Michigan United

Job Post: Organizing Director

Organization: Michigan United and Michigan United Action

Nature of Work: Choose one: Hybrid: 501(c)(3) & 501(c)(4) 

The Organizing Director is a pivotal movement leader responsible for advising on the strategic direction and driving the implementation of core organizing campaigns across Michigan United and Michigan United Action. This role leads the development of transformative campaigns that build a durable, multiracial base; cultivates grassroots leadership; and advances policy and co-governance strategies rooted in community voice.

The Director fosters worker and community engagement, ensures political and organizational alignment, and embeds political education across all programs. As a key member of the leadership team, they oversee staff development and departmental culture, embodying our commitment to equity, mutual respect, and long-term power building.

About Michigan United

Michigan United is building a vibrant, inclusive democracy in Michigan where community members are organizing to build power to affect change at local, state, and national levels. We are working to dismantle systemic barriers perpetuating inequality by building power. Michigan United defines power as the ability to act, and it comes in the form of organized people and organized money. We focus on issues from a racial, economic, gender, immigrant, and environmental justice lens. We are a hub of people-centered leadership development, issue organizing, and civic power building. We are guided by our Theory of Change. 

Michigan United is dedicated to dismantling oppressive systems and transforming lives through tangible victories and leadership development. We believe in the power of a united community driven by a shared vision and strategic action, capable of making significant impacts at local, state, and national levels. Our focus on organizing communities, training leaders, and tackling systemic barriers is crucial in shaping Michigan's future.

Our commitment to a democracy that reflects our base is at the core of our work, guiding us as we organize and mobilize communities, build collective power, and seek just outcomes. We are steadfast in these principles, aiming to create a Michigan where the government and our economy are inclusive, accountable, and equitable.

Michigan United's approach is grounded in practicality, driven by our values, and focused on building a state where dignity, equity, and justice are realities, not just aspirations. Through strong relationship-building, continuous leadership development, and strategic collective action, we are paving the way for the radical, systemic changes our communities need and deserve.

Michigan United is a statewide organization of community members and institutions fighting for the dignity and potential of every person.

Position Details and Responsibilities

1. Campaign Strategy & Movement Leadership

• Strategic Oversight: Lead the development of campaign strategies through issue assessment, power mapping, research, and policy development. Integrate communications and lobbying to achieve organizational goals.
• Theory of Change Stewardship: Co-hold the organization’s ToC with rigor, ensuring all campaigns move beyond "mobilization" toward "transformative power-building."
• Innovation: Proactively identify and initiate new campaigns that align with strategic priorities, community needs, and our mission of racial and economic justice.
• Advocacy & Co-Governance: Engage with elected officials and stakeholders to advance "inside-outside" strategies that put community members at the decision-making table.

2. Base Building & Leadership Development

• Leadership Ladder Design: Oversee the systems that move members from initial contact to seasoned strategists and board leaders. Ensure "leadership moves" are tracked and celebrated.
• Membership Structure: Lead the advancement of our membership structure, ensuring staff recruits and retain members through canvassing, 1-on-1s, and house meetings.
• Political Education: Partner with training staff to facilitate "popular education" models that demystify power, race, and class for our base.
• Integrated Service: Supervise the integration of community services into organizing, ensuring immediate crisis response (e.g., legal clinics, mutual aid, community navigators) serves as a doorway to systemic change.
• Data & Infrastructure: Implement and supervise data management systems (VAN/EveryAction) to track quantitative growth and qualitative leadership development.

3. Management & Staff Development

• Departmental Leadership: Directly manage Regional Managers, Organizers, and occasionally Policy/Coalition staff. Foster a culture of "organizing the organizers" to maintain high morale and strategic focus.
• Coaching & Agitation: Coach direct reports to "agitate" members and staff to take increasing levels of public responsibility. Provide regular "shadow coaching" in the field.
• Accountability & Wellness: Lead weekly manager meetings to steward a cohesive team. Balance high-stakes performance with a commitment to staff wellness and sustainable movement practices.
• Workforce Planning: Oversee hiring, onboarding, and professional development plans for the organizing department in partnership with HR.
• Administration: Manage the organizing department budget, review expenses, and produce timely reports on campaign deliverables for the leadership team and board.

4. Organizational & Electoral Alignment

• Leadership Team: Serve on the Director leadership team to advance organizational culture, annual budgeting, and long-term sustainability.
• Electoral Integration: Collaborate with Movement Politics and Field Directors to ensure regional staff and members are seamlessly integrated into electoral and "Get Out The Vote" (GOTV) cycles.
• External Representation: Represent Michigan United in strategic partnerships and coalitions, promoting our power-building framework to the broader movement.
• Fundraising Support: Assist the development team by providing data for grants and participating in funder briefings to tell the story of our base-building impact.

The above responsibilities are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel classified in this manner. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. 

Qualifications

• Work Experience & Education Level 
  • Experience: Proven track record (7+ years preferred) in grassroots organizing, large-scale campaign development, or movement leadership.
  • Management: Extensive experience managing diverse teams and navigating the interpersonal dynamics of a fast-paced movement environment.
• Skills & Attributes 
  • Strategic Mindset: Ability to conduct power analysis and pivot strategies based on shifting political landscapes.
  • Frameworks: Firm grounding in racial, economic, and gender justice; deep alignment with Michigan United’s values and Theory of Change.
  • Relational Skills: Mastery of the "1-on-1" and the ability to build trust across diverse constituencies (urban, rural, religious, secular).
  • Logistics: Ability to travel throughout Michigan and work evenings/weekends as required by campaign cycles. Access to reliable transportation is required.
• Core Competencies
  • Strategic Agitation: The ability to challenge staff and leaders to grow while maintaining deep relational support.
  • Operational Rigor: Highly detail-oriented with a commitment to data integrity, deadline management, and the "boring but essential" administrative systems that keep a large department functional.
  • Upward Communication & Leadership Alignment: Proactive in providing clear, concise, and timely updates to the Executive Director and Board; ability to translate field-level data into high-level strategic insights for leadership.
  • Conflict Transformation: Comfort navigating internal and external tension with a focus on growth and alignment.
  • Systems Thinking: The ability to see how a local issue (like a bridge or a school board) connects to statewide power and national trends.
• Physical Demands: Reasonable accommodations will be considered.

Additional Job Specifications

• Job Classification: Exempt , Full-Time, 
• Job Length: At-will
• Compensation: $80,000, depending on experience.
• Work Schedule: 40 hours, Primarily Weekdays with Some Evenings / Weekends.
• Location: Hybrid: On-site & Virtual , Detroit, MI office; 
• Logistics: Ability to travel throughout Michigan and work evenings/weekends as required by campaign cycles. Access to reliable transportation is required.
• Benefits: Health, Vision, Dental, PTO, FSA, 401K, Discretionary Year-End Contributions, etc.

Application Process

 If you are interested in this opportunity, please apply via the JazzHR link or send your application to [email protected]. Applications should include a resume, letter of interest, three professional references and work samples showcasing your relevant experience. Please ensure your cover letter highlights your experience related to the responsibilities outlined in the job description and your commitment to Michigan United's mission. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so early submission is encouraged. 

Timeline: Submissions will be reviewed on an ongoing basis. 

Michigan United contracts with BOOM LLC for backend & operational support including hiring and employment. BOOM LLC is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. Those that identify as queer, trans, non-binary, Black, Indigenous, people of color, disabled, parents, are/have been system-impacted, are immigrants, and anyone who has experienced systemic oppression and/or gender-based violence are encouraged to apply. We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment.