Senior Organizing Manager - Western Region

Forward Montana is seeking a full-time Senior Organizing Manager to lead grassroots campaigns (electoral and issue-based) in their region and support a team of staff in being the most badass they can be. The Senior Organizing Manager is a leader within the organization, with a deep commitment to anti-racism and equity in their personal and professional development. The Senior Organizing Manager coaches individual staff organizers and Field Managers to build the power of young people and to enact meaningful change in their community.

This position is one of three in the organization - West, Central, and East. In addition to their regional leadership, each Senior Organizing Manager will lead on statewide initiatives that support the organization’s goals. All staff at Forward Montana are expected to participate in field efforts during election season (like making phone calls and knocking on doors).

Who We Are

Forward Montana, founded in 2004, is the state's largest youth-led, youth-focused civic engagement organization. We strive to transform government and communities to be just, sustainable, and equitable while working toward a future where Montana celebrates and reflects the diversity of our generation. We support young people to build power with and for each other to create lasting change.

What You’ll Do

Reporting to the Director of Voter Engagement, the Senior Organizing Manager (West) is responsible for the following:

• Work with the Director of Voter Engagement and Executive Director to facilitate collaborative annual plans that align with the organization’s mission, vision, and goals;
• Provide thought partnership to the Director of Voter Engagement and Executive Director on strategic initiatives and fostering an inclusive organizational culture;
• Lead on the planning and implementation of major Forward Montana events and initiatives. This may include tracking project budgets, effectively communicating across teams within the organization, and conducting outreach to partners and community members;
• Direct Management
  • Manage and support a team of Field Managers and organizers with an eye towards the team’s professional development and overall success. This includes working with direct reports to establish goals, evaluate their accomplishments, celebrate their successes, and take appropriate disciplinary action if needed;
  • Lead on hiring processes and making recommendations;
  • Develop and implement relevant training to build staff and volunteer organizing and field competency.
• Regional issue-based and electoral organizing
  • Work with the Executive Director to develop, implement, and evaluate local issue campaign plans that engage members and builds grassroots leaders;
  • Build strong relationships with community organizations, leaders, businesses, elected officials, and college campuses in your region;
  • Represent Forward Montana in relevant coalition spaces and press opportunities;
  • Work with the Director of Voter Engagement to oversee a regional voter registration and GOTV program, including tracking progress to goals, cutting turf, supporting volunteer management, and adapting scripts;
  • Build out and implement structures to engage members and volunteers.
• Other duties as assigned

Must-Haves | Here’s what success looks like

• Management experience: You have 1-2 years of experience managing volunteers and/or staff. You’re excited about processes and systems within a team - you can run an effective meeting and give 100% to your individual check-ins with people you manage. You lead by example and know how to hold folks accountable to setting and reaching ambitious goals with creativity and flexibility.
• Solutions-oriented: You have a track record of supporting teams to accomplish ambitious goals and getting results even when there are obstacles. You set a high bar and meet it, because you think three (or 30) steps ahead to anticipate hurdles and can come up with pragmatic solutions on the fly.
• Organizing experience: You have 1-2 years of organizing experience, meaning you have knocked on doors, phone-banked, organized events, trained volunteers, and mobilized members for rallies and public comment periods. You have knowledge of developing and implementing issue-based campaign plans and/or electoral field plans.
• Actively Anti-Racist: You are committed to actively contributing to a more equitable and inclusive FMT by facilitating conversations around diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice with the regional field team, fellows, volunteers, members, and within our broader organization. You’re committed to amplifying young voices to advocate for a more progressive, just Montana. You recognize how your own identities show up in the work and welcome, reflect on, and act on feedback with an eye towards continuous learning about race, ability, and other lines of difference.

We understand that the right candidate may have experience in different areas. If you don’t meet all the requirements above but have interest in learning, we encourage you to apply.

If you were the Senior Organizing Manager right now, you would be...

• Facilitating a planning conversation for an upcoming regional candidate forum - ensuring that your team has the tools they need to execute a badass candidate education event.
• Meeting with coalition partners to develop next steps on a local advocacy campaign that will result in more affordable housing solutions
• Supporting a regional Field Manager or organizer during your 1:1 weekly check-in on meeting their voter registration goals and brainstorming creative tactics

Forward Montana is an equal opportunity employer and we value having staff who come from communities that are most impacted by our issues and work. We especially encourage people of color, LGBTQ2S+ people, women, and people with disabilities to apply.

Logistics

• This position is a full-time, exempt position based in Missoula, MT
• You must be comfortable working unconventional hours, including nights and weekends
• You must have the ability to travel once or twice a month, especially in the summer months (a valid driver’s license is required)
• You’re comfortable conducting fieldwork for up to 6-8 hours at a time in all weather conditions
• This position includes both in-person and virtual components based on public health guidance around COVID-19 - Forward Montana employees who have access to an office will spend a minimum of 40% of their work week in the office
• You must be comfortable being managed and building relationships with our statewide team remotely
• The salary for this position is $60,000 - 62,000 with bonus opportunities at the end of the year. Forward Montana also offers the following benefits:
  • 100% Employer paid Health Insurance, Life Insurance, and Employee Assistance Program
  • Opt-in Employee paid Dental and Vision Insurance
  • Retirement plan with a 3% match
  • Technology reimbursement
  • Professional development funds
  • Generous paid time off, including paid family and medical leave

How To Apply

Please upload a resume and one-page cover letter stating your interest in the position, why building youth-power & getting out the vote in Western Montana is important, and what skillsets you’d be excited to grow & develop in this position. All application materials should be submitted through Forward Montana’s employment page.

If a cover letter isn’t your style, try something creative! We’re less concerned with the perfect cover letter and more interested in getting to know you, your passions, and what you’d bring to the position -- slideshows, videos, graphics/visuals, portfolios, or just a more casual tone cover letter are all welcome.

If you have any questions or need support, please reach out to Courtney Smith, Director of Voter Engagement at courtney@forwardmontana.org

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis with a priority application deadline of December 8, 2023, and a preferred start date of January 2, 2024.