Organizing Program Manager

 
 

Overview: 

Black Visions' role of Organizing Program Manager will lead strategies to actively engage and educate community members around campaigns and programs of Black Visions, building the power and capacity needed to win. This role will directly manage and implement a community engagement plan that connects local Black people around a new vision for safety and environmental justice in Minneapolis. Specifically, this role will lead our Freedom Fellows program, training and developing a team of young people to be powerful abolitionist organizers. Through a relational approach, they will lead the development of outreach programs and materials (field plan, flyers, scripts, surveys, special events, volunteers, etc.) that seek to deepen Black Visions' base, identify and mobilize supporters, and recruit potential new members/volunteers. This role will oversee campaigns related data contacts, ensuring clear strategy, integrity and consistency,  and work alongside Data staff to ensure effective use.

ABOUT BLACK VISIONS

Since 2017, Black Visions, has been putting into practice the lessons learned from organizations before us, as well, our direct experience in building within the Movement for Black Lives, in order to shape a political home for Black people across Minnesota.Through our intentional growth process, we aim to center our work in healing and transformative justice principles, sustainability, and developing Minnesota’s emerging Black leadership to lead powerful campaigns. By building movements from the ground up with an integrated model, we are creating the conditions for long term success and transformation. 

Mission: Black Visions is a Black-led, Queer and Trans centering organization whose mission is to organize powerful, connected Black communities and dismantle systems of violence. 

Vision:  Black Visions believes in a future where all Black people have autonomy, safety is community-led, and we are in right relationship within our ecosystems. 

Black Visions is currently in a period of growth, accountability, and development. All prospective applicants must be willing to grow with the organization as we move into our next iteration. 

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

Freedom Fellowship Program

  • Develop, lead, and evaluate annual Freedom Fellowship

  • Develop and implement application and review process to select fellows

  • Lead on promotion and recruitment for Freedom Fellowship, including hosting events or open hours and working with communications pod, to support identifying potential applicants 

  • Re-vamp current program including development of curriculum and program activities for a 6-month fellowship to invest in new organizers

  • Develop materials and schedule 1on1s to answer questions about fellowship program

  • Directly manage 5-10 fellows, ensuring regular schedule of canvassing, learning, and outreach project development and implementation 

  • Connect with partners (locally and nationally) running similar programs to learn best practices and adapt program and practices as is necessary

  • Lead evaluation and further program development 

  • Cultivate intentional culture of joy, connection, rigor and political education inside of fellowship program

Community Outreach and Relationship Building

  • Develop and lead Black Visions outreach organizing plan to accompany and support campaigns; function as main organizer for key programming activities throughout the year

  • Work with other program staff to design and implement base building activities including community events, trainings, volunteer recruitment program and events, and other direct community outreach tactics 

  • Develop and foster a consistent team of outreach leaders/volunteers 

  • Be a representative of Black Visions at community events; be a consistent presence in community to connect and build relationships 

  • Work with organizing team to develop trainings and events for broader community members to engage in campaigns and programs 

  • Develop and maintain relationships with key community and organizational partners; Coordinate with partner organizations for strategic opportunities 

Campaigns and Organizing Strategy

  • Support campaign staff to coordinate with other staff and members around rapid response efforts 

  • Participate in 2021-2022 Strategic planning and lead base building strategy implementation

  • Work with data team staff members to develop data protocols to ensure effective and easy engagement with Black Visions supporters; support database activities to expand contacts (list building, petitions, email sign ups, etc) 

    • Develop and implement training on data protocols for organizing and campaigns

    • Train relevant staff on data protocols as related to organizing and campaigns 

    • Oversee campaigns and organizing data entry; ensure consistency in contacts; pull lists/develop forms & systems as needed

    • Ensure regular evaluation of data protocols for organizing and campaigns and adapt as necessary

  • Train to serve as a spokesperson to communicate the vision and work of Black Visions 

  • Supporting resource development activities as needed including: supporting on grants, reporting, and funder relationships 

DESIRED EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

  • 3+ years experience managing and implementing long term field and outreach programs and strategies around issue-based and electoral campaigns

  • Expert experience in leading and training others in community engagement tactics (door knocking, phonebanks, street teams, etc)

  • Love for and desire to be in community, building relationships with Black people across the Twin Cities Metro Area

  • Experience living, organizing, and working within Black communities 

  • Working knowledge of local politics and relationships with local BIPOC leaders 

  • Proficiency using Microsoft and GSuite, internet based technology; 

  • Excellence in data and field turf management 

  • Positive and open personality

  • Strong interpersonal skills, experience managing multiple deadlines, and maintaining attention to detail

  • Common sense, flexibility, and teamwork skills with the ability to exercise independent judgment

  • Steadfast commitment to collective liberation and ability to speak and unite those behind Black Vision’s mission and vision

  • Time and project management skills; ability to pivot to meet current events and organizational needs while maintaining attention to detail

  • Access to reliable transportation

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

VACCINATION TRANSPARENCY

Due to in person interactions during employment, candidates will be required to show proof of being fully vaccinated (Two Doses of either Moderna or Pfizer Vaccines or One Dose of J&J as well as all appropriate booster doses) against COVID-19 before commencing employment. Reasonable accommodations will be considered on a case-by-case basis for exemptions to this requirement in accordance with applicable law.

Work is performed in a standard office environment which requires occasionally lifting such articles as file boxes or heavier materials with help from others and/or lifting and carrying light objects. A job in this category may require walking or standing to a significant degree or may involve sitting most of the time with long periods of computer work and heavy phone usage. Flexibility to work outside normal business hours that include evenings and weekends and work extended hours to accomplish requirements of the position.

*Due to COVID-19, Black Visions staff are currently working from home with a few moments (about 1x/month) when staff are expected in person. 

REPORTS TO & LOCATION

  • This position reports directly to the Campaigns Manager or Co-Executive Director 

  • Position is located in Minneapolis, MN. All Black Visions staff must have a home address in Minnesota.

This is a full time salaried position. Salary will be commensurate with experience and will include a full package of benefits including health and dental insurance, matching retirement, investment in personal development, and an expansive time off policy. 

Salary range: $65,000 - $70,000

TO APPLY: 

Please submit a resume, cover letter, and one work sample demonstrating your ability to develop field or programming project plans to recruiting@blackvisionsmn.org -- ORGANIZING PROGRAM MANAGER --Your Name.  

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Our hope is to onboard this role on September 26 or October 3rd.

Black Visions is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage folks who are queer, trans, non-binary, BIPOC, disabled, and/or are or have been impacted by systems of oppression, to apply.