Special Assistant to the Co-Directors

Down Home North Carolina (DHNC) is seeking an experienced professional and social justice practitioner to play a key role in supporting the effectiveness of Down Home’s Greensboro-based co-directing team. We are looking for an organized, high-performing and thoughtful person who is excited about aligning the co-directors’ day-to-day activities with the vision, values, and goals of the organization. This is a unique opportunity to serve as an executive assistant who is part strategic thinking partner and part executive coach for senior leaders at one of the nation’s leading community organizing shops.

The ideal candidate has excellent personal organization and communications skills, and is highly motivated to win changes for working-class people in North Carolina. They are familiar with nonprofit workflows and may have previous experience working with nonprofit leaders, boards, management, or in fundraising and development roles. They are highly accountable and professional, and enjoy building and maintaining organizational systems.

You are a great fit for this position if:

• you love building relationships with organizational leaders and helping them become more effective
• you are organized, detail-oriented, and thorough with follow-through
• you enjoy creating systems that help organizational leaders thrive
• you have coaching and strategic thinking orientation: you know how to ask the right questions to help activate wisdom
• you value authentic connection
• you know how to “manage up” with grace and tact
• you embody and practice the values you wish to see in the world

About Down Home North Carolina

Down Home North Carolina is a growing statewide organization of rural and small town communities that advocate for economic, gender, and racial justice. We move North Carolina toward the values of dignity, safety, and inclusion through leadership development, strategic campaigning, multiracial movement building, and civic engagement that advances positive, life-changing reforms for rural communities.

Founded in 2017, Down Home has built a strong organizational track record, including:

• Helping to elect the first Latinx state legislator in NC history
• Winning Medicaid expansion for more than 600,000 working Carolinians
• Growing a statewide membership base that includes all 100 counties of North Carolina
• Establishing member-led chapters across 9 counties, stretching from mountains to sea
• Anchoring the first southern, rural deep canvass and race-class narrative tests
• Holding and growing statewide coalitions to fight for a just COVID-19 recovery, community investment, and fully funded public schools

Responsibilities

• Ensure that the Greensboro-based co-directors’ day-to-day activities align with organizational priorities, values, and vision and that they support their effectiveness
• Coordinate all aspects of co-director calendars, including scheduling meetings and calls
• Bottomline logistics for meetings, including identifying dates and locations and coordination travel, lodging, and meals
• Participate in strategy sessions- with an eye toward organizational effectiveness and value-alignment - and provide thoughtful feedback to the co -directors
• Support the co-directors’ management of email correspondence and organization of documents
• Work in partnership with program and fundraising staff to ensure that the co-directors are prepared for meetings and events
• Represent the co-directors and provide their perspectives on calls and meetings when needed
• Assist the co-directors in effectuating management policies with regards to labor relations, which includes both the knowledge of and keeping of confidential information, including but not limited to collective-bargaining negotiations.
• Contribute to a dynamic and growing staff culture at Down Home NC
• Play a part in our diverse, dynamic, and inclusive team of organizers and fellow Down Home staff; contribute positively to the culture of the organization
• Be dedicated to building power with the multiracial working class of rural North Carolina
• Model Racial Equity and Inclusion (REI) competencies; bring equity and inclusion lenses to all aspects of work

Required skills and experience:

• Mission alignment: Committed to the vision of a powerful, inclusive, rural, multiracial, working-class movement-building as a path towards liberation for all people. Is aligned with the idea that building power takes both election programs and long-term base building and investment in communities. Personal or professional experience living in rural communities, living in the South, rural organizing, and/or organizing in the South are a plus but not required. Personal experience as on the frontlines of climate organizing, including lived experience in Black, Indigenous, low-income or working-class communities is a plus but not required.
• Organizer mindset: Committed to grassroots organizing and is grounded in the importance of building a multiracial movement. Is willing and able to build relationships quickly, have strong follow ups, and move people to action. Is willing to take chances, solve problems creatively, and independently. A determination to succeed and build power. Previous experience as an organizer or a grassroots leader is preferred but not required.
• Effective project management skills: Demonstrated ability to successfully meet deadlines, set goals, develop realistic work plans and adjust work to meet emerging needs. Highly organized and with strong attention to detail. Proven ability to manage complex schedules, multiple projects, and responsibilities.
• Highly organized and systematic, with strong time and project management skills
• Excellent written communication skills, including precise editing
• Demonstrated strategic thinking skills, including an awareness of organizational goals and priorities
• Flexible and comfortable working under pressure in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities
• Proven track record of developing systems and using technology to improve efficiency
• Comfortable handling and being exposed to sensitive and confidential information
• Demonstrated clear and effective judgment/decision-making
• Ability to build strong working relationships and communicate directly
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, web browsers, Gmail, Google Calendar and the basics of spreadsheet and database software
• Great sense of humor and love of people

Some irregular hours are required, including nights and weekends. Work location is flexible within North Carolina. Please note that a significant portion of work will be in person. Applicants must be able and willing to travel regularly for work.

Compensation for this full-time staff position is determined by the candidate’s level of experience and ranges between $74,739 - 86,237 annually, including best-in-class health coverage, retirement, sick, vacation, and other benefits. Employees and their dependents, domestic partners, and spouses are eligible for dental, health and vision insurance the first day of the month following thirty (30) calendar days after the Employee’s hire. The Employer pays 100% of all premiums. Applicants must be able and willing to travel regularly for work. In-person work will be required.

How to Apply

Down Home NC is committed to creating a dynamic, multicultural, diverse working environment. Candidates of color and diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Down Home NC is an equal opportunity employer. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. If this job description is posted on Down Home’s website (www.downhomenc.org), we are still accepting applications.

Please send a resume and a short cover letter that includes your experience to: jobs@downhomenc.org