Arena Careers

Position: Programs Director

*Must reside in the Rio Grande Valley, Houston or DFW region

Reports to: Executive Director

About Battleground Texas Engagement Fund:

Battleground Texas Engagement Fund is a 501(c)(4) organization dedicated to civic engagement and voter registration as tools to build stronger communities. We believe that regular people like us can significantly impact elections, and we’re expanding the electorate by registering voters and mobilizing Texans to engage in the civic process.

Job Description:

The Programs Director is responsible for overseeing staff and organizational programs, ensuring accountability to goals and metrics, and supporting the execution of program strategy across the organization. This role works closely with the Executive Director to implement statewide organizing efforts, support day-to-day operations, and build strong systems that enable effective and scalable programs.

The Programs Director directly manages senior program staff, including the Organizing Director and other key team members, and plays a central role in aligning organizing, voter registration, and coalition work across the state.

Our team is currently working both in person and remotely across Texas. We strongly encourage all applicants to be vaccinated to protect themselves and others from COVID-19.

Programs Director Essential Duties:

Program Management & Accountability

• Develop a statewide plan with the Executive Director those outlines operations, organizing, and coordination programs, including metrics, geographic strategy, and timelines
• Directly manage senior program staff, including the Organizing Director and other team members
• Track and ensure progress toward goals, metrics, and deliverables across all program areas
• Implement and maintain accountability systems, including regular reporting, benchmarks, and performance management
• Identify challenges early and problem-solve across programs to ensure goals and deadlines are met
• Conduct regular coaching 1:1s, shadowing, and performance reviews for staff
• Prepare reports on progress to goal, projected and current metrics, field performance, and program outcomes for the Executive Director
• Support hiring, onboarding, and development of program staff

Field Support & Staff Integration

• Maintain a strong presence with the field team and stay connected to organizers’ day-to-day work
• Participate in staff calls and ensure clear communication structures across teams
• Support staff in executing programs and intervene when goals are not being met
• Ensure staff needs are addressed and escalated appropriately (PTO, mileage, reimbursements, supplies, etc.)
• Cultivate an ambitious, positive, and inclusive team culture

Coalition Leadership (Shared with Executive Director)

• Assist in coordinating with progressive allies, campaigns, and coalition partners across the state
• Co-manage national and state electoral partner relationships
• Support and co-lead coalition efforts
• Participate in coalition meetings, fundraising spaces, and strategic discussions
• Build and maintain partnerships with allied organizations and groups

Program Strategy & Coordination

• Translate organizational goals into actionable program plans
• Align voter registration, organizing, and coalition work into a cohesive statewide strategy
• Ensure coordination across program areas to maximize impact and efficiency
• Support development of program calendars, timelines, and strategic plans

Training, Systems & Infrastructure

• Assist with the development and implementation of training materials for staff and volunteers
• Maintain and support onboarding and training systems across the organization
• Be present for onboarding and training throughout the cycle (virtual and in-person)
• Ensure field teams have strong resources, tools, and materials to succeed
• Support development of scalable program infrastructure and systems
• Review data regularly for consistency and accuracy and ensure data integrity across systems

Shared Operations Support

• Assist the Executive Director in day-to-day operations and organizational coordination
• Support compliance, including reporting, payroll coordination, and organizational requirements
• Ensure SOPs, training agreements, and employee policies are followed
• Assist with budget tracking, vendor management, and coordination with HR and bookkeeping partners
• Manage logistics including supply ordering, asset tracking, and reimbursements
• Coordinate invoices, contracts, and organizational documents

Additional Responsibilities

• Support planning and execution of in-person and virtual statewide events, trainings, and GOTV efforts, including logistics, materials, and coordination
• Coordinate event planning, including securing locations, managing run of show, and supporting speakers or partners
• Ensure compliance with Texas Volunteer Deputy Registrar (VDR) rules, including timely submission of voter registration applications
• Work extended 6-day work weeks in the two weeks leading up to Elections and Voter Registration deadlines
• Tell the story of the work through social media and other communications
• Regular local and in-state travel required
• Other duties as assigned

Preferred Skills & Qualifications

• At least three cycles of organizing experience; voter registration experience preferred
• Strong management skills and a commitment to coaching and developing staff
• Experience in a leadership role such as Organizing Director or Deputy Organizing Director preferred
• Experience managing multiple programs, priorities, and teams simultaneously
• Experience working with coalitions and external partners
• Familiarity with EveryAction, Blocks, Mobilize, Google Suite, and other campaign tools
• Strong attention to detail in data, systems, and logistics
• Commitment to organizing as a means for building power for communities of color and young people in Texas
• Ability to become a Volunteer Deputy Registrar (VDR) in multiple counties

You’re a great fit if, in addition to the above, you:

• Thrive balancing strategy and execution
• Are highly organized and systems-oriented
• Enjoy building structure and improving processes
• Value strong team culture, accountability, and collaboration
• Find satisfaction in clear plans, strong systems, and meeting ambitious goals

Compensation: The Programs Director will receive a salary of $7,750/month. Additional stipends for cell phone and internet are also included.

Benefits: Full-time employees are eligible for generous benefits, including health care, vision, and dental insurance; sick leave; paid time off; parental leave; cell phone stipend; internet stipend; and more.

Time Commitment: The Programs Director position is a full-time position. The work week is Tuesday - Saturday. Due to the nature of the role, the ability to work evenings and weekends is required.

Travel: Regular local and statewide travel for events, meetings, training and regional visits will be required. Access to reliable transportation is a must.

Hiring Timeline: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis with a priority on candidates that apply before May 15th. To apply, please complete this application, provide professional references
and submit a resume.

Commitment to Diversity:

Battleground Texas is committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in hiring, in programming, and in all other aspects of the work we do. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are deeply connected to our mission, our success, and to serving Texans. Some organizational priorities include:

• Building policies, procedures and services that uplift and protect everyone and do not lead to inequalities;
• Creating teams and relationships among staff, volunteers, and supporters that are reflective of the populations we serve;
• Increasing engagement of communities of color, women, those with disabilities, and all people historically shut out of electoral processes;
• Prioritizing the inclusion of diverse communities in internal leadership;
• Fostering a culture of open-mindedness, compassion, and inclusiveness

Equal Opportunity:

We recognize that continued success requires the highest commitment to recruiting and retaining a diverse staff who will provide the best services to supporters and constituents. Battleground Texas is an equal opportunity employer and it is our policy to recruit, hire, train, promote and administer any and all personnel actions on the basis of merit and without regard to sex, race, age, color, creed, national origin, religion, ethnic identity, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, and any other legally protected basis.

If you’re passionate about voter engagement and ready to be on the front lines of expanding the electorate in Texas, we encourage you to apply!