North Carolina Deputy State Director

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. 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

America Votes North Carolina  is seeking a well-organized campaign strategist  for a full-time position as Deputy State Director. The North Carolina Deputy State Director plays a key role in the work to grow the state coalition and coordinate strategies between state and national partners. The Deputy State Director works to advance the progressive movement in the state, responsible for the year-round coordination and alignment of electoral, organizing, advocacy and policy work among partners and allies. The position works directly with the America Votes team in North Carolina and will support advancing team priorities and goals. The Deputy State Director works closely with dozens of progressive partners and allies within the state’s progressive movement. This position reports directly to the North Carolina State Director.

Location

This position is based in Raleigh, North Carolina  and may require some travel 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 Leadership – 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 participating actively and leading in long-range strategic planning for the North Carolina progressive movement. Ideal candidates will have knowledge and experience in election administration and voting rights. 
• Coalition Coordination - Plan and facilitate regular coalition meetings for organizations to create and share plans as well as progress toward goals; identify problems and new opportunities toward winning elections and advancing advocacy goals. Directly manage and provide leadership in the state with the development, implementation, and analysis of state campaign plans, with an emphasis on direct voter contact programs.
• Campaign Leadership - Facilitate innovative and creative solutions to challenges related to electoral and issue campaigns, short- and long-term campaign planning, and capacity building. Facilitate ongoing conversations and collective actionable steps toward equity in the work of the coalition and partner members.
• Project  Management - Support the state director in implementing America Votes’ organizational goals. Support team creation of work plans and team benchmarks for success. Manage special projects to deliver on team goals. 
• Partner Campaign  Support - Advocate for partner organizations and elevate quality programs in the state, and assist organizations in identifying potential resources. Lead, organize, and facilitate coordinated and/or collaborative partner events, including coalition meetings, training and direct voter contact activities. Develop and execute training curriculums to advance the partner's program, as well as create and organize resources. Role may include some grant management.
• Program Implementation - Develop capacity-building opportunities for partners and work directly with the State Director and state team to assess program gaps and overlaps to maximize program impact. Coaching and troubleshooting for high-level campaign staff. Support program implementation through the voter file and other related tools including basic VAN administration. This position is likely to work closely with voting rights allies and stakeholders to advance election administration goals.
• Product Creation - Lead and support the creation and development of written reports and products to tell the story of North Carolina and support the coalition. Lead the development of content for reports and presentations for a diverse audience of stakeholders. Deliver presentations to stakeholders, sometimes on short timelines.
• Other responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

Required

• Ideal candidates will have a minimum six to eight years experience in progressive political campaigns, progressive non-profits (with an organizing focus) or similar transferable experience and three years’ project management or staff management experience, including a track record of fostering a collaborative environment and consistent feedback. 
• Experience building campaign strategies, preferably electoral, including having responsibility for planning, implementation, and program analysis at a statewide level. Expertise in field operations, canvass, voter registration and mail programs preferred. Established expertise and proven track record with electoral plan writing, targeting, and modeling. Ability to understand and synthesize data, using it to inform strategy and problem solve a must. 
• Experience working with underrepresented and/or historically marginalized communities, particularly in political and organizing settings.
• 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 quickly and cultivate those relationships over the long term; 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.
• 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.
• Ideal candidates will have experience with standard presentation materials including Google Suite (Google Sheets, Google Slides, etc.) or Microsoft Suite (Excel, Power Point, etc). Ideal candidates will have experience with election administration and / or voting rights campaigns. 
• Candidates should have a spirit of service and curiosity, along with a diplomatic, professional approach to problem-solving in work with outside partners and while working internally, independently or on a team.
• Ability to lead and support the creation and development of written reports and products to tell the story of North Carolina  and support the coalition.
• 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 North Carolina’s political landscape and / or independent expenditure political campaigns.
• Experience with program analysis, research, and testing. 
• Experience managing grants programs or fundraising campaigns. 
• Strong VAN (Voter Activation Network) skills and familiarity with digital campaign technology or willingness to learn.
• Experience managing staff towards goals and building a team.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to present and facilitate large meetings.
• 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.

Compensation

The salary for this position will be between $70,000 to  $80,000 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. The position is union eligible.

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.