Director of Civic Engagement

Department: Advocacy | Reports to: Vice President of Advocacy | Status: Full Time/Exempt (40 hours/week) | Location: New York City (hybrid: 4 days in-office, 1 day remote; regular travel within New York State required)

About the Organization

The New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) is an umbrella policy and advocacy organization for nearly 200 groups in New York State. We envision a New York state that is stronger because all people are welcome, treated fairly, and given the chance to pursue their dreams. Our mission is to unite immigrants, members, and allies so all New Yorkers can thrive. We represent the collective interests of New York’s diverse immigrant communities and organizations, devise solutions to advance them, advocate for laws, policies, and programs that lead to justice and opportunity for all immigrant groups, and build the power of immigrants and the organizations that serve them to ensure their sustainability, improve people’s lives, and strengthen our state.

Organizational values: Inclusive & Representative; Fair & Just; Accountable & Trusted.

About the Role

The Director of Civic Engagement will manage the NYIC’s overall civic engagement efforts, including voter engagement, civic education, census, redistricting, electoral and census reforms, and campaigns. The Director supervises and mentors the Civic Engagement team, providing strategic direction, coaching, and oversight to ensure the successful execution of departmental priorities. The Director will lead the NYIC’s Register, Educate, Mobilize, Advocate, and Protect New York State (REMAP NYS) program and work to build a base of engaged immigrants and allies throughout the state. Approximately 20-30% of the role will be dedicated to civic engagement work with our sister organization, NYIC Action.

Responsibilities

• Work with the executive leadership team to identify larger strategic initiatives to engage immigrants civically and empower them as voters.
• Ensure strong year-round participation of member organizations and communities in civic engagement coalition spaces.
• Bring new allies into the Coalition’s work, form and manage strategic alliances.
• Strengthen, expand membership, and build relationships in every region of the state, including outside of New York City.
• Set strategy for and implement the non-partisan, comprehensive REMAP NYS program, including the re-grant program: request for proposals, selection process, and grants management.
• Develop and steward strategic partnerships with allies involved in campaigns to advance NYIC's advocacy and civic engagement priorities.
• Supervise a Civic Engagement Associate and may supervise additional staff, interns, fellows, and other positions as needed.
• Identify, develop, and advocate for policy and procedural changes at the federal, state, and city government levels to protect the rights and increase the civic engagement of immigrants.
• Create training curricula, education materials, and multilingual resources for widespread distribution.
• Lead electoral-related trainings, candidate trainings, and other civic engagement trainings to educate and engage immigrant communities in civic institutions and decision-making bodies (precinct councils, community boards, school boards, etc.).
• Partner with the NYIC Development team to pursue and develop new funding prospects.
• Contribute to the development of grant proposals and funder reports in partnership with the development team, ensuring alignment with programmatic priorities and organizational goals.
• Lead community education sessions and public forums throughout the year.
• Serve as a spokesperson for the NYIC and support messaging development.
• Contribute to NYIC staff and engage in organizational capacity-building.
• Provide strategic leadership and coordination for NYIC projects as needed, represent the team at all major NYIC events, and support rapid response efforts and other priority initiatives.
• May occasionally move or carry materials weighing 50 lbs or less.

NYIC Action Responsibilities

• Lead the analysis of electoral races, candidates, districts, and political trends to inform NYIC's civic engagement, advocacy, and campaign strategies.
• Lead the endorsement process, including development of timeline, candidate communication, delegation of tasks, review of questions, input from team, sign-off, and presentation to the NYIC Action Board.
• Support press and social media communications for NYIC Action.
• Develop and implement a strategic vision to evaluate independent NYIC Action efforts to support endorsed candidates’ path to victory.
• Cultivate relationships and provide training to potential candidates.
• Represent NYIC Action in electoral spaces and build strategic relationships with other political action organizations.
• May occasionally move or carry materials weighing 50 pounds or less.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of and commitment to social justice, immigrant justice, and New York State’s diverse immigrant communities.
• 6-8 years of relevant civic engagement professional experience in the social justice and nonprofit sector.
• Must have supervisory and management experience, preferably 4-6 years.
• Experience overseeing complex initiatives with multiple partners, organizing, community outreach, or communications highly desired.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, strong communication skills, and comfort with public speaking and meeting facilitation.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, operate in a fast-paced environment, and juggle multiple projects with competing deadlines.
• Professional proficiency in one of the top spoken languages in immigrant communities in NYC is strongly preferred.
• Availability to work evenings and weekends as needed.
• Professional mastery of G-Suite/Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Salesforce.
• Must be legally authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.

Benefits

• Full benefit plan
• Unlimited vacation time
• Paid sick leave
• Pre-tax benefits
• Comprehensive retirement plan

Pay

$98,400.00