Civic Engagement Director

East Bay Alliance for a Sustainable Economy; Oakland (CA); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Job summary

East Bay Alliance for a Sustainable Economy (EBASE) in Oakland, CA seeks a Civic Engagement Director to lead civic engagement, electoral, and power-building strategies across Alameda and Contra Costa counties. You will coordinate voter engagement, field programs, endorsements, and campaigns, supervising staff and volunteers and working closely with senior leadership.

This role reports to the Executive Director, supervises 1-2 coordinators, and develops annual plans to advance organizational

Qualifications

• At least 5 years of organizing leadership experience.
• Experience leading civic engagement, electoral, or community organizing programs.
• Demonstrated ability to manage staff, consultants, volunteers, field programs, and coalitions.
• Strong understanding of East Bay local politics, justice issues, and movement-building strategy.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to lead complex processes and make decisive decisions.

Responsibilities

• Develop and oversee civic engagement power-building strategies in the East Bay (Concord, Contra Costa, Oakland, Alameda).
• Coordinate with campaign teams to meet annual goals and train staff on civic engagement.
• Oversee campaign activities, endorsements, and voter contact efforts.
• Supervise 1-2 Civic Engagement Campaign Coordinators and staff.
• Develop program budget and ensure FPPC and lobbying compliance.
• Support fundraising and organizational development activities.

Skills

Organizing leadership

Civic engagement

Staff supervision

Coalition building

Campaign data

Tools

Voter contact tools

Field planning

Job description

For 27 years, the East Bay Alliance for a Sustainable Economy (EBASE) has been at the forefront of economic and racial justice, fostering a Thriving East Bay where all people and families have safe homes, healthy communities, and sustainable work that supports basic needs and ensures dignity. As an anchor organization in the region, EBASE boasts a strong track record of cultivating alliances among community organizations, labor unions, worker centers, faith institutions, and government leaders, and developing the leadership and capacity of Black and Brown communities, low-wage workers, and tenants.

With an experienced and committed staff and board, EBASE has launched a ten-year long-term agenda to build power toward a Thriving East Bay, focused on Worker Power & Liberation, Housing as a Human Right, and Community Governance. To advance these pathways amidst tumult and crises, EBASE is integrating a community of care and safety approach to our base building and coalition building in order to meet the immediate needs of workers and tenants as we cultivate an economy and governance rooted in dignity and care. EBASE partners with and shares staff with East Bay Action, a 501(c)(4) organization that builds voter power in the East Bay. EBASE is a founding member of the PowerSwitch Action national network.

Position Description:

The Civic Engagement Director leads EBASE civic engagement, electoral, and political power-building strategies in the East Bay cities and within the counties of Alameda and Contra Costa. The Director coordinates voter engagement, field programs, endorsement processes, alliance building and participation, staff training, and campaign infrastructure in service of organizational campaign goals and long-term power-building goals. This role works closely with campaign teams, communications staff, organizing staff, finance, legal/compliance partners, and senior leadership. The position may supervise Civic Engagement Campaign Coordinator(s), field staff, and volunteers. This position reports to the Executive Director.

Strategy & Oversight for Campaigns & Organizing

• Develop and oversee implementation of civic engagement power-building strategies in the East Bay. Current geographies of focus include Concord, Contra Costa County, Oakland, and Alameda County.
• Coordinate with EBASE campaign teams to develop annual civic engagement goals and workplans that build political and voter power in service of long-term goals and purpose. Engage staff in shaping civic engagement goals and workplans as needed. Experiment with creative civic engagement tactics that integrate communities of care and safety, joy, and culture into voter contact, communications, events, and political power-building.
• Coordinate implementation of civic engagement campaigns, which could include coordinating among allies, working with communications staff to implement communications strategy, and/or overseeing field/voter contact.
• Manage endorsement processes. Coordinate with campaign directors, communications staff, and allies.
• Oversee voter outreach canvass when needed. Supervise field teams who will manage and lead all aspects of dates, scripts, turf, tech, etc.
• Support the development of organizational systems and infrastructure to support and ensure C3-compliant civic engagement activities.

Partnership and Coalition Building

• Develop and sustain relationships with key allies, including community organizations, labor unions, and elected officials, towards building co-governing coalitions and alliances.
• Represent EBASE with civic engagement partnerships and develop partnerships that advance organizational goals. These may include participating in Lift Up Contra Costa, Bay Rising Oakland Rising, and other tables.
• Support the success of key civic engagement alliances that are critical for EBASE's long-term agenda.

Supervision and Leadership Development

• Supervise 1-2 Civic Engagement Campaign Coordinator(s). Conduct weekly check-ins, troubleshoot workplans, conduct evaluations, and create leadership development plans. Support supervisees in accessing training opportunities.
• Lead trainings and activities for EBASE staff on electoral organizing and on the political landscape. Train EBASE staff, members, interns, and volunteers on electoral organizing, voter contact, political landscape, campaign messaging, and field systems.
• Build a strong culture of clarity, accountability, teamwork, political education, and care within the civic engagement program.

Organizational Leadership & Compliance

• Provide leadership to develop the civic engagement program annual budget, including potential sources and allocation of staff time to achieve identified goals.
• Oversee approved civic engagement campaign activities within budget and provide timely updates to senior leadership, finance, and compliance partners.
• Provide timely information to finance, operations, and legal/compliance teams to support appropriate use of funds, FPPC reporting, lobbying reports, and other compliance needs.
• Co-lead compliance efforts with the Finance & Operations director, including reviewing legal compliance with attorneys, ensuring communications are compliant, and tracking necessary reporting.
• Participate in fundraising with foundations, donors, and allies as needed. Organizational Development and Personal Administration
• Participate in weekly staff meetings, internal trainings, mandatory all-staff meetings, and retreats.
• Contribute to fundraising activities, including event planning and implementation, grassroots donor outreach and appreciation, etc.
• Support EBASE's "all hands on deck" culture in which both campaign and development staff request active participation from all staff during critical moments of work. This may include attending community mobilizations, participating in voter outreach, making grassroots fundraising asks or other activities. Approximately 1-2 activities/month.
• Maintain personal organization systems. Complete reimbursements, timesheets & lobbying reports.

Experience and Abilities Needed

• At least 5 years of organizing leadership experience, including in worker organizing, basebuilding, leadership development, and strategic campaigns.
• Experience leading civic engagement, electoral, issue advocacy, voter outreach, or community organizing programs. Experience with voter contact tools, field planning, campaign data, endorsement processes, and campaign communications.
• Demonstrated ability to manage staff, consultants, volunteers, field programs, and multi-organization coalitions.
• Strong understanding of local East Bay politics, racial and economic justice issues, labor and community organizations, and movement-building strategy.
• Flexible, creative and willingness to adapt, try new approaches and collaboration to run effective moments in the current context.
• Ability to balance strategic leadership, relational organizing, staff development, compliance awareness, and implementation details. Strong fidelity to goals and purpose.
• Commitment to building power with low-income workers, tenants, immigrants, formerly incarcerated people, Black and brown communities, and faith-rooted leaders.
• Ability to implement from vision to action; strategic thinker with excellent judgment, attention to detail, and ability to manage campaigns in a dynamic environment.
• Highly relational and emotionally intelligent, with a principled and collaborative approach.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex processes and make courageous, clear decisions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong facilitation skills for inclusive, clear, and action-oriented meetings. Collaborative and aligned with organizational goals.

Must live in or be willing to relocate to the East Bay and have a valid driver's license and access to a vehicle. Familiarity with regional and statewide partners is preferred. If you don't meet all the criteria above but still feel your experience could be a good fit for the role, please apply. We recognize that candidates who don't check every box can add value to our team.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $100,000 - $110,000 annually (based on experience), with an annual 3% cost-of-living adjustment, budget permitting. EBASE provides a generous and competitive package of benefits valued at approximately $25,000.

EBASE offers an inclusive work environment that values teamwork, high-quality work, and a shared commitment to social justice. EBASE staff work in a hybrid model with at least 3 days/week in the office. This position is based in Oakland, CA.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The priority deadline is September 15. Applications are only accepted on our jobs portal https://ebase.applytojob.com/apply.

EBASE offers an inclusive work environment that values teamwork, high-quality work, and a shared commitment to social justice. EBASE staff work in a hybrid model with at least 3 days/week in the office. This position is based in downtown Oakland.