The ACLU of Pennsylvania seeks a dynamic, innovative, and seasoned professional Engagement and Mobilization Director to lead mobilization efforts and enhance the ACLU-PA’s advocacy campaigns, programs and initiatives to build power of the ACLU-PA and engage volunteers. This is an ideal opportunity for a talented, experienced organizing and community engagement professional to impact civil liberties and civil rights in Pennsylvania. The professional in this position will have the opportunity to influence outreach and mobilization strategies that align with advocacy initiatives to achieve public policy priorities of a well-respected and effective organization. 

The ACLU-PA is a nonprofit, nonpartisan public interest organization, dedicated to defending and enhancing personal freedoms protected by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights through litigation, legislative advocacy, and community outreach and education. It is a dynamic environment that addresses issues with precedent-setting solutions. The ACLU-PA has three offices, ten volunteer chapters, 40,000 members and donors, 40 employees, and a $5.3 million operating budget.

The Engagement and Mobilization Director will develop and implement robust field and digital strategies to engage and mobilize our members, volunteers, and supporters to defend and strengthen civil liberties and civil rights across the commonwealth and lead the organization’s volunteer engagement program, driving action and creating positive change. The Engagement and Mobilization Director will report to the Deputy Advocacy and Policy Director and play a key leadership role, working in partnership with the policy, communications, development, and legal staff to achieve organizational goals. The Engagement and Mobilization Director will supervise the volunteer coordinator and organizing staff (as applicable). 

This is a full-time position that is responsible for building and overseeing mobilization efforts  and volunteer engagement designed to build the power of the ACLU-PA and the civil liberties movement. This includes developing outreach and engagement strategies that align with legislative initiatives, engaging ACLU advocates and supporters, educating and mobilizing voters, and collaborating with grassroots activists to achieve ACLU public policy priorities.

In its current strategic plan, the ACLU-PA has three priority issues: decarceration, policing reform, and voting rights. In addition to the priority issue areas, the Engagement and Mobilization Director will support mobilization efforts around immigrant rights and TLGBQ+ rights, although not limited to those issue areas. This position will be based in Philadelphia. The ACLU-PA currently offers a hybrid, flexible work schedule. 

ORGANIZING APPROACH

The ACLU of Pennsylvania is focused on integrated, cross-departmental advocacy campaigns to achieve measurable goals designed to expand civil liberties and civil rights, while building long-term power of the ACLU and the civil liberties movement. 

The Engagement and Mobilization Director will be responsible for creating and overseeing the implementation of comprehensive, multi-faceted mobilization plans consistent with this commitment to integrated advocacy.

The ACLU-PA’s engagement and mobilization program will engage both existing ACLU members/supporters/volunteers, as well as  reach new constituencies. The Engagement and Mobilization Director is responsible for building teams to mobilize Pennsylvanians to engage in strategic advocacy efforts and influence decision-makers, via in-direct and/or direct lobbying, meeting with key stakeholders,  and holding and/or attending events/actions to advance campaign objectives. The organizing and engagement team will identify and support volunteer leaders in mobilizing their contacts within their own networks to expand the reach and power of the ACLU-PA. Organizing and engagement efforts at the ACLU of Pennsylvania will support the development and implementation of an advocacy agenda that includes working with grassroots partners, community allies and organizational stakeholders to educate, inform and mobilize and build coalitions around important issues.   

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Specific responsibilities will include, but not be limited to:

• Developing and executing a comprehensive engagement and mobilization strategy to engage and increase awareness and participation in ACLU-PA’s advocacy campaigns and initiatives, including: developing field plans, goal and metric settings, and resource allocation.
• Developing and coordinating constituent outreach programs, including canvassing, phone banking/text banking, and events to engage supporters, members, and volunteers around policy and legislative campaigns at the city, county, and state levels.
• Building a robust volunteer engagement program with the assistance and input of other staff, especially the volunteer coordinator, to ensure that volunteers are equipped with necessary tools and resources to effectively advocate for ACLU-PA’s issue and policy priorities.
• Developing and implementing strategies to expand the ACLU-PA’s volunteer program through recruitment, designing and implementing training programs, recognition and thanks, and ongoing engagement to enhance their skills in advocacy, organizing, and mobilization.
• Driving cross departmental collaboration to optimize program impact, including working with the communications department to develop persuasive and informative outreach, education, and advocacy materials to be used for outreach and mobilization purposes.
• Ensuring successful integration of advocacy technology tools, including the best use of volunteer management software, social media, text messaging, e-mail, and phone calls to support the work of the organizing staff and volunteers.
• Working in partnership with the communications department, develop and implement a robust social media and digital organizing strategy and ensure campaign communications are aligned with mobilization goals.  
• Building and maintaining strategic relationships with community leaders and organizations, partners, and key stakeholders to foster collaboration and support for advocacy and engagement efforts, as well as amplify our reach. 
• Providing guidance, support and mentorship to ensure successful execution of organizing plans to meet campaign goals, as well as engage volunteers, members and supporters.

QUALIFICATIONS 

The Engagement and Mobilization Director should possess the following experience and personal attributes:

• Personally committed to advancing the ACLU’s values, mission, goals, and programs, with an understanding of the range of civil rights and civil liberties issues and their implications.
• Personally committed to raising and centering the voices and leadership of people who have been directly impacted by the issues the ACLU champions.
• At least five years of experience in community/field organizing and base building for political and/or advocacy campaigns.
  • At least three years of direct staff management experience, with a commitment to coaching and mentoring staff.
  • Experience with a range of organizing styles and models, including electoral field programs, constituency organizing, and issue-based organizing  and legislative advocacy.
  • Experience drafting and executing field plans.
• Ability to manage multiple ongoing organizing programs and mobilization campaigns.
• Experience managing multiple large-scale, complex projects and events.
• Experience leading and integrating both digital and field-based campaigns and working with diverse communities. 
• Demonstrated experience with civic engagement digital technology and volunteer management databases, including Voter Activation Network (VAN) and peer-to-peer messaging tools.
• Demonstrable strong strategic thinking and campaign planning skills, with a proven ability to develop and deploy diverse tactics that move people to action.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and strong written and oral communication skills.
• A flexible team player who works collaboratively and shares responsibility and credit.
• Ability to navigate and resolve conflict in a manner that values and respects relationships with colleagues inside and outside of the ACLU.
• A firm understanding of intentional relationship building, including conducting 1:1 organizing meetings and training staff and volunteer organizers to cultivate sustainable organizing relationships.  
• A commitment to diversity; a personal approach that values the individual and respects differences of race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, ability and socio-economic circumstance.
• Demonstrated ability to create and sustain coalitions of diverse individuals or groups.
• An energetic person who can handle and prioritize multiple activities and responsibilities with strong time management skills and the ability to work under pressure, including short-term crisis management and rapid response.
• Strong organizational skills. A self-starter and finisher with a demonstrated ability to manage details and follow-through with minimal direct supervision.
• Willingness and ability to speak in public and to facilitate meetings and trainings. 
• Willingness to travel around Pennsylvania and work flexible or irregular hours, including some weekends.
• Fluency in Spanish is a plus.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The ACLU-PA offers a generous and comprehensive compensation and benefits package, commensurate with experience and competitive with public interest salaries. The annual salary for the position is $94,000. Benefits include 11 paid holidays along with generous vacation and sick leave; individual / family employer-provided health insurance; life insurance and long-term disability; and a defined contribution plan with employer match. This position is full-time, salaried, and exempt from overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

ACLU-PA has a COVID-19 vaccine mandate, and candidates receiving a job offer will be required to show proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to commencing employment. Exemptions to this requirement will be considered on a case-by-case basis in accordance with applicable law.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

To apply, send a letter of application, and resume via our career page https://aclupahr.applytojob.com/apply. No calls, please.

DEADLINE

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, at which time the job announcement will be removed from our website, www.aclupa.org/jobs.

The ACLU-PA is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. The ACLU-PA encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, or record of arrest or conviction.

The ACLU-PA comprises two separate corporate entities, the American Civil Liberties Union (the “Union”) of Pennsylvania and the ACLU Foundation (the “Foundation”) of Pennsylvania. The Union is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit corporation, and ACLU membership dues fund its lobbying work. Donations to the Union are not tax-deductible. The ACLU Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. Foundation funds support litigation and public education efforts. Donations to the Foundation are tax-deductible. The field director is an employee of the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania.

Both the ACLU of Pennsylvania and the ACLU Foundation of Pennsylvania have the same overall mission, and share office space, employees, and the same board of directors. The two entities are jointly known by the term “ACLU of Pennsylvania.”

ACLU-PA’s hiring process will comply with Philadelphia’s Fair Criminal Records Screening Standards (“Ban the Box”) ordinance.