Overview
The NRDC Action Fund is an affiliated but separate organization from the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). The NRDC Action Fund’s mission is to build political support in the United States for protecting the planet and its people. We mobilize influential constituencies, experts, community leaders and others to directly advocate for clean air and water, public health, biodiversity, and a stable climate. We support candidates who stand up for environmental protection, and we expose those who side with polluters rather than the public good. The NRDC Action Fund is a primary purpose c4 with the majority of its work being advocacy, not electoral. The NRDC Action Fund has both a PAC and a super PAC, NRDC Action Votes.
POSITION SUMMARY
The NRDC Action Fund political director is responsible for developing and implementing the political and electoral strategy and plan for NRDC Action Fund. The electoral strategy and plan must align with the Action Fund’s long-term advocacy goals. Currently focused on federal elections, the NRDC Action Fund is expanding into state level electoral work in several states.
Responsibilities
Electoral Strategy and Plan
- Create, manage, and implement the Action Fund’s electoral strategies and The plan will cover coordinated side activities (endorsements, candidate fundraising, PAC) as well as IE activities.
- The political director will be responsible for managing and implementing the coordinated set of activities, e.g., endorsements, GOTV, member outreach and communications
- Work with the Action Fund’s Candidate Services and PAC Director to ensure alignment between the electoral plan and endorsements with GiveGreen and the Action Fund’s PAC
- Work with the Action Fund’s Action Votes director to ensure alignment of the IE’s focus with the larger political strategy
- Represent the Action Fund in the development and implementation of GiveGreen’s political strategy and plans, g., endorsement decisions, listing on GiveGreen, prioritization of races, etc.
- Work with Action Fund’s Communications Director to ensure successful development and implementation of an electoral communications plan. This will also require close coordination with NRDC’s Communications and Digital, Advocacy and Fundraising (DAF) teams to ensure they have the appropriate/necessary messaging and targeting information.
- Work closely with the executive director, other senior leaders, and key stakeholders to develop the Action Fund’s advocacy and political power building strategy and tactics and ensure alignment with the electoral work.
- Present the electoral strategy and plan and regular updates to key stakeholders, including the Action Fund Board of Directors, donors, NRDC Action Fund senior staff, and others as appropriate. This will entail developing the presentations as well as the strategies and plans.
- Represent the Action Fund in coalition and partner
- Prepare and present a summary of the Action Fund’s electoral plan and accomplishments after the election.
Strategic Direction
- As a member of the Action Fund’s senior team, play a leadership role in developing and implementing the Action Fund’s next 5-year plan. The current plan is for 2017-22.
- Ensure that the electoral strategy and plan align with and support the Action Fund’s advocacy goals and strategies as contained in the next 5-year
- Create, manage, and implement the 2024 federal and state electoral
Other/Miscellaneous
- Assist in the development, writing and presentation of fundraising proposals to Build a deep understanding of the Action Fund’s policy goals and advocacy campaigns to ensure alignment and identify opportunities to create the political conditions to advance the policy goals.
- Provide strategic leadership in the development and management of the NRDC Action Fund’s relationships with the climate community’s c4 community and other key allies and partners.
Qualifications
- At least 10-15 years of relevant experience in the development and execution of electoral and issue campaigns.
- Familiarity with a range of online and offline campaigning strategies and tactics, including direct advocacy, grass tops outreach, digital organizing, field, and earned and paid media outreach strategies.
- Superb project management and oral and written communication skills.
- Ability to facilitate team discussions and build consensus.
- Ability to juggle multiple, complex projects simultaneously and effectively.
- Familiarity with legislative lobbying and advocacy concepts and practices.
- Environmental policy issue knowledge preferred.
- Results oriented.
- Team player and displays grace under pressure.
- Commitment to NRDC’s values and mission.
NRDC is committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, both in our work and in our workplace. We believe that celebrating and actively welcoming diverse voices and perspectives is essential to solving the planet's most pressing environmental problems, and we encourage applications from candidates whose identities have been historically under-represented in the environmental movement.
We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
We offer competitive salaries, excellent benefits, and a supportive working environment. Salary is based on a nonprofit scale and is commensurate with skills and experience. For this position, the salary is
$140,000 to $150,000.
Since March 2020, NRDC’s offices have been closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. You will be associated with one of our offices, but until circumstances allow us to re-open, we will continue to support NRDCers with remote working arrangements.
To apply, visit www.nrdc.org/careers and upload your résumé and cover letter. Please mention where you saw this posting and upload any additional materials that showcase your abilities. Due to the high volume of applications, we will contact only those candidates we would like to interview. Please no phone calls, emails, or in-person résumé drop-offs.
If you experience technical problems while applying or if you are a person with a disability and need assistance applying online, please reach out to iCIMS Customer Care at 1-800-889-4422.
For further information about NRDC or NRDCAF, please visit www.nrdc.org and www.nrdcactionfund.org.
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