Executive Director-Pennsylvania Alliance for Retired Americans

[Michelle Campbell]

Immediate Supervisor: PARA Board President in consultation with full PARA Board

 

Qualifications: BA/BS Degree in relevant areas including but not limited to Political Science, Business Administration or Public Administration or is pursuing a course of study for a degree above the BA/BS level at a recognized non-profit college or university or by an educational institution accredited by nationally recognized agencies or associations.  Substantial and extensive relevant experience and proven success in organizing, fundraising, communications and political advocacy desired.

 

Overview of Responsibilities: The primary responsibility of the Executive Director is to build the Pennsylvania Alliance structures that will strengthen and grow the senior/retiree movement in Pennsylvania.  The Executive Director is expected to provide effective leadership and strategic development that leads to an effective State Alliance that supports educating, advocating and mobilizing seniors and retirees on the issues that concern them.  The PARA Board will adopt specific ends policies as needed to direct the work of the Executive Director.

 

Statement of Duties:

1. Represent the interests of the Pennsylvania Alliance for Retire Americans.
2. Lead the Alliance efforts to build the Pennsylvania Alliance membership, leadership and volunteer capacity to meet the benchmarks set forth by the PARA Board.
3. Work with the PARA Board to develop and implement unified strategic plans and budgets for the Pennsylvania Alliance.
4. Work with partners in organized labor as well as appropriate regional, state and local constituency groups and like-minded organizations to build structures for successful and sustainable mobilization that strengthen the Pennsylvania Alliance educational, organizing and legislative advocacy efforts.
5. Provide effective support and leadership to Pennsylvania Alliance leaders.
6. Building for Action:
1. Identify and recruit Alliance chapters and activists in Pennsylvania
2. Work with existing Alliance leadership and other leaders in Pennsylvania to develop and execute an organizing plan to strengthen the Pennsylvania Alliance’s grassroots program and structure
3. Grow and manage the PARA Zone Coordinator program to magnify the Alliance’s political and educational impact in communities across Pennsylvania in accordance with PARA Board goals
7. Promote Legislative Agenda:
1. Draft Pennsylvania Alliance legislative agenda for Board approval, track legislation of interest and voting records on these issues and disseminate this information to PARA membership
2. Work with PARA leaders and activists to speak at rallies, demonstrations and press events; visit, write or call legislators; and speak publicly about the importance of the Pennsylvania Alliance’s legislative agenda
3. Prepare and disseminate press releases, talking points, statements, position letters and other written materials
4. Assist with turnout for lobby days, rallies and other events
5. Coordinate state efforts on specific projects around particular legislation or organizing priorities as directed by the PARA Board
6. Help prepare educational presentations for PARA Board members or Zone Coordinators and deliver educational presentations to retiree audiences
7. Create educational literature and disseminate these materials or materials provided by the national Alliance or coalition partners to PARA membership and the retiree community at-large
8. Coordinate with organized labor and progressive advocacy groups on common state legislative priorities
8. Events:
1. Plan and facilitate a Triennial Convention every 3 years (beginning 2016)
2. Plan and facilitate Regional Legislative Conferences around Pennsylvania to ensure that most PARA affiliates have an opportunity to attend a conference near them over a period of several years
3. Work with Zone Coordinators and activists to plan issue-related events such as, but not limited to, anniversary events (Social Security, Medicare, etc.)
9. Fundraising:
1. Develop and implement a fundraising strategy to meet income goals set by the PARA Board
2. Collect affiliate and State-Sustaining dues and recruit new State-Sustaining members
3. Engage in direct-donor fundraising to support PARA’s operations and Zone Coordinator program
4. Work with Alliance leaders to promote special events with ticket sales, ad sales and other fundraising events
5. Explore grant funding for PARA’s educational activities
10. Act as a liaison to the national Alliance for Retired Americans and coordinate Pennsylvania Alliance participation in national initiatives and programs as approved by the PARA President and PARA Board.
11. Other duties as assigned

 

Skills and Competencies:

 

·         Knowledge of and experience with both national and local structures of the labor movement

·         Demonstrated ability to lead and support organizational improvement efforts

·         Experience in developing, implementing and driving community mobilization strategies

·         Demonstrated effectiveness in writing and implementing strategic work plans in coordination with leaders that incorporate role and responsibilities of state and local federations

·         Ability to administer a large and complex organization

·         Working knowledge of the legislative process

·         Ability to manage campaigns both large and small

·         Familiarity with non-profit organizational management and fundraising

·         Ability to work effectively as well as lead and motivate others within charged political environments

·         Excellent listening, interpersonal, communication and problem solving skills

·         Excellent written and verbal communication skills including public speaking

·         Effective time management skills, including prioritizing and managing multiple tasks, and demonstrated experience in developing campaign and personal work plans and goals

·         Demonstrated ability to build teams and work effectively in a team environment in both a lead and support role

·         Computer proficiency is required for e-mail, internet, word processing, spreadsheet/database and social media skills.

·         Demonstrated ability to resolve conflicts while maintaining important and effective relationships

·         Ability to travel on a regular basis as needed

Pl   

       Please submit your resume to Wayne Burton at abu...@verizon.net