Executive Director, California

We are looking for a strategic and visionary leader to lead our California team at Common Cause, promoting our national agenda at the state level, fostering a strong and sustainable​ ​organization, leading our team to win public policy campaigns ​at the state and local level, building on a diverse set of organizational partnerships, including with community-based organizations and funders around the state; and providing ​strategic​ vision and public​ leadership.     

The Executive Director will have the opportunity to ​reimagine the​ strategic approach for what our work looks like in California and set a strategic direction to achieve that vision. This is a unique opportunity to be a leading voice at the center of advancing democracy reforms in the state, while also expanding our membership base and managing a high-performing team.   

This role reports to the Senior Vice President, State Operations and is a remote role within California with regular in-state travel. We hope our new Executive Director can join us in May!  

Responsibilities 

Oversee statewide advocacy strategy and strategic partnerships

- In collaboration with the Deputy Director, guide strategic development of proactive and defensive ​​​pro-democracy ​policy campaigns on issues like voting and elections, redistricting, money in politics​, media and democracy, and combatting disinformation​  

- Oversee strategic development of strategies to advance reform (or stop anti-democratic initiatives) and to hold federal, state, and local decision-makers accountable

- Build strategic relationships with democracy champions from across the ideological spectrum​, including building, leading and participating in coalitions to strategically advance our work

- Serve as Common Cause’s spokesperson and respon​d​ to inquiries from media, government officials, funders and others  

- Ensure that we engage members and the public across the state, while also expanding and diversifying our membership base to deepen our impact  

Manage and develop the California team  

- Manage and support the development of the California team: directly manage two direct reports, and oversee the team of 10; collaboratively ​​set​ clear and actionable ​goals, coach and develop staff towards these goals​,​ and support teammates career progression and retention at Common Cause

- Supervise consultants as needed, including for our work on the California Initiative for Technology & Democracy (“CITED”, a project we manage with external consultants)

- Collaborate with Common Cause staff across the organization, and ensure coordination between members of the California team and other internal teams 

- Oversee, monitor and adhere to department's budgetary objectives to support the organization's fiscal health and sustainability

Set and implement fundraising strategy

- Develop ​and expand ​fundraising strategies to ​support and sustain ​Common Cause programs, including achieving annual revenue goals of $2.1 millon annually

- Raise ​funds​ from​ a variety of sources, including​ foundations, major donors, members, and special events  

- Cultivate, nurture, and grow relationships with donors across the state​, ensuring ongoing support and deepening their engagement with Common Cause’s mission​

- Collaborate with national staff to achieve fundraising goals for Common Cause  

- Build​, maintain,​ and engage a strong and diverse state advisory board that provides guidance on program and fundraising

• A strong commitment to Common Cause’s nonpartisan ​mission and to advancing civil rights through our pro-democracy agenda     
• ​​A commitment to equity in the goals of your work and in how you work with others   ​     ​​ 
• Ability to quickly build rapport, trust, and credibility with multiple stakeholders with diverse interests   
• A track record of working collaboratively with others, leading change initiatives and navigating organizational and power dynamics to meet common goals, and respectfully navigating conflict while maintaining your values   
• Innovative and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to navigate through ambiguity to achieve goals, and a resourceful approach to problem-solving   
• Ability to manage multiple short- and long-term projects simultaneously, with shifting priorities    
• ​​An ability to compel action through both written and verbal communication, including the ability to distill complex concepts for a broad audience, and differentiate communications as needed for various audiences (with a preference for candidates who have served as the external spokesperson for an organization)​​​​     ​ 
• Openness to feedback and awareness of your own strengths and areas for growth  
• Familiarity with office productivity tools (Microsoft Office, Slack, Zoom)  

• Have led public interest, non-profit advocacy campaigns centered in civil rights, ideally on legislative work at the state and local levels
• Have managed coalitions or groups that represent stakeholders with diverse interests to achieve a policy or campaign goal  
• Have managed and developed a team, set strategic direction for a team, and built a unified approach to achieve goals
• Demonstrated success at closing five-figure major gifts from high-net-worth individuals or other major gifts sources, including foundations and grants, and ideally you have done this work for c3 and c4 organizations
• Strong familiarity with, or interest in, democracy policy issues including voting rights, redistricting, money in politics, online disinformation and AI, and other topics
• Ideally, you have developed, ​analyzed, and advocated for legislati​ve​​ proposals​ in California
• Ideally, you are familiar with the unique aspects of the California political dynamic, and knowledge of funders and decision-makers across the state
• Ability to travel within state 3-4 times per month to meet with staff, partners, media and donors (much of this travel will be to the Bay Area, Los Angeles, and Sacramento); and nationally 1-2 times per year for team and/or all staff retreats 
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends as needed 
• Per our nonpartisan policy, Common Cause staff members may not currently be in elected office (or running for office); on the Steering Committee or Finance Committee for any political candidate; or affiliated with the leadership of a political party  

• This position is classified as supervisory and therefore not included in the union-represented collective bargaining unit.  
• Common Cause is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time; please note that if hired, you will be asked to produce documentation for authorization to work in the US.  

Common Cause is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applicants of any race, creed, color, religion, ethnicity, national origin, income class, political affiliation, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran status, or marital status, as well as applicants who have been previously incarcerated. 

Common Cause (501(c)(4)) and Common Cause Education Fund (501(c)(3)) are nonpartisan, nonprofit grassroots affiliate organizations dedicated to upholding the core values of American democracy. We work to create an open, honest, and accountable government that serves the public interest; promote equal rights, opportunity, and representation for all; and empower all people to make their voices heard in the political process.   

Founded in 1970 and headquartered in Washington, DC, Common Cause has more than 1.5 million members and supporters living in every congressional district in the United States, and offices in 23 states around the country.