People’s Alliance

Full-Time Lead Coordinator 

Who We Are

The People’s Alliance has been a champion for progressive community action in Durham since its founding in 1976. Today, member-led action teams advocate for local and state policies in the areas of education, economic justice, public education, race equity, and environmental and climate justice. Read our multiracial, cross-class organization’s vision for Durham here.

People’s Alliance comprises three legally-separate organizational entities governed by unique boards of directors or coordinators: The People’s Alliance — a 501c(4); The People’s Alliance Fund — a 501c(3); and the People’s Alliance PAC — a political action committee. The People’s Alliance is also an affiliate of the Carolina Federation, a statewide organization that brings local people together across race and the rural-urban divide to build political and electoral power in their own communities and across North Carolina.

The Opportunity

Durham’s political landscape and the People’s Alliance (PA) itself do not look the same as when PA was founded 45 years ago. Decades of committed work have grown both PA’s membership numbers and influence, though we are far from alone, among many partner organizations who have collectively won progressive city and county governments in recent years. While conservative state policies constrain some of our ambitions, our members are poised to continue using their passion and expertise to push a local policy agenda that brings the most benefits for the most people, honoring those who need the greatest help. As a multiracial, cross-class membership organization, we continue at the same time to grapple with how to live into our values and how to invest more in developing diverse progressive leaders. 

Position Overview

We are hiring for a diverse set of skills to engage our membership and the community and also to keep the organization running. The hours are flexible, but responsibilities require 40 hours of work per week, including some evenings and weekends. Individuals that feel they meet many of the qualifications listed below should apply for the full-time Lead Coordinator position. The position will be housed in the People’s Alliance 501c(4), but will provide discrete support to the other PA entities.

What We’re Looking For

Desired Experience

• Developed organizational systems, structures, and processes to clarify roles and expectations across multiple stakeholders in the midst of ongoing work
• Maintained constituent relationship management (CRM) tools/software to track and optimize member engagement, ideally including the NationBuilder platform
• Designed and implemented digital communications programs or campaigns across a variety of online platforms including email and social media
• Coordinated and advanced multiple overlapping projects, serving as a communications hub between many moving parts (and volunteers) to ensure shared understanding and buy-in about the work being done
• Supported or led both grassroots- and grant-based fundraising efforts
• Aided an organization’s day-to-day financial management
• Used to staffing all-volunteer board and executive director

Skills and Attributes

• Self-motivated, with strong organizational and time management skills
• Attentive to detail and timelines, coupling follow-through with the need for flexibility
• Comfort working without much structure, both independently and as part of multiple teams
• Excellent communication skills, both written (for various digital platforms, e.g., website, social media, email) and verbal
• Creates space for others to hold and embody leadership, while knowing when to exercise their own leadership
• Patient, with a high level of emotional intelligence and compassion, and able to cultivate an environment of accountability and learning instead of blame around mistakes
• Welcomes hard conversations and navigates them with integrity
• Possesses a solid political analysis aligned with PA’s mission and vision and is able to understand and bridge differences while building trust
• Sets boundaries (personal, professional, organizational)
• Has a good sense of humor and positive attitude

Would Be Nice

• Experience working across a 501c(4), 501c(3), and Political Action Committee
• Spanish proficiency
• Finance/budgetary experience

Work Demands

PA is operating remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic but has historically had office or co-working space in Durham, NC. This position is based there. A reliable source of transportation is required. We anticipate a start date as soon as possible. Evening availability is necessary as organizational meetings often occur then. 

The physical demands of this position include regularly talking and hearing; using telephone, email, text, and video platforms for meetings and communication; occasionally lifting and moving bulky objects weighing ~20 pounds; and, once in-person events resume, travel to attend them. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for the full-time Lead Organizer position is from $50,000 - $55,000. Benefits offered include paid vacation, paid sick leave, a health care stipend, and reimbursement for necessary technologies. 

How to Apply

Please send a resume, short writing sample, and cover letter to the PA Hiring Committee at [email protected]. Include in the cover letter a discussion of the issue about which you are most passionate, any familiarity with Durham, and how you heard about the position. Incomplete submissions will not be considered. If available, please provide up to three references. Questions may also be directed to [email protected].

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, with priority to those who apply by February 27, 2022.

People of color, low-income and working-class people, women, LGBTQIA+ people, immigrants, and people with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.