State Director- Michigan

Position: Michigan State Director

Job Location: Michigan
Position Type: Full Time, Exempt
Position Classification: Not Union Eligible
Travel Percentage: 25%
Reports to: Chief of Staff

ABOUT FOR OUR FUTURE

Founded in 2016, For Our Future Action Fund and For Our Future run the largest, permanent progressive field program across key states. Our vision is to expand the progressive infrastructure and advance economic prosperity for all, strong community schools, climate justice, and racial and social justice. Along with community partners and volunteers, we consistently engage with people in face-to-face conversations around what issues matter most to them. By organizing people in lasting relationships, we win elections, drive local progress, make a community’s collective voice heard, and help build the transformative power needed to improve people’s lives.

POSITION CLASSIFICATION

For Our Future recognizes a staff bargaining unit, affiliated with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) 2304, a labor union. This position is NOT included in the For Our Future bargaining unit.

JOB SUMMARY

The Michigan State Director is responsible for building and managing the organization, cultivating and growing relationships with donors and allies in the state, and developing and executing our strategic statewide issue advocacy and electoral program. They drive state-specific issue and electoral organizing plans around FOFAF and FOF’s core issues affecting working families such as: economic fairness, education, climate, and racial justice. They facilitate the development and management of the statewide organizational staff and programs run through partner organizations. They ensure that state and national investments are aligned and coordinated. They represent the state organization in state coalitions, via communication with the national FOFAF and FOF team, the FOF/FOFAF board and their in-state representatives, and other key Michigan stakeholders. They manage state consultants, facilitate a training program, facilitate coordination and information sharing between partners and allies, lead in the assessment of progress and achievement of program deliverables, and advance FOFAF and FOF’s interests and priorities. The Michigan State Director coordinates closely with the national staff, as well as key in-state and national stakeholders.

Essential Functions

• Developing and managing the state strategy and budget.
• Leading a results-driven statewide team of communication, field, digital, and organizing professionals.
• Oversees all in-state FOF and FOFAF programs, evaluates the impact of programs, and ensures innovation as necessary to ensure success.
• Performing outreach to in-state donors and the in-state donor table to coordinate, align, and bring new funding to the organization for maximum impact. This includes individual and institutional donors.
• Regular reporting of state qualitative and quantitative accomplishments.
• Maintaining relationships with key stakeholders, partner organizations, policymakers, opinion leaders, funding partners, and other community leaders.
• Working with the national Human Resources team to manage and oversee all FOF and FOFAF hiring within the state.
• Handles all complaints or problems and reports any that may raise legal, liability, or compliance issues to General Counsel.
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as designated by the Chief of Staff.
• Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Skills and Qualifications

• Experience executing statewide issue advocacy campaigns and working within or managing issue coalitions.
• Demonstrated knowledge of effective and successful electoral plans, including targeting, voter contact, GOTV and best practices with each.
• Solutions-oriented approach, with a willingness to take initiative, while juggling several priorities that may change quickly.
• Multi-tasker with excellent time management skills and ability to hit deadlines.
• Firm understanding of Michigan’s legislative process and political landscape, and the path to power in the state.
• Ability to work and adapt to a changing political and policy landscape.
• Ability to develop short and long-term statewide plans, set objectives and metrics, track progress toward achieving objectives, and align those strategies with other progressive efforts in state. Ability to get buy-in and build consensus among a diverse group of stakeholders for that plan is required.
• Dedication to grassroots, local organizing and empowering state/local organizations to lead our work.
• Understanding of local community-based organizations and respect for their leaders and programs.
• Experience working in a coalition setting, particularly coalitions with labor partners, strongly preferred.
• Experience in engaging and understanding the unique nature of individual unions and how they fit into the greater progressive landscape.
• Experience in engaging progressive organizations in dense urban areas, as well as suburban areas, is preferred.
• Inclination to lead via organizing rather than by decree.
• Ability to build strong teams to accomplish goals without a need to bottom-line everything.
• Talented in coalition and team building.
• Understanding of financial management and financial controls. Experience crafting and managing budgets and familiarity with financial reporting and compliance.
• Understanding of the legal requirements and restrictions of 501(c)(4) and 527 (PAC) organizations a plus.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to write compelling program reports, fundraising/marketing documents, and program debrief reports.
• Demonstrated ability in building relationships and maintaining communication with key statewide stakeholders required.
• Demonstrated ability to navigate conflict and work toward resolution required.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of moving around for voter contact activity.
• This is an in-person/hybrid position and will require a physical presence in the local office.
• Prolonged periods of remaining in a stationary position at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to transport up to 15 pounds at times.
• Must be able to travel across the state of Michigan.

Comprehensive Benefits Package

• Health Insurance Coverage – 95% Employer Paid
• Paid parental leave
• Retirement Savings Plan with matching contributions up to the first 5%
• $150 Monthly Cell Phone and Internet Reimbursement
• Monthly Mileage Stipend
• 13 days paid time off every calendar year, as well as other paid holidays.

Expected Hours of Work

Normal hours of business are from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM Eastern Time Monday through Friday, however, employees may be required to work outside of normal business hours including weekends, holidays, and nights. Employees are required to abide by certain blackout dates during a campaign cycle or other key deadlines, and generally not allowed to take off during blackout periods. Emergencies are not affected by this policy.

Work Environment

So long as it is safe and appropriate to continue site-based canvassing and in-person events / training, it will be a high priority. Door-to-door canvassing could be considered an essential function of this job in the future. Employees may be required to work in extreme weather conditions, including rain, heat, and cold. This position is expected to interact regularly face-to-face with voters, volunteers or community partners. If state and government stay-at-home orders, phased reopening orders, or other factors related to the COVID-19 virus (or any other reason) limit For Our Future’s ability to engage safely in in-person work, employees may be assigned other duties to be conducted from their homes.

Health and Safety

For Our Future Action Fund (“FOF”) is fully committed to the health and safety of our colleagues, candidates and the communities we serve. We encourage all employees to stay “up to date” with their COVID-19 vaccines and once eligible, to get COVID-19 boosters; however, this is not a requirement for employment at FOF. All employees are required to adhere to the health and safety policies and procedures, when appropriate as implemented by the organization. Upon request, reasonable accommodations will be considered on a case-by-case basis for exemptions to this requirement in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Applicants may request a reasonable accommodation form by emailing Human Resources at [email protected]. Be advised that health and safety policies and procedures around COVID-19 may change in the future to stay in compliance with public health guidance and applicable laws.

EEO Statement

For Our Future is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Opportunities are provided to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, age (40 and over), religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression (including transgender status), gender dysphoria, marital or familial status, partnership status, caregiver status, sexual and reproductive health decisions, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation, and related medical conditions), creed, caste, national origin, citizenship and immigration status, consumer credit history, physical or mental disability, personal/outward appearance (including, but not limited to, hairstyle), family responsibilities, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), ancestry, matriculation, political affiliation, matriculation, status as a victim of domestic violence, or sexual offenses or stalking, arrest record, conviction record, military or uniformed service member status, or veteran status, or any other characteristic, trait or status protected by applicable local, state, or federal laws or ordinances. Equal opportunity applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leave of absence, compensation and training. We are also committed to the full inclusion of every qualified individual. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact [email protected].

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