Democratic Party of Arkansas: Executive Director

Job Post; Little Rock (AR); On-site; USD 893,000 - 949,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employer-sponsored health insurance

Job summary

Democratic Party of Arkansas is seeking an Executive Director to lead strategy, operations, fundraising, budgeting, and staff for the state party. The role collaborates with the Chair, officers, and elected officials to strengthen infrastructure and campaign efforts across Arkansas.

The position requires senior leadership experience, budget acumen, and strong governance with a focus on growth, fundraising, and donor relations. Salary ranges align with the organization’s needs.

Qualifications

• Senior leadership experience overseeing multiple departments or directors.
• Experience managing large budgets and fundraising.
• Proven ability to recruit, retain, and develop staff.

Responsibilities

• Serve as chief strategic and tactical executive of the Democratic Party of Arkansas.
• Develop statewide campaign plans to win elections at multiple levels.
• Oversee coordinated campaign efforts and consultant activities.
• Expand grassroots efforts, voter registration, and volunteer recruitment.
• Manage relationships with elected officials, donors, and national party organizations.
• Direct day-to-day staff activities and perform staff reviews.

Skills

Staff management

Budget management

Fundraising

Email programs

Strategic planning

Job description

Democratic Party of Arkansas: Executive Director

LOCATION

Little Rock, AR, 72201

SALARY

$80000 - $85000 (Monthly)

HEALTHCARE

Employer-sponsored health insurance offered

DESIRED SKILLS

• Managed Paid Staff
• Managed a budget of $1,000,000
• Managed a budget of $100,000
• Managed email programs
• Managed financial call time

COMPANY

Democratic Party of Arkansas

DEPARTMENT

Management

EMPLOYMENT TYPE

Party

MINIMUM LEVEL OF EXPERIENCE

Senior Leadership (overseeing multiple Department Directors. Ex: Campaign Manager, Coordinated Manager)

APPLY BY

September 18, 2026

JOB DESCRIPTION

In partnership with the Chair, the Executive Director is responsible for the strategy, activities, management, growth, and the day-to-day operations of the DPA. This specifically includes, but is not limited to, election-based activities, fundraising, budgeting, staff recruitment and retention, communications, outreach, and building Party infrastructure. The position requires a commitment to work alongside the DPA Officers, Executive Committee, State Committee, elected officials, and candidates across the state. This position has a wide range of responsibilities, including serving as a trusted advisor to and strategic asset for the Chair of the Party, its elected and party officials, its candidates, and leaders across the state.

Position posting open through: September 18, 2026 Salary range: $80,000 - $85,000 annually, plus benefits

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Serve as the chief strategic and tactical executive of the Democratic Party of Arkansas.
• Developing and implementing statewide campaign plans to win elections at the local, legislative, state, and federal levels.
• Overseeing the coordinated campaign efforts and coordination of consultants’ activities; assisting with the hiring of a coordinated campaign director during election years.
• Working with field personnel and state party staff to maintain and expand grassroots efforts and primary base through voter registration and volunteer recruitment.
• Manage relationships in-state with elected officials, caucus leaders, candidates, auxiliaries, and state party membership; as well as national contacts through relationships at the ASDC and DNC, and partnerships with the DGA, DSCC, DCCC, and DLCC.
• Responsible for managing the day-to-day activities of all staff.
• Perform staff reviews, encourage staff development and training.
• Review and restructure staff functions and responsibilities as necessary.
• Direct fundraising efforts, develop strategy, and work with finance staff and/or consultants to implement.
• Work with the DPA Chair, DPA Treasurer, and staff to develop and adhere to the operating budget.
• Coordinate with DPA Secretary and Staff in preparing written reports for all meetings of the Executive and State Committees.
• Act as liaison with the staffs of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), the Association of State Democratic Committees (ASDC), and the Association of State Executive Directors.
• Attend DNC, ASDC, and county party meetings as necessary.
• Ensure all campaign finance reports, tax returns, and other required reports are accurately and timely filed by the compliance consultant.
• Work with the DPA Chair and Communications Director to issue press releases, speak on behalf of the Party where appropriate, and present the DPA in a positive and professional light.
• Oversee the State Party technology operations including database development and computer operations.
• Implement delegate selection process in presidential election cycles.
• Develop, oversee, and maintain relations with Democratic donors both in-state and out-of-state.
• Develop training programs for the State Party, including party membership, campaign staff, and candidates.
• Oversee development and production of party-building and message-delivery tools, including but not limited to: newsletters, websites, email communications, social media, and brochures.
• Organize all meetings of the Executive and State Committees as required by the rules of the DPA.
• Maintain and work with legal counsel to ensure the DPA is in compliance with all state and federal law.
• Demonstrate an understanding of all aspects of elections, including state-of-the-art campaign techniques, campaign planning, targeting, polling, election law, GOTV programs, party building, and pre-election planning.
• Ensure building maintenance is adhered to for the DPA Headquarters.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Substantial professional, nonprofit, business, or political senior management experience.
• Strong abilities in organization planning for strategy and program.
• Extensive team management skills with demonstrated ability to achieve high levels of performance and outcomes through management and influence.
• A reputation for leading with integrity and making decisions with the input of the appropriate stakeholders.
• Conflict and crisis-management experience with proven, clear decision-making ability.
• Demonstrated success in fundraising and knowledge of donor networks.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Clear, effective, high-quality writer.
• Excellent in interpersonal skills and building relationships.
• Good information/administrative organizational skills.
• Digital by nature - a natural with smartphone, iPad, tablet, and laptop for work and personal reasons; monitoring email and social media in real time is intuitive.
• Highly communicative - responsive to internal and external requests, emails, and calls, within reason.
• Multi-tasker - Able to juggle multiple activities yet not lose focus on top priorities or let something slip through the cracks.
• Organized in thinking and doing.
• Committed to the values and practices of a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace with the ability to receive feedback and learn from it.
• Knowledge of Arkansas politics and the national political environment and developments.
• Willingness and flexibility to travel throughout Arkansas and out of state.