Wisconsin Deputy State Director, Voting Rights – Cycle Position

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW

America Votes is the coordination hub of the progressive community, leading collaborative efforts among a diverse coalition of more than 400 state and national partner organizations to advance progressive policies, win elections and protect every American’s right to vote. America Votes works nationally and in more than 20 states to provide a range of services to partners, including strategic planning, advocacy and electoral campaign coordination, data tools and targeting services, and on-the-ground leadership in key states. For more information about America Votes, visit www.americavotes.org.

COMMITMENT TO RACIAL EQUITY

America Votes is committed to advancing racial equity through organizational systems and policies that are consistently tested, evaluated and updated. Some organizational priorities include: 

• Building reflective and equitable state and national networks and partnerships.
• Increasing engagement of state-based groups building power in communities of color in the planning process.
• Expanding the Community Power Builders program, designed to support organizations led by and working in communities of color as they emerge into the 501(c)(4) space.

America Votes sees its commitment to racial equity as an integral part of its success. Applicants are encouraged to reflect on how they see themselves contributing to America Votes’ work on advancing racial equity.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

America Votes Wisconsin is seeking a well-organized campaign strategist and people manager for a full-time position as Deputy State Director, Voting Rights as a part of a growing team focused on voting rights in Wisconsin. The position works directly with the America Votes team in Wisconsin and will support advancing team priorities and goals. The Deputy State Director, Voting Rights works closely with dozens of progressive partners and allies within the state’s progressive movement including work with the America Votes coalition, the Wisconsin Voting Rights Coalition (WVRC), and the Wisconsin Municipal Clerks Working Group (WMCWG) to advance voting rights. This position will build relationships with municipal clerks, and some mayors and council members and other government leaders responsible for election administration. The Deputy Director, Voting Rights will supervise the growing team of staff focused on voting rights. This position reports to the Wisconsin State Director and the National Voting Rights Director. This position ends June 30, 2023.

LOCATION

This position is based in Wisconsin with regular meetings expected in Madison and Milwaukee and may require travel around the state. America Votes has offices located in DC and CO, FL, GA, MI, MN, NC, NH, NM, NV, OH, PA, and WI. America Votes is currently working remotely, however if you are based in a state with an America Votes office, a hybrid approach may be possible depending on local guidance. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responsible for the direct supervision, hiring and management of some state team staff, including the growing team focused on voting rights and election administration. Manage staff to goals for success in meeting organizational goals. Manage special projects to deliver on team goals. 
• Set and manage the short and long-term goals of the America Votes Wisconsin Voting Rights program, Wisconsin Voting Rights Coalition (WVRC), and the Wisconsin Municipal Clerks Working Group (WMCWG) including establishing legislative and advocacy priorities, voter education campaigns, accountability campaigns, and the organizational strategy in a fast paced and changing environment.
• Develop the plan and manage the team to goals including short term benchmarks and planning for sustained greater access to the ballot for all Wisconsinites.
• Build and maintain relationships with current coalition members, municipal clerks, some mayors and council members, and other key government officials.  
• Manage the development of and be responsible for a training curriculum, recruitment program, and retention program.
• Gather, organize, and communicate to local and national partners all necessary information about voting rights efforts, training plans, challenges, needs, opportunities, etc. Manage team to maintain communication systems and resources. 
• Work closely with America Votes National staff, including providing regular updates on the program, federal legislation related to election administration, and voting rights. 
• Manage team to work with coalition partners to maintain a nonpartisan bank of messengers on voting issues.
• Manage team to develop an advocacy campaign to advance voting access at the municipal level. 
• Manage the production of weekly reports and updates for various stakeholders on campaign goal progress and other relevant information. 
• Create and manage the co-creation of materials around the clerks program to disseminate to key stakeholders, such as government officials, around advocacy asks, program goals, and opportunities to expand election administration.
• Co-develop communications materials for various internal and external audiences and stakeholders.
• Represent the work to various audiences, including giving presentations to stakeholders and conducting trainings. 
• Other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS

QUALIFICATIONS

REQUIRED

• A minimum of five years of organizing, nonprofit, project management, or government experience and a minimum three years of staff management experience. Standout candidates will have at least two cycles of work on electoral or voter registration campaigns.
• Experience running or co-leading projects and/or advocacy or electoral campaigns. Stand out candidates will have experience developing new projects or campaigns and a track record of meeting or exceeding team goals and deadlines.
• Ability to build strong relationships quickly and cultivate those relationships over the long term; at least two years of experience working in a coalition including experience facilitating and working within broad and diverse coalitions.
• Experience working with underrepresented and/or historically marginalized communities, preferably in campaign or organizing settings.
• Excellent communication and time management skills, with attention to detail.
• Team player with strong interpersonal skills and sound judgment.
• Candidates must have a willingness and aptitude to seek out and learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments.
• Past work in implementing an election or advocacy campaign. Ideal candidates will have experience in voter mobilization including absentee vote, early vote, voter registration, or Election Day voter mobilization.
• Demonstrated ability to build consensus, negotiate, and strategically disagree within a highly collaborative work environment; ability to be respected by progressive stakeholders, to be trusted to lead and to be able to practice confidentiality, discretion, and legal compliance in the work.
• Must be a self-starter willing to work irregular, campaign style hours as needed and to travel as needed.
• Proficient in Google Suites (Google Slides and Google Sheets) and/or Microsoft Office (Excel, Powerpoint). Comfort with designing presentations in Powerpoint, Google Slides, and Canva.
• Ability to work independently and to drive and manage own workload; ability to manage several tasks/projects concurrently and prioritize work effectively by making and meeting team goals.
• Excellent writing, communication, presentation, and time management skills, with attention to detail. Experience developing and delivering trainings to various stakeholders. 
• Experience creating reports and presentations for various audiences. Leading meetings of diverse stakeholders.
• Able to work independently.

PREFERRED

• Familiarity with Wisconsin election laws and administration of election systems. Ideal candidates will have expertise in election administration and/or experience in administering elections.
• Previous local or state lobbying experience or willingness to learn.
• Experience working with election administration officials.
• Knowledge of and experience with Wisconsin political and community organization landscape.
• Experience or training in race equity/anti-racist frameworks; a general understanding of how power intersects with gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation and class in organizing and electoral settings.

COMPENSATION

The salary for this position starts at $82,000 annually ($6,833/month) and depends upon the applicant’s experience. Benefits for this position include health, dental and vision insurance, paid vacation, paid sick days, and parental leave, as well as 401 (K) after six months of continuous service with the organization. This position ends June 30, 2023.

TO APPLY

Please submit a copy of your resume, a cover letter and three references to the application form.

If you experience any technical difficulties with our application form, please email recruiting@americavotes.org. Please note that only applications received through the application form will be considered; please do not email us your application materials.

America Votes is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace. America Votes does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran status or any other protected category under local, state or federal law. People of color, LGBTQ candidates, individuals with disabilities, and neurodivergent individuals are strongly encouraged to apply.

https://americavotes.org/jobs/?job_id=355ed4bf-6ca9-4f3e-8c06-6ef4d00195b1