Position Summary
The Organizing Director will lead and manage MountainTrue’s grassroots organizing efforts across our programs. This is a “player-coach” position that requires management responsibilities and on-the-ground organizing activities. The organizing director will directly supervise our Healthy Communities Organizer and our Resilient Forests Organizer, and work with other program staff to build the capacity of staff, volunteers, and community partners to 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.
Community Engagement and Mobilization
- Build relationships with community leaders, partner organizations, and stakeholders to strengthen grassroots networks.
- Recruit, train, and retain a diverse and engaged base of volunteers and activists.
- Organize and facilitate community meetings, events, and actions to increase public engagement and advocacy efforts.
Coalition Building
- Represent the organization in coalitions, networks, and partnerships.
- Lead or support the coordination of multi-stakeholder campaigns, fostering collaboration and collective impact.
Staff and Volunteer Management
- 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.
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 advocacy network.
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.
- Amplify community voices to ensure that advocacy efforts are inclusive and representative.
Qualifications
Required Skills and Experience
- Proven experience in grassroots organizing, advocacy, or campaign management.
- Strong leadership and interpersonal skills, with a demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships across diverse communities.
- Experience supervising staff or 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.
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
Application Deadline: February 7, 2025.
Email a cover letter, resume, and three references to
jobs@mountaintrue.org by February 7, 2025. 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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