BACKGROUND AND MISSION
Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago builds power through collective advocacy and organizing to achieve racial equity.
For over 30 years, Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago (“Advancing Justice | Chicago”) has worked to bring together the Asian American community and create change in our communities. We are deeply committed to grassroots community organizing and we invest in the leadership of grassroots community members through trainings, community education, civic engagement, and collaborative issue-based campaigns. 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, accountability to those most impacted, and an infrastructure of grassroots leadership. Our advocacy work focuses on promoting racial, economic, and immigrant justice, including initiatives in the areas of voting rights, language access, education equity, criminal justice, and immigrant rights.
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 region and collaborating with partners across Midwestern states to tackle common struggles and build collective power.
Asian American Midwest Progressives builds political power through collective advocacy and electoral organizing to achieve racial equity.
Founded in 2018, Asian American Midwest Progressives (AAMP) endorses progressive candidates, mobilizes Asian American voters, and holds elected officials accountable through issue-based campaigns. Currently, AAMP organizes in Illinois and Ohio.
POSITION DESCRIPTION
The Organizing Manager position is an opportunity for a strategic and motivated relationship-builder to build power in the Asian American community by supervising community organizers, developing grassroots leadership, leading and supporting staff/leaders on strategic issue campaigns, and moving community members to take action. We are looking for an excellent manager who is committed to developing the base-building and campaign leadership skills of their staff/leaders and to strengthening the intergenerational, multi-entity organizing infrastructure of Advancing Justice | Chicago and Asian American Midwest Progressives.
This position will fall under the staff sharing agreement between Advancing Justice | Chicago and Asian American Midwest Progressives (AAMP) so a portion of time will be spent on 501(c)(4) activities including partisan electoral work.
Key Advancing Justice | Chicago Responsibilities:
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- Supervise 2 community organizers (Community Organizers for I Speak Power adult/elder limited English-proficient base and KINETIC high school through college youth base) — supervision responsibilities include but are not limited to:
– Weekly supervisory check-ins;
– Coaching and holding staff accountable to fulfilling their base-building goals, campaign responsibilities, and grant deliverables;
– Setting clear performance expectations, tracking progress, and building the capacity and organizational commitment of supervisees;
– Quarterly workplan review and supervisee-to-manager feedback;
– Annual performance evaluation;
– Assisting staff with program budget management (if necessary);
– Monthly check-ins with senior staff for support and feedback.
- Represent Advancing Justice | Chicago in coalition spaces and contribute to coalition-led issue-based campaigns;
- Lead efforts to recruit, develop, and support volunteer leaders directly impacted by the intersection of criminalization and immigration in collaboration with staff organizers for each base;
- Support organizing team members in identifying and following through on intergenerational organizing opportunities;
- Support Advancing Justice | Chicago and AAMP non-partisan collaboration infrastructure, including 1-2 joint membership assemblies annually;
- Organize community members to take action on Advancing Justice’s key issues, particularly voting rights and democracy and the intersection of criminalization and immigration;
- Assist development staff in program-related fundraising;
- Collaborate with other staff on organization-wide initiatives.
Key Asian American Midwest Progressives Responsibilities:
- Develop grassroots leaders to build political power through electoral organizing and build out and lead year-round 501(c)(4) base-building infrastructure, including monthly meetings, community outreach, and other in-person and virtual events as appropriate;
- Assist in executing AAMP’s grassroots endorsement process;
- Organize canvasses, phonebanks, and other voter outreach and field work and/or manage temporary contract field organizers during election season;
- Engage a broader base of individuals through virtual outreach (e.g., SMS/texting outreach, emails, social media, etc.);
- Plan and execute political events such as public meetings, forums, etc.;
- Support stewarding co-governing relationships with endorsed candidates and key decision makers at city, state, and county levels;
- Assist in fundraising for AAMP as needed.
Qualifications:
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- At least 2 years of experience in community organizing/base-building, grassroots leadership development, and working on issue-based campaigns;
- At least 1 year of experience in electoral organizing, political campaigns, and field work;
- At least 1 year of experience effectively managing, coaching, or mentoring individuals for leadership and professional development purposes;
- Ability to effectively supervise multiple individuals, including permanent and temporary staff;
- Strong commitment to social justice, racial equity, and civil rights;
- Proven track record of building strong relationships;
- Ability to work independently, think creatively, and prioritize multiple tasks;
- Ability to learn new skills and willingness to be coached and trained;
- Detail-oriented, organized, and able to manage time effectively,
- Commitment to proactively sharing and thoughtfully receiving feedback;
- Excellent written and oral communication skills;
- Openness and ability to adapt and respond to changes in the environment;
- Flexible working hours to meet with volunteer leaders, including some evenings and weekends (compensatory time is offered for evening and weekend work—typically 3-5 evening meetings with volunteer leaders per month);
- Proficiency with online platforms such as Zoom, Google Drive, and Microsoft 365/Microsoft Office Suite;
- Experience with any of the following is helpful but not required:
– Working in Asian American or immigrant communities;
– Leading trainings on community organizing principles or skills;
– Issue area expertise around the intersection of criminalization and immigration;
– Intergenerational organizing experience;
– Multi-entity organizing experience (e.g. 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and/or PAC);
– Working for elected officials or in government in another capacity;
– Bilingual in English and an Asian language.
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COMPENSATION
This is an exempt, full-time position. The starting salary range for the Organizing Manager position is $65,000 – $75,000 based on experience. Advancing Justice | Chicago offers a generous full benefits package.
This position is represented by a collective bargaining unit and is subject to the terms and conditions of the contract between Advancing Justice | Chicago and the Chicago News Guild.
INQUIRY AND APPLICATION PROCESS
Applications should be submitted via email to work@advancingjustice-chicago.org and include:
- Letter of interest/cover letter
- Resume
- Writing sample of your choosing
- 3 references (please include name, title, and email address and/or phone number)
- One of the references must be a recent supervisee/direct report
Please include “Organizing Manager” in the subject line of your email. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Note: Given the COVID-19 pandemic, Advancing Justice | Chicago staff are currently working in-person at our Uptown office at least two days a week, with optional remote work for three days a week, which is subject to change. If you are invited for an interview, the interview may be held in person or over video conference.
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.
www.AdvancingJustice-Chicago.org