Arena Careers

Position Title: Director of Advocacy and Mobilization

Position Location: While candidates are welcome to apply from across the U.S., we would prefer someone who is in Washington, DC. Those that are near a CPD office in DC or Brooklyn may be asked to work from a CPD/A office one or two days/week if necessary. Applicants outside of those areas may be required to travel to a CPD/A office occasionally.

The Center for Popular Democracy/CPD Action is seeking a Director of Advocacy and Mobilization. This is a full-time, exempt position.

About CPD + CPDA:

The Center for Popular Democracy and CPD Action (together, CPD/A) work to promote equity, opportunity, and a dynamic democracy in partnership with innovative base-building organizations, organizing networks and alliances, and progressive unions across the country. We work with nearly 50 affiliates in over 30 states and Puerto Rico to build the strength and capacity of democratic organizations that envision and advance a pro-worker, pro-immigrant, racial and economic justice agenda. We are a rapidly-expanding, changing organization that partners with organizations across the country to build political power and win tangible victories that improve the lives of low-wage workers, immigrants, and communities of color.

About the Position:

We are seeking a Director of Advocacy and Mobilization to join our Campaigns Department. The Advocacy and Mobilization team combines CPD’s policy and legislative engagement with grassroots organizing in order to win policy change at the state and federal level. The A&M team is CPD’s voice on the Hill, regularly engaging with members of Congress on behalf of our 50 affiliates. The Director will be responsible to intentionally build relationships with decision-makers and stakeholders to advance CPD’s objectives and move our base into meaningful action. COVID depending, it is expected that the Director will attend in-person meetings and actions with CPD/A staff, affiliates, stakeholders and partners.

The Director will report to one of the Co-Chief of Campaigns and will supervise the Actions Coordinator, the Legislative Advocate, and the Vaccine Project Organizing Manager.

Primary Responsibilities:

The Director of Advocacy and Mobilization will:

• Provide leadership and coordination across CPD/A’s Advocacy and Mobilization team;
• Train members from affiliate organizations in lobbying and advocacy skills;
• Help develop the vision, strategy, and plan for CPD/A’s state and federal policy, and overall cross team federal and state advocacy work, in collaboration with CPD/A staff and affiliates;
• Oversee state and federal advocacy and engagement, including actions, national lobby days, state legislature and congressional briefings/hearings;
• Mobilize CPD/A staff, affiliates, and partners to engage and participate in actions and other organizing tactics;
• Coordinate across the entire campaigns teams and with other departments to find opportunities for federal policy reform opportunities, aligned work and cross-campaign coordination;
• Supervise and manage of a team of three supervisees, including coaching, staff engagement, team coordination, and staff development practices;
• Oversee “outside” pressure through actions, rallies and protests;
• Expand opportunities for CPD member affiliates to share their stories on Capitol Hill;
• Lead on fundraising for the team, including identifying and connecting the team to fundraising opportunities;
• Manage some federally-funded outreach programs;
• Work with the research team to develop strong popular education materials and reports that advance federal advocacy opportunities;
• Help create and participate in coalitions that expand CPD/A’s campaign work;
• Manage the Hill Champions program;
• Collaborate with the Campaigns team to identify new opportunities to advance campaign goals through federal advocacy;
• Establish and maintain relationships with federal advocacy stakeholders, including electeds and their staff.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have:

• Experience running federal advocacy programs, with extensive knowledge of legislative and legal policy advocacy;
• An understanding of how grassroots organizing connects with broader legislative goals and campaign tactics;
• The ability to develop and maintain strong working relationships with a diverse group of stakeholders and build healthy coalitions;
• Experience managing multiple large-scale, complex projects events, particularly direct actions;
• Strong writing and fundraising skills with the ability to communicate complex issues and ideas to a variety of audiences;
• COVID depending, the ability to travel to for in-person meetings and actions;
• Significant supervision experience, with a commitment to coaching and mentoring staff;
• A demonstrated commitment to social, racial, and economic justice and a deep understanding of challenges facing low-wage workers, immigrant communities, communities of color, disabled people, LGBTQ+ folks, and people at the intersections of the above communities.

Hiring Process:

Applicants should expect to participate in two rounds of group interviews and a job simulation exercise. Final candidates will be asked to provide references.

Salary and Benefits:

CPD/A is a unionized workplace. This is a supervisory position, not included in our bargaining unit. Salary will be determined according to a salary scale which takes into account years of experience, job category, and other factors, but is expected to be $110,000 - $125,000.

We have a generous benefits package, including health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, 15 vacation days your first year, 12 sick days per year, additional PTO, including holidays, and contributions to individuals’ 401K plans.

CPD/A is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and actively recruits people of color, womxn, individuals with disabilities, and members of the LGBTIQAA+ community.