Organizing Director

Stand Up Nashville (SUN) is a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan grassroots organization made up of some of the most powerful groups in Nashville, including the Central Labor Council of Nashville & Middle TN, The Equity Alliance, Laborers 386, Nashville Organized for Action & Hope, Painters District Council 58, and SEIU 205.

Our mission is to make economic development equitable, inclusive, and democratic. We fight for the working-class people of our city. We create powerful policy feedback loops, win material improvements for workers and communities, and establish leadership and training programs to change out city’s governance and opportunity structures.

In our short history, SUN has created laws to increase transparency, accountability, and standards on corporate subsidies and the procurement of construction services through our “Do Better” and “Get it Right” laws. We won a historic Community Benefits Agreement that delivers local hire and apprenticeship opportunities for workers, high-road contracting, affordable housing and childcare, and much more. Recently, we were named one of The Tennessean’s People of the Year for 2022. However, the accomplishment that we’re most proud of is raising expectations and changing the narrative of what is possible in our city.

Position

SUN is looking for an experienced, creative organizer who is passionate about racial and economic justice and committed to building power to win tangible improvements for our communities.

As the Organizing Director, you will expand our coalition by running the Ella Baker Freedom School, guide our base building strategy and activities in Nashville, cultivate staff organizers and new leaders, and execute strategic campaigns to build power and win at scale in Nashville and Tennessee.

The ideal candidate has a deep understanding of leadership development and knows the importance of not only organizing people, but also organizing money and ideas. You are committed to developing deep relationships and trust. We are looking for someone who is highly motivated, results-oriented, with the ability to collaborate with people from a wide range of backgrounds.

This position is a full-time, exempt position located in Nashville. You will report to the Executive Director, be part of the senior leadership team and supervise 2-3 organizers. The position is located in Nashville, with the flexibility to work remotely when not needed in the office.

Responsibilities

Ella Baker Freedom School 

• Launch and coordinate the Ella Baker Freedom School, a multi-year, ecosystem-focused organizing school.
• Work with the Steering Committee to identify training needs, design curriculum, and help with recruitment.
• Recruit participants from priority sectors, geographies, and demographics.
• Run training sessions and cultivate a dynamic and supportive learning and movement building space.
• Support participants as they train others and run campaigns.

Leadership & Supervision of Organizing Team 

• Cultivate a team of organizers invested in building power and establishing deep relationships with grassroots leaders and the community.
• Coach, supervise, and support organizers to set up and execute plans, manage their lists, and meet their goals.
• Join organizers and leaders in organizing efforts (e.g. door knocking, deep canvassing, house or coffee meetings, forming committees, etc.).
• Work with organizers to identify, recruit, and work with leaders to develop their skills and confidence through canvassing, house visits, leader meetings, phone banking, trainings/workshops, one-on-ones, etc.
• Develop data systems, train and mentor staff in data management, and keep data organized, secure, and up to date.

Strategizing, Leading, & Supporting Campaigns 

• Lead organizing programs and campaigns for the organization.
• Make sure that staff, member organizations, and those most impacted are central in developing strategy, programs, and campaigns.
• Lead power mapping and target analysis for campaigns.
• Help build campaign narratives that articulate what’s at stake and energize our base.
• Develop popular education tools to educate, raise political consciousness, and inspire action.
• Build organizational infrastructure through issue and leadership identification, organizing committees, etc.
• Work with staff and community leaders on event preparation and logistics, trainings, and campaign tactics.
• Participate in local, statewide, and national movement spaces.

Fundraising 

• Help develop and execute grassroots strategies to raise money from individuals to support our organizing work.
• Help with grant writing and reporting as it relates to our organizing work.
• Participate in funder meetings as appropriate.

Other Responsibilities 

• Participate in weekly staff meetings, senior leadership meetings, professional development training, and other mandatory sessions.
• Manage your timesheets, expense requests, lobbying reporting, evaluations, etc.
• Perform other duties as required to support the work of the organization as a whole.

Qualifications

Commitment to Justice

• Committed to SUN’s mission and social, racial, and economic justice.
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in grassroots organizing, labor organizing, and/or political organizing.
• Ability to build trust with people across sectors, gender, and race.
• Fluency in Spanish or Arabic is a big plus.

Training, Organizing, and Coalition Building Skills

• Extensive experience with training, facilitation, curriculum development, and mentoring.
• Experience organizing diverse stakeholders from both grassroots and grasstops networks.
• Proven track record of identifying, recruiting, and developing new leaders.
• Ability to build leadership structures and operationalize organizing efforts in diverse communities.
• Demonstrated ability to build coalitions, manage their complex dynamics, and execute winning campaigns.
• Possess a sophisticated analysis of the local and state political and economic landscape, and what it will take to build power in our challenging environment.
• Familiarity with digital organizing technologies including VAN, P2P texting, Action Network, and eager to learn new tools.
• Strong database management skills that inform analysis of the base and strategy.

Team & Work Management

• Demonstrated ability to supervise staff and volunteers, including developing and executing campaign plans, annual and quarterly plans, and weekly work plans.
• Capable of providing and receiving respectful support, constructive feedback, and mentorship.
• Results-oriented and self-disciplined, with the ability to focus on priorities, manage work and time effectively.
• Strong organizational, project management, and execution skills to keep multiple projects and campaigns moving, make sure things don’t slip through the cracks, hit deadlines, and meet goals.
• Comfortable working remotely with Google Workspace, Slack, Zoom, Asana, etc.
• Ability to work nights and weekends as needed, as well as odd hours during rapid response moments periodically.
• Strong work ethic and personal commitment to excellence.
• Good sense of humor with an ability to stay composed in fast-paced, dynamic, and high-stakes situations.

Compensation and Benefits

• Starting at $65,000 per year, with an increase based on experience.
• 100% of health, dental, and vision premiums for employees and family members.
• 12 days per year of paid vacation time increasing with tenure up to 20 days.
• 12 paid sick leave days per year.

Work Environment

• Ability to travel required.
• Repetitive use of computer and office equipment.
• SUN staff are currently on a hybrid work schedule.

How to Apply

Submit a letter of interest and resume to mck@standupnashville.org. After first-round interviews, candidates will be asked to complete a skills exercise. Final-round candidates will be asked to provide a list of 3 references including at least one supervisor and one person you have supervised.

SUN is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. People of color, women, people who identify as LGBTQIA+, and local residents are strongly encouraged to apply.