Associate Director of the Nebraska Organizing Project

Job Title: Associate Director 

Position Status: Full-time, salaried, exempt employee

Location: Norfolk, Nebraska preferred; Rural Nebraska within 2 hours of Norfolk considered

Position Reports to: Nebraska Organizing Project Staff Director

The Western Organization of Resource Councils (WORC) is seeking to hire an Associate Director with the passion, commitment, vision and determination to step into a full Staff Director role, leading the Nebraska Organizing Project (NOP).  NOP is an initiative of WORC, a network of nine grassroots organizations in seven states in the West that include 22,750 members and 38 local chapters. WORC is nationally respected for its 40+ years of winning real change through community organizing, leadership development and training, and voter engagement.

Our ideal candidate is passionate about rural people and communities, willing to dig deep on the structures that keep people divided, experienced in community organizing, excited to learn new things, able to juggle multiple responsibilities, adept at managing staff, and comfortable asking for and raising money.

You will have the opportunity to continue building; in solidarity with co-workers, members, and leaders; a multi-issue, multi-racial, and multi-generational grassroots organization based in rural Nebraska that brings people together to build their power and take action.

Your first few months will involve a mentoring relationship with NOP’s current Staff Director that will focus on your overall development and ability to assume full responsibility as the Staff Director.  At the conclusion of your mentorship, the expectation is that you will assume the position of Staff Director, with ongoing coaching and support provided by WORC staff.

As Associate Director you will:

• Cultivate diverse fundraising efforts: Develop and implement an external fundraising plan that includes building strong relationships with funders, and create an annual grassroots fundraising plan, oversee its implementation, and ensure that staff and members have what they need to be effective fundraisers.
• Manage and supervise staff:  Hire, fire, manage, support, develop  and evaluate community organizing staff. Build staff roles over time and promote a high functioning staff team with a healthy work environment.
• Support a Statewide Organizing Committee:  Work with and support the Statewide Organizing Committee to formulate a multi-year organizing plan for rural Nebraska and provide advice on the governance and organizational structure of a new non-profit community organization.
• Provide clear and accurate financial management:  Formulate an annual operating budget, ensure adequate cash flow and monitor expenditures. Work with WORC’s Finance Director to provide regular financial reports and updates, and ensure high standards of bookkeeping and accounting.
• Develop internal and external communications plan and strategy: Provide oversight in the development and implementation of proactive, clear, and regular communication with members and supporters. Strategize and oversee external communications plans including social media, website, media coverage, etc. 
• Oversee long range planning: Oversee the timely development and implementation of an organizing plan that involves many and gets used.  Create an annual operating plan in sync with the organizing plan that is well thought out, doable, and able to involve many people.  Ensure there is a compelling vision, focused mission, and strong implementation.
• Deliver intentional leadership development and training:  Ensure that members and leaders receive a consistently high level of support and training in basic organizing and civic engagement skills, and engage them in formulating sound organizing plans and strategies.
• Networking and visibility:  Develop and maintain good relations with allies, partners and other organizational entities in Nebraska, the WORC network, and beyond to support the project.

Requirements

Who You Are

• Committed to the principle that, when joined together, people can build the power they need to bring about real solutions to the problems that they face on a daily basis.
• Committed to building power and agency with a broad base of people and ensuring fair representation in group decision-making.
• Committed  to dismantling practices and structures that perpetuate systems of inequity.
• Committed to communicating clearly and thoughtfully, and willing to work through conflict.
• Curious to learn more about people, their self-interest, and the way the world works.
• Impacted by social or environmental issues and willing to do the work necessary to make change.
• Able to manage multiple priorities and responsibilities.
• Available for local and regional travel, evening and weekend work assignments, and occasional long hours.
• Bilingual Spanish/English (strongly preferred)

Desired Skills and Experience

• 3 years experience leading a non-profit community organization.
• Experience managing staff and working with teams.
• Experience raising money from a broad base of individuals and securing grants from private foundations to support greater financial self-sufficiency.
• Experience with financial management and administration.
• Experience planning and facilitating meetings, trainings or workshops.
• Experience developing and executing communications plans including newsletters, email updates, social media, etc.
• Knowledge of rural Nebraska, including its people, culture and economy.
• Commitment to developing and using a support network.
• Ability to think strategically about the complex challenges facing rural communities and how to bring people together to solve them. 

We understand that the right candidate may have applicable experience other than what is listed. If you don’t meet all the requirements above but have an interest in learning, we encourage you to apply.

Benefits

This is a full time, exempt position. The salary range for this position is $60 - $75,000, based on experience with generous benefits including:

• 100% employer-paid health and dental insurance for employee and dependents, and optional employee-paid vision insurance and flexible spending account
• 20 paid vacation days
• 12 days paid sick/wellness leave
• 10 paid holidays
• Three months paid parental leave
• Opportunity to apply for a sabbatical after five years of employment
• Ongoing professional development opportunities
• 401K with employer contribution
• Cell phone reimbursement