Center For Civic Policy

Job Title: NMmas State Director 

Reports to: Chief Operating Officer, Melanie Aranda

Job Purpose: [Using independent judgment and discretion], Contributes to the overall success of CCA by taking a leadership role as the NMmas State Director. 

Organization Overview

NM MAS works year-round to build a more representative democracy, strengthen every person’s access to a shot at the good life, and win elections that move the needle on passing bold policies. 

NM MAS leads a robust, diverse coalition of more than 40 organizations across New Mexico, developing coordinated plans and executing shared strategies that win elections and pave the way for shared governance. NM MAS provides a range of services to partners, including strategic planning, advocacy and electoral campaign coordination, data tools and targeting support.

Position Description

NM MAS is seeking a State Director to work collaboratively with partner organizations in the development and execution of coordinated plans to advance bold change in New Mexico.

The State Director leads the planning and engagement process with partners to win elections year-round and to develop strategies for electoral and issue priorities in the Commonwealth.

The State Director will lead and support the NM MAS table in the development, implementation, and analysis of state campaign plans, both advocacy and electoral, with an emphasis on direct voter contact and education.

The State Director will recognize and capitalize on immediate political opportunities while also staying focused on long-term strategic priorities.

The ideal candidate will have expertise in electoral field program management, superb interpersonal skills, a demonstrated commitment to racial equity, the ability to foster trust and respect with stakeholders, and the capacity to lead an inclusive, collaborative and diverse coalition of partner organizations.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Independently leads the campaign strategy for the NMmas Table: Work with NM MAS partner organizations and stakeholders to design efficient and effective statewide and ballot-level electoral and voter education plans. Evaluate and report on stakeholder's program outcomes and monitor progress toward goals. Ensure the security, development, and appropriate usage of the state coalition voter file.
• Independently leads and ensures that recruitment goals are met for the duration of the campaign.
• Independently lead the development and implementation of the field and advocacy plan for campaigns.
• Independently manage and supervise partner organizations, organizers/canvassers during Table led campaigns in alignment with CCA values.
• Communicate and collaborate with CCA Chief Operating Officer to plan, develop and implement a budget that meets the campaign goals. 
• Independently lead and track the campaign progress, results, and present reports as requested.
• Coalition Leadership & Management: Independently leads and convenes individual coalition partners and the collective table on a regular basis and facilitate collaboration and decision making. Assist local organizations in identifying resources to build capacity and improve performance, shared strategy, and organization-specific campaign plans. Implement systems for ongoing evaluation of effectiveness of strategies. Explore strategic opportunities to expand coalition membership, partnerships, and collaborations with stakeholders. Facilitate a collaborative and productive state coalition environment that advances racial equity goals.
  
• Equity and Inclusion: Independently lead the coalition in approaching campaign, electoral, and coalition work through a lens of racial equity. Model principles of equity, diversity and inclusion internally and externally. Be culturally competent and support work to build power with BIPOC-led and focused partners.
  
• Supports the CCP/CCA strategy team to implement civic engagement strategies to support policy advocacy campaigns and civic engagement campaigns that advance CCA's mission and vision.
  
• Support the following departments or leaders: Advocacy, Communications, Digital, Logistics, and other departments. 

Secondary Duties and Responsibilities

• Participates in CCP’s Race, Gender, and Equity work both internally and with partners.  
• Maintains a working knowledge of local, state, and national political/public policy news.  
• Supports the Chief Operating Officer in completing administration tasks.  
• Supports the Chief Executive Officer in communicating CCA’s work to current and potential funders, as requested.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

•  Research: Intermediate experience with research design both quantitative and qualitative research.  Uses independent judgment and discretion to effectively communicate that research to internal and external teams and allies.
• Remains Informed: Understands local, state and national political and public policy landscape. 
• Behaves Ethically: Understands ethical behavior and business practices and ensures their own behavior and the behavior of others is consistent with these standards and aligns with the values of the organization.

• Builds Relationships: Establishes and maintains positive working relationships with others both internally and externally to achieve the goals of the organization.

• Communicates Effectively: Speaks, listens and writes in a clear, thorough and timely manner using appropriate and effective communication tools and techniques.

• Focuses on Allies Needs: Anticipates, understands and responds to the needs of internal and external allies to meet or exceed their expectations within the organizational parameters.

• Fosters Teamwork: Works cooperatively and effectively with others to set goals, resolve problems and make decisions that enhance organizational effectiveness.

• Leads: Positively influences others to achieve results that are in the best interest of the organization.

• Makes Decisions: Assesses situations to determine the importance, urgency and risks, and make clear decisions which are timely and in the best interests of the organization

• Organizes: Sets priorities, develops a work schedule, monitors progress towards goals, and tracks details, data, information and activities.

• Plans: Determines strategies to move the organization forward, sets goals, creates and implements action plans, and evaluates the process and results.

• Solves Problems: Assesses problem situations to identify causes, gather and process relevant information, generates possible solutions, and make recommendations and/or resolves the problem.

• Technology: Maintains proficiency in MS Office applications, Google Suite tools, Email, Voter Activation Network and Internet.
• 5+ years of electoral and advocacy campaign experience, preferably with experience working with c4 organizations or independent expenditures; at least two cycles in leadership for statewide campaign operations and management of senior-level campaign staff.
• Expertise in electoral field program management, including outstanding organizing skills and the ability to write, evaluate, and execute winning campaign plans with a strong direct voter contact component.
• Proven ability to successfully manage a coalition in a thoughtful, strategic and inclusive manner while exercising excellent political judgement and discretion
• Track record of advancing racial equity through programmatic work, partner relationships and organizational systems and processes.
• Strong staff management skills, including the ability to foster a culture of collaboration, support, mentoring, and consistent feedback.
• Ability to understand and synthesize data, using it to inform strategy and problem solve across diverse audiences.
• Willingness to work long and irregular hours and to travel as needed.
• Collaborative leadership style, low ego, spirit of service and a sense of humor.

Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required or minimum 5 years of experience with issue and or political campaigns or
  
• Bachelor's degree and minimum 1-2 years of  experience with issue and or political campaigns
• Minimum 1-2 years of experience in facilitation

Requirements

• Lived experience in frontline communities; this includes Black, Indigenous, and POC communities and low-income and working-class communities

• Cultural competence, commitment to equity, and demonstrates ability to build diverse, equitable, and inclusive organizations;

• Demonstrates understanding and role of community organizing and participatory processes in policy setting and public policy advocacy

• Deep commitment to grassroots power-building and policy development

Limitations and Disclaimer

The above job description describes the general nature and level of work expected and not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. The team member may be required to perform duties outside of their everyday responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

Salary

The starting salary range for this position is $65,000 - $80,000 annually depending on experience.

The final salary will be based on an internal equitable scale that takes into consideration years of experience, educational attainment, management responsibilities, and final job description. We also offer a robust benefits package for full-time employees including paid time off; 100% of health, dental, vision, life, short term disability, critical illness, cancer assist insurance; retirement plan; professional development funding; remote work reimbursements, and on-site childcare for employees with children. CCP prides itself on developing family-friendly policies and currently, we are at the Platinum level with the NM Family Friendly Business Awards.

Discrimination language

CCP’s work environment is safe and open to all employees and partners, respecting the full spectrum of race, color, religious creed, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, political affiliation, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, and all other classifications protected by law in the locality and/or state in which you are working.