Organizing Director
Philadelphia, PA /
General /
Full-Time
/ Hybrid
Position: Organizing Director
Reports to: Executive Director
Location: Greater Philadelphia Area
Salary: $70,000 - 80,000
Who We Are
The Asian Pacific Islander Political Alliance (API PA) is building long-term power for APIs in Pennsylvania. We coordinate political, electoral, and legislative work to hold our elected officials accountable, engage in culturally competent and linguistically accessible direct voter contact, and build solidarity with other aligned communities of color across the state. As the first and only political organization directly advocating for the needs of Asians and Pacific Islanders in Pennsylvania, We operate primarily in South Asian, Korean, Chinese, and Vietnamese communities in 15 different languages.
Since our founding in 2020, we have run the largest Asian American voter contact programs in the history of US elections, introduced a groundbreaking community-driven API Policy Platform for PA, established Pennsylvania's first-ever pan-Asian organizer training program, and successfully elected community champions who represent us at every level of government throughout the Commonwealth.
Position
Reporting to the Executive Director, the Organizing Director will coordinate, manage, and implement API PA’s base-building and electoral strategies to build power in and for Asian communities in Pennsylvania, with an emphasis on Southeastern PA and Central PA. The person in this role is responsible for building relationships with Asian community leaders, managing organizing staff, managing direct voter contact activities, coordinating issue organizing around community priorities, and additional actions needed to advance the cause of building Asian power in Pennsylvania.
As a result of COVID-19, around 30% of work necessitates physical presence, while the remaining 70% may be done remotely.
Duties
- Manage and hold staff accountable for community and field organizing efforts, including Pan-Asian and community-specific initiatives.
- Coordinate voter registration, education, persuasion, and mobilization for Asian voters in PA. Engage with non-API communities and voters as necessary, especially during elections.
- Oversee volunteer-based voter contact activities targeting Asian voters in PA.
- Recruit, plan, and participate in grassroots advocacy activities across PA, including supporter recruitment and member engagement.
- Develop and implement campaigns to empower Asian communities in PA, collaborating with community leaders and members.
- Cultivate relationships with Asian communities, organizations, and leaders for cross-collaboration. Manage relationships with non-API partner organizations and represent API PA in coalitions.
- Maintain volunteer/member database (VAN/Everyaction) for tracking supporters, volunteers, and events. Utilize data to identify strategic engagement opportunities.
- Act as an organizational spokesperson for media, community, and social media. Coordinate with digital/comms staff to align digital and press work with organizing strategy.
- Coordinate or personally engage in local, state, and federal lobbying efforts to advance API PA’s policy priorities, as needed.
- Design and implement leadership development programs for staff, members, and volunteers.
- Contribute to strategic planning and decision-making as a senior leadership team member, sharing ideas and experience for organizational development.
Qualifications
- Minimum 3 years of community, issue, or electoral organizing experience.
- At least 1 year or 1 election cycle of management experience (or equivalent).
- Personal or professional experience in organizing Asian American communities.
- Understanding of long-term and strategic community or issue organizing, the distinction between organizing and mobilization, and a strong belief in supporting organizers and members for effective leadership and impactful change.
- Supervisory experience in organizing staff, setting goals, creating plans, and ensuring accountability.
- Demonstrated experience in training, group facilitation, and building transformative relationships among diverse backgrounds.
- Ability to adapt quickly to new technology and platforms, think on your feet and grow in your role.
- Strong prioritization skills in a fast-paced and dynamic political environment.
- Flexibility for evening or weekend hours 2-4 times per month (primarily during election cycles) to accommodate member availability.
- Familiarity with voter file CRMs, particularly VAN/Every Action.
- Access to a car.
Preferred, Not Required
- Familiarity with dynamics of Asian communities in Pennsylvania.
- Conversational proficiency in at least one Asian language.
- Experience and knowledge of Pennsylvania's political landscape.
- Understanding of campaign finance law for 501c3 and 501c4 organizations and Independent Expenditure program operations.
- Familiarity with organizational technology, including Google Suite, Airtable, peer-to-peer SMS, and predictive dialer platforms.
Benefits
- A generous health insurance plan with 100% coverage of premiums
- Accrued Paid Time Off (PTO) and sick time, including a separate provision for COVID-19-related leave
- Paid holidays off, including a variety of cultural holidays
- Retirement savings account
- Technology stipend of up to $500
$70,000 - $80,000 a year
Commensurate with experience.
The position will remain open until filled. For questions regarding this position, contact wolfe@apipennsylvania.org.
API PA is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against an employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
