Executive Director

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - Sacramento Area Congregations Together

Job Announcement - 04012025

Location: Sacramento, CA

Time Commitment: Full time, including some evenings and weekends

Status: Exempt

THE OPPORTUNITY

SacACT seeks an Executive Director who brings vision and energy to complement our

strong foundation and history of building people power in Sacramento County. We have an excellent, experienced team of four organizers and dedicated support staff who work with more than 500 community leaders.

After seven years of leading the organization’s growth in size, reach, and impact, SacACT’s current Executive Director stepped down in February 2025 to take on new challenges and to make way for a dynamic new leader who will be charged with carrying SacACT into its next chapter.

THE ORGANIZATION

Sacramento ACT empowers ordinary people to identify and change the conditions that create economic and racial injustice. Our shared faith values call us to envision and build a just and equitable community for all. At the center of our model of congregation-based community organizing is a belief in the potential for transformation – of people, institutions, and our larger culture. This belief stems directly from ACT’s roots in faith communities, and radiates throughout the organization, influencing the way ACT relates to public officials, to community members, and to one another.

Our Local Organizing Committees (LOC) dive into the mix of issues like homelessness, mental health, public safety, education, and immigration. We use that information to plan out strategies and campaigns that tackle the big problems in our area. We believe in forging and building relationships by bringing people from diverse communities together to work on solutions. Our strength is making unlikely partnerships happen, because we know that's how we'll really make a difference.

What makes Sacramento ACT different from other organizations is our unique relationships with congregations in the Sacramento area. Our organization was founded by congregational members who wanted to create a better community for everyone through community organizing. Since its inception, our Faith Leaders as a collective have been our moral compass and our shared faith values have guided us along the way. Read more about our moral framework and congregation based organizing here.

Founded in 1991, Sacramento ACT is an affiliate of Faith in Action and a member of PICO California and participates in the strategies and organizing of both organizations, while benefiting from their peer networks and trainings.

Our Mission

Sacramento ACT exists to activate people to reclaim their faith; to create change and healing in the community. Sacramento ACT is a faith-based organization that develops the leadership of people through the power of storytelling and relationships to identify community issues and solutions.

Please visit sacact.org and our linked social media accounts for more information about Sacramento ACT.

THE POSITION

SacACT is looking for an inspiring, innovative, results-driven, visionary thinker to lead our team as Executive Director. The Executive Director is responsible for the success and impact of SacACT. They are responsible for maintaining the organization’s financial, organizing, and policy success, with the support of the Board and staff. They will grow and expand SacACT's reputation and influence, and provide clear vision and direction to guide programs. They serve as a key spokesperson and ambassador for the organization to funders, partners, and the community at large.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Staff Management & Supervision - 30%

• Lead and mentor team members, providing guidance and support for their professional development.
• Lead and manage a team of organizers to ensure successful delivery of critical programs.
• Provide weekly shadowing and observation to community organizers in developing and executing project plans.
• Oversee the hiring, training, professional development, and performance management of all staff, including but not limited to providing support with the planning and organization of individual and collective work plans from start to finish.
• Responsible for regularly reviewing credit card expense reports submitted by direct reports. This responsibility includes ensuring that staff members are in compliance with the organization's credit card policy.

Program and Data Management - 15%

• Identify and mitigate potential risks and challenges to program success.
• Evaluate and optimize program processes and procedures for efficiency and effectiveness.
• Monitor and report on program progress, including budget and timeline adherence.
• Communicate program updates and status to senior leadership and stakeholders.
• Foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement within the program management team.
• Strategic Planning: Integrating data insights into the overall strategic planning process, helping to shape future programs and strategies based on the evidence and lessons learned from past data.
• Training and Communication: Providing guidance and training to the team on data-related protocols and ensuring clear communication about data responsibilities across the organization.
• Ensure that organizers and other direct reports accurately, promptly, and efficiently enter required data into the Blocks system and other data systems. This involves establishing and maintaining protocols for data entry, providing necessary training, and implementing mechanisms to verify the accuracy of the information inputted by team members.
• Participate in data entry by recording all meetings in the Blocks system.

Organizational Leadership & Strategy - 30%

• Serve as the lead spokesperson for SacACT.
• Actively participate in the organizational leadership, working closely with the Board of Directors to shape and advance the organization's goals and initiatives.
• Develop and implement strategic plans to achieve business goals and objectives.
• Monitor and analyze market trends and industry developments to inform organizational strategy.
• Work with the Board of Directors and the contracted accountant to draft and execute the annual budget. Ensure accurate tracking of revenue and expenses and report regularly to the Board.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align program objectives with overall organization strategy.
• Ensure compliance with all company policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Stay informed about industry developments and best practices to inform program strategy.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Identify and pursue opportunities for business growth and expansion.
• Serve as an active member of the organizational Leadership Team to support and provide leadership for overall organizational development needs

Fund Development - 25%

• Lead fund development for the organization, with the support of the Board Fund Development Committee and administrative staff:
  • Oversee and participate in grant writing and proposal development, ensuring applications are submitted in a timely manner
  • Lead planning and implementation of fundraising events, both annual and one-time
  • Participate in all grassroots fundraising campaigns
  • Engage in select foundation relationship development, including proposal development, providing report information, general stewardship, and leading site visits
• Participate in shared staff responsibilities, including:
  • Participate in cross-department committees and teams, and rotating meeting facilitation and note-taking in all-staff spaces
  • Provide support and participation for organization-wide campaign and events
  • Other duties as assigned
• Some local and/or nationwide travel may be required for trainings and events

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience serving in a similar or related position at a non-profit and/or social justice agency
• A minimum of 5-7 years’ experience in community organizing and strategy development
• Strong relational skills and the ability to connect, engage, inspire, and coach community members across different religions, races, genders, age, languages, and economic and social classes
• Entrepreneurial spirit and enthusiasm for developing new organizational programs to advance positive changes in local and state policies
• Dynamic public speaking abilities for a range of diverse audiences
• Strong interpersonal & training skills to mentor, motivate, and galvanize staff and leaders
• Strong and versatile writing skills to professionally and persuasively communicate with community stakeholders, funders, and public officials, and the ability to convey written materials into compelling oral presentations appropriate for different audiences
• Ability to interact with staff (at all levels) in a fast-paced environment, often under pressure, remaining flexible, proactive, resourceful, and efficient
• Demonstrated strong work ethic, professionalism, and the ability to motivate & inspire others plus the ability to build trust and create strong relationships with a diverse group of individuals
• Strong decision-making ability and attention to detail with a desire to learn and an openness to challenges.
• Track record in developing and executing strategic plans
• Proven record of successfully raising funds from private, individual philanthropic sources and institutional donors
• Capacity to think strategically and analytically about social, economic, cultural, and political issues affecting SacACT’s community and to apply a race and/or class analysis to local issues
• Ability to work independently and thrive in a fast-paced environment with minimal supervision
• Ability to identify and partner effectively with other nonprofits, faith communities, legal organizations and other supporters to enable partnerships that advance SacACT’s work in the community

Desired Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Passion for social, racial, and economic justice and immigrant rights, and strong commitment and experience in serving the community
• Commitment to bottom-up organizing, grassroots leadership, and collective decision-making
• Experience/comfort working with clergy, people of different faiths, faith and spiritual communities around social change issues
• Bilingual skills, especially Spanish, highly desired
• Grant writing experience strongly preferred
• Demonstrated ability to identify and develop leaders, help them organize and bring issue campaigns and other projects to successful conclusions
• A self-directed, highly motivated orientation and an ability to provide positive, disciplined leadership in an unstructured environment
• Commitment and track record of bridging across differences--including race, faith, and life experience--in order to nurture a staff team, an organization, and a county of belonging
• A network of contacts in the Sacramento region

Other Job Requirements

• Flexibility and willingness to work nontraditional hours (some nights and weekends) in a demanding and rapidly changing work environment
• Valid driver’s license (this job requires driving, mileage reimbursed)

If you don’t see yourself reflected in every job requirement listed in the posting above, we still encourage you to apply.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Compensation:

Sacramento ACT offers a competitive salary and benefits package that is commensurate with experience and performance. The target salary range for the position is $95,000-130,000. This range includes room for future raises, based on the annual review.

Benefits:

• Family Medical and Dental coverage, 100% paid by employer for the employee and their family
• Participation in a 401(k) retirement plan with 5% employer contribution, after 1 year of employment
• Life Insurance and Disability Insurance (consistent with state and federal law), 100% paid by employer
• 15 days paid vacation per year, accrued (increased to 20 days after 36 months of service)
• 12 paid sick days per year
• 2 floating Religious Holidays each year
• 13 Observed Holidays + December 24th through December 31st (see employee handbook for details)
• Mileage stipend of $125 per pay period for travel within Sacramento County
• Mileage reimbursement for travel more than 30 miles away from the SacACT office
• Sacramento ACT will provide you with a work cell phone and laptop
• Sabbatical leave after 6 years of employment

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

The Executive Director will report directly to the Sacramento ACT Board of Directors, who will evaluate their performance and make all changes to compensation and the job description. The Executive Director will supervise all other members of the Sacramento ACT staff, retaining direct decision-making authority over their employment and performance.

The incumbent will be in frequent contact on behalf of Sacramento ACT with local elected officials like city council members, members of the County Board of Supervisors, school board trustees, school district staff, representatives of funding partners, community-based organizations, and community leaders and residents.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Please email the following three (3) items to jasonweiner@sacact.org:

1. An electronic copy of your resume
2. A cover letter (explaining your experience in any of the minimum or preferred qualifications required for this position which are not specifically addressed in your resume and why you are interested in this position.)
3. Two to three examples of your work (or link to examples available online)

Deadline: April 30, 2025

More Information: For more information about this position, contact Jason Weiner at jasonweiner@sacact.org or 310-425-5917.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• The position is located at the Sacramento ACT office in Sacramento, California.
• This position qualifies as a hybrid role, meaning that the staff person may work remotely at times but will:
  • Need to reside in the Sacramento region;
  • Prioritize being in office / in person to nurture the growth of relationships and oversee staff management; and
  • Plan to appear in-person regularly for community meetings and events, organizing committee meetings, legislative advocacy, and SacACT-related meetings and retreats
• Work environment may change due to objectives or community campaigns.
• May work evenings and weekends as needed
• Regularly required to drive to out-of-office events and meetings
• Occasionally required to drive to external meetings and events
• Occasionally required to travel for meetings and conferences
• Must be able to operate and use a computer and phone manually
• Must be able to work at a computer for a prolonged period of time
• Occasionally required to sit, stand, and lift materials

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Sacramento ACT is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of merit and without regard to race, religions creed, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, religion, marital status, medical condition, disability, military service, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local laws or ordinances. We strongly encourage applications from women, people of color, and bilingual and bicultural individuals, as well as members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities. Sacramento ACT complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Applicants with Disabilities

Reasonable accommodation will be made so that qualified disabled applicants may participate in the application process. If you seek an accommodation, please advise in writing at the time you apply.