Political Capacity Director

Political Capacity Director

The Alliance for Youth Action (along with our sister 501(c)(3) organization the Alliance for Youth Organizing) is searching for a Political Director. This position plays a crucial role in strengthening the electoral capacity of the Network by providing direct coaching and support to senior staff, particularly executive directors, in the development and execution of their political and electoral programs. This person will also play a key role in the development of a national youth political strategy, including designing a template program plan and rubric for evaluation, leading to high-quality political programs executed across our network. This person will also lead the Alliance’s participation in key state coalition tables to help coordinate youth vote efforts and target down-ballot races.

This role will support capacity building of our network to execute strategic programs that grow the political power of young people within our affiliated organization’s communities. In 2025, we are focused on developing and implementing a shared political analysis and aligned strategy across the network, with a clear focus on defining membership and base building, leadership development, and local political/policy wins across the network. In 2026, we will focus on electoral/political programs and winning back power in key races up and down the ballot.

Sitting at the intersection of strategic leadership, partnership-building, and program innovation, the ideal candidate brings:

• Deep experience in electoral programs, community organizing, and power-building,

• A nuanced understanding of how race and power shape civic engagement,

• A track record of managing complex, multi-partner initiatives,

• And strong skills in program design, evaluation, and coaching.

This role reports to the Senior Director of Capacity Building and is a full-time exempt position based in the United States (see Logistics, below). Alliance for Youth Organizing is a unionized workplace, and staff are represented by the Washington-Baltimore News Guild, Local 32035; this is a management position that is not in the bargaining unit.

About the Alliance for Youth Action

The Alliance convenes, supports, and scales a national network of youth-led, locally rooted organizations growing civic engagement and social justice coast to coast. We truly are a multiracial network “of young people, by young people, for all people.” Our Affiliates and Partners run massive voter registration and get-out-the-vote drives, train new young leaders, and run powerful campaigns to win on the progressive issues our generation cares about most. Our national team empowers this work by tracking down national resources for the network, building capacity for local groups, and seeding new efforts.

Job Responsibilities

Program Support (60%): Coach and support the development of the Network’s electoral programs

• Support the Capacity Building team and broader organization in meeting our cycle goals to execute high-quality, political programming up and down the ballot across our state-based partners.

• Lead in the development of work with our state-based partners to identify down-ballot targets, electoral goals, and the strategies and tactics to lead those goals.

• Coach, train, and develop network leaders to enhance their strategic thinking around programmatic effectiveness and overall capacity to achieve their electoral goals.

• Offer guidance on strategic decision-making related to political initiatives to senior network staff and Executive Directors in our network.

• Assist with the development and refinement of program plans through writing and editing support.

• Conduct regular one-on-one coaching sessions to foster individual and organizational growth.

• Provide on-site support through visits and trainings as necessary to ensure effective program implementation and impact.

Partnership Management (20%): Develop coalition partnerships to influence youth vote programs

• Lead the Alliance and the network’s participation in key state coalitions to shape strategies on youth vote campaigns.

• Work with state-based affiliates and partners to develop down-ballot targets and clarify electoral goals.

• Foster strong relationships between affiliates and state-based partners to increase collaboration and impact across our network.

• Support the development of external partnerships at the national level to coordinate youth vote efforts.

National Programs (20%): Provide strategic advice and support on national programs

• Work in partnership with the Senior Director of Capacity Building to create a framework for effective political programs, including a template plan for our network affiliates.

• Advise on tactics, universes, and other strategies to consider to meet high-level goals.

• Provide support to the VP of Grantmaking on the National Political Plan Development and Research by conducting in-depth political research to inform the development of the national political plan. This research will include analyzing national and state-level political trends and identifying key local races to prioritize.

• Work with Grantmaking & Partnerships to support the creation of a political program rubric and the development of tools or processes for evaluating program effectiveness and implementation.

• Collaborate closely with the Senior Director of National Training and Program in running national direct voter contact initiatives to fill gaps.

Qualifications

• 4+ cycles of electoral campaign experience, with organizing background preferred, and at least one cycle as a candidate or ballot initiative Campaign Manager, or leading an electoral program.

• Proven track record of setting a strategic vision at the department or organizational level, aligning large-scale projects with broader mission objectives, and adapting to a rapidly shifting political landscape.

• Knowledge of voter analytics and tools that strengthen organizing strategies. Ability to apply insights from data to elevate campaign impact.

• Skilled in coaching, performance management, and fostering the professional growth of other leaders.

• Experience with developing c3, c4 primary purpose, and c4 electoral programs.

• Ability to build trusting relationships with partners, network members, and colleagues across varying levels of management.

• Ability to cultivate high-level partnerships with state and national organizations, philanthropic partners, and grassroots community leaders. Experience leading multi-stakeholder collaborations strongly preferred.

• Demonstrated ability to integrate equity principles into organizational culture, campaigns, and coalition work. History of successful interventions in problematic dynamics and advancing racial equity in the workplace.

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, adept at articulating strategic priorities to diverse audiences, and comfortable representing the organization publicly.

Key Competencies

• Ability to backwards map from a long-term outcome to manage a project from start to finish, bringing stakeholders along and meeting hard deadlines.

• Aptitude for identifying and prioritizing organizational needs, charting clear pathways to achieve them, and navigating complex, dynamic movement landscapes.

• Skilled at building consensus, securing buy-in, and motivating cross-organizational teams and partners to achieve shared goals.

• Champions creative solutions, processes, and technologies to continually enhance program efficacy and meet evolving movement needs.

• Ability to work autonomously and manage multiple projects simultaneously.

• Holds oneself and team accountable for delivering measurable outcomes. Able to own missteps, repair harm, and maintain strong relational trust.

Logistics

• Compensation: $110,000-130,000 per year, commensurate with experience.

• Benefits: The Alliance offers a competitive benefits package covering:
  • Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance covering

    • 100% of employee premiums 

    • 75% of premiums for employee dependents

  • Employer retirement contributions (SEP IRA) of 5% of salary

  • Employer paid life insurance, short and long term disability income protection insurance 

  • Cell phone and internet stipends of $100 per month

  • WMATA transportation Smartbenefits for staff located in the DMV area

  • Professional development opportunities and funds 

  • Generous paid time off policy through which staff accrue 10 hours of PTO per month

  • Unlimited sick leave

  • Paid family and medical leave up to 16 weeks

  • Paid Sabbatical (after 4 years of service)

  • 15 paid holidays

  • Potential for end of year or other bonuses

• Location: This is a full-time position based in the United States. All Alliance staff are required to live within about an hour from an airport with frequent flights to DC and to our network locations; eligible airports are listed here. Moving reimbursements are offered to employees who need to move for this position.

• Travel: Under non-pandemic circumstances, domestic travel for this role may be up to 30% of this position. Must be willing to work periodically long, irregular hours and to travel as needed.

Commitment to Equity

At the Alliance for Youth Organizing, we want to create a world where our democracy works for everyone and where all people – no matter where they come from, what they look like, or how they identify – live in loving, safe, and thriving communities. As such, we value diversity and equity as central to our work. The Alliance for Youth Organizing is an equal opportunity employer and an inclusive workplace for people of all backgrounds and walks of life. People of color, immigrants, people with disabilities, people of diverse sexual orientations, gender expressions, and identities are encouraged to apply.

Some candidates may feel discouraged from applying if they don’t match every job requirement - we encourage you to apply anyway.

To Apply

Please apply by submitting answers to the required questions as well as a single PDF document including the following:

• Resume

• Three references (we will reach out to you first before contacting them)

Please reach out to lillie@ayo.recruitee.com if you have any questions.

The Priority Deadline to apply is June 6, 2025, with a target start date of July 28, 2025.