowledge of and experience with organizing and electoral work electoral battleground priority states.
• Experience administering programs using VAN or willingness to learn. 
• Experience or training in race equity/anti-racist frameworks; a general understanding of how power intersects with gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation and class in organizing and electoral settings.

• Experience with program analysis, research and testing. 

Compensation

The annual salary for this position will be $58,000 -$65,000  ($4,833 - 5,416/month) and depend upon the applicant’s experience. Benefits for this position include health, dental and vision insurance, paid vacation, paid sick days, and parental leave, as well as 401(K) after six months of continuous service with the organization. This position ends December 31, 2022. 

To Apply

Please submit a copy of your resume, a cover letter and three references to the application form.

If you experience any technical difficulties with our application form, please email recruiting@americavotes.org. Please note that only applications received through the application form will be considered; please do not email us your application materials.

America Votes is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace. America Votes does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran status or any other protected category under local, state or federal law. People of color, LGBTQ candidates, individuals with disabilities, and neurodivergent individuals are strongly encouraged to apply.

https://americavotes.org/jobs/?job_id=2878b733-a10c-470e-98f0-75246aa788d8