Senior Manager, Organizing

Position:

Senior Manager, ORGANIZING

Employment Type:
Full-time

Reports To:

Senior Director of Power Building 

About Black Feminist Future 

Black Feminist Future (BFF) is an initiative informed by the legacy of Black feminist organizing, grounded in the current pulse of movements, and located at the emergent need to amplify the power of ALL Black women and girls in organizing and building power for the 21st century. BFF is a movement incubator that focuses on the dynamic possibilities of galvanizing the social and political power of those who have the lived experience of being a Black woman or girl including  but not limited to trans, cis, gender non conforming, non binary, LGBTQIA, and other gender marginalized  people. Our vision of Black feminisms values and centers those who are most marginalized within our communities. BFF intends to amplify and build the leadership of Black feminist leaders and increase the capacity of Black feminist movement building.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Senior Director of Power Building, the Senior Manager of Organizing plays an integral role in BFF’s base building and organizing efforts to grow, develop, and nurture, the largest base of informed, engaged, and politicized Black feminists in the US. The Senior Manager of Organizing will manage the Senior Organizer of Base Building and the Senior Organizer of Membership, as well as key aspects of the Organizing Branch that allow for BFF to build the largest, most active base of working class Black feminists in the US. This critical position will assist the Senior Director of Power Building in recruiting, developing, operationalizing a powerful, active, informed and politicized Black feminist base, and develop a sustained and democratic structure within the currently evolving leadership and membership bodies of BFF. The Senior Manager of Organizing will support building out BFF’s strategic movement-building that will advance Black feminist politics that transform the structural and material conditions of our communities.
The Senior Manager of Organizing is responsible for intentionally and strategically growing and sustaining the organization's base of informed and engaged supporters, members, Hives/chapters, and organizers. This involves various initiatives aimed at building and nurturing relationships and increasing participation in achieving the organization's goals. 

This position is not subject to a Collective Bargaining Agreement and does not include union representation. 

Essential Job Responsibilities:

BFF’s Senior Managers are disciplined organizers, first, who are leaders in their areas of expertise, while simultaneously managing staff and projects. In alignment with BFF’s strategic priorities, the Senior Manager of Organizing will play a pivotal role in driving the organization’s Base and Movement Building initiatives. This includes the following:

Leadership & Team Management:

• Managing and training staff by
  providing clear direction, while building, motivating, and inspiring a strong Power Building Organizing team with clear goals, objectives, and expectations for total department success.
• Fostering a positive and supportive culture that includes check-ins,1:1s, informal/formal follow-up and touch points, team meetings, and informal/formal staff assessments and evaluations while helping to retain staff and keep them engaged.
• Providing direct feedback and opportunities for growth by
  helping the PB Organizing staff to develop their skills, strengths, and expertise, ensuring they have regular communication, resources, knowledge, professional development, training, and political education for greater growth, alignment, and success.
• Team direction and strategizing by supporting staff to develop clear and strategic work plans, providing ongoing and regular feedback, supporting with the coordination and execution of the Power Building Department and team advances, and managing team budgets.
• Mediating conflicts and ensuring effective communication as conflict arises within the Organizing Branch of the Power Building Department by addressing issues and maintaining a positive working environment. 

Chapter Development, Management, and Support:

• Recruiting, managing, and nurturing chapters by identifying, and inspiring a cohort of Hive/chapter members and leaders receptive to starting a BFF Hive/chapter; ensuring alignment with the organization's mission, values/Meridians, and vision, while guiding them through a strategic process of forming a chapter.
• Establishing foundational structures by constructing clear processes that help Hives/chapters understand their work within the broader BFF mission, Meridians, vision, strategic priorities, and operational framework, including bylaws and decision-making processes.
• Providing resources and training by equipping Hives/chapters with the necessary resources, technical assistance, tools, materials, and training to effectively carry out grassroots organizing activities in alignment with the larger BFF mission, vision, Meridians, strategy, and organizational priorities.
• Facilitating the formation of organizing chapter committees to provide initial leadership, direction,  and support for new chapters.
• Assisting Hives/chapters in defining their mission, values, and structure by helping Hives/chapters develop their own place-based identities while remaining in alignment and true to BFF-National strategic priorities, mission, vision, and values.
• Supporting chapters in campaign planning, execution, and strategic organizing. In collaboration with the Campaigns Branch of the Power Building Department, guiding Hives/chapters in acquiring necessary resources and tools to execute campaigns and develop effective strategies to address their place-based issues.
• Helping chapters plan and execute base building activities and events such as facilitating kick-off events, coordinating mobilizations, teach-ins, interest meetings, and chapter orientations etc. 

Base Building, Organizing, and Membership Strategy:

• Developing long-term plans to create a strategic plan and process to recruit, organize, develop, and retain a strong and engaged base of well-informed, politicized Black feminist organizers, members, and Hives/chapters.
• Developing and Implementing Base-Building Strategies that implement outreach and recruitment tactics to attract and engage a diverse group of Black women, girls, and gender expansive people within the membership and each chapter.
• Building, developing, and cultivating strong relationships based on trust, mutual accountability, and shared values with members, ensuring each Hive’s/chapter’s needs are met and concerns are addressed timely and effectively. 
• Creating opportunities for meaningful engagement while working alongside the Senior Manager of Programs and the Senior Manager of Campaigns to create opportunities for Hives/chapters and members to get plugged into organizational activities, programs, campaigns, and initiatives that allow members to develop as organizers and participate actively and meaningfully in BFF’s work, while strengthening their organizing.
• Developing an engaged, well-informed, and politicized base of Black Feminist Organizers by identifying the strengths and areas of growth to develop the transformative organizing ethos of BFF’s membership base, and chapter leaders and members.

Leadership Growth and Development:

• Identifying and cultivating leaders within the general membership body and Hives/chapters, while providing them with opportunities for skills-building and leadership development.
• Facilitating leadership training and development by organizing and mentoring the BFF membership and Hive/chapter leaders and members through intentional training sessions on Black feminist transformative organizing, campaign strategy, advocacy, and other relevant skills.
• Developing the leadership of Hive/chapter leaders and members by
  working in collaboration with the Programs Branch of the Power Building Department to design and implement programs, initiatives, and activities that develop the skills, analysis, and abilities of Hive/chapter organizers, members, and leaders, empowering them to take ownership and lead initiatives. 
• Encouraging shared leadership by fostering a culture where leadership is distributed among members and space is created for individual members to take on new roles.

Data Analysis and Evaluation:

• Assisting chapters in organizing BFF campaign strategies by working alongside the Senior Manager of Campaigns to help Hives/chapters align with BFF-National campaigns, develop winning strategies, and plan actions to achieve goals in alignment with the BFF -National strategic priorities.
• Assessing, monitoring and evaluating chapter effectiveness: Using critical research and evaluation methodologies to track chapter progress, gather feedback, and implement improvements to enhance their capacity and impact.
• Ensuring consistent messaging by working with chapters to maintain a unified message and representation of the BFF-National organization.

Building Infrastructure and Accountability Structures:

• Developing systems for tracking chapter members and leaders by working with the Power Building Operations Coordinator to develop and implement accurate and efficient systems to manage, monitor, and track information related to Hive/chapter members and leaders, and their campaign participation and engagement history.
• Establishing communication channels by ensuring effective communication and systems of evaluation between the BFF-National, Hives/chapters, and members.
• Building accountability structures by developing mechanisms to ensure Hives/chapters adhere to the organization's mission, values/Meridians, vision, and strategic priorities. 
• Establishing leadership structures that develop
  accountability structures and systems in order to support and strengthen the base-led initiatives and organizing formation. 
• Establishing conflict resolution processes by working across the Power Building Department to co-construct structures and processes that support conflict resolution and transformative justice.

Collaboration Across Departments

• Share relevant data and stories with the Resource Mobilization team to document base building and Hive/chapter impact.
• Engage in cross articulation with the Senior Manager of Campaigns and the Senior Manager of Programs to strengthen the Power Building Department and the overall organization.
• Support messaging and communication of BFF’s organizing and Hive/chapter work with the BFF Communications department.

Manage BFF’s Membership Program 

• Manage the creation, implementation, and evaluation of BFF’s membership program. Including but not limited to:
  • Renewals
  • Membership levels
  • Membership cards

• Develop and implement individual membership recruitment, retention and engagement plans that increase the understanding of BFF’s mission, values, vision, and strategic priorities in a way that creates a powerful membership experience. 
• In collaboration with the Senior Manager of Programs and the Senior Manager of Campaigns, support in the development and implementation of individual member training and capacity building programs, as well as the development and implementation of campaigns and calls to action in collaboration with the Senior Manager of Campaigns.
• Develop and implement a sophisticated membership program and structure where members are centered, actively shaping the member experience, and can provide feedback, input, and recommendations.
• Manage the creation and execution of a bi-annual BFF Member Congress to support strengthening the organizing work, and the decision-making muscle and strategy of the BFF membership base.

Manage Membership Operations

• Responsible for creating systems and operations to maximize the usage of the database and member portal to manage, track and engage our membership
• Responsible for creating and managing the member audit
• Support in the development of the member governance structure including the development and management of the member voting process and committee structure
• Support with the creation of resources and tools to proliferate and amplify the brilliance, creativity, and power of Black feminist organizations and movements

Managing Communication Channels: 

• In collaboration with the BFF Communications Department, develop and manage a vibrant and compelling member communications plan and communications vehicles 
• Craft clear and compelling language and messaging to attract and recruit new members
• Develop consistent communication with the base through various channels like email, social media, and in-person and virtual events. 
• Working across the Power Building Department, create and disseminate compelling messages that resonate with the base to encourage their engagement in organizing efforts.

You will thrive in this role if you have:

• Structural Analysis: Must possess a strong structural Black feminist analysis, have a deep understanding of the current landscape, and be a knowledgeable and embodied student of Black feminist praxis and a grounding in Black radical organizing tradition.
• Problem solving.
  Able to efficiently identify, determine cause, propose and implement solutions to solve problems. Able to balance the needs of different people in a solution to a problem.
• Innovation. Demonstrated ability to use ideation and creativity to approach work, remain adaptable in a constantly shifting environment, and stay focused on quality.
• Leadership. Demonstrated ability to manage and develop others, build effective teams, and direct work in a collaborative way. You must possess the ability to foster trust, and drive team performance.

• Value Alignment. Sustained interest in the issues, challenges, and opportunities that impact Black women, girls and gender-expansive individuals.
• Decision-Making. Must make well-informed, grounded, and decisive next steps, even in instances where solutions produce unfavorable consequences; perceives the impact and implications of decisions for the benefit of the department.
• Communication. Excellent writing, editing, and verbal communication skills. Must possess a strong track record as an implementer of information in a way accessible and understandable by all levels of staff. 
• Strategic Thinking. Able to establish clear objectives, goals and benchmarks in alignment with BFF’s organizational strategic plan. You will be adept at designing strategy and structure, preparing a plan that identifies outcomes, and conducting analyses. You must be able to clearly articulate the department's strategy consistent with the organization's long-term interest.
• Discipline and Humility. Seeks out and has an openness to feedback with an awareness of your own strengths, areas for growth, and personal transformation.

Required Qualifications

• Must have a minimum of 7 years experience working with community, grassroots, labor, or electoral organizations where you had success in developing and winning campaigns. Similar level of experience supervising staff, volunteers and community organizers, with a strong track record of building teams and developing staff leadership
• Must have well developed socio-emotional intelligence and communication skills
• Must display strong interpersonal and organizational skills.

• Commitment to racial, gender and economic justice and their intersections with a global and internationalist lens.

Benefits

Excellent benefits package including IRA with employer contributions, medical and dental coverage and professional development.

Travel

35% of travel is expected, including but not limited to BFF’s weeklong semiannual all-staff advances, occurring in the spring and fall of each calendar year, as well as attendance at departmental advances the Deputy Director oversees. Intermittent travel related to BFF programming needs may also occur. 

Location

Black Feminist Future is a hybrid organization, based in Atlanta, GA with staff working both remote and in office with mandatory in person staff and team meetings and in office visits during the year. This position requires an Atlanta residency.

Black Feminist Future (BFF) is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), national origin, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law.