Deputy Political Director

IMPORTANT:  This Advertiser has requested that applicants MUST be National Residents / Valid Work Permit-holders.  Other applicants need not apply.

 

Job Title: Deputy Political Director

Department: Conservation

Location: Washington, D.C.

Reports to: National Political Director

Context: Assists Political Director in overseeing all aspects of the national political program including strategic campaign planning, political communications, budgeting, fundraising, program implementation, and coordination with partners. Plans, directs, and manages assigned projects including an online political communications plan and specific federal, state, and local campaigns as determined by the Political Director. Provides strategic advice to Sierra Club programs including lobbying efforts, voter education, and civic engagement activities.

Scope: The Deputy Political Director has experience managing programs, has previously played a major role in campaign communications, is familiar with online communication and online organizing, and will provide experienced leadership and strategic planning for the national political program. Additionally the Deputy Political Director plans and develops campaign strategies with an eye toward developing power for the organization and environmental movement, manages and monitors expenses, assigns priorities and timetables, and evaluates campaign and program effectiveness. Finally, the Deputy Political Director represents the Sierra Club to government officials, candidates, vendors, the media, and other organizations.

Job Activities:

1. Provides national coordination and oversight on an assigned set of priority campaigns. Works in collaboration with national and chapter staff and volunteers to develop campaign plans, and oversees implementation of those plans and program budget/expenses.

2. Provides strategic assistance to staff and volunteers in the implementation of chapter political programs and campaign plans.

3. Provides strategic advice to other Sierra Club programs and campaigns including organizing efforts, lobbying, voter education, and civic engagement activities.

4. Works with the Communications department to direct political "rapid response" efforts to counter anti-environmental statements and actions by elected officials and candidates at the local, state, and national levels.

5. Works with the communications department, online organizing, and other national staff to plan and implement the Sierra Club's political presence online. This includes but is not limited to: an online voter guide, online fundraising, communication via social media, political activist list building, and political member communication.

6. Directs the development and preparation of campaign issues information. This may include the writing, editing, and distribution of fact sheets, newsletters, fundraising materials, and political voter education materials. It may also include the writing, editing, and reviewing of articles for conservation-related publications.

7. Works with the National Political Director and Communications staff to manage the targeting and production of direct mail, television, and radio advertising, phone scripts, and other forms of public communications related to the Sierra Club's political programs.

8. Works to ensure that volunteers assume meaningful roles in political programs and campaigns. This will include providing political skills trainings to volunteers in person, online, and via conference call.

9. Represents the Sierra Club to the general public and along with the Political Director, acts as a spokesperson for the Sierra Club's political program.

10. Assumes duties of Political Director in his/her absence.

11. Handles miscellaneous projects and duties as assigned.

Knowledge and Skills:

-- 3-5 years' campaign related experience, including strategy development, organizing, media, and implementing voter contact programs.

-- Prior experience with direct voter contact programs including reading and analyzing polling data, designing state-of-the-art voter contact programs, and evaluating results.

-- 1 year grassroots organizing experience.

-- Expert knowledge of electoral politics and working knowledge of the federal legislative process.

-- Experience developing and/or implementing new media campaigns.

-- Excellent demonstrated written and oral communication skills. Demonstrated public speaking and media presentation ability.

-- Substantial experience and demonstrated ability working with volunteers.