Position: Strategy Program Manager, Exempt Full-Time
Salary: $55,000 – $64,000
Location: Onsite
Reports to: Organizing and Partnership Director
Benefits: Employee only health, dental, vision, PTO, STD, LTD, HSA, Life Insurance, Retirement plan, annual
bonuses, organization breaks, paid holidays and professional development funds.
Organization Summary Asian American Organizing Project (AAOP) is a non-partisan organization led by and for young Asian Minnesotans in the Twin Cities. Through our grassroots organizing efforts and programming, we aim to develop young Asian community leaders to resist oppression and co-create a more just future for their families, schools, communities, and cities.
Who are we looking for? The ideal candidate is creative, community driven, people-centered, socially conscious, and skilled in fostering relationships in individuals to influence/impact systems change. This individual should be organized, a self-starter, a strong communicator, able to effectively manage varied tasks and timelines, conduct evaluations and write reports. The candidate should have experience and familiarity in project implementation and ability to effectively manage staff and volunteers through coaching and mentoring.
Position Summary The Strategy Program Manager will lead and manage all development efforts and implement an annual strategic plan that will build momentum to achieve civic and political change for Asian youth Minnesotans. This position will work closely with the Organizing and Partnership Director as a thought partner and collaborator to advance the organization’s engagement and mobilization efforts towards a vision of progressive systemic change that centers the social and political power of Asian youth Minnesotans. This position will lead and support our organizing team, volunteers, and collaborative partnerships to advance our work.
Salary and Benefits AAOP has a tiered pay scale ranging from hourly to salary positions that are based on Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) every other year, and equity and economic justice. This salaried position currently ranges from $55,000 to $64,000 per year with an annual raise between 1% to 3% based on annual reviews and budget. This position is a 40 hours/week full-time, in-person, exempt position, including some evenings and weekends. Benefits include: annual 80 PTO hours lump sum, 10 paid holidays per year, AAOP Organizational paid breaks: 2 days for Spring, 2 days for Fall, and 8 days for Winter Break, annual bonuses, annual $400 Professional Development, Employee Only Health, HSA, Dental and Vision – 80% Employer and 20% Employee, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, Life Insurance and Simple IRA Retirement Plan.
Please submit a resume along with a brief cover letter highlighting experience with the following qualifications to jobs@aaopmn.org. Applications are reviewed and interviews are scheduled on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Please include the following questions in your cover letter to help inform us of your understanding and experiences:
- Please share how your lived experiences inform your approach to navigating and building with our base of low-income refugee/immigrant Asian Minnesotans? And/or what is the importance of providing social justice education and advocacy leadership to our Asian youth communities?
- What unique skills are you bringing into AAOP regarding this position and its responsibilities?
Essential duties and responsibilities:
- Program/Project Management Develop and supervise our field canvassing team, design program, metrics and strategy, and lead the implementation of our multi-year field work and activities. Set-up, track and prepare canvassing logistics, materials, supplies, equipment, and coordinate necessary community education and events with key staff and leaders to reach voters. Lead field-related meetings, logistics, scheduling, and create and maintain records, reports, and presentations. Support and develop compelling messages that resonate with our voter base and align with the organization’s vision and objectives. Conduct participatory action research, focus groups, surveys, analyzing data, and collaborating with stakeholders to understand our voter base and develop winning messages and narratives. Brief and train canvassing and volunteer team on messaging strategy, slogans, scripts, talking points, and voter base interests and concerns as related to priority organizing issues. Assist in development of communication materials and best approaches to reach targeted audiences.
- Data Management and Reporting Setup and manage Voter Action Network (VAN) logistics such as phone universe and scripts, and plan and prepare materials and technology for canvassing activities such as phones, doors, and events. Conduct quality control for all voter and organizing data; and provide VAN training, compliance and access to staff and volunteers. Provide monthly and quarterly progress to goal reports to the Organizing and Partnership Director.
- Facilitation Develop and facilitate training, workshop, and policy briefings related to Election laws and policy changes, and updating internal training and workshops materials and presentations. Lead growth and development of AAOP’s field organizing and canvassing plans and presence. Monitor and ensure the implementation of community engagement best practices, and non-partisan compliances with the organization’s standards, policies, and strategies and their duties as assigned.
- Coalition and Base Building The SPM will identify opportunities and develop strategies to build relationships and cultivate partnerships with local organizations, decision makers, businesses, and associations that align and advance our multi-year strategies. An important aspect of this role is maintaining one on one relationships with your leadership teams, and providing clear directions, expectations, resources, and training.
Minimum Education and Experience A combined minimum of 3-4 years of experience in the following: project implementation and people management, strategic planning, networking, community building and outreach, Election and civic engagement, research, data management and reporting. Comparable experience in terms of time and background in similar fields and education/degrees will be considered.
Must haves for the position Familiarity with the Twin Cities and metropolitan geography, demographics, communities and cultures; especially the Asian American, immigrant and refugee communities. Basic knowledge of the civic and political structure at the local and state level, and grassroots engagement and organizing with people of all backgrounds and identities. Database management and reporting, handling confidential data and information. Strong computer skills, proficiency with Google Suite and online databases especially Voter Action Network and/or Action Network. Experience in implementation of strategic planning activities, management, and evaluation through an intersectional and equity lens. Team building, problem-solving skills, and facilitation. Strong organizational, project management, and communication skills (written and verbal). Knowledge of and commitment to social and racial justice personally and professionally. Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment, taking ownership and accountability, and initiative with minimal direction.
Some evenings and weekends may be required to meet programming needs. Availability and ability to travel statewide and nationally, including occasional overnights and multi-day travel. Lastly, they must have a vehicle, a valid driver’s license and auto insurance.
Nice haves for the position Background and experience in election, campaign, data analysis, participatory action research, and field organizing. Knowledge or experience in nonprofits and governance, and public policy. Experience supporting a senior staff and supervising other staff. Ability to work on a small, collaborative team or in a small nonprofit organization.
AAOP does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, age, height, weight, physical or mental ability, veteran status, military obligations, status on public assistance, and marital status. We strongly encourage individuals who identify as or businesses led by Asian & Pacific Islanders, Black, indigenous, people of color, disabled, queer, trans and women to submit a proposal. AAOP is unable to provide VISA sponsorship at this time.