ACLU-NC Organizing Director

The ACLU of North Carolina (ACLU-NC) seeks an Organizing Director to develop and manage a robust and non-partisan organizing infrastructure to defend and strengthen the civil liberties and civil rights of all North Carolinians. The ACLU-NC has adopted a “campaign” approach for its work, focused on pursuing specific integrated advocacy campaigns and projects to achieve measurable goals while building the long-term political and community power of the ACLU to defend, protect, and strengthen civil liberties and civil rights across the state.

A member of the ACLU-NC’s leadership team, the Organizing Director will report directly to the Chief Program Officer, and will work in close partnership with the Policy & Advocacy, Communications, Legal, and Development directors and staff to execute the ACLU-NC’s integrated advocacy campaigns and projects on priority issues including voting rights, reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ rights, immigrant rights, and criminal legal system transformation. The Organizing Director will also oversee the hiring and direct supervision of other staff in the department.

The Organizing Director will design and implement comprehensive field plans and other organizing tactics to further the ACLU-NC's strategic priorities. This includes recruiting and developing volunteer leaders; organizing and facilitating volunteer trainings, canvasses, and phone banks to mobilize volunteers in service of campaigns; aligning goals and strategies with the needs of impacted communities; mobilizing grassroots support to influence decision-makers; and working closely with ACLU-NC coalition partners and staff at ACLU-National.

The ideal candidate has significant experience managing field programs and working on electoral campaigns. They also have experience supervising full-time staff, are a detail oriented and creative problem-solver, and can effectively manage competing priorities. This position will require travel throughout North Carolina, but the candidate should be based in or around Durham, NC.

Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Management

  • Collaborate with People and Culture Director on the recruitment and hiring of organizing program staff
  • Manage organizing staff, including by developing detailed workplans, conducting weekly one-on-one meetings, and providing guidance and regular feedback
  • Design and implement a metrics-based reporting system to scale and track the department’s progress to goals, produce reports, and adjust plans as necessary
  • Develop, implement, and monitor the organizing department’s budget and ensure resources are used responsibly and effectively
  • Represent the ACLU-NC at public meetings and events and engage in public speaking with ACLU members, non-member supporters, and other members of the public to effectively communicate the work of the organization
  • Demonstrate accountable leadership by actively supporting team member development, identifying opportunities for growth and fostering trust through open feedback and shared commitment to progress

Campaign Planning and Execution

  • Develop and implement clear organizing strategies that achieve the organization’s integrated campaign objectives
  • Develop and manage the execution of detailed field plans for priority electoral and advocacy campaigns
  • Collaborate effectively with coalition partners in North Carolina, and with ACLU National staff when necessary, in planning and executing campaigns
  • In collaboration with the Policy, Communications, and Legal Departments, create and oversee the implementation of detailed campaign plans that turn goals into tactics, timelines, and metrics
  • Build and maintain strong working relationships with community partners and grassroots coalition members to find opportunities for collaboration and learning
  • In collaboration with the Legal Department, develop and conduct Know Your Rights and other training specific to ACLU-NC issue areas for community members
  • In collaboration with the Communications and Policy Departments, develop persuasive and informative outreach materials to be used for organizing purposes

Capacity Building and Management

  • Develop infrastructure to sustain the ACLU-NC’s volunteer corps through recruitment, training, recognition, leadership development, and ongoing engagement
  • Facilitate the ACLU-NC’s presence at community events to mobilize and expand support for state-based civil liberties issues among ACLU-NC members, non-member supporters, and others and to recruit volunteers to engage with our work
  • Facilitate successful implementation of organizing technology tools, including the best use of volunteer management software and distributed organizing tools including peer-to-peer text messaging, e-mail, and phone calls
  • Develop and implement training and engagement opportunities that build the capacity of ACLU members, supporters, and activists to be strong leaders, advocates, and messengers for the civil liberties and civil rights movement
  • Ensure that any short-term mobilization efforts are part of long-term organizing and capacity building for the ACLU-NC, including by building an engaged and diverse volunteer base

Required Experience and Skills to Be Successful in This Role

  • 5 to 7 years of experience managing organizing and field programs
  • At least 2 years of direct staff management experience
  • Ability to manage multiple ongoing organizing efforts at once
  • Experience recruiting, developing, training, and empowering volunteers
  • Proficiency in volunteer management software, building campaign tactics using the voter file, and using Microsoft Office Suite
  • Understanding of targeting and metrics for field organizing
  • Excellent attention to detail and follow-through with minimal direct supervision
  • Exceptional oral and written communication skills, including a willingness and ability to speak in public and to effectively facilitate meetings and trainings
  • Ability and demonstrated experience handling and prioritizing multiple projects and workstreams under pressure, including responding to short-term crises and rapid-response needs
  • Exceptional interpersonal skills, including an ability to navigate and resolve conflict in a manner that values and respects relationships with colleagues inside and outside of the ACLU
  • A commitment to diversity and a personal approach that values the individual and respects differences of race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, ability, and socio-economic circumstance
  • A commitment to advancing the ACLU’s values, mission, goals, and programs, with an understanding of the range of civil rights and civil liberties issues and their implications
  • Willingness to work irregular hours, including some evenings and weekends

To Stand Out From Others, You Will

  • Demonstrate a personal commitment to uplifting the voices and leadership of people who have been directly impacted by the issues the ACLU works on
  • Possess knowledge and understanding of how power is manifested in matters of race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion, ability, and socio-economic circumstance
  • Be proficient in EveryAction CRM
  • Have experience and familiarity with a range of organizing styles and models, including campaign organizing and digital organizing strategies
  • Have experience and interest in litigation as a tactic in a larger struggle for social justice.
  • Have intimate working knowledge of the North Carolina landscape

What Else You Should Know

You are welcome here! The ACLU-NC is committed to an inclusive work environment that reflects the population that we serve. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and are committed to building an organization where all employees and North Carolinians can be proud. We eagerly anticipate applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, parental status, veteran status, or record of arrest or conviction.
Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.

Compensation

The salary range for this position is from $101,000 to $107,000, depending on experience. Excellent benefits include but are not limited to:
• 3 weeks paid vacation at time of hire (increasing after two years of employment)
• 10 paid office holidays, 1 floating holiday, and winter recess (December 25 - January 1)
• 10 paid sick days
• Hybrid work environment
• Generous medical, dental and vision insurance options for staff members, their dependents and spouse/domestic partner (100% employer paid coverage for employees)
• Flexible spending account and dependent care savings account
• Up to 12 weeks of paid medical leave
• Life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance
• Short-term disability and long-term disability insurance
• 401(k) defined contribution retirement plan with employer match
• Annual professional development allotment
• Free on-site parking
• Relocation Reimbursement
This position is exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

To Apply

Applications may be submitted via this link (ACLU-NC Organizing Director - American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina - Career Page) and should include a cover letter explaining your specific interest in working for the ACLU of North Carolina and a resume. Please note that we will only be able to follow up with those candidates under consideration. Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

The ACLU-NC is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. Recognizing that strict minimum requirements tend to disproportionately discourage women and people of color from applying for jobs for which they would otherwise be competitive, we encourage all qualified individuals to apply -- especially people of color; women; people from low-income backgrounds; people with disabilities; people who identify as LGBTQ+; and people who are formerly incarcerated or otherwise directly impacted by the criminal legal system.

The Department of Education has determined that employment in this position does not qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
The ACLU-NC and the ACLU-NCLF is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. Recognizing that strict minimum requirements tend to disproportionately discourage women and people of color from applying for jobs for which they would otherwise be competitive, we encourage all qualified individuals to apply -- especially people of color; women; people from low-income backgrounds; people with disabilities; people who identify as LGBTQIA+; and people who are formerly incarcerated or otherwise directly impacted by the criminal legal system.