Associate Director, Colorado

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Use your policy, organizing, and general nonprofit ninja skills to fight for voting rights and representative government in Colorado. Common Cause is seeking a passionate, strategic, self-reliant, and collaborative associate director to assist in our efforts to build a democracy grassroots movement throughout the state. The Colorado Associate Director will work closely with the Executive Director to research and advance public policy, lobby for our priority bills, and will be instrumental in moving priority campaigns by educating, training, and mobilizing activists and action teams. This is a unique opportunity to take on a leadership role in an organization working to create a more transparent and equitable democratic systems. Position is based in Denver, Colorado although all staff is currently working remotely during COVID.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Build a grassroots movement by engaging our current members so that they are more connected to Colorado Common Cause and have the tools they need to stand up for our democracy:

• Create a strategic organizing plan, with consultation from the executive director, to develop, strengthen, and maintain a grassroots organizing network across Colorado;
• Recruit and manage volunteers and interns;
• Plan and lead member meetings such as our monthly member happy hours and grassroots lobby days;
• Build coalition support, organize members, and educate the public on Common Cause’s work and campaigns;
• Develop and coordinate trainings for grassroots activists on legislative advocacy, election reform, and other skills as needed;
• Coordinate rapid response in-person events that may include petition deliveries, rallies, stand-up news conferences, and other creative actions that earn media attention.

Build and diversify our membership:

• Recruit and develop diverse leadership of grassroots members, especially youth and people living in low-income communities and communities of color;
• Stay abreast of legislative and organizational developments across constituencies. In other words, know what’s going on across the issues we care about and know which ones are most important to communities of color, low income communities, and young people.

Assist executive director in moving policy forward:

• Assist with direct lobbying at the state and local level as needed.
• Review draft legislation and assist with policy research.
• Help the organization determine policy priorities.

Deepen and build support of our advocacy work through communications:

• Create and implement online campaign plans;
• Develop public outreach materials including factsheets, action alerts, presentations, online updates, text messages, and email blasts;
• Draft advocacy emails and blogs;
• Maintain website;
• Serve as a spokesperson for the organization as needed.

Ensuring the health of the organization through grassroots fundraising:

• Work with the Executive Director and Common Cause development staff to ensure the long-term viability of the organization;
• Keep membership data organized;
• Help to identify fundraising opportunities;
• Maintain donor contact by making phone calls, organizing events, and meeting with donors as needed;
• Oversee and manage Colorado Gives Day.

Manage day to day administrative tasks of the organization.

Experience, education, and technical proficiency:

•  3-5 years of experience in organizing, advocacy, project management, fundraising or similar fields.
•  Familiarity with statewide democracy issues, including voting rights, redistricting, money in politics, ethics, and more.
• Working knowledge of the legislative process in Colorado.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and current social media platforms.

Ideal candidate will have/are:

• Experience working with many different kinds of people and a working knowledge of the dynamics of power, privilege, and bias.
• The ability to craft compelling messages and explain complex ideas in accessible ways.
• Commitment to political reform and social and economic justice.
• Direct experience managing operations or programs for organizations working to advance a public interest agenda would be a strong asset but is not required.
• Excellent interpersonal abilities, with capacity to recruit, motivate, delegate, supervise, and foster teamwork.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience as a community organizer, policy analyst, or educator working in low-income communities and communities of color.
• Experience drafting and passing statewide policy.
• Ability to speak more than one language, Spanish preferred.
• Understanding of the political landscape and policy trends in Colorado.
• Action Network (or similar website and advocacy management program) mastery.

You’ll thrive if you have/are:

• A “can do” attitude and exceptional organizational skills, with a strong capacity to manage systems, projects & people.
• Demonstrated commitment to cultural competency, including the experience in working effectively with those belonging to groups of diverse backgrounds, including but not limited to: race, ethnicity, gender, nationality, sexual orientation, religion, language, ability, age and socioeconomic status.
•  Self-starter with an ability to work independently in a deadline-driven environment with competing priorities – this position involves significant contact with members, key stakeholders, and volunteers
• Willingness to travel and flexibility to occasionally work evenings and weekends.

 EQUITY & INCLUSION:
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status. Common Cause is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion throughout the organization and believes strongly in the increased effectiveness that comes from a diverse workforce.

TO APPLY:
Please submit resume, cover letter and salary requirements(optional) to Director of Human Resources at hr@commoncause.org and include ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR- COLORADO in the subject line; or fax to 202.355.7546. No phone calls please. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Applications without a Cover Letter will not be considered.

ABOUT US:

Common Cause (501(c)(4)) and Common Cause Education Fund (501(c)(3)) are nonpartisan, nonprofit grassroots affiliate organizations dedicated to upholding the core values of American democracy. We work to create open, honest, and accountable government that serves the public interest; promote equal rights, opportunity, and representation for all; and empower all people to make their voices heard in the political process.

Founded in 1970 and headquartered in Washington, DC, Common Cause has more than 1.2 million members and supporters living in every Congressional district in the United States, and offices in 30 states around the country. More information can be found at: www.commoncause.org and www.commoncause.org/Colorado.