Assistant Director for Organizing, Northeast Program

Assistant Director for Organizing, Northeast Program

Jobs to Move America

About Us

Jobs to Move America (JMA) is a national strategic policy center working to transform public spending and corporate behavior in manufacturing. Grounded in racial and economic justice and community organizing, we partner with workers, community organizations, and coalitions to advance a fair economy with good jobs and healthier communities for all.

About the Role

The enormous investments to upgrade the railcar fleets of the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority present an important opportunity to promote family and community-sustaining jobs in manufacturing hubs in New York and across the country. JMA seeks a talented and experienced Assistant Director for Organizing to lead worker organizing efforts in this industry across multiple states.

Under the supervision of the Northeast Director, the Assistant Director for Organizing will supervise, oversee, and help carry out worker organizing and coalition-building in the New York Metro area and at least one other location outside New York. This organizing, alongside a range of other campaign tactics, aims to win community benefits agreements with companies and thoughtful public policy to improve job quality in the manufacturing of railcars and other public goods. The Assistant Director will exercise direct supervision over, train, assign work to, and review the performance of up to three full and part-time staff. The Assistant Director may also design and conduct a variety of organizational initiatives as assigned by the Northeast Director.

The work will be principally focused in the New York City Metropolitan area and will occasionally travel to other parts of the country for staff training, supervision, and support.

What You’ll Do

Community and worker engagement

• Oversee worker organizing strategy in New York and at least one other location out of state focused on campaigns tied to the manufacture of public goods 
• Supervise, oversee and play a role in directly carrying out: 
  • outreach and 1:1 conversations with workers 
  • identification and recruitment of worker leaders for a leadership committee 
  • facilitation of worker leadership committees in activities that advance campaign goals

Campaign development

• Collaborate with Northeast Director and policy, researcher, and legal staff at JMA on a range of campaign strategies and tactics; including a role in policy advocacy and managing relationships with key elected officials 
• Attend in-person coalition or virtual partner events as a representative of the organization
• Maintain and oversee databases for workers and community partners

Coalition building

• Oversee the recruitment, formation,and management of community and labor partners into coalitions committed to winning community benefits agreements; co-manage relationships with these partners in collaboration with other staff on the campaign team, including organizers and the Northeast Director
• Regular travel out of state to supervise and carry out field organizing and meet with coalition partners

Contribute to Organizational Development

• Supervise of full-time and part-time staff  by holding regular check-in meetings, reviewing work plans and progress, reviewing organizing materials
• Direct, supervise and contribute to the development of raps, assessment tools, debrief notes, outreach and turnout plans, and other campaign materials, with support from JMA’s Director of Organizing Strategy and Training and Northeast Director
• Support the Northeast Director in program budget development and implementation
• Support fundraising, participate in organization-wide committees and trainings (not to exceed 15% of time)
• Foster a collaborative, feedback-rich, and equity-centered team culture
  
  

What You Bring

Core Experience

• At least 7 years of experience in labor and community organizing, with a strong preference for experience in labor union external organizing  
• At least 3 years supervising organizers and leading them on campaigns, with experience as a lead organizing or Organizing Director in labor union external organizing campaigns strongly preferred
• Experience in building coalitions across a range of stakeholders 
• Experience working with data management systems to track contacts; Action Builder and/or Salesforce experience is a plus

Key Skills & Strengths

• Skill in thinking both creatively and analytically about organizing methodology
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work independently and remotely when necessary with good Google Suite technical skills
• Good time management and ability to maintain a high level of timely follow-up to follow through on commitments 
• Deep understanding of the labor movement

Leadership and Collaboration

• Ability to lead and inspire a team while providing useful and effective feedback
• Demonstrated ability to lead with curiosity, empathy, self-awareness, and accountability
• Experience working across lines of difference and able to build and sustain authentic and productive working relationships with colleagues including JMA employees as well as external partners 
• Comfort operating in dynamic, politically nuanced environments

Additional

• Reliable transportation and ability to travel within New York City metropolitan area
  
  

Extra consideration will be given to candidates with:

• A deep understanding and experience with the political and labor movement landscape in the New York City Metro area
• Experience with 
  • negotiating or implementing community benefits agreements
  • forming and managing coalitions with labor and community groups 
• Fluency in Spanish
• Knowledge of and experience with corporate ability campaigns, corporate research methods, policy analysis and/or policy advocacy, or strategic communication to move workers, decision-makers, and public opinion
  
  

Compensation and Benefits

• Salary: $93,000-$113,000 (based on experience and location)
• 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision (employee + dependents)
• Generous PTO, including a two-week winter break and sabbatical after 5 years
• 401(k) with 5% employer contribution
• Remote work support (home office setup, internet stipend, cell phone reimbursement)
• Professional development opportunities
• PSLF-eligible employer
• Jobs to Move America is a unionized workplace (this role is not part of the bargaining unit) and is deeply committed to equity and inclusion in its policies and practices.

How to Apply

To be considered, please submit a resume, cover letter, responses to brief experience-based questions, and three professional references.

All applications must be submitted through this process—no phone calls, please. Interviews will be conducted virtually.

As part of the process, candidates advancing to later stages will be asked to complete a brief skills assessment. Due to the volume of applications, we may not be able to respond to all applicants.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Jobs to Move America is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from all qualified candidates regardless of race, ethnicity, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, or other protected status.

We are committed to fair and equitable treatment in all aspects of employment and maintain a zero-tolerance policy for discrimination and harassment.

We strongly encourage applications from people of color, women, veterans, formerly incarcerated individuals, and those with experience working alongside these communities.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At JMA, we believe that diverse, engaged, and supported staff are essential to advancing economic, racial, and social justice. We value the perspectives, experiences, and contributions of all team members and believe our work is stronger when everyone’s voice is heard.

As part of our commitment to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, we invite applicants to complete optional self-identification questions during the application process.