This position will be the CEO of Digital Organizing in a startup environment. The Digital Director is responsible for setting up and running We Own It’s Digital Department in order to support volunteer and professional grassroots organizers in the field.
About We Own It
We Own It is building the national network for cooperative member rights, education, and organizing. The network will serve an unfilled need for a national association that represents co-op member-owners, rather than a trade association of cooperative businesses. We are a social movement building organization that aims to bring the 130 million member-owners of credit unions and rural electric, housing, and food co-ops into the movement to build a just and sustainable economy; and to help both member-owners and their co-ops navigate the necessary transition in how they engage with each other.
Salary & Benefits
Starting salary for this position is $60-80,000 per year, based on qualifications and experience, plus competitive health, retirement, paid-time-off, and flex-time benefits.
Location
We Own It is a virtual organization, with staff, trustees, and partners all across the U.S. We make extensive use of video conferencing and online collaboration, and we travel often to conferences and meetings with partners and constituents. The ideal candidate can be anywhere in the continental U.S. with access to high-speed Internet and an airport.
Work Schedule
Our office hours are flexible and often dictated by constituents’ availability for meetings, though typically falling between 8am and 6pm Central Time. Expect a few evening and weekend meetings each month, with flex-time policies to cover additional hours/days worked.
The Position
We Own It doesn’t run digital like your typical nonprofit organization. Our theory of change is based on grassroots organizing for leadership development, rather than mobilizing or advocacy, and the Digital and Organizing Departments at We Own It are one and the same. This position will work seamlessly with the national network of We Own It cooperative member-owners, advise their local and regional reform and election campaigning, and help to grow and maintain the network itself. This is the first position in the Digital Department at We Own It, and will be responsible for building up the department’s systems.
Essential Functions
- Work with We Own It staff and contractors to develop a personal digital workplan from our network organizing plan
- Lead the digital department, creating content as well as coordinating content development and execution
- Refine and implement strategy for digital outreach, campaigning, and organizing that includes long-term planning and capacity for the needs of the member-led network
- Hone and implement unique online voice for We Own It audiences, in coordination with We Own It staff and contractors
- Take a leadership role on our rapid response team, consistently monitoring news media and social media to identify campaign opportunities and news items for WOI, and WOI member-owner communities and stakeholders
- Manage relevant contractors and vendors as needed, including GIS projects
- Maintain and update WOI digital technical systems as appropriate (CiviCRM, Action Network, OpenAtrium)
- Create, implement, and review digital strategies and provide strategic recommendations based on outcomes
- Brainstorm, collaborate with, and take direction from the We Own It member-owner network
- Manage relationship with tech contractors/developers to ensure timely project completion and technical support needs are being met and special projects are implemented
- Assist in managing WOI online presence for effective general promotion, effective campaign pushes, and to make sure there is consistent content across WOI channels
- Assist in growing and building this dynamic, national network
Qualifications
- A passion for justice and belief in the dignity and capacity for leadership of every person
- 5-7 years grassroots organizing and campaign experience
- 3 years management and supervision experience
- A deep understanding of digital campaigning best-practices and strategies
- Passion for creating and growing an engaged online organizing community
- Strong project management skills and attention to detail
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate as part of an equal relationship with grassroots organizers, especially rural and Southern organizers
- Technical and analytical proficiency for testing and optimizing online content
- Measurable success driving strategy on social platforms including Facebook and Twitter
- Deep understanding of digital tradecraft, e.g. HTML, CSS, Adobe Creative Suite, Drupal, SEO, webpage optimization, etc.
- Excellent copyediting skills, attention to detail, and copy-creation speed
- Graphic design skills and/or experience working with designers and artists to communicate design and content and to craft effective, evocative advocacy images
- Experience using the NGP/VAN platform strongly desired
- Experience or interest in GIS mapping for organizing projects desired but not required
- Understanding the dynamics of rural communities (especially Southern organizing spaces) and organizing in or with them will be helpful
- Experience with online, grassroots fundraising efforts
Travel
Approximately 15% domestic travel (3 days a month) expected although this may vary at times, particularly during the summer conference season. Travel is often overnight.
Work environment
The position will require a suitable home office, and will provide for necessary data, phone, and equipment.
Physical demands
- Office and computer tasks
- Meetings and conferences
- Travel via car (driving) and airplane
Reports to: Executive Director Jake Schlachter
Supervisory Responsibilities
The Digital Director will supervise technical contractors and future staff and interns, as well as serving as a coach and advisor to our organizing fellows.
We Own It is an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to equity. People of color, women, and LGBT candidates are encouraged to apply.
