Organizing Director

About the role

The Organizing Director guides SHCS’ efforts to make change and fulfill our vision of a community united to ensure that every child and adult is free from poverty. The leader of SHCS’ Organizing team, the position is responsible for leading efforts to develop the skills, consciousness, and involvement of low-income communities and their allies, while spearheading policy campaigns to exercise grassroots power to win material changes to SHCS members’ lives. The position supports the training of staff and membership to understand the root causes of poverty and systems of oppression, while developing staff capacity to organize and mobilize membership to participate in committees and policy campaigns. The Director supports the development and implementation of a policy advocacy agenda working with and increasing the capacity of grassroots leadership, organizational stakeholders (staff, volunteers, board members, and donors), and community allies.

Responsibilities

• Leading Community Organizing (50%) – Directs the development and implementation of outreach and organizing plans, including training, communications systems, databases, strategic and tactical plans. Develops and leads efforts to recruit leaders through door-to-door canvassing, one-on-one meetings, social service program outreach, and house meetings. Leads planning and coordination of action committees to build an effective, ongoing organization and maintain the involvement of grassroots leaders. Directly organizes federated committee structure, focusing on developing advanced leadership to set campaign priorities, coordinate training efforts, and provide input into the hiring and evaluation of staff. Designs and oversees training on leadership/organizing topics such as member recruitment, facilitation and public speaking, issue development and analysis, media relations, campaign planning, and power analysis. Oversees participatory action research and analysis efforts with leaders. Oversees and facilitates the development of grassroots action campaigns, including developing effective campaign strategy, coordination of campaign tactics, and recruiting coalition allies. Facilitates the training, support, and professional development of organizers and program staff to run and win community organizing campaigns at the local level.
• Policy Advocacy (20%) – Supports the development and implementation of the SHCS policy advocacy strategy, working with the Policy Director and the Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships to ensure coordination with organizational stakeholders in planning, campaign development, partner cultivation, and web-based advocacy efforts. Supports the identification of policy advocacy opportunities aligned with the vision, mission, and core values of SHCS. Collaborates on efforts to engage and build the capacity of organizational stakeholders and community allies to engage in policy advocacy campaigns.
• Management Infrastructure (15%) – Oversees the development, tracking, and reporting of advocacy and organizing program goals, outcomes, and performance metrics. Leads the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of advocacy and organizing policies and procedures. Oversees the recruitment and management of organizing volunteers and interns. Manages the organizing staff by providing program structure, direction, training, support, and feedback. Oversees the recruitment and hiring of organizing staff. Supports media relations efforts, including press cultivation, coordination of media events, and securing media coverage. Facilitates and supports resource development efforts for the organizing program, including preparing proposals, funder presentations, direct solicitation, and reporting.
• Collaborations (10%) – Identifies and builds coalitions with key community partners. Serves as liaison with local and regional organizing collaborations, community allies, policymakers, and organizational stakeholders. Supports the implementation of trainings and support systems for coalition partners.
• Leadership (5%) – Supports the planning and implementation of SHCS programs, events, training, and outreach efforts. Serves as a member of the Senior Management Team and serves as on‑site manager as needed. Acts as a “mandated reporter” by maintaining strict adherence to the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Law. Attends Board of Directors meetings and Board committee meetings as assigned. Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Strong commitment to our vision of uniting the community to ensure every child and adult is free from poverty.
• Ability to work with diverse people, communities, and cultures, with understanding of culturally competent practices.
• Five to seven years of experience working in community/labor organizing, with three years of experience in management.
• Ability to motivate and inspire members to take action.
• Demonstrated experience in grassroots leadership development programs, including curriculum development, training, and tracking systems.
• Demonstrated experience in campaign planning and public policy advocacy.
• Willingness to meet people where they’re at and work with new and prospective allies.
• Demonstrated experience with both volunteer recruitment and popular education techniques.
• Superior facilitation, verbal, written, and presentation skills.
• Detail‑oriented, self‑motivated, ability to multitask, provide quick responses and highly organized.
• Excellent work ethic with flexibility for occasional long hours during peak campaign periods, and some evenings and weekends.
• Computer literacy with proficiency in database systems (i.e., Salesforce or similar relationship management software), web‑based communications, and Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides.
• Bilingual in Spanish/English.

Pay

This is an exempt, full‑time salaried position ranging from $105,000 - $115,000 commensurate with experience, reporting to the Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships.

Benefits

• Fully paid medical insurance for employees
• Majority paid medical insurance for qualified dependents
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• 12 paid holidays
• 10 paid sick days per year
• Paid vacation starting at 10 days per year
• Additional wellness benefits
• Basic life and long‑term disability insurance
• Professional development opportunities