Executive Director, Georgia

We are looking for a collaborative and visionary leader to lead our Georgia team at Common Cause, promoting the national agenda at the state level; fostering a strong, sustainable organization; leading winning public policy campaigns through policy analysis, research, lobbying, litigation, grassroots organizing, sophisticated communications and building strong and diverse coalitions.  

The Executive Director will have the opportunity to envision a strategic approach for what our work looks like in Georgia and develop programs 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 Director of State Operations and will be located in Atlanta, GA. We hope our new Executive Director, Georgia can join us in October!

Responsibilities

Set and lead our Georgia strategy for our policy advocacy and organizing that centers racial equity

· Develop effective proactive and defensive policy campaigns that center racial equity

· Advocate for our campaigns in alignment with the Common Cause agenda and nonpartisan mission

· Develop and execute lobbying strategies to advance reform (or stop anti-democratic initiatives) and to hold federal, state, and local elected and appointed officials and other decision-makers accountable

· Oversee Common Cause’s work in the state including on issues like voting and elections, redistricting, and money in politics

· Oversee development of high-quality policy research

Drive work through public outreach and strategic partnerships

· Lead and participate in existing coalitions to advance our work, and build new coalitions as needed

· Serve as Common Cause’s spokesperson with media, government officials, and others

· Engage members and the public across the state through social media, website updates, and email communication

· Develop and implement grassroots organizing strategies to build support for the Common Cause agenda

· Expand and diversify our membership base in the state to deepen our impact

Team Management

· Manage members of the Georgia team: collaboratively set goals, coach and develop them towards these goals and support their career progression and retention at Common Cause

· Manage and delegate work to members of the Georgia team to ensure team-wide goals are met

· Supervise consultants, volunteers, and interns as needed, in accordance with Common Cause management standards, practices, and procedures

Administration: 

· Manage the operations of the Georgia team, including managing the budget

· Build and engage a strong and diverse state advisory board that assists on program and fundraising

· Collaborate with Common Cause staff across the country

Development 

· Develop fundraising strategies to fund Common Cause programs, including lobbying efforts

· Raise money from foundations, major donors, members, and special events

· Collaborate with national staff to achieve fundraising goals for

· Cultivate, nurture, and grow relationships with donors 

• A strong commitment to Common Cause’s nonpartisan mission and to advancing racial equity through our national 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  
• Familiarity with the unique aspects of the Georgia political dynamic, and knowledge of funders and decision-makers across the state (with a preference for candidates who have existing relationships with these people and organizations, and/or experience raising funds to support campaigns or programs)  
• Knowledge of current statewide democracy issues, including voting rights, redistricting, campaign finance reform, disinformation, and ethics
• 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)

• Experience leading public interest advocacy campaigns, preferably focused on legislative work at the state or local levels (and preferably you have also managed campaign or annual plans), preferably in Georgia
• Experience managing coalitions or other groups with diverse interests to achieve a policy or campaign goal, preferably in Georgia
• Experience drafting, analyzing, and advocating for legislation, preferably in Georgia
• Experience coaching others to develop skills, ideally as the manager of a full-time staff member
• Ability to meet with staff, partners, media, donors, and others in Atlanta, GA several times per week
• Ability to travel within state up to 6 times per month for meetings, conferences, and other activities, and nationally 1-2 times per year for team and/or all staff retreats
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends as needed, especially during legislative sessions
• 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.