Summary
Description
About Pennsylvania Voice: Established in 2010, Pennsylvania Voice is the 501c(3) table of over 55 state and local based organizations working year round to create a more accessible, inclusive, and representative democracy by amplifying the voices, leadership, and expertise of communities that have historically experienced deliberate barriers to civic participation. Our partnership is grounded in the belief that a fair and just society will be achieved through collective power; democracy requires full participation and equitable representation; and the pathway to power in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania values Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and AAPI communities.
Together, we win shared policy and civic engagement victories to build long-term power.
A team of experienced organizers/strategists staff Pennsylvania Voice. We coordinate, support, convene, and co-create with a diverse community of state and municipal leaders representing distinct organizations around three program areas:
- Civic Engagement: Year-round integrated voter engagement campaigns that increase voting, voter registration, and participation in civic life among all Pennsylvanians and specifically Black, Indigenous, and communities of color.
- Voting Rights and Access: Modernizing elections to make voting more convenient and fully accessible to all.
- Reflective Democracy: Investment in community leadership and governance that is accountable to community interests and needs.
An explicit commitment to racial equity frames our partnership, our programs, and our culture.
Position Summary: Pennsylvania Voice is seeking a goal-oriented strategic thinker to join the organization’s leadership team and serve in a critical new role as Chief of Staff (CoS). The CoS will report to the Executive Director and be an integral support to the ED and leadership team (comprised of the organization’s directors). The CoS will be responsible for taking a broad view of Pennsylvania Voice and strengthening and developing the organization; ensuring systems and processes are in place for day-to-day operations to run smoothly; facilitating communication across the organization; breaking down silos between teams; and keeping a regular pulse on how Pennsylvania Voice team members and departments feel.
The ideal candidate is highly organized and methodical; reliable, self-driven, and accountable; skilled at aligning detail work with big picture strategy; adept at evaluating what is urgent versus important; comfortable facilitating conversations, synthesizing multiple points of view, and finding consensus amongst teams; and committed to being impartial, professional, and equitable in their work.
Central Responsibilities of the Chief of Staff:
Strengthen and Develop the Organization
- Develop a thorough understanding of the organization and its mission, operations, structure, and culture to ensure the highest level of support and counsel to the ED, leadership team, and full staff.
- Ensure day-to-day operations run smoothly and propose the creation of new systems and processes to streamline operations as needed.
- Act as the organization’s strategic plan project manager, ensuring the Executive Director and leadership team are aligned with the work plan and on track to meet goals.
- Create professional development and leadership development trainings and videos for staff and partner organizations oriented around core topics (ex: base-building, grassroots 101; legislative process in PA; understanding the in-state progressive ecosystem).
- Conceptualize and plan staff retreats.
- Identify professional development opportunities for staff.
- Be committed to the nonpartisan nature of the organization and its mission.
Support the Executive Director and Leadership Team
Executive Director:
- Represent the ED at internal and external meetings and events as needed.
- Serve as a thought partner and strategic advisor to the ED, being comfortable challenging ideas and offering a different perspective.
- Devise and execute special projects for the organization, as assigned by the ED.
- Plan and manage key projects of the Executive Director, as delegated by the ED.
- Ensure the timely flow of information and responsiveness from the ED to other parties.
- Track high priority initiatives for the ED and identify potential obstacles.
- Prepare the ED for meetings and manage the ED’s meeting follow up/ action items as needed.
- In partnership with the HR team, manage the hiring process for leadership roles reporting to the ED.
Leadership Team:
- Act as stand-in for leadership team members during absences, such as transitions or vacations.
- Manage leadership team meetings, including scheduling, devising agendas, facilitating, and creating systems to track progress toward shared goals.
- Oversee projects that fall between departments or leadership areas of responsibility, including short and long-term projects that require cross-team collaboration.
- Work to cultivate top-to-bottom consensus on shared organizational goals and processes, while actively contributing to the organization-wide discussions around strategy and policy on an individual level.
- Conduct research into best practices around leadership team priorities and present detailed options to aid and inform the leadership team in making decisions.
Qualifications: We’re seeking candidates with strong organizational leadership backgrounds who excel in understanding systems and operations, building strong relationships, are results-oriented, excellent problem solvers, and strong project managers. Specifically, you will bring:
- 4-7 years of programs and organizing experience and 1-3 years in organizational leadership, preferably within nonprofit, philanthropic, or civic settings. This should entail responsibilities such as program evaluation and oversight, budget oversight and accountability, organizational development, and strategic planning.
- 3+ years of supervisory experience.
- Experience contributing to the strategic direction of a growing organization, including a proven track record of exceeding goals focused on nonprofit growth, organizational development, strategy, evaluation, and planning.
- Excellent relationship building skills, including the ability to connect with and engage varied internal and external stakeholders.
- Comprehensive analytical, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills coupled with methodical organization and project management skills in order to plan and implement in a demanding, fast-paced environment.
- Demonstrated success in effectively leading, developing, and empowering top-notch leaders, driving accountability, and working with and through others to achieve ambitious goals.
- A high amount of emotional intelligence along with a strong competency in giving and receiving regular, constructive feedback.
- Ability to facilitate gatherings with diverse participants. Proven experience building consensus and a demonstrated entrepreneurial ability to develop alliances and coordinate the shared interest of all parties.
- Proven ability to analyze situations with a racial justice lens and, pulling on prior programs experience, utilize effective organizing strategies.
- Deep knowledge and understanding of challenges to justice related to race, gender, LGBTQ identity, age, class, and religion – in both internal and external settings, and experience navigating and managing this in the workplace.
- Willingness to work long, irregular hours when needed, as well as to travel occasionally – sometimes overnight – as needed within Pennsylvania.
Compensation: Salary range is $78,000-91,000, dependent on experience. Pennsylvania Voice offers excellent benefits, including full medical and dental coverage, retirement (401K) package, and paid holiday and vacation days.
Location: Pennsylvania Voice is a fully remote organization day-to-day, but does hold a few mandatory, in-person all-staff events each year. These events are generally held in our office located in Philadelphia, PA and the organization covers any associated travel costs. To complete some of the duties required of this role, additional Philadelphia office visits may be required. This role requires regular daytrip and overnight travel within Pennsylvania, primarily in and around Philadelphia, Allegheny County, the Lehigh Valley, and Central PA. Candidates must live in Pennsylvania or be willing to relocate by start date.
How to Apply: Please submit your resume and a cover letter that speaks to your interest in Pennsylvania Voice and this role, as well as your qualifications for the position. Submit your application materials by clicking the “apply” button below. Please, no phone calls. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the application and interview process, please reach out to us at jobs@pavoice.org.
Deadline: Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, at which time the job announcement will be removed from our website, www.pennsylvaniavoice.org/jobs.
Pennsylvania Voice is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. We value a diverse workforce and have an inclusive culture. Pennsylvania Voice encourages women, people of color, persons with disabilities, people with records of arrest or conviction, veterans, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals to apply. Pennsylvania Voice hiring process will comply with Philadelphia’s Fair Criminal Records Screening Standards (“Ban the Box”) ordinance.
Salary Description
$78,000-$91,000
