Job Title: Manager of Policy and Organizing
Department: Policy and Organizing
Reports To: Executive Director
SUMMARY
The Manager of Policy and Organizing leads the Policy and Organizing teams in developing and implementing the organization’s agenda in coordination with the work of community leaders and congregations. The Manager of Policy and Organizing does direct lobbying on one or more specific policy initiatives and staffs one or more issue teams and/or community campaigns. The Manager of Policy and Organizing is a member of the senior leadership team and reports to the Executive Director. They will supervise and evaluate the work of the policy and organizing team members, interns and volunteers providing coaching and leadership development.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Campaign and Issue Agenda
- Lead coordinated efforts with Policy and Organizing staff, congregations and community leaders to explore community problems, research potential solutions, develop policy proposals, and identify coalition partners and community allies.
- Build and develop the strategy for all aspects of issue campaigns, events and actions and mobilize member congregations to participate.
- Lead and direct participation in coalitions and working groups, while developing strategic partnerships in conjunction with various issue campaigns. Work with staff collaboratively to develop operational plans for each legislative campaign.
- Educate members of the Illinois General Assembly on the social justice and human rights priority issues of the organization’s platforms.
- Coordinate with Communications, Policy and Organizing units to create content for online media, write timely blogs on current issues, organize educational forums, speak at news conferences, and testify at legislative and/or public hearings. Oversee the development of materials that advance issues and initiatives.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of actions and strategies with organizing staff and leaders and coach them in adjustments as needed.
- Serve as a member of the Leadership Team, contributing to an overall climate of mutual support among program units, vision casting for the organization, problem-solving, and opportunities for cooperation across departmental lines.
Membership
- Develop plans to engage and increase the number of member congregations, including a leadership training strategy and strategic growth plan to build power in targeted legislative districts.
- Identify, train, mentor and maintain relationships with leaders in new and existing member congregations
- Lead the development of a Faith in Action Team in each congregation
- Assure that all member congregations pay membership dues and are up to date
- Co-lead the planning and coordination of major outreach and events including, but not limited to its Annual Membership Assembly, MLK, Juneteenth and Pride.
Training
- Oversee and serve as lead trainer for Organizer Training curriculums and Congregational Justice Training.
- Evaluate and update trainings on an as needed basis for relevance, effectiveness, and efficiency.
- Participate in and organize other trainings for congregations and community partners on an as needed basis.
Administration and Fundraising
- Work with the Development & Communications department to oversee effective internal and external communications on all issues and campaigns.
- Advise the Development & Communications Department on the status of current and prospective issue campaigns, including quantitative and qualitative evaluation, to develop funding appeals and reports to various individuals and organizations.
- Advise Finance & Accounting on budgetary needs for campaigns.
- Develop an annual program plan, with assistance from Finance & Accounting and monitor outcomes on an ongoing basis.
Leadership
- Serve as a member of the Leadership Team, contributing to an overall climate of mutual support among program units, vision casting for the organization, problem solving, and opportunities for cooperation across departmental lines.
- Attend and staff various committees on an as needed basis.
- Board and committee meetings as needed at the behest of the Executive Director.
- Represent the work of Civic Action to staff via leadership team meetings or other events as needed.
- Other duties may be assigned as needed in relation to the department or the organization.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
Reports to the Executive Director. Works with Senior Staff, all current employees of CRS as well as potential employees.
Supervises Policy and Organizing team members.
QUALIFICATIONS
To perform successfully, an individual must be culturally competent and able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND SKILLS
- Master’s degree or equivalent in public policy, community development, legal, theology, or related field.
- A minimum of 5-7 years of experience in public policy advocacy and knowledge of the politics of the City of Chicago, Cook County, and State of Illinois, particularly at the state level.
- A minimum of 3-5 years of experience in program management, budget development, staff supervision, performance evaluation, impact measurement.
- A minimum of 3-5 years of supervisory experience.
- Commitment to the faith-based tradition and work of social justice issues and social change.
- Capacity for communication and relationship-building with clergy, congregational members, community leaders, and the general public on matters of justice and faith.
- Experience with and/or knowledge of grassroots community organizing, digital organizing and decision- making practices, including demonstrated ability to interact comfortably and competently with people from diverse racial, social, economic, and education backgrounds.
- Experience with and/or knowledge of policy issues emerging from realities of race and poverty (e.g., progressive tax policy, education funding reform, criminal justice, restorative justice, work force development, affordable housing, and police accountability).
LANGUAGE SKILLS
- Must be able to speak, read and write English.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills essential, along with research capacity and theological reflection.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS
Good general skills
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, hands or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vison abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
EEO STATEMENT
Community Renewal Society provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, CRS complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
CRS expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of CRS’s employees to perform their job duties may result in discipline up to and including discharge.
OTHER DUTIES
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employees for this job. Duties and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Pay: $60,000.00 - $65,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply
Application Question(s):
- Please describe a campaign or organizing initiative that you led from planning through implementation. Include the issue addressed, your role, how you built community or coalition support, and the outcome.
Experience:
- public policy advocacy: 5 years (Preferred)
- Program management: 3 years (Preferred)
- Supervisory: 3 years (Preferred)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Chicago, IL
