Democratic Party of Arkansas: Executive Director
LOCATION
Little Rock, AR, 72201
SALARY
$80000 - $85000 (Monthly)
HEALTHCARE
Employer-sponsored health insurance offered
DESIRED SKILLS
- Managed Paid Staff
- Managed a budget of $1,000,000
- Managed a budget of $100,000
- Managed email programs
- Managed financial call time
COMPANY
Democratic Party of Arkansas
DEPARTMENT
Management
EMPLOYMENT TYPE
Party
MINIMUM LEVEL OF EXPERIENCE
Senior Leadership (overseeing multiple Department Directors. Ex: Campaign Manager, Coordinated Manager)
APPLY BY
September 18, 2026
JOB DESCRIPTION
In partnership with the Chair, the Executive Director is responsible for the strategy, activities, management, growth, and the day-to-day operations of the DPA. This specifically includes, but is not limited to, election-based activities, fundraising, budgeting, staff recruitment and retention, communications, outreach, and building Party infrastructure. The position requires a commitment to work alongside the DPA Officers, Executive Committee, State Committee, elected officials, and candidates across the state. This position has a wide range of responsibilities, including serving as a trusted advisor to and strategic asset for the Chair of the Party, its elected and party officials, its candidates, and leaders across the state.
Position posting open through: September 18, 2026 Salary range: $80,000 - $85,000 annually, plus benefits
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
- Serve as the chief strategic and tactical executive of the Democratic Party of Arkansas.
- Developing and implementing statewide campaign plans to win elections at the local, legislative, state, and federal levels.
- Overseeing the coordinated campaign efforts and coordination of consultants’ activities; assisting with the hiring of a coordinated campaign director during election years.
- Working with field personnel and state party staff to maintain and expand grassroots efforts and primary base through voter registration and volunteer recruitment.
- Manage relationships in-state with elected officials, caucus leaders, candidates, auxiliaries, and state party membership; as well as national contacts through relationships at the ASDC and DNC, and partnerships with the DGA, DSCC, DCCC, and DLCC.
- Responsible for managing the day-to-day activities of all staff.
- Perform staff reviews, encourage staff development and training.
- Review and restructure staff functions and responsibilities as necessary.
- Direct fundraising efforts, develop strategy, and work with finance staff and/or consultants to implement.
- Work with the DPA Chair, DPA Treasurer, and staff to develop and adhere to the operating budget.
- Coordinate with DPA Secretary and Staff in preparing written reports for all meetings of the Executive and State Committees.
- Act as liaison with the staffs of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), the Association of State Democratic Committees (ASDC), and the Association of State Executive Directors.
- Attend DNC, ASDC, and county party meetings as necessary.
- Ensure all campaign finance reports, tax returns, and other required reports are accurately and timely filed by the compliance consultant.
- Work with the DPA Chair and Communications Director to issue press releases, speak on behalf of the Party where appropriate, and present the DPA in a positive and professional light.
- Oversee the State Party technology operations including database development and computer operations.
- Implement delegate selection process in presidential election cycles.
- Develop, oversee, and maintain relations with Democratic donors both in-state and out-of-state.
- Develop training programs for the State Party, including party membership, campaign staff, and candidates.
- Oversee development and production of party-building and message-delivery tools, including but not limited to: newsletters, websites, email communications, social media, and brochures.
- Organize all meetings of the Executive and State Committees as required by the rules of the DPA.
- Maintain and work with legal counsel to ensure the DPA is in compliance with all state and federal law.
- Demonstrate an understanding of all aspects of elections, including state-of-the-art campaign techniques, campaign planning, targeting, polling, election law, GOTV programs, party building, and pre-election planning.
- Ensure building maintenance is adhered to for the DPA Headquarters.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Substantial professional, nonprofit, business, or political senior management experience.
- Strong abilities in organization planning for strategy and program.
- Extensive team management skills with demonstrated ability to achieve high levels of performance and outcomes through management and influence.
- A reputation for leading with integrity and making decisions with the input of the appropriate stakeholders.
- Conflict and crisis-management experience with proven, clear decision-making ability.
- Demonstrated success in fundraising and knowledge of donor networks.
CORE COMPETENCIES
- Clear, effective, high-quality writer.
- Excellent in interpersonal skills and building relationships.
- Good information/administrative organizational skills.
- Digital by nature - a natural with smartphone, iPad, tablet, and laptop for work and personal reasons; monitoring email and social media in real time is intuitive.
- Highly communicative - responsive to internal and external requests, emails, and calls, within reason.
- Multi-tasker - Able to juggle multiple activities yet not lose focus on top priorities or let something slip through the cracks.
- Organized in thinking and doing.
- Committed to the values and practices of a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace with the ability to receive feedback and learn from it.
- Knowledge of Arkansas politics and the national political environment and developments.
- Willingness and flexibility to travel throughout Arkansas and out of state.