Executive Director, Illinois

Responsibilities

Set and lead our strategy for our policy advocacy and organizing that centers racial equity

• Develop effective proactive and defensive policy campaigns that center racial equity
• Advocate for our campaigns in alignment with the Common Cause agenda and non-partisanship mission
• Develop and execute lobbying strategies to advance reform (or stop anti-democratic initiatives) and to hold federal, state, and local elected and appointed officials and other decision-makers accountable
• Oversee Common Cause’s work in the state including on issues like voting and elections, redistricting, and money in politics
• Produce timely, high-quality policy research

Drive work through public outreach and strategic partnerships

• Build, lead, and participate in effective and diverse coalitions
• Serve as Common Cause’s spokesperson in responding to inquiries from media, government officials, and others
• Engage members and the public across the state through social media, website updates, and email communication
• Develop and implement grassroots organizing strategies to build support for the Common Cause agenda
• Expand and diversify our membership base in the state to deepen our impact

Team Management

• Manage Common Cause Illinois staff: collaboratively set goals, coach and develop them towards these goals and support their career progression and retention at Common Cause
• Supervise consultants, volunteers, and interns as needed, in accordance with Common Cause management standards, practices, and procedures

Administration

• Manage the operations of Common Cause Illinois, including managing the budget
• Build and engage a strong and diverse state advisory board that assists on program and fundraising
• Collaborate with Common Cause staff across the country

Development

• Develop fundraising strategies to fund Common Cause programs, including lobbying efforts
• Raise money from foundations, major donors, members, and special events
• Collaborate with national staff to achieve fundraising goals for Common Cause Illinois
• Cultivate, nurture, and grow relationships with Common Cause Illinois’s network of donors

You will thrive in this role if you have:

• A strong commitment to Common Cause’s non-partisan mission and to advancing racial equity through our democracy agenda
• Experience working in Chicago and/or Illinois’ political dynamic and legislative process (or experience working through the legislative process in another state); ideally, you have existing relationships with political actors in Illinois
• Ability to build rapport, trust, and credibility quickly with diverse communities and stakeholders
• A track record of working collaboratively with others, and of respectfully navigating conflict while maintaining your values
• A strategic approach to navigating through ambiguity to achieve goals
• Ability to manage multiple short- and long-term projects simultaneously, with shifting priorities
• An ability to compel action through both written and verbal communication, and ideally, you have experience working with the media and/or as a spokesperson for an organization
• Openness to feedback and awareness of your strengths and areas for growth
• Familiarity with office productivity tools (Microsoft Office, Google Suite, Slack, Zoom)

The following is required:

• Experience leading public interest advocacy campaigns in a non-profit setting, ideally centered in racial equity and on legislative work at the state and local levels
• Experience building and leading coalitions that represented groups with diverse interests to achieve a policy or campaign goal
• Experience drafting, analyzing, and advocating for legislation, preferably in Illinois
• Extensive experience creating and managing campaign or annual plans, from conception through implementation and completion
• Experience raising funds to support campaigns or programs, ideally with foundations and major donors in the democracy space
• Experience managing and developing staff members who were focused on policy, advocacy, and organizing work, and building a unified approach to achieve strategic goals
• Ability to meet with staff, partners, media, donors, and others in Chicago several times per week
• Ability to travel within state 1-2 times per month, and nationally 1-2 times per year for team and/or all staff retreats
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends as needed, especially during legislative sessions

Additional information about this role:

• This position is classified as supervisory and therefore not included in the union-represented collective bargaining unit.
• Common Cause is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time; please note that if hired, you will be asked to produce documentation for authorization to work in the US.
• $95,000 – $105,000 a year
• In addition to salary, we also offer a generous benefits package; details: Common Cause Benefits
• Common Cause is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applicants of any race, creed, color, religion, ethnicity, national origin, income class, political affiliation, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran status, or marital status, as well as applicants who have been previously incarcerated.
• Common Cause (501(c)(4)) and Common Cause Education Fund (501(c)(3)) are nonpartisan, nonprofit grassroots affiliate organizations dedicated to upholding the core values of American democracy. We work to create open, honest, and accountable government that serves the public interest; promote equal rights, opportunity, and representation for all; and empower all people to make their voices heard in the political process. Founded in 1970 and headquartered in Washington, DC, Common Cause has more than 1.5 million members and supporters living in every Congressional district in the United States, and offices in 25 states around the country.