Minnesota Data 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. 

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 win elections and create change. 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

America Votes Minnesota is seeking a well-organized self-starter for a full-time position as Data Director. The Minnesota Data Director plays a key role in the advancement of 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. America Votes Minnesota utilizes and offers its partner organizations a range of voter file, data, and targeting services. We seek an individual with a combination of technical and political skills to manage these services and work with state partner groups and stakeholders in the progressive movement. This position reports directly to the Minnesota State Director. 

LOCATION

This position is based in St. Paul, MN and may require travel around the state. 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

• Leadership on voter file tools and technology: Work with partner organizations using the voter file and other technologies to support, enhance, and execute programs. This includes assisting partners in program implementation best practices as well as converting technical data to actionable issue advocacy and electoral campaign recommendations.
• Campaign Strategy: Lead data presentation development. Must be comfortable developing district profiles, landscape memos, slide show presentations, and other documents to communicate data analysis with key stakeholders. Work with the State Director to lead AV Minnesota’s data analysis and coordination efforts, and provide strategic data-driven recommendations to partners on campaign field and targeting.
• Voter File Management: Work with AV Minnesota staff, partners, vendors, consultants, and others for the acquisition, enhancement, manipulation, and management of voter and member data. Manage voter file access for AV partner organizations and their consultants. This includes administration and security, training end-users, and providing technical assistance as needed.
• Direct Voter Contact and Civic Engagement: Manage and enhance volunteer recruitment database, virtual predictive dialer, web based programs, and text messaging programs. Work with other AV staff and partner groups to ensure that political and voter contact programs are maximizing shared voter file, targeting, and other data resources. This includes supporting AV staff and partner groups to develop campaign plans. Work with partner organizations using the voter file and other technologies to support and enhance issue advocacy and voter contact programs. 
• Strengthening the Coalition: Lead partner and organizational VAN and campaign data trainings. This includes identifying the various training needs, creating the necessary training materials, and leading the presentations.
• Strategic planning assistance: Support coalition partners through the development of campaign plans (electoral, redistricting, voting rights, and issue campaigns), providing technical assistance, responding to programmatic requests and participating actively in long-range strategic planning for the Minnesota progressive movement. Support coalition coordination by monitoring benchmarks, providing technical assistance and identifying gaps in collective strategy. 
• Support the creation and development of written reports and products. 
• Other responsibilities as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

REQUIRED

• At least two cycles of experience in electoral, issue, or advocacy campaigns (from planning to program implementation to analysis) with statewide data responsibilities.  
• Experience working with underrepresented and/or historically marginalized communities, preferably in political or organizing settings. Understanding of how power and privilege can show up in data—both in access to data and the data itself. 
• Candidates should have an understanding of common direct voter contact programs and experience using data to inform advocacy and electoral plans.
• Strong VAN or other database skills are required with at least one cycle of experience administering voter contact tools. 
• Must have a minimum of introductory training on SQL; standout candidates will have experience using SQL including a comfort level with SELECT, WHERE, GROUPBY. Advanced Excel skills required including familiarity with functions (VLOOKUP, SUMIF, INDEX(MATCH)).
• Must be comfortable using spreadsheets, and should have a working knowledge of: pivot tables, filters, text to columns, and creating simple charts using Excel or a similar tool. 
• Must be comfortable and able to present data in understandable ways, including visualizations, historical context, and more. 
• Demonstrated ability to manage a high-volume of information with impeccable attention to detail in a fast-paced environment. 
• Candidates must have a willingness and aptitude to seek out and learn new technical skills.
• Excellent communication (oral and written), organizational, and time management skills, with attention to detail.
• Ability to manage several tasks/projects concurrently and prioritize work effectively by making and meeting team goals.
• Must be a self-starter willing to work long irregular ‘campaign-style’ hours and to travel as needed, especially during campaign season. 
• The ideal candidate will have a demonstrated history of persistence and resourcefulness in solving technical and data problems. Candidates should have a spirit of service and curiosity, along with a diplomatic approach to problem-solving.
• Ability to travel throughout the state when necessary.
• Positive attitude and a sense of humor.

PREFERRED

• Standout candidates will have knowledge of and experience with Minnesota political landscape and/or independent expenditure campaigns. 
• Experience preferred with at least one of the following: Mapping tools (QGIS, Maptitute, etc), visualization tools (Power BI, Tableau, Periscope, etc), R, Python,.
• Experience conducting small group trainings or developing training materials for end users. 
• Experience implementing or managing digital or mail programs preferred.

COMPENSATION

The salary for this position will be between $60,100 and $63,000 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 represented by the America Votes Workers Union. 

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=f037ac45-5964-435d-86ea-d802101c1303