OOC seeks a VOTER ENGAGEMENT DIRECTOR

Ohio Organizing Collaborative

The Ohio Organizing Collaborative (OOC) is a statewide grassroots organization that unites base-building community organizing groups, student associations and faith organizations, with labor unions, and policy institutes throughout Ohio. It is our mission to organize everyday Ohioans, building transformative power organizations for racial, social, and economic justice in our state.

Job Summary:

The OOC seeks an experienced field campaigner to support [1] OOC member organizations’ civic engagement programming [2] act as field campaign lead for OOC member organizations and [3] oversee OOC’s research portfolio. This role will help leverage the resources and grassroots power of the OOC to build civic capacity and independent political power for our members.

Required Skills & Abilities

The Voter Engagement Director is a self-motivated and detail-oriented critical thinker with a strong track record of successfully and concurrently managing a variety of civic engagement initiatives. They love working with people and campaigns, are committed to the principles of social justice, have a background with running field operations and supporting volunteer organizing programs. Excellent writer and communicator with a comfort communicating with diverse audiences. Skilled project manager who can direct themselves and others. They are committed to grassroots leadership development and have experience working successfully in training, political education, relationship building, program evaluation, data analytics, research and detailed systems planning.

Job Responsibilities

● Work with OOC Organizing Directors to define their civic engagement goals and strategies including: field and event planning, elected official engagement and local ballot initiatives.

● Create and manage priority state issue campaign plans with Co-Executive Directors and coordinate with organizing staff to align them with local campaigns.

● Help OOC organizers develop goals and utilize data systems for integrated voter engagement strategies within their campaigns

● Work closely with the operations team to support the development of materials and resources for distribution across the organization within budget.

● Work closely with the data team to cut turf, build phone banks, and develop innovative targeting strategies for reaching our constituencies (Black voters and young voters, people of faith, care providers, students, formerly incarcerated people, public school parents and more)

● Develop innovative outreach strategies and maintain partnerships to advance OOC voter engagement goals

● Develop political education trainings and voter analysis in relationship with organizers

● Leverage local, state and national partnerships to bring resources and capacity into the state

● Design and implement research agenda within the organization

● Train and manage volunteers, providing hands-on coaching and support for canvasses, phone banks and other voter engagement activities.

● Plan, lead and execute OOC’s voter engagement research program

● Analyze data and messaging research to develop trainings, scripts and informational materials for OOC members and grassroots partners

● Able to work with leaders across race, class, gender and background to align different interests towards a common goal of building community power to win changes on issues that impact us

● Maintain understanding of current state and local issue campaigns and political landscapes

● Understanding of the intersection between race, class, and gender’s effect on socio economic policy

● Manage, coach, and train seasonal campaign and program staff as needed

● Performs all other related duties and responsibilities as required.

Please note: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities are based on campaign needs and may change.

Classification: Ohio Organizing Collaborative recognizes a staff bargaining unit with the Ohio Organizing Collaborative Staff Union/Chicago Midwest Regional Joint Board Workers United. This position is not included in the Ohio Organizing Colloborative's bargaining unit.

Position Details:

The Voter Engagement Director is a full-time salaried position. A Bachelor's Degree or equivalent work experience is preferred but persons meeting the skills listed above should still apply. Benefits include health/dental insurance, vacation, and retirement match. They must possess a cell phone, an Ohio driver’s license and have access to a reliable automobile. Regular in-state and national travel is required. Some weekend and evening hours will be required.

Work-related expenses are reimbursed according to policy. Physical requirements include frequent standing, walking, ability to sit in meetings and lift moderate weight for supplies. Columbus-based professionals preferred, but other Ohio-based candidates will be considered.

Experience and Salary Range:

Previous experience building and maintaining collaborative, coalition-based relationships. Previous statewide non-profit, electoral or advocacy campaign management, and/or state legislative experience. Strong relationships with other organizations and state policymakers working on democracy issues. Demonstrated experience working in and building relationships in diverse communities.

Salary Range: $75,000 - $90,000

EEO/AAP Policy Statement

The Ohio Organizing Collaborative provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, criminal history, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

We believe that marginalized communities must be centered in the work we do and strongly encourage people of color, people from working class backgrounds, women and LGBTQ people to apply.

Application Instructions:

Priority deadline ends November 11th but applications will be accepted until the position is filled. To apply, please submit a brief cover letter explaining why you are interested in the position, your resume and three professional references to ooc_hr@ohorganizing.org.