About Western States Center  

 

Based in the Pacific Northwest and Mountain States, Western States Center works nationwide to strengthen inclusive democracy. For 30 years, our work has advanced social, racial, and economic justice by convening, developing, organizing, and supporting the communities most affected by inequities. We’ve played a catalytic role, working with community partners to build people-centered movements, develop new leaders, and shift culture - with our eyes on the prize of an inclusive democracy where people can live, love, and work free from bigotry and fear. 

 

In response to the current climate of heightened threats to inclusive democracy, we focus our work into four pillars: Movement Building, Leadership Development, Shifting Culture, and Defending Democracy. Our programmatic focus in 2023 and beyond is to advance our work in each of these areas. 

Position Overview  

Western States Center is expanding to meet the urgent challenges facing our country and the growing threat of white nationalism and organized bigotry. We need a dedicated and talented Deputy Director of Programs to help us meet these challenges with updated digital tools and infrastructure, to work with a high degree of independence and to support in achieving WSC’s strategic goals.  

 The Deputy Director of Programs is an important member of Western States Center’s senior program team and reports directly to the Director of Programs. This position builds internal and external capacity for the organization to act on opportunities and leverage its regional and national credibility and relationships. This is a results-oriented role for someone adept at planning, organizing, and following through across multiple priorities. The Deputy Director of Programs will manage staff, resources, and administrative processes to ensure the program's goals are accomplished. This position requires skill in planning, budgeting, and evaluating projects, along with expertise in the pro-democracy and anti-bigotry fields.

This is a full time salaried position. Benefits include health and dental insurance, retirement benefits, paid sick leave, and four weeks paid vacation. Compensation is dependent on applicant’s years of relevant experience, ranging from $82,000 - $90,000.

Responsibilities include: 

• • Work closely with Director of Programs and other senior leaders in the organization to shape strategic vision into action and evaluate new opportunities. 
• • Ensure that the overall program team’s assets, skills, and relationships are leveraged to advance the organization's mission and goals. 
• • Advise the senior-most leaders of the organization on behalf of the Dir of Programs when needed; and serve as a proxy for the Dir. Of Programs when designated. 
• • Help lead new initiatives, including conducting assessments, anticipating challenges, making recommendations, developing work plans, and ensuring alignment across program and operations. 
• • Oversee and participate in rapid response organizing plans and supervise staff dedicated to rapid response. 
  • Represent the Center externally alongside other staff through coalitions, national and regional partnerships, media engagements, training, and public speaking.  
  • Work across teams to support program design and delivery and take a hands-on approach to developing and executing program plans, ranging from the day-to-day to the highly creative and visible.  
  • Lead planning of signature biannual leadership development program AMP, including location assessment that balances strategic goals, and constituent needs. 
  • Work with communications staff to identify and execute digital opportunities to amplify rapid response efforts and ensure message alignment. 
  • Maintain a role in the Center’s development activities, including supporting overall strategy; working with staff, board, and consultants on implementation of annual fundraising plan; and engaging in major donor cultivation and solicitation as needed. 
  • Serve as primary liaison and/or supervise various consultants and senior fellows, as needed by the Director of Programs.   

Qualifications include: 

• • At least 3-5 years of experience leading field campaigns or organizing projects. 

• • Experience building programmative initiatives from the ground up. 
  • Ability to work independently and to coordinate multiple projects at once. 
  • Ability to thrive in a diverse, multi-racial working environment both internally and externally. 
  • A strong racial and gender justice analysis.
  • Ability to learn quickly and think creatively. 
  • Strong writing skills. 
  • Attention to detail and ability to work under tight deadlines. 
  • Deep commitment to measurable results. 
  • Ability to to be responsive to current events and opportunities in the field.
  • Excellent critical thinking and judgment. 

Location:  

The role will be remote with travel up to 1-2 times per month.  

Compensation:  

This is a full-time exempt position. Benefits include health and dental insurance, retirement benefits, paid sick leave, and 20 days of paid vacation. The annual salary range is $82,000-$90,000 depending on years of experience. 

Application: 

Please submit the following for consideration: 

1. • Cover letter clearly outlining the specific skills and knowledge you bring to the role; and  
   • Resume detailing relevant experience, work history, education and accomplishments.  

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Western States Center is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.