Organizing Director – Columbus, Ohio

Position: Organizing Director – Columbus, Ohio

Job Location: Columbus, Ohio

Position Type: Full Time, Exempt

Position Classification: Not Union Eligible

Compensation: $70,000 - $80,000

Travel Percentage: 75%

Reports to: State Director

About For Our Future

Founded in 2016, For Our Future Action Fund and For Our Future run the largest, permanent progressive field program across key states. Our vision is to expand the progressive infrastructure and advance economic prosperity for all, strong community schools, climate justice, and racial and social justice. Along with community partners and volunteers, we consistently engage with people in face-to-face conversations around what issues matter most to them. By organizing people in lasting relationships, we win elections, drive local progress, make a community’s collective voice heard, and help build the transformative power needed to improve people’s lives.

POSITION CLASSIFICATION

For Our Future recognizes a staff bargaining unit, affiliated with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) 2304 (pending change), a labor union. This position is part of the union-represented collective bargaining unit, and specific employment terms and conditions are subject to a collective bargaining agreement.

Job Summary

For Our Future Ohio seeks an Organizing Director to manage field staff and field programs across the state, but mainly in central Ohio. You will work collaboratively with other department directors and key partners to implement campaign plans and develop and execute a strategic statewide issue advocacy and electoral program around core issue-areas: economic fairness, education, climate, and racial justice. You will serve as a coach to develop regional directors and advance programs across regions. We are looking for someone with initiative, strong communication, and cross-collaboration skills to cut across silos to ensure information sharing between partners and allies, achieve program deliverables, and advance organizational interests, values, and priorities.

This position is anticipated to run through at least November 14, 2024.

Essential Functions

• Lead a results-driven statewide team of field and organizing professionals
• Report qualitative and quantitative field metrics and accomplishments regularly to state leadership and in-state and national stakeholders
• Oversee implementation of all in-state field programs, work with state leadership to evaluate the impact of programs and innovate as necessary to ensure success
• Set, meet, and exceed benchmarks for voter contact, grassroots engagement, and GOTV
• Establish a vibrant culture that fosters diverse viewpoints and prioritizes equity among the field, while maintaining an accountable, innovative, purposeful, and goal-oriented team
• Write phone, door and sms campaign scripts for dvc output
• Track and report staff time for compliance reporting
• Innovate new approaches to engage diverse constituencies and execute those approaches effectively
• Hire, coach, and train field staff to achieve their objectives
• Maintain daily program check-ins and biweekly one-on-ones with canvass directors
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as designated by the State Director
• Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice
  
  
  

Skills and Qualifications

• 5+ cycles of campaign experience, with at least 3 cycles of field experience
• An understanding of Ohio’s legislative and political landscape, and the path to power in the state. Ability to work and adapt to a changing political and policy landscape
• Experience with strategic planning. This includes the ability to develop short and long-term statewide plans, set objectives and metrics, track progress toward achieving objectives, and align those strategies with other progressive efforts in-state
• Dedication to grassroots, local organizing and empowering state/local organizations to lead our work. Understanding of local community-based organizations and respect for their leaders and programs
• Experience in recruiting, hiring and managing staff from all backgrounds, team building, and developing talent within an organization. Competency with, and commitment to leading with diversity, equity, and inclusion. Must be able to manage staff remotely
• Experience with program management, including managing work across multiple internal departments for statewide issue advocacy or electoral campaigns
• Demonstrated knowledge of effective and successful electoral plans, including targeting, voter contact, GOTV and best practices
• Willingness to take initiative while juggling several priorities that may change quickly. Multi-tasker with excellent time management skills and ability to hit deadlines
• Strong oral and written communication skills. Strong interpersonal skills. Ability to write compelling program reports. Demonstrated ability to navigate conflict and work toward resolution required
• Willingness to travel, work long hours, and have access to reliable transportation
• Ability to maintain "Independent" firewall status, which may limit your ability to take outside employment or to volunteer with a candidate campaign or political party organization
  
  
  

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of moving around for voter contact activity
• This is an in-person position and will require a physical presence in the local office
• Prolonged periods of remaining in a stationary position at a desk and working on a computer
• Must be able to transport up to 15 pounds at times
• Must be able to travel across Ohio.
  
  
  

This position comes with a comprehensive benefits package

• Health Insurance Coverage - 95% Employer Paid
• Paid parental leave
• Retirement Savings Plan with matching contributions up to the first 5%
• $150 Monthly Cell Phone and Internet Reimbursement
• Monthly Mileage Stipend
• 13 days paid time off every calendar year, as well as other paid holidays
  
  
  

Expected Hours of Work

• Normal hours of business are from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM Eastern Time Monday thru Friday, however Employees may be required to work outside of normal business hours including weekends, holidays, and nights
• Employees are required to abide by certain blackout dates during a campaign cycle or other key deadlines, and generally not allowed to take off during blackout periods. Emergencies are not affected by this policy
  
  
  

Work Environment

So long as it is safe and appropriate to continue door-to-door and site-based canvassing, it will be a high priority. Employees may be required to work in extreme weather conditions, including rain, heat, and cold. Overseeing canvassing is considered an essential function of this job. This position is expected to interact regularly face-to-face with voters, volunteers or community partners. If state and government stay-at-home orders, phased reopening orders, or other factors related to the COVID-19 virus (or any other reason) limit For Our Future’s ability to engage safely in in-person work, employees may be assigned other duties to be conducted from their homes.

Health and Safety

For Our Future Action Fund ("FOF") is fully committed to the health and safety of our colleagues, candidates and the communities we serve. We encourage all employees to stay “up to date” with their COVID-19 vaccines and once eligible, to get COVID-19 boosters; however, this is not a requirement for employment at FOF. All employees are required to adhere to the health and safety policies and procedures, when appropriate as implemented by the organization. Upon request, reasonable accommodations will be considered on a case-by-case basis for exemptions to this requirement in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Applicants may request a reasonable accommodation form by emailing Human Resources at hr@forourfuturefund.org

Be advised that health and safety policies and procedures around COVID-19 may change in the future to stay in compliance with public health guidance and applicable laws.

EEO Statement

For Our Future is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Opportunities are provided to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, age (40 and over), religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression (including transgender status), gender dysphoria, marital or familial status, partnership status, caregiver status, sexual and reproductive health decisions, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation, and related medical conditions), creed, caste, national origin, citizenship and immigration status, consumer credit history, physical or mental disability, personal/outward appearance (including, but not limited to, hairstyle), family responsibilities, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), ancestry, matriculation, political affiliation, matriculation, status as a victim of domestic violence, or sexual offenses or stalking, arrest record, conviction record, military or uniformed service member status, or veteran status, or any other characteristic, trait or status protected by applicable local, state, or federal laws or ordinances. Equal opportunity applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leave of absence, compensation and training.

We are also committed to the full inclusion of every qualified individual. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process please contact hr@forourfuturefund.org.