Organizing Director
Michigan United, Detroit, MI, United States
Organizing Director
Michigan United and Michigan United Action – Hybrid (501(c)(3) & 501(c)(4))
The Organizing Director is a pivotal movement leader responsible for advising on the strategic direction and driving the implementation of core organizing campaigns across Michigan United and Michigan United Action. This role leads the development of transformative campaigns that build a durable, multiracial base; cultivates grassroots leadership; and advances policy and co‑governance strategies rooted in community voice.
The Director fosters worker and community engagement, ensures political and organizational alignment, and embeds political education across all programs. As a key member of the leadership team, they oversee staff development and departmental culture, embodying a commitment to equity, mutual respect, and long‑term power building.
Position Details and Responsibilities Campaign Strategy & Movement Leadership
Lead the development of campaign strategies through issue assessment, power mapping, research, and policy development. Integrate communications and lobbying to achieve organizational goals.
Co‑hold the organization’s Theory of Change with rigor, ensuring all campaigns move beyond "mobilization" toward "transformative power‑building."
Proactively identify and initiate new campaigns that align with strategic priorities, community needs, and the mission of racial and economic justice.
Engage elected officials and stakeholders to advance "inside‑outside" strategies that put community members at the decision‑making table.
Base Building & Leadership Development
Oversee systems that move members from initial contact to seasoned strategists and board leaders, ensuring leadership moves are tracked and celebrated.
Advance the membership structure, ensuring staff recruit and retain members through canvassing, 1‑on‑1s, and house meetings.
Partner with training staff to facilitate "popular education" models that demystify power, race, and class for the base.
Supervise the integration of community services into organizing, ensuring immediate crisis response (e.g., legal clinics, mutual aid, community navigators) serves as a doorway to systemic change.
Implement and supervise data management systems (VAN/EveryAction) to track quantitative growth and qualitative leadership development.
Management & Staff Development
Directly manage Regional Managers, Organizers, and occasionally Policy/Coalition staff, fostering a culture of "organizing the organizers."
Coach direct reports to "agitate" members and staff to take increasing levels of public responsibility, providing regular "shadow coaching" in the field.
Lead weekly manager meetings to steward a cohesive team, balancing high‑stakes performance with staff wellness and sustainable movement practices.
Oversee hiring, onboarding, and professional development plans for the organizing department in partnership with HR.
Manage the organizing department budget, review expenses, and produce timely reports on campaign deliverables for the leadership team and board.
Organizational & Electoral Alignment
Serve on the Director leadership team to advance organizational culture, annual budgeting, and long‑term sustainability.
Collaborate with Movement Politics and Field Directors to integrate regional staff and members into electoral and "Get Out The Vote" (GOTV) cycles.
Represent Michigan United in strategic partnerships and coalitions, promoting the power‑building framework to the broader movement.
Assist the development team by providing data for grants and participating in funder briefings to tell the story of base‑building impact.
Qualifications Work Experience & Education Level
Proven track record (7+ years preferred) in grassroots organizing, large‑scale campaign development, or movement leadership.
Extensive experience managing diverse teams and navigating the interpersonal dynamics of a fast‑paced movement environment.
Skills & Attributes
Strategic mindset: Ability to conduct power analysis and pivot strategies based on shifting political landscapes.
Frameworks: Firm grounding in racial, economic, and gender justice; deep alignment with Michigan United’s values and Theory of Change.
Relational skills: Mastery of the "1‑on‑1" and the ability to build trust across diverse constituencies (urban, rural, religious, secular).
Logistics: Ability to travel throughout Michigan and work evenings/weekends as required by campaign cycles. Access to reliable transportation is required.
Core Competencies
Strategic agitation: Ability to challenge staff and leaders to grow while maintaining deep relational support.
Operational rigor: Highly detail‑oriented with a commitment to data integrity, deadline management, and essential administrative systems.
Upward communication & leadership alignment: Proactive in providing clear, concise, and timely updates to the Executive Director and Board.
Conflict transformation: Comfort navigating internal and external tension with a focus on growth and alignment.
Systems thinking: Ability to see how a local issue connects to statewide power and national trends.
Physical Demands Reasonable accommodations will be considered.
Job Specifications
Job Classification: Exempt, Full‑Time
Job Length: At‑will
Compensation: $80,000, depending on experience.
Work Schedule: 40 hours, primarily weekdays with some evenings/weekends.
Location: Hybrid – On‑site & Virtual Detroit, MI office.
Benefits
Health, Vision, Dental, PTO, FSA, 401(k), Discretionary Year‑End Contributions, etc.
Michigan United is an equal‑opportunity, affirmative action employer. Those that identify as queer, trans, non‑binary, Black, Indigenous, people of color, disabled, parents, system‑impacted, immigrants, or anyone who has experienced systemic oppression and/or gender‑based violence are encouraged to apply. We will consider qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records for employment.
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The Organizing Director is a pivotal movement leader responsible for advising on the strategic direction and driving the implementation of core organizing campaigns across Michigan United and Michigan United Action. This role leads the development of transformative campaigns that build a durable, multiracial base; cultivates grassroots leadership; and advances policy and co‑governance strategies rooted in community voice.
The Director fosters worker and community engagement, ensures political and organizational alignment, and embeds political education across all programs. As a key member of the leadership team, they oversee staff development and departmental culture, embodying a commitment to equity, mutual respect, and long‑term power building.
Position Details and Responsibilities Campaign Strategy & Movement Leadership
Lead the development of campaign strategies through issue assessment, power mapping, research, and policy development. Integrate communications and lobbying to achieve organizational goals.
Co‑hold the organization’s Theory of Change with rigor, ensuring all campaigns move beyond "mobilization" toward "transformative power‑building."
Proactively identify and initiate new campaigns that align with strategic priorities, community needs, and the mission of racial and economic justice.
Engage elected officials and stakeholders to advance "inside‑outside" strategies that put community members at the decision‑making table.
Base Building & Leadership Development
Oversee systems that move members from initial contact to seasoned strategists and board leaders, ensuring leadership moves are tracked and celebrated.
Advance the membership structure, ensuring staff recruit and retain members through canvassing, 1‑on‑1s, and house meetings.
Partner with training staff to facilitate "popular education" models that demystify power, race, and class for the base.
Supervise the integration of community services into organizing, ensuring immediate crisis response (e.g., legal clinics, mutual aid, community navigators) serves as a doorway to systemic change.
Implement and supervise data management systems (VAN/EveryAction) to track quantitative growth and qualitative leadership development.
Management & Staff Development
Directly manage Regional Managers, Organizers, and occasionally Policy/Coalition staff, fostering a culture of "organizing the organizers."
Coach direct reports to "agitate" members and staff to take increasing levels of public responsibility, providing regular "shadow coaching" in the field.
Lead weekly manager meetings to steward a cohesive team, balancing high‑stakes performance with staff wellness and sustainable movement practices.
Oversee hiring, onboarding, and professional development plans for the organizing department in partnership with HR.
Manage the organizing department budget, review expenses, and produce timely reports on campaign deliverables for the leadership team and board.
Organizational & Electoral Alignment
Serve on the Director leadership team to advance organizational culture, annual budgeting, and long‑term sustainability.
Collaborate with Movement Politics and Field Directors to integrate regional staff and members into electoral and "Get Out The Vote" (GOTV) cycles.
Represent Michigan United in strategic partnerships and coalitions, promoting the power‑building framework to the broader movement.
Assist the development team by providing data for grants and participating in funder briefings to tell the story of base‑building impact.
Qualifications Work Experience & Education Level
Proven track record (7+ years preferred) in grassroots organizing, large‑scale campaign development, or movement leadership.
Extensive experience managing diverse teams and navigating the interpersonal dynamics of a fast‑paced movement environment.
Skills & Attributes
Strategic mindset: Ability to conduct power analysis and pivot strategies based on shifting political landscapes.
Frameworks: Firm grounding in racial, economic, and gender justice; deep alignment with Michigan United’s values and Theory of Change.
Relational skills: Mastery of the "1‑on‑1" and the ability to build trust across diverse constituencies (urban, rural, religious, secular).
Logistics: Ability to travel throughout Michigan and work evenings/weekends as required by campaign cycles. Access to reliable transportation is required.
Core Competencies
Strategic agitation: Ability to challenge staff and leaders to grow while maintaining deep relational support.
Operational rigor: Highly detail‑oriented with a commitment to data integrity, deadline management, and essential administrative systems.
Upward communication & leadership alignment: Proactive in providing clear, concise, and timely updates to the Executive Director and Board.
Conflict transformation: Comfort navigating internal and external tension with a focus on growth and alignment.
Systems thinking: Ability to see how a local issue connects to statewide power and national trends.
Physical Demands Reasonable accommodations will be considered.
Job Specifications
Job Classification: Exempt, Full‑Time
Job Length: At‑will
Compensation: $80,000, depending on experience.
Work Schedule: 40 hours, primarily weekdays with some evenings/weekends.
Location: Hybrid – On‑site & Virtual Detroit, MI office.
Benefits
Health, Vision, Dental, PTO, FSA, 401(k), Discretionary Year‑End Contributions, etc.
Michigan United is an equal‑opportunity, affirmative action employer. Those that identify as queer, trans, non‑binary, Black, Indigenous, people of color, disabled, parents, system‑impacted, immigrants, or anyone who has experienced systemic oppression and/or gender‑based violence are encouraged to apply. We will consider qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records for employment.
#J-18808-Ljbffr