Common Defense: NC Lead Organizer, Veterans

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JOB DESCRIPTION

Full job description

Location: North Carolina (Preferred Cumberland County Area)

Reports to: Organizing Director or Team Director

**Position Type: **Full-Time, Exempt (Travel is required 50%)

Position Overview: The Lead Organizer is responsible for driving strategic campaigns, building and strengthening Common Defense by recruiting and developing new leaders, and contributing to campaign planning. This role is pivotal to achieving Key Results in membership engagement, member growth, and strategic campaigns in the state of North Carolina.

Key Responsibilities

Member Organizing and Recruitment

• Mobilize members through email, direct texts, cold calls, social media DMs, and in-person meetings.

• Conduct 1-1’s with members and motivate them to participate in our strategic campaigns.

• Collaborate with the Organizing Director and Deputy Organizing Director to develop an ongoing recruitment plan that includes digital platforms, tabling and other in-person events, and ongoing outreach to prospective members through all available channels. Lead organizers to successfully execute this recruitment plan and meet membership growth goals.

• Lead the development and growth of state organizing committees (SOCs), including facilitating meetings, creating agendas, and leading organizers to ensure turnout.

• Make accurate, timely updates to contact records in EveryAction, and collaborate with the Deputy Organizing Director and/or Membership Engagement Manager to ensure that all assigned member data is correct and up to date.

• Produce regular organizing activity reports under the supervision of the Deputy Organizing Director.

• Take responsibility for holding relationships with specific members, and move them up the ladder of engagement.

• Lead by example in all organizing tasks, setting a standard for fellow organizers and team members to follow.

• Assess and compile organizing activity reports, track ongoing projects in Asana, and make recommendations to improve our organizing program.

Campaigns and Actions

• Work with the State or Campaign Director to develop and execute campaign plans.

• Plan and lead actions, events, and mobilizations that advance our Objectives and Key Results.

• Develop organizing materials like toolkits and event fliers.

• Lead turn-out for actions and events, including SOC calls and national membership calls.

• In collaboration with the Organizing Director and Communications staff, play a leadership role in narrative strategy, press work, and social media efforts.

Media and Press

• Identify members who could be effective speakers and writers. If requested, act as a spokesperson or provide quotes for a press release.

• Develop and hold relationships with local press to achieve communications Key Results.

Professional Development

• Attend and/or facilitate staff training sessions on organizing methods, media skills, and other topics.

• Develop deep proficiency with Asana, EveryAction, Google Suite, Hustle, and Slack.

• Develop detailed knowledge of state and national issues relevant to Common Defense campaigns and objectives. Closely monitor news and major developments related to these issues.

• Pursue opportunities for outside training and professional development in topics relevant to our Objectives and Key Results (with approval of the Organizing Director).

Coalitions and Partnerships

• Develop and hold relationships with ally organizations and partners to achieve Key Results.

• Represent the organization in state or issue-based coalitions relevant to Key Results, and create detailed report-backs for the team.

Team Leadership

• Direct the day-to-day work of Organizing Fellows.

• Coach Organizers and Organizing Fellows in organizing skills, EveryAction, and other topics.

• Lead training modules for members and staff.

Development

• Collaborate with the Development team to identify fundraising opportunities.

• Provide metrics and stories for funder reports and organizational updates.

• When requested by the Development team, represent Common Defense in meetings or calls with current and prospective funders.

Qualifications

Required

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in community, labor, or electoral organizing.

• Proven track record of successfully managing data and using CRM tools like EveryAction.

• Familiarity with grassroots organizing and membership growth strategies.

• Experience in training and supporting staff or volunteers in organizing activities.

• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage data accurately.

• Excellent organizational and time management skills.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

• Commitment to social justice and the mission of the organization.

• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.

• Willingness to travel and work flexible hours as needed.

• Military experience or knowledge of US military and veteran culture, idioms, institutions, organizations, ranks, operations, and basic service histories.

• Must have current active Driver’s License and ability to travel 50% for role in state and nationally.

Preferred

• Experience in a supervisory or leadership role within an organizing context.

• Ability to analyze data and generate actionable insights for organizing efforts.

• Experience in politics, lobbying, and strategic communications.