America Votes is seeking a Florida State Director to work collaboratively with local, state, and national America Votes partner organizations in the development and execution of coordinated plans to advance progressive change in Florida.
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.
The State Director will lead and support the state table in Florida 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.
This is an incredible opportunity for an experienced direct voter contact strategist with a record of success in coalition building, stakeholder management and electoral and issue campaigns to lead the efforts of America Votes and its partners to build the progressive infrastructure in Florida.
Key Responsibilities
Lead Campaign Strategy: Work with America Votes 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. Work with America Votes' national development team to identify in-state funding opportunities to support America Votes' operations and partner-led programs.
Staff Management: Mentor, develop and lead a talented team in Florida. Manage the team including development of work plans, professional development, and ongoing supervision and support. Implement America Votes' organizational goals and manage staff toward delivering on the shared goals of the organization.
Coalition Leadership & Management: Convene 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. Work directly with national staff and partners to ensure smooth communication with state operations. 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: 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.
Advance Election Modernization: Support ongoing programs and legislative advocacy related to election modernization in collaboration with voting rights organizations and advocates.
Additional duties as assigned.
Key Qualifications
Required
7+ 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 in racially diverse states.
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.
Superb interpersonal skills, with an impressive history of forging strong and positive relationships with colleagues and stakeholders.
Ability to be resilient and flexible with respect to planning, finding alternative paths when needed, and moving forward after setbacks.
Compelling communication skills, including excellent writing and presentation skills.
Ability to negotiate, build consensus, resolve conflicts, and strategically disagree.
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.
Proficiency in Google Suite tools or MS Office (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint).
Knowledge or background in Florida politics, organizations and the legislature.
Preferred
Experience working with funders, including preparing reports and presentations.
Experience with vote-by-mail, absentee voter programs, digital programs, new voter contact technologies, and program testing.
Fluency in Spanish.
Experience managing unionized staff.