Work At RAD

Deputy Director

• Reports to: Executive Director
• Location: Remote, based in either Vermont or New Hampshire

The Opportunity

Rights & Democracy (RAD) seeks a Deputy Director to lead our power-building work in Vermont and New Hampshire. The Deputy Director will manage state staff teams and oversee all campaigns, legislative strategy, electoral engagement, and communications activities, as well as working closely with the Executive Director and Development Director on fundraising activities.

This position works closely with the Executive Director to operationalize our collective vision by facilitating staff communication and collaboration, setting and evaluating clear and measurable goals and benchmarks, ensuring accountability, sustainability, and learning, and making sure our base is at the center of our work. The focus of this role is to increase RAD’s impact in the world and to create the conditions for a stronger, more durable, thriving people’s movement in VT and NH.

Responsibilities

Programmatic Leadership, Supervision, and Management

• Lead the development of campaign plans and strategy in support of organizational goals.
• Recruit, hire, train, and (when necessary) fire staff, as delegated by the Executive Director.
• Supervise staff (including supervisory staff) through regular one-on-ones and group meetings.
• Develop strong, accountable, and rigorous expectations for staff through work planning, goal setting and project management.
• Support staff in navigating and resolving conflict in productive and positive ways.
• Support the ongoing personal, professional, and leadership development of staff through regular political education, organizing skills training, and strategic coaching.
• Evaluate staff performance on a regular basis.
• Serve on the Management Team with respect to union negotiations and relationships.
• Consult with other supervisors on personnel matters, including the administration of corrective action and discipline.
• Represent RAD to external partners.

Fundraising and Grant Tracking

• Shape and inform fundraising strategy in collaboration with the Executive Director, Development Director, and board.
• Contribute to the development of grant proposals and grassroots fundraising plans.
• Work with staff to ensure that grant deliverables are met and documented.
• Develop grant reports in coordination with the Development Director and other staff as relevant.

Organizational Development and Administrative Duties

• Work with the Executive Director on strategic planning, coordination, and financial management of the organization’s programs and projects.
• Assist the Executive Director with developing organizational budgets.
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal and state laws, including but not limited to employment, lobbying, and campaign finance laws.
• Serve as a decision maker on organizational policy, structure, direction alongside the Executive Director.
• Support board relations and attend meetings of the board on an as-needed basis.
• Manage the organization in the absence of the Executive Director.
• Other responsibilities as assigned by the Executive Director.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will:

• Be a collaborative and thoughtful manager with a deep understanding of the pervasive impacts of racial capitalism, a demonstrated commitment to racial equity and the fight for freedom, justice, and dignity for all people, and a movement-building sensibility that aims to build, harness, and deploy the collective power and potential of people.
• Be familiar with Vermont and/or New Hampshire political landscapes, and ready to lead the strategic direction of our campaigns.
• Have at least 2-3 years of management experience, including managing community organizers.
• Have at least 6-7 years of paid or volunteer experience in power-building community organizing.
• Have excellent written and verbal communication.
• Have an ability to manage a remote workforce and maintain positive relationships with a diverse range of organizational partners.
• Have a commitment to rigorous organizing practices and the use of data to inform strategy.
• Be proficient in use of Google Workspace tools (Docs, Sheets, Drive, etc.), Zoom, and similar tools, and possess the ability to learn new applications quickly.
• Be highly organized and flexible, able to meet deadlines, and able to manage workflow across multiple projects.
• Be open to constant learning and able to accept constructive feedback.
• Be willing to make difficult decisions when necessary.

Our Remote Work Culture

RAD staff work primarily remotely, with regular in-person activities. We have access to a coworking space in Burlington, VT, and expect to have access soon to a coworking space in Concord, NH. We gather for in-person meetings on a regular basis to support team-building and deep engagement for strategic conversations. We aspire to an organizational culture that is relational rather than transactional, and which is based in efficient use of digital tools to facilitate information sharing among our team.

Travel

Candidates must have reliable transportation, valid Driver’s License, and willingness to travel regularly to all areas of Vermont and New Hampshire (mileage reimbursements provided). Travel within the two states is anticipated on a weekly basis; travel out of state is anticipated a few times a year.

Compensation & Benefits

• This is a senior-level FLSA-exempt full-time salaried position
• Salary: $80,000-85,000 annually, commensurate with experience

• Unlimited Paid Time-Off (PTO) policy
• Excellent Health, Dental, Vision, and Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance paid in full by the organization
• 3% match on retirement contributions
• Phone, Internet, and Home Office stipends
• Access to professional development opportunities

Application Process

Please submit your resume and cover letter, addressed to Interim Executive Director Alison Nihart, at jobs@radmovement.org. Position open until filled; application review will begin immediately.

RAD is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and actively recruits people of color, women, individuals with disabilities and members of the LGBTQIA+ community. RAD is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As a part of our commitment to equity, RAD will ensure that persons with disabilities disclosed or undisclosed are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed or desired to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Alison Nihart, Interim Executive Director at alison@radmovement.org.

About Rights & Democracy

The Rights & Democracy Project (RAD, a 501(c)(4) organization) works closely with our sibling organization, the Rights & Democracy Institute (RDI, a 501(c)(3) organization) to advance human rights and strengthen our democracy through grassroots organizing, transformative policy, and supporting the development of a new generation of leaders from communities across Vermont and New Hampshire. Our mission is to shift the political landscape through electoral and community organizing to ensure that the values and needs of our communities guide the policies of our government. We are doing this by building a popular movement to advance human rights, dismantle economic inequality, racism, and sexism, and to build a real democracy. RAD is focused on building a people’s movement to win tangible victories that improve the lives of low-wage workers, immigrants, and communities of color.