Organizing Director

The ACLU of Arizona works to advance equity and dismantle systemic injustice through legal action, policy advocacy, and mobilizing our communities to protect the civil rights, liberties, and dignity of all Arizonans. We are excited to announce the search for an experienced, creative, and mission-driven Organizing Director to develop and grow the ACLU of Arizona’s organizing program. The Organizing Director will advance critical strategy alongside communities directly impacted by the issues we address to move power into the hands of everyday people to hold decision makers accountable to the rights and dignity that all Arizonans should enjoy.  

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Organizing Director will lead and expand our statewide advocacy efforts. This position plays a critical role in developing and implementing strategic campaigns that advance civil liberties and civil rights, with a focus on community engagement and mobilization.

The ideal candidate is a senior-level organizer who has recruited, supervised, and trained organizing staff on issue-based and people-powered electoral campaigns. The Organizing Director has a deep understanding of how to build grassroots leadership and integrating grassroots leaders into campaign strategy.  Because ACLU of AZ is a multi-issue, multi-tactic organization, the Organizing Director must be strategic and know how, when, and why to quickly shift or integrate new opportunities as they arise. 

Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Salary range: $85,000-$100,000 DOE.
Deadline to Apply: Friday April 19, 2024.
Supervision: This position reports directly to the Director of Program and Strategy, is a member of the Leadership Team and has 2-3 direct reports.   
Classification: Full-time, exempt.  
 

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:

Develop and execute strategic organizing plans that advance ACLU of Arizona’s priorities.

• Develop, implement, and evaluate comprehensive organizing strategies to support ACLU of Arizona's policy, legal, communications and electoral strategies to affect systemic change.
• Lead and manage the organizing team, providing strategic direction, coaching, and support to ensure high performance and development.
• Ensure that organizers and grassroots leaders have the tools, training, and support to develop and evaluate campaigns rooted in traditional grassroots community organizing, digital organizing and online engagement.  
• Working with other department heads to ensure organizing is a core component of our integrated advocacy model. 
• Establishing a positive, collaborative culture within the organizing team that is driven by values, accountability, teamwork, and creativity. 
• Foster strong, collaborative relationships with community partners, coalitions, stakeholders, and ACLU of Arizona volunteers to build collective power and advance shared goals. (e.g., multi-issue organizations, faith -based coalitions, abolition groups, etc.) and leaders who can become effective partners in issue and electoral campaigns.  
• Oversee and coach staff and volunteers to plan small and large-scale events and activities that further campaign and organizing goals. 
• Develop and implement an effective “ladder of engagement” training plan and curriculum for volunteers that takes them from prospect to active volunteer to leader. 
• Create organizing materials such as call scripts, door-knocking raps, meeting agendas, training curriculum, and coordinating with other departments to develop organizer talking points and outreach materials. 
• Develop and use tracking systems, tools, and structures that provide clarity, accountability, and structure for organizers including using VAN effectively to set, track and achieve organizing goals.  
• Develop innovative, creative, and culturally centered approaches to recruit, engage and build skills and analysis with priority and underrepresented constituencies to play leadership roles within ACLU of Arizona campaigns. 
• Lead by example as an effective organizer when team capacity is limited. 
• Lead organizing department retreats, planning and evaluation sessions with organizers and grassroots leaders, and consistent department and team meetings.   
• Collaborate with and serve as a thought-partner with colleagues on the Leadership Team and across the national ACLU network. 
• Develop and monitor the organizing department budget and other administrative functions.  
• Interview, provide hiring recommendations and work to manage, train, and retain committed, creative, and skilled organizers.  

Reporting and administrative duties:

• Maintain well-organized and up-to-date files and records. Track information and provide timely, clear reports on organizing activities.
• Create regular qualitative and quantitative reports on progress for the board of directors, staff, funders, and other stakeholders. 

Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging: Be an active contributor to the organization and communications department’s efforts to think creatively, ambitiously, and openly about how our program can better integrate equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging into our day-to-day operations as well as our goals, plans and work with volunteers, leaders and partners.

QUALIFICATIONS

While no candidate will possess every quality, the successful candidate will possess many of the following qualifications and attributes. Even if you aren’t sure but are excited about the position, we encourage you to apply. 

• Demonstrated commitment to civil liberties, civil rights, and the ACLU of Arizona's mission.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in issue organizing, electoral campaigns, community or labor organizing  efforts.
• Minimum of 4 years of direct supervisory experience of organizers, including staff and volunteer leadership training experience.
• Proven ability to develop and implement successful organizing strategies and campaigns.
• Exceptional supervision and coaching skills, including managing paid organizers.
• Strong understanding of various organizing models and philosophies and a willingness to innovate and try new tactics.
• Proven experience working with coalitions, communities of color, people impacted by the carceral or other unjust systems.  
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively with diverse groups and individuals.
• Ability to analyze complex political situations, anticipate challenges, and develop proactive strategies.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively with diverse groups and individuals.
• Ability to partner and collaborate with the existing ACLU of Arizona team and represent the organization to a variety of audiences and mediums.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, presentation, and facilitation skills.
• Demonstrated project management skills with managing multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Experience in campaign planning, accountability measures, tracking progress and accountability in organizing programs, and curriculum development for adult learning.
• Those with personal experience and knowledge of the criminal legal system, immigration or other unjust systems are encouraged to apply.
• Knowledge of Arizona's political, social, and cultural landscapes is preferred.
• Willingness to travel throughout Arizona and work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.
• Fluency in VAN, Office Suite. Familiarity with the IRS rules regarding 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organizations, preferred.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish is strongly preferred.

This job description provides a general but not comprehensive list of the essential responsibilities and qualifications required. Please note that most ACLU of Arizona staff are based in Phoenix; this position requires in-person work in the Phoenix office, occasionally in the Tucson office, and does permit some remote work. 

Cultural Responsibility: Demonstrated awareness of one’s own cultural identity, views about differences, and the ability to learn and build on varying cultural and community norms. A complex understanding of racial justice and the urgency of confronting institutional racism and inequity. Commitment to equity and inclusion as organizational practice and culture. Proven track record of working across lines of race, immigration status, ethnicity, language, class, gender and other identities and experiences including record of arrest or conviction.

Working Conditions: The ACLU of Arizona offices are generally open between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. The physical demands and work environment described below represent those required and encountered by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Inputting information into a computer for long periods of time.
• Work some evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Periodically work long and extended hours.
• Regular travel across the state of Arizona as needed.

This job description provides a general but not comprehensive list of the essential responsibilities and qualifications required. Please note that some in-person attendance at the office is required, however most day-to-day work can be done remotely.

Why work for the ACLU of Arizona?

Time off: Staff get 15 vacation days their first three years; 20 days after four years. We offer an additional 17 days off for holidays and personal days.

Benefits package: We cover 100% of health, vision, and dental insurance for employees. We provide life and disability insurance, as well as reimbursement of some out-of-pocket healthcare related expenses. Staff are reimbursed for cell phones and home internet if working from home.

401k Plan: We want you to be prepared for retirement! We match 100% of the first 1% of your salary deferred to your 401k, plus 50% of the next 5% of your salary contribution. And then, we contribute an additional 2% of your salary contribution each pay period.

Commitment to our staff: We invest in staff growth and professional development opportunities and are committed to providing regular feedback and opportunities for advancement.

Crystal clear focus: Our team focuses on some of the most important and urgent issues of our times – from abortion rights, voting rights and democracy, LGBTQ+ rights, criminal legal reform, immigrant rights, border justice, and racial justice.

Our team is amazing: You will be working with incredibly dedicated, smart, and caring people who know how to have fun while getting a lot done in a low-ego environment. In addition to your Arizona colleagues, you will become part of a national network of ACLU staff in all 50 states plus D.C. and Puerto Rico!

How to Apply

Email your resume, cover letter, and two professional references to jobs@acluaz.org. Include “Organizing Director” in the subject line and how you heard about the position. In the cover letter, in addition to your qualifications, please make sure to answer the following questions:

1. Why you are interested in working at ACLU of Arizona; and
2. How have you demonstrated a commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging in your professional work?

No phone calls or walk-ins, please.

The ACLU of Arizona undertakes inclusive strategies in its recruitment and employment efforts to assure that persons with disabilities have full opportunities for employment in all positions. We encourage applicants with disabilities who may need accommodation in the application process to contact jobs@acluaz.org.

Deadline: Applicants must apply by Friday April 19, 2024.

The ACLU of Arizona is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status and record of arrest or conviction.