MAKE JUSTICE HAPPEN

ORGANIZING DIRECTOR

Organization Description

Nebraska Appleseed is a nonprofit organization that fights for justice and opportunity for all Nebraskans. We take a system-based approach to complex issues – such as child welfare, immigration policy, affordable health care and poverty – and we take our work wherever we believe we can do the most good, whether that’s in the courthouse, at the Capitol, or in the community. 

Position Description

The Organizing Director is responsible for coordinating, managing, supporting, and leading grassroots relationship-building and engagement strategies across program areas (Economic Justice, Health Care Access, Immigrants & Communities, and Child Welfare) to fight for a more just society. Broad areas of work include: creating strategies for and managing grassroots relationship-building, engagement, and mobilization; supporting nonpartisan, long-term voter participation strategies and Get-Out-the-Vote (GOTV) campaigns; supporting community leadership development; training and management of organization-wide organizing strategy; and coordination of organizing staff and interns. The Organizing Director also assists with Appleseed’s internship program and advises on volunteer engagement. The position reports to the Strategy Senior Director and serves on the organization’s Director Team and Organizing Team. The position is based in Lincoln, Nebraska. 

Position Responsibilities

• Ensure work is aligned to the goals of the Organizing Team and the strategic objectives of the organization 
• Develop, implement, and manage organization-wide organizing strategies and trainings
• Coordinate, advise, support, coach, and motivate community organizers, organizing interns, and volunteers across programs 
• Develop and implement an ongoing internal capacity building approach for organizing staff 
• Co-create outreach plans for long-term community relationship-building, grassroots advocacy engagement, and mobilization in consultation with the Directors of Public Policy, the Field Director, Organizing Manager, Program Manager, Program Directors, Organizers, and Program/campaign Teams 
• Coordinate and advise Organizing managers to ensure there is alignment on organizing strategy and support across the organization
• Identify and support key partnerships and opportunities for collaboration across each program’s grassroots network 
• Ensure short-term grassroots mobilization plans connect with a long-term vision for community-based leadership development 
• Identify opportunities for civic engagement, training, and collaboration with community leaders, organizations, and individuals statewide 
• Work with the Director of IT & Data and the Director of Development & Engagement to develop and standardize best practices for contact data management and constituent/supporter engagement 
• Manage the hiring and supervision of a year-long fellowship participant 
• Assist with Appleseed’s summer, fall, and spring semester-long internship program 

What you Bring to the Position

The ideal candidate will have the following background or a combination of the following qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree and/or 3 years experience in the nonprofit field
• 2 or more years of management experience is a plus
• Experience with grassroots or community organizing 
• Experience with non-profit advocacy organizations 
• Experience training and managing volunteers, interns, or staff 
• Experience developing strategies to achieve positive change in an organization or community 
• A leader who develops others’ leadership and can manage from strategic to tactical levels 
• Someone who is curious about how things work and creative in developing solutions 
• Someone who is flexible, collaborative, and proactive
• A self-starter with lots of initiative who can manage multiple projects, next steps, and deadlines 
• Strong interpersonal skills and an ability to work with a range of personalities and skill levels to produce high-quality results
• Experience working with communities and leaders from diverse backgrounds (immigrant, multicultural, and rural/urban communities and leaders) is required 
• Familiarity with contact management systems, voter file systems, digital advocacy tools, and/or other advocacy tools 
• Ability to speak and write language in addition to English is a plus
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends, and travel in-state

Salary and Benefits

Salary range of $88,000 to $95,000. Comprehensive benefits package includes health, vision, and dental insurance with single coverage paid at 100% by Nebraska Appleseed; 401(k) with a 4% match; and generous paid leave including vacation, sick leave, holidays, and longevity leave. 

As part of our commitment to the health and safety of our employees and their families, staff working within our physical office are required to provide proof of full vaccination against COVID-19.

To Apply

The application deadline is May 16, and the target start date is in late June.

Please send a cover letter or personal statement, resume, and a list of three references via email to careers@neappleseed.org. Please include the job title in the subject line of your email. In your cover letter or personal statement, please answer the following:

1. Why you are interested in working for Nebraska Appleseed and in this specific position
2. What skills and experience make you a strong candidate for this position
3. How this position aligns with your professional goals
4. What three things you would most like to change/impact in Nebraska today
5. How you found out about the position.   

Nebraska Appleseed is an equal opportunity employer. Nebraska Appleseed does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic background, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, or disability.