Community Organizing Director

Position Summary: Community Organizing Director

SOMOS Mayfair’s Community Organizing Department builds power in East San Jose to effectively challenge the system and create sustainable systemic change in schools, neighborhoods and communities. We do this through a base building and grassroots community organizing approach that educates, agitates, organizes, mobilizes, and centers multigenerational Raza families to be the leaders of change. We support and build policies by centering the needs of the most impacted and shifting power and resources back to the people living in neighborhoods like Mayfair.

The Community Organizing Director should be firmly grounded in anti-racist/intersectional approaches, leadership development, popular education and have a strong community organizing expertise. The individual must be excited at the prospect of growing with our organization and welcome the opportunity to be a leader, a thought partner and team member to our exceptional staff.

This position requires an individual who likes leading and working in a team, able to manage multiple responsibilities and can stay on top of information and tasks in a fast-paced organization. The Community Organizing Director works closely with SOMOS Executive leaders, the Community Organizing Manager and a team of organizers to implement a community-driven and neighborhood wide agenda. The Community Organizing Director works closely with our neighborhood and justice allies and organizations to develop a neighborhood and regional organizing agenda for justice . The Community Organizing Director works with the Community Organizing Manager in policy development with an early education, immigration, youth, housing, community development and racial/economic justice perspective. The Community Organizing Director will work closely with a team of Directors to ensure organizational alignment and to ensure community participants move from seeking services and towards community organizing opportunities.

Ideal Candidate Qualifications and Qualities

• Deep passion and commitment to advancing racial, economic and social justice in immigrant, working class and multi-generational communities through a community organizing power building perspective
• Experience working with youth, a plus
• Excellent community organizing skills with minimum 5 years community organizing experience; demonstrated success in organizing, strategizing, implementing, and identifying victories on organizing campaigns
• Experience supervising, managing and recruiting employees a must
• Strong and effective communicator with an ability to clarify complex issues
• Self-starter with strong initiative and ability to motivate and inspire
• Experience in policy development, a plus
• Experience training staff and community leaders in community organizing operations
• Demonstrable focus, resilience, and the problem-solving skill to develop solutions under challenging circumstances
• Demonstrate a judgment and savviness to manage up and down effectively when working and delegating in order to meet aggressive deadlines and ambitious goals

Key Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Deep understanding of root causes impacting marginalized and poor communities
• Ability to represent SOMOS Mayfair in a professional manner to a wide range of partners, institutions, community leaders, and community-based organizations
• Proficient writing, presentation and oral communication skills, as well as an ability to synthesize and translate complicated information into clear, compelling language
• Display time management, project management, and delegation skills
• Excellent individual and group rapport-building and communication skills
• Experience with voter database software a plus
• Computer skills (particularly Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, programs including Word/Docs, Excel/Sheets and Outlook/Gmail), proficiency in utilizing the internet, and familiarity with Survey Monkey or other online evaluation tools
• Available to work flexible and long hours, including afternoons and occasional evenings and weekends
• Bilingual in Spanish and English preferred
• Valid California driver’s license and proof of auto insurance required
• Fingerprint and background check may be required

Duties and Responsibilities (approximate % of time)

Organizing Campaign Management & Execution (50%)

• Directs the development and implementation of outreach and organizing plans for current SOMOS initiatives impacting: school-based organizing, youth neighborhood issues, community development and housing justice, while being receptive to community voice and vision in the development of future initiatives, including: training, communications systems, databases, strategic and tactical plans.
• Oversees and facilitates the development of action campaigns including developing effective campaign plans, door-to-door campaigns, one-on-one meetings, coordination of campaign activities and actions, and recruiting coalition allies in order to build a robust base of leaders and allies
• Leads planning and coordination of action committees in order to build an effective, ongoing organization and to maintain the involvement of grassroots leaders
• Ensures organizing teams are working as part of a larger programmatic strategy by working with other departments
• Develops ongoing community processes to develop or update SOMOS’ community-led policy advocacy agenda
• Identifies policy research and advocacy opportunities in alignment with the vision, mission, and core values of SOMOS; remains current in research trends, policies, regulations, and best practices
• Identifies resources to invest in the campaign development of and mobilizes community members to participate in organizing efforts
• Supports media relations efforts, including press cultivation, coordination of media events, and securing media coverage

Civic Engagement Management (10%)

• Directs the development and implementation of SOMOS Mayfair campaigns, electoral, and policy strategies including civic engagement campaigns in coordination with community leaders, coalition partners, and stakeholders
• Develops community-based governance structures, systems, and processes that support community decision-making, leadership, and voice in local ballot initiates and electoral processes
• Develops electoral strategies to Get Out Vote campaigns, proposition education, and turn out strategies to increase voter turnout for SOMOS Mayfair and Strategic partnerships

Coalition Engagement & Leadership (10%)

• Represents SOMOS and provides leadership at the Sí Se Puede Collective’s Policy and Advocacy Committee
• Serves as liaison with local and regional collaborations, community allies, policymakers, and organizational stakeholders
• Identifies strategic partnerships alongside Organizing Manager and builds coalitions with key community partners
• Represents SOMOS at community gatherings; at workshops, training, and presentations; to community, political, and government leaders; to other community-based organizations; and in the media
• Participates in countywide efforts to support promoters and community organizers working in neighborhoods like Mayfair
• Proactively promote mission, vision, strategic goals, and community impact amongst partners, allies, and potential allies

Department Management and Evaluation (15%)

• Serves on the Director’s Bench to ensure successful implementation of organizational programs, initiatives and Strategic Plan at SOMOS
• Oversees the development, tracking, and reporting of organizing and policy advocacy program goals, outcomes, and performance metrics
• Leads the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of organizing and policy advocacy policies and procedures
• Evaluates community organizing programs, practices, and initiatives to ensure quality and effectiveness; makes recommendations for improvement
• Creates and carries out logic models, work plans, program budgets, and evaluations
• Ensures programs are meeting deliverables and ensures budgets are used efficiently
• Facilitates and supports resource development efforts for organizing the programs, including preparing proposals, funder presentations, direct solicitation, and reporting
• Performs other duties as assigned related to the role

Supervision & Professional Development (10%)

• Develop and supervise a unified and effective Organizing team of employees/contractors and monitors and evaluates team performance and growth
• Spearheads the training and professional development of organizers and program staff to engage in community organizing and mobilization
• Fosters team-oriented environment and uses a strengths-based or coaching approach to support staff, interns, and volunteers
• Holds staff accountable and supports staff, interns, and volunteers in program planning,project and time management, meeting facilitation, and sustainable work practice
• Manages the organizing staff by providing program structure, direction, training, support, and feedback.
• Oversees the recruitment and hiring of organizing staff

Administrative (5%)

• Create and execute an annual work plan, that includes organizational strategies and milestone deadlines
• Execute a Learning & Professional Development Plan to develop or strengthen essential skills and seek opportunities for greater and on-going learning, including community organizing models and the practice of popular education pedagogy
• Participate in agency wide decision-making arenas and in regular internal political education as needed
• Contribute to the development of organizational world-view and development of strategic plan
• Participate in SOMOS Mayfair staff meetings and training and support major organizational campaigns and projects

Applications will Close by February 1st 2025, and the interview process may start shortly after. The Hiring Lead will review applications on a rolling basis and the expected start date for the position will be March 2025.

Please apply by submitting a cover letter and resume, through our online SOMOS Mayfair Job Application, or in person at our HQ location: 1695 Alum Rock Ave, Suite 10 San José, CA.

SOMOS Mayfair is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Applicants are considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, ethnic or national origin, sexual orientation, actual or perceived gender identity and gender expression, disability, genetic information, familial status or veteran status.