About the Position
The Virginia Civic Engagement Table (VCET) is a statewide, nonpartisan, 501c3 organization that serves a broad network of partners across the Commonwealth with a concentration in Northern Virginia, greater Richmond, and the Hampton Roads region. Our work includes cultivating a diverse and progressive leadership pipeline in Virginia, driving collaboration through equitable and inclusive relationships, and growing shared capacity and resources for the progressive movement infrastructure in the Commonwealth. VCET works as a crucial convener and capacity builder for state-level organizations doing the hard work of engaging citizens and protecting democracy.
We envision a multi-racial democracy in Virginia where the full diversity of the commonwealth is actively participating in, representing, and transforming our democracy. Where white supremacy is being actively dismantled, and people of color, working families, and impacted communities are thriving in a just economy and leading healthy lives.
Currently, VCET focuses its work in three areas: Election Protection, Data & Technology, and Leadership Development.
About Election Protection
The Virginia Election Protection (EP) program is a nonpartisan coalition effort dedicated to safeguarding and promoting participation in elections in the Commonwealth of Virginia. EP serves all voters in the state, particularly focusing on protecting the rights of historically marginalized communities, including communities of color, low-income individuals, immigrants, and other vulnerable populations who may face barriers to voting.
2024 goals include increasing the number of pro-bono lawyers in the field on election day, partnering with large statewide organizations to grow our resilient pro-democracy network, and building momentum for a 2025 constitutional amendment that would ensure the right to vote for returning citizens. Regular services include voter education; the Election Protection Hotline (866-OUR-VOTE) so voters can seek assistance and report any issues encountered while trying to vote; legal support to individuals facing voting-related challenges or disenfranchisement; advocacy efforts to promote policies and legislation that enhance voter access, protect voting rights, and address systemic barriers to voting; and finding, reporting, and responding to misinformation & disinformation in real-time to support voters.
About Data + Technology
VCET’s data and tech department offers a variety of tools to our partners based on their specific needs. Some of these tools include: Spoke (peer-to-peer texting); Mobilize (event advertisement), and VAN (voter access network). Data + Tech assists with our partners’ outreach to their different target audiences by creating voter contact universes, administering our tools and offering training for the user experience, and offering general guidance or advice on the creation of these universes and tools; and sometimes helping partners create a campaign plan from scratch.
From the civic engagement perspective, our goals for this year revolve around encouraging voter participation in 2024’s presidential election, including a coordinated voter contact universe amongst our partners who do direct engagement, with a focus on building and sustaining power for the years ahead. We often coordinate with our election protection department to decide where outreach is most needed.
About the Virginia Progressive Leadership Program
Since 2015, VCET has hosted its leadership development series — the Virginia Progressive Leadership Program (VAPLP), annually. VAPLP is a four-month experiential learning program that provides community leaders outside the privilege-to-power pipeline the knowledge, skills, and connections they need to strengthen their work in advancing equity and social justice in Virginia.
Rooted in racial and social justice and shared liberation, VAPLP combines workshops and community-building sessions in a small group setting with a one-on-one mentorship component to help emerging & enduring leaders deepen their social change strategy in their organizations and communities. At the foundation of the program is the value of relationships, group-centered process, and a liberatory praxis (cycle of education, critical reflection, and action). The result is a dynamic experience combining learning in workshops with opportunities to foster connections with community leaders and organizers across the social and progressive ecosystem in Virginia.
Participants who attend the program engage in four weekend-long trainings, each with its own area of focus: movement leadership, community organizing, storytelling + narrative, and money + capital.
Position Summary
VCET seeks a talented and experienced Executive Director to provide strategic leadership and direction for the organization. This role requires a changemaker who excels at coalition building, effective people management, fundraising, and implementing systems for operational excellence.
The ideal candidate has an understanding of, and passion for, serving as the convener and support network for the partner organizations on the ground doing the work. This person loves the nitty gritty of building relationships and being an even keel in troubling times.
A working knowledge of racial justice, democracy protection, leadership development, and the funding landscape would ensure this person’s success. Additionally, this person should be aware and conscientious of the ways race and other identities intersect in fundraising, executive leadership, and social change work.
VCET is a small, dedicated, and exceptional team of professionals. This new leader will help them grow their operations and align the organization to both its own vision as well as to the needs of the partners and communities it serves.
But, more than anything, this new leader needs great perspective, humor, and drive.
Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will spearhead VCET's mission to build power with communities of color, immigrants, poor and working people to tackle racial and economic inequality across Virginia. They will shape the vision and priorities in collaboration with partner organizations, while overseeing all aspects of programming, external relations, resource development, and organizational management.
Duties Include
The Executive Director will have duties and responsibilities crossing many functions. Below is an outline of those duties
External & Strategic Leadership (35%)
Develop a clear strategic vision to guide VCET's programs, initiatives, and activities
Lead efforts to create statewide alignment and collectively advance the mission across VCET's partner network
Facilitate effective collaboration and coalition-building among our diverse group of stakeholders
Expand VCET's coalition by identifying and engaging nonprofits across Virginia working with underrepresented communities
Serve as the primary ambassador and spokesperson, raising VCET's visibility and influence
Pursue strategic partnerships to increase programmatic impact and effectiveness
Actively participate in state and national networks like State Voices to share best practices
When appropriate, serve as a public spokesperson with the media
Resource Development (35%)
Spearhead fundraising initiatives to diversify and expand funding streams
Develop grant proposals, facilitate donor outreach, and steward funder relationships
In time, build and expand a Development team
Partner with the Board on major fundraising campaigns and donor cultivation activities
Internal Leadership and Team Development (30%)
Inspire and lead a team of 5 staff, fostering a cohesive, growth-oriented culture
Establish goals, provide supportive coaching, and hold staff accountable for key metrics
Attract, develop, and retain exceptional talent committed to VCET's mission
Oversee financial operations, budgeting, HR functions, and organizational policies/procedures
Implement best practices and drive innovation to enhance organizational effectiveness
Ensure strong governance working closely with the Board on planning and decision-making
Skills and Qualifications
7-10+ years of professional experience in nonprofit, political, advocacy or related fields
4+ years of experience managing a team of direct reports, preferably across multiple departments or functions
Proven skills in strategic planning, coalition-building, and change management
Demonstrated success in fundraising from diverse sources (individual, institutional, etc.)
Demonstrated track record of embedding justice and equity practices in systems, operations, and processes
Expertise in financial management, budgeting, and ensuring legal/regulatory compliance
Outstanding communication abilities and experience as an influential public speaker
Strong commitment to racial justice and an intersectional equity analysis
Bi-lingual abilities are a plus, but not required
Willingness to travel regularly within Virginia and nationally as needed