FairVote is hiring Director of Programs for national position based in Maryland

[r...@fairvote.org]

Greetings,

Here's a posting for a new and important senior position at FairVote (fairvote.org)

Thanks,

Rob Richie

https://fairvote.app.box.com/s/7yom4izcyc2f7yr7xr664iahey6zbq27

DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS

Posted: February 20, 2017 Deadline: March 13, 2017

Position: Director of Programs, FairVote

About FairVote: FairVote (www.fairvote.org) is the nation’s leading advocate for better voting methods. We have a history of success in developing and advancing innovative ideas to make our local, state, and national elections fairer and more representative. We are at the center of research and advocacy on behalf of ranked choice voting (as passed in Maine in 2016), American forms of proportional representation, and a national popular vote for president. We are nonpartisan, with a politically diverse staff united in the goal of giving more voice to voters and encouraging secure and participatory elections. With a large and growing team, including 18 employees based in Takoma Park (MD) and several field staff, we are led by Executive Director Rob Richie and Board chair (and former Nirvana bassist) Krist Novoselic.

What We’re Seeking: This position is a new one and seen as vitally important. Our ideal candidate will be ready to join FairVote for the long haul and play a central leadership role in achieving our core electoral reform goals over the coming decade. We expect to hear from some applicants who may be happy in their current work, but ready to embrace this unique opportunity to transform American democracy and help foster cohesion and effectiveness across FairVote’s strategic program objectives.

Job Description: We seek an experienced director and manager ready to define a new position within FairVote and oversee our ambitious mission and goals with an annual program budget of more than two million dollars. The Director of Programs will take primary responsibility for refining and executing a comprehensive program plan that focuses on expanding and upholding use of ranked choice voting at a national, state and local level in the United States -- from the Fair Representation Act for Congress to Maine-type ballot measures for ranked choice voting to local implementation of successful measures. Key responsibilities are as follows:

 Direct program planning and implementation practices to be in alignment and mutually supporting across teams engaged in outreach, law, research, and communications

 Collaborate with executive director and other staff to strategically align programs and initiatives, including any program work not directly under supervision

 Lead efforts to seek, maintain, and strengthen relationships with identified stakeholders

and potential reform partners while negotiating the complicated terrain of effectively partnering with groups and individuals from across the political spectrum.

 Represent FairVote at meetings, conferences, and events and in the media to inform others about our work and develop opportunities for partnerships, and assist staff and board in delivering effective and strategic presentations and fostering partnerships.

 Work with communications staff as they design and implement an effective communications plan, including messaging that will build a stronger reform movement.

 Work with program staff to provides allies with resources needed to advance reform 

 Help organize regional and national events designed to further our mission. 

 Provide insight into funding proposals and reports in collaboration with program staff.

Qualifications: Our ideal candidate will have the following skills and experience. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be an acceptable substitute for a qualification.

 At least six years of increasingly more responsible advocacy and outreach roles, with particular emphasis in leadership roles in efforts to elect candidates, win ballot measures, work with coalitions, and/or pass legislation.

 Excellent written and oral communication skills with experience in public presentations.  Proven ability to work collaboratively and build relationships with groups and individuals

with a diversity of experience and political views.

 Proven management/supervisory experience, ideally in work involving public policy, electoral reform, legislative work, grassroots organizing, and/or non-profit development. Demonstrated skills in team management, establishing work priorities and delegation.

 Excellent understanding of mail, phone and online strategies and possess either a strong technical skillset or history of working closely with others in use of supporter management systems, social media, websites, and videos.

 Ability to understand and work with data.  Familiarity with rules governing nonprofit, nonpartisan organizations.  Appreciation for our central reform priorities detailed at FairVote.org and, in particular, ranked choice voting and fair representation voting.

 Bachelor’s degree.

Desired Work Environment: Most staffers share offices and are at their best when regularly learning from one another and being open to new ideas and approaches. We host regular waves of interns and junior staff who add to our diversity of perspectives and experience and bring a great deal of energy and new ideas to the team. We seek to make FairVote a joyful and fun place to be because our work is exciting and our reforms are gaining momentum. We see the Director of Strategic Initiatives as playing a central role in fostering this environment.

Salary and Benefits: Highly competitive salary commensurate with experience, along with a generous benefits package that includes health insurance (medical, vision and dental, along with payment of deductible costs), retirement, and commuting reimbursement.

Notice of Non-Discrimination: FairVote is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all federal, state and local laws and regulations regarding equal opportunity. We do not allow any unlawful discrimination against or harassment of our employees or others visiting our facilities.

How to Apply / Timing: Please email cover letter, resume, two writing samples (one reflecting more popular writing) and contact information of two professional references to h...@fairvote.org. Please put the job title in the subject of your email. Applications will be reviewed starting March 6th and no later than March 13th, with a projected start date in April.