Building Progressive Infrastructure in Texas
Texas C4 Table Director
There is no question about the inevitable demographic future of Texas. Every day it grows younger and more ethnically diverse. The question has always been when that change happens and whether or not governance and governing power in the state will be harnessed towards a more reflective and equitable society (versus the current corporate welfare state that continues to drive a widening wealth gap). We believe that democracy and governance in Texas should express our values and look like our people, not the mismatched reality of today’s divisive, apartheid conditions.
In order to accomplish this, progressive in-state organizations have made a commitment to building the infrastructure needed to facilitate coordination among a diverse coalition of organizations to advance progressive policies, win elections and protect every Texan’s right to vote.
Position Description:
A coalition of Texas progressive organizations are seeking to hire an experienced leader with a record of success in coalition building, electoral campaigns and issue campaigns. The Executive Director will work with a coalition of state and national partners to build a c4 coordinated table to drive progressive and electoral advocacy work in the biggest battleground state in the country.
This position will report directly to the Board of Directors and will work closely with 15+ partner organizations and numerous allies as they plan and execute extensive and impactful electoral and advocacy campaigns.
The Executive Director is primarily responsible for leading and supporting state and national partner organizations in the development and execution of a coordinated plan that maximizes the priorities, resources and effectiveness of all partners. The Executive Director will ensure short-term programs and elections advance the shared long-term vision for progressive change in Texas, including growing the coalition as needed to achieve those goals. The Executive Director is also expected to raise the operational budget of the organization (TBD but approximately $350,000 per year). The Executive Director will also support and maintain relationships with organizational funders and progressive donors and national progressive ally organizations. The Executive Director will manage table staff, including creating workplans, conducting check ins, and ensuring professional development. The successful candidate will be expected to act with appropriate discretion and respect for confidentiality requirements.
- Work with partner organizations to design overall statewide c4 electoral strategy including developing long and short-term priorities with in-state partner organizations and stakeholders
- Evaluate and report to stakeholders partner program outcomes and monitor progress toward goals
- Plan and facilitate regular meetings of table partner organizations to create, negotiate and share campaign plans, and progress towards state goals, as well as to identify problems and new opportunities; adjust plans accordingly. Facilitate a collaborative and productive state coalition environment
- Ensure that the data and analysis needs to support the work are met through contracting out work or partnering with in-state Data LLC
- Convenes partner organizations and stakeholders (state and national) to create a collective electoral plan to achieve the shared goals of the table; coordinate partner resources to implement plan
- Support the fundraising work of the table – identify funding gaps and help fill gaps by coordinating with funder groups to direct appropriate resources directly to partner organizations
- Oversees the development, fundraising, and implementation of independent expenditure campaigns for collective goals of the table
- Leads the work to raise, coordinate, and spend millions of dollars on campaign tactics statewide, including coordinating the work of over 20 partner organizations and allies
- Manage staff members, including development of work plans, professional development and ongoing supervision and support
- Build and manage relationships with a series of stakeholders including donors, funders and allies in the overall work and success of the Texas c4 Table as well as specific project-based relationships
- Coordinate and manage legislative advocacy related to election modernization and redistricting in collaboration with voting rights organizations. Convenes partners to create and execute a collective advocacy plan
- Manages the organization’s budget and ensures compliance with C4 tax status and campaign finance laws, in coordination with Operations Director and our attorney
- Manages consultants and negotiates contracts
- Works to assess the infrastructure and training needs of partners and the progressive community, identify gaps, and identify resources, trainings, or other solutions to fill them. Provide, or provide for, technical assistance to increase capacity and impact in grassroots advocacy, education and mobilization efforts
- Plan and coordinate meetings for the Executive Committee, Board of Directors, and various other committees or working groups that may form or meet at throughout the electoral cycle
Required qualifications:
- Experience working with underrepresented and/or historically marginalized communities, particularly in political, electoral, and organizing settings.
- Demonstrated expert level ability to exercise excellent political judgement and discretion.
- Ideal candidates will have 4-6 years of experience in progressive political campaigns, progressive non-profits (with an organizing focus) labor organizing or within similar entities
- Applicants must have demonstrated ability to negotiate, build consensus and strategically disagree. Must be respected by progressive stakeholders and be trusted to lead.
- Ability to write, evaluate and execute winning campaign plans with a strong field component required.
- Experience with data and targeting, using data to inform organizing and electoral campaign strategies as well as experience in legal compliance.
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work in a team environment as well as independently. Excellent listening, interpersonal, communication, time management and problem-solving skills.
- Demonstrated ability to resolve conflicts while maintaining important and effective relationships
- Applicants must be a self-starter; be willing to work long and irregular hours and to travel in-state as needed.
- Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint). Excellent writing and presentation skills with excellent attention to detail.
- 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
- Ideal candidates will have a spirit of service and a sense of humor, a strong commitment to progressive ideals.
Preferred qualifications:
- Experience facilitating and working in coalitions
- Basic data and targeting understanding and an understanding of the legislative process
- Field organizing experience, including door to door canvassing
- Knowledge of Texas political landscape
- Experience with independent expenditure campaigns and VAN
- Experience with digital programs, new voter contact technologies and program testing and evaluation a plus
- Applicants ideally have a mix of both electoral or advocacy campaign experience and organizing skills. Successful management or participation in a coalition environment preferred
Location:
This position can be based in Austin or remote elsewhere in Texas, and may require travel around the state.
Compensation:
The salary range for this full-time position is $105 – 145k commensurate with experience. Send resume and references to Crystal Zermeno at Tx4AllJobs@gmail.com.