The Organizing Director will lead and manage MountainTrue’s grassroots organizing efforts across our programs, focusing on training staff and organizers in the skills necessary to build authentic relationships, empower our communities, and develop local leaders to drive community-led solutions.
This is a “player-coach” position that requires both management and on-the-ground organizing experience. The organizing director will directly supervise the Creation Care Alliance Organizer and Resilient Forests Organizer and work with other program staff to build the capacity of staff, volunteers, and community partners to identify and achieve policy, advocacy, and programmatic goals.
This role is instrumental in developing and executing strategies to grow our network of members, supporters, and volunteers, empower communities, strengthen coalitions, and advance the organization’s mission of championing resilient forests, clean waters, and healthy communities in the Southern Blue Ridge Mountains.
Key Responsibilities
Program Leadership and Strategy
- Develop and implement a comprehensive organizing strategy to support the organization’s goals.
- Provide leadership, training, and guidance to organizers, program staff, volunteers, and supporters engaged in organizing campaigns and initiatives.
- Align organizing efforts with the organization’s strategic plan, policy priorities, and equity goals.
- Supervise and mentor organizing staff, providing ongoing professional development opportunities.
- Develop resources and training materials to build the organizing capacity of staff, volunteers, and allies.
Community Engagement and Organizing
- Cultivate authentic relationships with community members, partner organizations, and stakeholders to identify community priorities and help strategize and win community-led solutions.
- Recruit, train, and retain a diverse and engaged base of volunteers and activists.
- Identify activists with leadership potential and mentor them through one-on-one meetings.
- Extensive travel in Macon, Jackson, and Transylvania counties and throughout other Western North Carolina counties as necessary to support program organizers.
- Organize and facilitate community meetings, events, and actions to increase public engagement and advocacy efforts.
- Works on evenings and weekends as necessary, with the option to take time off during the regular work week as compensation.
Data and Evaluation
- Track and analyze metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of organizing campaigns.
- Ensure accurate and timely reporting of organizing activities and outcomes.
- Utilize digital tools and databases to manage and grow the organization’s activist base.
Communications and Advocacy
- Collaborate with the communications team to develop messaging and materials for organizing campaigns.
- Engage directly with policymakers, stakeholders, and the media to advocate for the organization’s goals.
- Mentor and amplify community voices to ensure that advocacy efforts are inclusive, representative, and reflect the priorities of the community.
Qualifications
Required Skills and Experience
- Lived experience in grassroots community organizing.
- Strong leadership and interpersonal skills, with a demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships across diverse communities.
- Experience supervising organizing staff and volunteers, and managing multiple projects simultaneously.
- Knowledge of public policy processes and key issues related to protecting clean waters, resilient forests, and healthy communities.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Proficiency with organizing tools, such as CRMs (e.g., EveryAction, VAN), email platforms, and social media.
- Commitment to equity, inclusion, and social justice principles.
Preferred Skills and Experience
- Bilingual or multilingual abilities.
- Experience with digital organizing and data-driven campaign strategies.
- Familiarity with Western North Carolina and the Southern Blue Ridge Mountains.
Location & Travel
This position is remote, with a preference for candidates based in Macon, Jackson or Transylvania Counties in Western North Carolina. This position utilizes frequent Zoom meetings and phone calls. This position requires extensive travel and face time with the communities of Jackson, Macon, and Transylvania counties, as well as some additional travel to other parts of Western North Carolina. Travel costs are covered by the organization.
Compensation
The salary is in the mid-$60s. The benefits package includes 20 vacation days per year, 12 holidays, sick leave, a sabbatical after five years, health insurance, and a simple IRA with an employer contribution of up to 3%.
How to apply
Accepting applications until the position is filled.
Email a cover letter, resume, and three references to
jobs@mountaintrue.org. The subject line should read: “Organizing Director”. The cover letter should answer the following questions and address your work history, organizing skills, and management experience:
- What does grassroots organizing mean to you and how does it differ from other forms of top-down advocacy?
- Describe a grassroots organizing success and the role you played.
- What do you believe is the role of an organizing director in managing a team of organizers?
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