| Description: |
USAction builds powerful state affiliates and unites them in coalitions to advance our progressive values and vision. Over the past five years, with our 27 independent state affiliates and partners, we have helped create successful national coalitions to register hundreds of thousands of voters, stop the privatization of Social Security, wind down the war in Iraq and pass national health care reform. We are now looking for a Deputy Executive Director to work with our founding Executive Director to increase our effectiveness, depth and power.
Job description
The Deputy Executive Director will work closely with the Executive Director on all aspects of organizational strategy, operations and management, including directly supervising the program and communications departments. We seek a skilled strategist and proven leader, both internally and externally. The Deputy Executive Director will report to the Executive Director.
Principal responsibilities:
Strategy and external relationships:
- Work closely with the Executive Director, Board and senior staff to develop, articulate and implement overall organizational strategy.
- Manage a mutually agreed-upon portfolio of external allied relationships and donor relationships, and represent the organization to various external audiences. Such activities could include managing coalition relationships, being a liaison with Congress and the Administration, and being an organizational spokesperson.
- Serve as acting Executive Director in the ED's absence.
- Along with the ED, work closely with the boards and board committees.
Management and internal leadership:
- Oversee, develop and manage programmatic side of organization, ensuring that we execute a cohesive, innovative and powerful strategy.
- Directly supervise three senior managers; the Program Director, who oversees both program and field staff; Communications Director; and Strategy and Policy Director.
- Over time, responsibilities may grow to include supervision of Online Director, who oversees our online department, formerly the independent organization TrueMajority.org; Finance Director, who oversees both finance staff and office manager; and Development Director.
- Ensure that strategies get executed well: check-in with staff regularly, review plans, and help adjust tactics as conditions change.
- Oversee coordination of work with external counsel to ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
- Lead the development and implementation of planning, communication, and coordination systems across the organization.
- Lead annual goal setting and budgeting processes inside the organization
- Implement other systems that facilitate timely and strategic decision-making and communication, and define what issues the Executive Director needs to address. Act in a decision-making capacity in close collaboration with the Executive Director.
- Chair Management Committee.
- With the ED, make sure our team is second-to-none.
- Work jointly with the Executive Director on hiring and firing decisions for all positions on the Management Committee as well as decisions on other key positions as needed.
- Ensure that a plan for staff learning opportunities is created and implemented.
Qualifications
USAction seeks a creative, passionate leader who is fully committed to our vision, goals and practice. The candidate must have deep experience building organizations with a vision of social change that is rooted in grass-roots power and political and economic transformation for the majority of Americans, from the bottom up. Important qualifications will include many of the following:
1) Minimum 10 years experience as a grassroots, coalition or political manager and organizer, preferably in more than one state and nationally.
2) The ability to articulate a motivating vision of progressive social change rooted in concrete practice.
3) Entrepreneurial spirit and drive, including experience raising funds for advocacy or political organizations and managing during periods of important change.
4) A track record of successful collaborations, campaigns and partnerships. A proven track record of commitment to building the progressive movement along with specific organizations.
5) Public presence and strong oral and written communications skills.
6) Solid skills and successful experience in staff management, administration, financial management, budgeting and planning.
7) High energy, flexibility and resilience
Salary: Competitive, based on experience
Benefits: Includes full health and dental insurance, excellent leave policy, and pension plan.
Send resume with cover letter, salary history, three references and a writing sample to: hr@usaction.org. Please include "Deputy Executive Director" in the subject line of your email. Resumes will be accepted until the position is filled, but we would encourage you to submit your resume by June 30. USAction is an equal opportunity employer and encourages women, LGBT people, people with disabilities, and people of color to apply. We work hard to recruit, retain, and identify leadership positions for staff members who represent these communities and/or who are from low-income backgrounds. No phone calls, please. |