Organizing Director Job Description
About the Black Organizing Project (BOP)
The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, exceptionally organized, thorough, an experienced strategist and a community organizer. We are looking for someone who is passionate about BOP’s mission and committed to developing leaders and organizers. This is a full-time leadership position that will continue to build a powerful, member-led Black organizing institution.
The Black Organizing Project is a Black member-led community organization working for racial, social, and economic justice through grassroots organizing and community-building in Oakland, California and across the Bay Area.
Our vision is to build a strong bottom up organization of Black people that will:
ü Craft alternative models and institutions that will advance our vision of racial and economic justice
ü Rebuild the spirit and foundation of our community
ü Exercise political and economic power
ü Act to win real systematic change
ü Transform the lives of Black people
ü Embody the spirit that has sustained the Black community
THE OPPORTUNITY
The BOP Organizing Director is responsible for providing direction and support for the mission of the whole organization while working to develop members and the Organizing Team to be actively engaged in the implementing the mission and vision. The Organizing Director will coach and support staff, develop campaign strategy and ensure that there is a solid membership base for the campaign work. This position will also participate and support programmatic, internal committee’s and strategic coalition work. The Organizing Director will bottom line the work of BOP’s campaign(s), support chapter development and manage programmatic budgets.
The Organizing Director will assess and ensure that the work in the field and internal organizing is actively happening and tracking systems are being maintained. They will also work alongside members and staff to provide strategies for the campaign while implementing organizational and campaign goals. By developing and coaching members, the Organizing Director will be a key to ensuring that members are developed politically and advance the organizing goals of the organization.
The ideal candidate is strong in both the art and science of organizing, with the skill to build strong relationships, implement strategy and develop powerful leaders. The right candidate thrives on collaboration in a small team, leads by example and supports others generously, and seeks ongoing opportunities to learn and grow outside their comfort zone.
Key Responsibilities
Strategizing, Leading & Supporting Campaigns (30%)
⮚ Lead campaign identification for the organization
⮚ Ensure that staff, members and partners are engaged in the development of campaign and implementation strategy
⮚ Lead power mapping and target analysis
⮚ Lead BOP’s coalition strategy
⮚ Participate in regional, statewide, national and international coalition spaces
⮚ Assess/evaluate potential allies
Building & Supporting Members 40%
⮚ Identify and ensure members have leadership development tracks
⮚ Coach members and facilitate their continued development
⮚ Develop recruitment opportunities for community members to be engaged in the organization
⮚ Work with members on campaign strategy, implementation, negotiations and actions
Team Management & Supervision (20%)
⮚ Supervise and manage lead organizers and other members of the Organizing team
⮚ Cultivate work plans, assessments & evaluations
⮚ Conduct weekly check-in w/Organizers
⮚ Attend leadership meetings
Organizational Leadership (10%)
⮚ Provide organizational leader as a member of the Directors-Squad
⮚ Engage, promote, and practice shared leadership across the organization, fostering a team-oriented organizational culture
⮚ Participate grant reports, writing small grants, funder site visits as needed
⮚ Participate in ally gatherings and other movement spaces to keep informed of trends and current issues
⮚ Analyze and document research, data and strategies related to the organizing work happening in the Bay Area
⮚ Manage Organizing budget
⮚ Act as an ambassador for BOP in strategic spaces
Qualifications
ü A minimum of 4-6 years of experience in community, labor or other relevant grassroots organizing.
ü Demonstrated success in growing and developing an organized base of members, constituents or community members.
ü Ability to multi task, problem solve and generate creative solutions.
ü Excellent interpersonal skills and proven ability to professionally engage and move fluidly between diverse stakeholders.
ü Team player who demonstrates willingness and enthusiasm to step into a leadership role and has the ability to manage both up and down.
ü Excellent writing, editing, and communication skills.
ü Strong computer skills (Word, Excel, e-mail, database, internet research and social media).
ü Willingness and ability to work some nights and/or weekends as necessary.
ü At least two years’ experience successfully supervising one or more employees.
ü Valid driver's license and reliable transportation required.
Other Preferred Skills / Background
⮚ Strong relationships with the Bay Area social justice movements and organizations.
⮚ History working in and for Black communities.
⮚ Experience working in youth development or social justice organizations.
⮚ Knowledge of the school to prison pipeline, abolition and defund movements
⮚ Experience leading organizing campaigns
⮚ Capacity to train staff and members on fundamental organizing skills
⮚ Personal experience with the issues BOP organizes around
Compensation
This is a full-time, exempt position. Salary range is $75,000 to $80,000 depending on experience.
BOP offers a generous benefits package to all regular full-time employees that includes:
ü 100% organization paid medical, dental, vision coverage
ü 7 vacation days in the first year with incremental accruals thereafter, 7 sick days annually, 14 paid holidays, 2 unrestricted floating holidays
ü Paid holiday closure between Christmas and New Year’s Day
ü Fully paid 4-week sabbatical program after 5 years with the organization
ü Professional development funds
To Apply
Upload your resume, along with a personalized cover letter describing why you are interested and qualified for this position. Closing date for this position is December 4, 2020. Projected start date is February 2021.