Chief Strategy and Organizing Officer

Chief Strategy and Organizing Officer

Full Time - Executive Leadership

Exempt

Reports to: CEO

About the New Pennsylvania Project (C4)

The New Pennsylvania Project (NPP) was established in May 2021 modeled by the success of the New Georgia Project. NPP is a voting rights organization with a year-round primary focus on voter registration, civic education, and mobilization. NPP centers historically disenfranchised and often neglected Black, Indigenous and other people of color communities, immigrant communities and the youth in our work. Through civic engagement, we ensure all eligible voters feel compelled to exercise their freedom to vote in the Commonwealth.

The New Pennsylvania Project has a shared services agreement with the New PA Project Education Fund (“NPPEF”), a non-partisan 501(c)3 voting rights organization. Staff may, at the request of NPP, provide similar services to NPPEF. Any time spent providing services to NPPEF will be considered part of the hours and duties set forth by NPP.

About New PA Project Education Fund (C3)

The New PA Project Education Fund (NPPEF) is a nonpartisan organization led by community leaders across the Commonwealth. NPPEF is dedicated to providing all Pennsylvanians with the opportunity to exercise their voice, power and leadership as full participants in the democratic process. NPPEF centers the youth, immigrants, and Black, Indigenous and other communities of color because these communities are the least represented and most impacted by decisions our government is making.

About the Position

Reporting directly to the CEO, the Chief Strategy and Organizing Officer (CSOO) will have strategic and organizing/programmatic responsibilities. The CSOO will represent both organizations and attend events, speaking engagements and oftentimes make presentations to community members and other stakeholders.

In the dynamic world of nonprofit management, staying focused on long-term strategy while tackling short-term challenges requires leaders to be resolute yet flexible. The CSOO will effectively orchestrate and execute strategic initiatives, fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration, and respond to environmental shifts while steering the organizations toward expansion, growth and the overall organizational missions.

The CSOO will be expected to work closely with the CEO to create and implement the strategic plan for both the New PA Project Education Fund (NPPEF) and the New Pennsylvania Project, and design programs and initiatives within that plan. The CSOO will set the directives for civic engagement, education, and mobilization.

The CSOO responsibilities include voter registration, community engagement, quality control and mobilization programs. The CSOO will be responsible for and accountable for all programmatic activities, and in coordination with the Director be responsible for developing new approaches, programs and partnerships to further the missions of NPP and NPPEF.

The CSOO will directly supervise members of the senior leadership staff to include the director of strategic communications, director of campaigns and engagement, director of quality control and data, and director of organizing.

Because our target communities and colleagues come from a wide range of backgrounds, this position needs to be able to thoughtfully navigate and manage issues related to impacted communities, diversity, race, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and bring a deep commitment to advancing these values. The incumbent will also need to bring a strong commitment to excellence and true collaboration, an ability to work quickly but carefully, and appreciation for/patience, and developing and growing team members.

Additionally, this position requires a high degree of discretion. The need for accuracy and effective utilization of accepted programs and routines is high.

Responsibilities

Strategic Program Development

• Develop and implement innovative approaches to voter registration and civic engagement, education and mobilization (GOTV), and integrate them into the organizing plan
• Ensure ongoing programmatic excellence, rigorous program evaluation, and consistent quality and data controls of the organizing efforts, communications, and policy initiatives for both NPP and NPPEF
• Recommend timelines and resources needed to achieve the strategic goals.
• Ensure effective systems to track scaling progress, and regularly evaluate program components, so as to measure successes that can be effectively communicated to the board, funders, and other constituents
• Grant management ensuring deliverable accountability to our funders

Staff and Organizational Leadership

• Manage and coach members of the senior leadership team including the evaluation process
• Provide final approval for the hiring of senior staff and ensure their proper onboarding
• Work with the COO and Director of Staff and Culture to mediate and resolve staff disputes and encourage staff development and growth
• Actively engage and energize the volunteers, partners, and funders of each organization
• Represent NPP and NPPEF at the PA C3 and C4 Tables
• Draft reports for the Board of Directors of both NPP and NPPEF regarding organizational activities, and attend board meetings

Fundraising and Development

• Assist the Director of Development and Policy with drafting programmatic narratives on grant applications and final grant reporting
• Utilize relationships and knowledge of the non-profit ecosystem to help strategize the development of new relationships

Strategic Communications

• Manage the Director of Strategic Communications, and work with them to design and refine all aspects of communications—focusing on message development, delivery and strategy

Position Requirements

• Having a passion for community organizing and movement building
• Familiarity with a variety of regions and communities across Pennsylvania (Required)
• Knowledge of NGP VAN and EveryAction (Required)
• Proficiency with Google Suite: Sheets, Docs, Forms, Gmail
• Knowledge of and ability to train staff and volunteers on persuasive canvassing techniques (Required)
• Three or more years of experience managing large teams of 50 or more staff (Required)
• Access to a laptop and internet access (Required)
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation (Required)
• Ability to work long or irregular hours including nights and weekends
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Bi-lingual (Preferred)
• Ability to travel; moderate amount up to 35% of time
• Strong coaching skills and organizational skills
• Strong sense of urgency and ability to multitask while remaining calm under pressure
• Ability to work and manage staff independently to troubleshoot for effective resolution
• Full vaccination against the COVID-19 virus is required

Other Information

The CSOO position is not strictly a Monday through Friday 9am-6pm position. The work schedule can at times be greater than 40 hours per week and will include evening and weekend work, as necessary, with moderate travel as necessary to complete job duties (including attending events).

Limitations and Disclaimers

The above position description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required for the position.

All job requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees.

This position description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their supervisor in compliance with Federal and State Laws.

Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/ or abilities. To perform this position successfully, the employee must possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently.

Continued employment remains on an "at-will" basis.

Compensation

• Salary range between $90-95K/year, paid weekly, commensurate with experience
• Paid vacation, sick days, and holidays
• 100% paid individual medical, dental, vision and life insurance
• Retirement plan eligibility with employer matching after three months
• Mileage Reimbursement

No calls please. Send a cover letter and resume to kadida@newpaproject.org. Please include “CSOO” in the subject line.