Job posting: Director of Organizing

BACKGROUND AND MISSION

For over 25 years, Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago has worked to bring together the Asian American community and empower them to create change in their communities.  In 2017 we finalized a five-year strategic plan and are now guided by a new mission statement:

Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago builds power through collective advocacy and organizing to achieve racial equity.

Advancing Justice | Chicago is deeply committed to its grassroots community organizing. In order to strengthen our work and transform the inequities in our city, state, and Midwest region, we work with multiracial coalitions that emphasize racial equity, a fierce accountability to those most impacted, and an infrastructure of grassroots leadership. Asian Americans have a unique experience and voice that can make an even more significant contribution to the progressive movement

Together, we equip the community with the knowledge and resources to regularly engage with power-brokers and decision-makers at all levels of society for the advancement of social justice, equal rights, political representation, and human dignity. Simultaneously, we align, convene and collaborate with like-minded organizations to advocate for laws and policies that promote social, economic, political, and racial equity including initiatives in the areas of voting rights, language access, hate crimes and discrimination. As part of the national Asian Americans Advancing Justice affiliation, Advancing Justice | Chicago is a leader in the nationwide Asian American movement. Regionally, Advancing Justice | Chicago is prioritizing the Midwest, and collaborating with partners across the Midwestern states to tackle common struggles and build power.

Whether locally, regionally, or nationally, Advancing Justice | Chicago is building a powerful Asian American voice for racial equity.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

At this critical time in our nation’s history, when the rights of immigrants and other communities have been questioned by our government and white nationalism seeks to destroy communities of color, Advancing Justice | Chicago continues to be a leader in protecting the rights of Asian American and immigrant communities in our city, state and region.  This is also a critical time for our organization, and we are now positioned, both financially and strategically, to open a powerful, new chapter in Advancing Justice | Chicago’s history.

The Director of Organizing position presents a unique opportunity for a strong, dynamic, and strategic individual to advance this organization’s commitment to building power through coalition building, base building, and grassroots leadership development.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work closely with the Executive Director and the senior leadership team to ensure that the organization is serving its mission and on track to achieve the goals of its strategic plan.
• Supervise the community organizing team and collaborate with the Policy Director to align all advocacy efforts, including helping lead the organization’s political analysis.
• Provide guidance and support when necessary for all issue-based campaigns on the city, state, or federal level.
• Oversee the organization’s grassroots leadership development program, which includes the base building groups of KINETIC, A Just Chi, and I Speak Power.
• Represent the organization in key partnerships and coalitions, including the Pan Asian Voter Empowerment (PAVE) Coalition, the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant & Refugee Rights (ICIRR), the Immigrant Rights Working Group, and more.
• Support and when necessary take lead on organization-wide events and activities including direct actions, press conferences, public rallies, leadership summits, and other events as needed.
• Consistently engage and collaborate with the other Advancing Justice affiliates on national campaigns or joint projects, such as the Advancing Justice Conference.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

As both a Senior Manager and a public face of Advancing Justice | Chicago, the Director of Organizing should demonstrate a unique blend of qualities and skills that reflect a passion and commitment to the organization’s mission, including the following:

• Strong belief in the mission of the organization and uncompromising commitment to advancing racial equity.
• Significant experience with base-building activities, grassroots leadership development, and working on issue-based campaigns.
• Ability to effectively organize direct actions, build and coordinate coalitions, and lead electoral organizing strategy and activities.
• Ability to effectively multi-task, work well with others under pressure, and creatively adapt strategies and tactics as needed.
• Ability to effectively supervise multiple individuals, including permanent or temporary staff.
• Ability to work collaboratively with multi-ethnic, multi-generational, or multi-sector communities.
• Experience working with a variety of Asian American groups on civil rights issues and other issues facing low-income, immigrant, and refugee populations.
• Highly effective interpersonal, leadership, consensus-building, and coalition-building skills, with ability to forge new relationships and foster existing ones.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills; ability to persuade others.
• Willingness to travel out-of-town and work evenings or weekends as needed.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Strong vision of how grassroots organizing strategy serves the organization’s mission.
• A deep understanding of racial equity and issues related to intersectionality.
• Experience with leading grassroots organizing trainings and forming training curriculum.
• Experience with effectively coaching or mentoring individuals for leadership and professional development purposes.
• Experience with managing staff sharing agreements with a 501(c)4 organization.
• Strong understanding of the role that communications and media play in grassroots organizing and advocacy.
• Demonstrated experience in program development and oversight, budget tracking and projecting, and grant reporting and writing.
• Demonstrated fundraising experience from individuals, foundations, or corporations.
• Extensive knowledge of the history of Asian Americans and the progressive movement.
• Specific expertise in an issue area relevant to Advancing Justice | Chicago.
• Experience with working in multilingual spaces.
• Proficiency in another language(s).

COMPENSATION 

The salary range is $50,000 to $60,000, depending on experience. A full benefits package is included.

INQUIRY AND APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications should be submitted electronically via email to work@advancingjustice-chicago.org  and include:

• Cover letter describing interest in the position, qualifications, and expectations,
• Resume with chronological employment history;
• Writing sample of your choosing; and
• Names of three references who can speak the range of qualifications sought.

Please include “Director of Organizing Application” in the subject line of your email. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.  All qualified persons are encouraged to apply, regardless of race, color, creed, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, age, height, weight, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, marital or domestic partner status, or religious affiliation.