Field Director

Job Title: Field Director

Location: Hybrid - Some remote work and field assignments in NYC, Occasional travel outside of NYC

Employment Type: Full-Time

Reports to: Joe Herrera, Partner at Underdog Strategies who leads canvassing operations

Company Overview

Underdog Strategies, founded in 2018 by community organizers, is dedicated to transforming the New York City political and educational sectors. Our team has successfully driven our clients to victories through large-scale mobilizations, community outreach, grassroots organizing, state and local-level lobbying, public actions, and overall campaign strategy. We proudly support programs and schools advocating for increased funding and resources for NYC public schools, first-time candidates, campaign staff, and grassroots leaders.

Job Summary

We are seeking a dedicated and results-driven Field Director to join our team. This role is pivotal in expanding our client base and driving institutional growth through targeted recruitment strategies. The ideal candidate will develop and implement strategic canvassing plans, oversee outreach efforts, and engage directly with potential applicants to generate leads. Responsibilities include building relationships with local organizations, managing field teams, analyzing recruitment data to optimize efforts, and coordinating high-impact community events. The candidate should excel in leadership, strategic thinking, and executing hands-on canvassing activities to meet and exceed voter and student recruitment goals.

Key Responsibilities

• Contractor/Staff Recruitment:
  • Draft job descriptions and post them on job boards.
  • Schedule and facilitate interviews.
  • Make hiring recommendations and decisions to meet staffing and client needs.
  • Conduct training for new hires and ongoing coaching for existing staff.
  • Lead training sessions on field canvassing, phone banking, and petitioning best practices.
  • Ensure all client projects are 100% fully staffed and completed within the contracted timeline.
• Team Leadership:
  • Lead, train, and motivate a network of canvassers and sub-contractors to effectively engage with prospective families and voters.
  • Communicate updates and provide messaging briefs to Underdog’s network of contractors to uphold standards of clients.
  • Provide guidance, set targets, and monitor performance to ensure the team achieves recruitment goals.
  • Ensure the availability and distribution of canvassing materials (clipboards, pens, PPE, tally sheets, fact sheets, scripts, sign-up sheets).
• Data Analysis & Reporting:
  • Regularly analyze canvassing data and results to assess the effectiveness of canvassing staff and strategies.
  • Make recommendations to adjust tactics and staffing based on data-driven insights to optimize recruitment efforts.
  • Prepare regular reports and presentations for direct reports, canvassing staff, and other stakeholders.
  • Provide insights into recruitment performance and progress toward enrollment goals.
  • Monitor canvassing quality, clean petitions, and identify inconsistencies or forgeries.
  • Ensure the effective use of tools like Votebuilder, Excel canvassing sheets, Hubspot, Connect Team and other reporting materials.
• External Relationship Building:
  • Build and maintain positive relationships with schools, community organizations, and other stakeholders to enhance recruitment opportunities and partnerships.
• Canvassing Strategy Development:
  • Assist in the development and implementation of effective canvassing strategies to meet annual enrollment goals.
  • Identify target demographics, regions, and high-potential areas for recruitment efforts.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in field operations, canvassing, or grassroots organizing, with a track record of leading successful outreach initiatives and managing teams to achieve measurable goals.
• Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to motivate and guide staff effectively.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities to engage and collaborate with diverse stakeholders.
• Proficiency in data analysis and reporting, with the ability to leverage insights for strategic decision-making.
• Strong organizational and project management skills to ensure efficiency and goal alignment.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment with a high level of adaptability.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in a related field, such as community organizing, field operations, campaign management, or grassroots advocacy.

Compensation:

$80,000 to $107,000 annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications.