America Votes - Pennsylvania State Director

Organization Overview

America Votes works year-round to build a more representative democracy, strengthen every American’s right to vote, and win elections in key states.

America Votes leads a robust, growing coalition of more than 400 progressive organizations across the country, building coordinated plans and executing shared strategies to win elections. America Votes provides 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 states.

For more than 20 years, America Votes has been the common link between many of the most influential and impactful issue and membership organizations in the country, serving as the coordination hub of the progressive community. America Votes' work has brought together a wide range of causes and built a unified coalition that has transformed how the progressive community works. Together, America Votes and its partners have engaged communities across the country to act on critical issues – from fighting for working families, to defending reproductive freedom, to protecting the environment, and more – and mobilized millions of voters.

Racial Equity Statement

As a leader of collaborative efforts to mobilize voters, protect voting rights, and win elections, America Votes is committed to advancing racial equity within our organization and across our coalition.

We acknowledge the systematic racism that permeates all facets of our society, including the right to vote. America Votes is also engaging with an understanding of the ways gender, sexuality and other forms of oppression intersect with race and how those relationships impact inequities our staff, our partners, and the communities that we engage in our work face.

America Votes strives to model our commitment to racial equity through our internal and external operations, programs, and partnerships. We acknowledge the inequitable structures that continue to exist and are moving forward with a sustained commitment in time, resources and people to challenge structural racism and work towards creating a reflective organization and democracy.

Position Description

America Votes is seeking a Pennsylvania State Director to work collaboratively with local, state, and national America Votes partner organizations in the development and execution of coordinated plans to advance progressive change in Pennsylvania.

The State Director leads the planning and engagement process with partners to win elections year-round and to develop strategies for electoral and issue priorities in the Commonwealth.

The State Director will lead and support the state table in Pennsylvania in the development, implementation, and analysis of state campaign plans, both advocacy and electoral, with an emphasis on direct voter contact and education.

The State Director will recognize and capitalize on immediate political opportunities while also staying focused on long-term strategic priorities.

The ideal candidate will have expertise in electoral field program management, superb interpersonal skills, a demonstrated commitment to racial equity, the ability to foster trust and respect with stakeholders, and the capacity to lead an inclusive, collaborative and diverse coalition of partner organizations.

This is an incredible opportunity for an experienced strategist with a record of success in coalition building, stakeholder management and electoral and issue campaigns to lead the efforts of America Votes and its partners to build the progressive infrastructure in Pennsylvania.

Key Responsibilities

Lead Campaign Strategy: Work with America Votes partner organizations and stakeholders to design efficient and effective statewide and ballot-level electoral and voter education plans. Evaluate and report on stakeholder's program outcomes and monitor progress toward goals. Ensure the security, development, and appropriate usage of the state coalition voter file. Work with America Votes' national development team to identify in-state funding opportunities to support America Votes' operations and partner-led programs.

Staff Management: Mentor, develop and lead a talented team in Pennsylvania. Manage the team including development of work plans, professional development, and ongoing supervision and support. Implement America Votes' organizational goals and manage staff toward delivering on the shared goals of the organization.

Coalition Leadership & Management: Convene individual coalition partners and the collective table on a regular basis and facilitate collaboration and decision making. Assist local organizations in identifying resources to build capacity and improve performance, shared strategy, and organization-specific campaign plans. Implement systems for ongoing evaluation of effectiveness of strategies. Work directly with national staff and partners to ensure smooth communication with state operations. Explore strategic opportunities to expand coalition membership, partnerships, and collaborations with stakeholders. Facilitate a collaborative and productive state coalition environment that advances racial equity goals.

Equity and Inclusion: Lead the coalition in approaching campaign, electoral, and coalition work through a lens of racial equity. Model principles of equity, diversity and inclusion internally and externally. Be culturally competent and support work to build power with BIPOC-led and focused partners.

Advance Election Modernization: Support ongoing programs and legislative advocacy related to election modernization in collaboration with voting rights organizations and advocates.

Additional duties as assigned.

Key Qualifications

Required

• 7+ years of electoral and advocacy campaign experience, preferably with experience working with c4 organizations or independent expenditures; at least two cycles in leadership for statewide campaign operations and management of senior-level campaign staff.
• Expertise in electoral field program management, including outstanding organizing skills and the ability to write, evaluate, and execute winning campaign plans with a strong direct voter contact component.
• Proven ability to successfully manage a coalition in a thoughtful, strategic and inclusive manner while exercising  excellent political judgement and discretion
• Track record of advancing racial equity through programmatic work, partner relationships and organizational systems and processes.
• Strong staff management skills, including the ability to foster a culture of collaboration, support, mentoring, and consistent feedback.
• Superb interpersonal skills, with an impressive history of forging strong and positive relationships with colleagues and stakeholders.
• Ability to be resilient and flexible with respect to planning, finding alternative paths when needed, and moving forward after setbacks.
• Compelling communication skills, including excellent writing and presentation skills.
• Ability to negotiate, build consensus, resolve conflicts, and strategically disagree.
• Ability to understand and synthesize data, using it to inform strategy and problem solve across diverse audiences.
• Willingness to work long and irregular hours and to travel as needed.
• Collaborative leadership style, low ego, spirit of service and a sense of humor.
• Proficiency in Google Suite tools or MS Office (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint).

Preferred

• Experience working with funders, including preparing reports and presentations.
• Knowledge or background in Pennsylvania politics, organizations and the legislature.
• Experience with vote-by-mail, absentee voter programs, digital programs, new voter contact technologies, and program testing.
• Experience managing unionized staff.

Location and Travel

This position is based in Pennsylvania, with a preference for Pittsburgh, Harrisburg or Philadelphia. The Director should expect frequent travel around the Commonwealth.

Compensation and Benefits

The minimum starting salary for this position is $115,000; negotiable dependent upon experience.

America Votes offers a competitive benefits package covering 100% of employee medical, dental, & vision insurance premiums, life insurance, long term disability coverage, a monthly cell phone stipend, personal professional development funds, parental leave, and 401 (K) after four months of continuous service with the organization.

America Votes provides a generous paid time off policy including paid vacation; paid sick leave and personal days; at least 10 Federal paid holidays including Juneteenth; and paid organizational time off from at least December 25 to January 1. 

To Apply

To apply, submit a cover letter and resume online at https://grossmansolutions.com/jobs/. The cover letter should be concise, compelling, and outline the specific ways in which you would be a good fit for this position. 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.

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.