Political Capacity Director

Summary

Join the Alliance for Youth Action as their Political Capacity Director and play a crucial role in strengthening the electoral capacity of their network. You will provide direct coaching and support to senior staff, develop a national youth political strategy, and lead the Alliance’s participation in key state coalitions. This role supports capacity building to grow the political power of young people. The position focuses on developing and implementing a shared political analysis and aligned strategy in 2025, and on electoral/political programs in 2026. The ideal candidate has deep experience in electoral programs, community organizing, and power-building, and a nuanced understanding of race and power's impact on civic engagement. This is a full-time exempt position based in the United States, reporting to the Senior Director of Capacity Building.

Requirements

• 4+ cycles of electoral campaign experience, with organizing background preferred, and at least one cycle as a candidate or ballot initiative Campaign Manager, or leading an electoral program
• Proven track record of setting a strategic vision at the department or organizational level, aligning large-scale projects with broader mission objectives, and adapting to a rapidly shifting political landscape
• Knowledge of voter analytics and tools that strengthen organizing strategies. Ability to apply insights from data to elevate campaign impact
• Skilled in coaching, performance management, and fostering the professional growth of other leaders
• Experience with developing c3, c4 primary purpose, and c4 electoral programs
• Ability to build trusting relationships with partners, network members, and colleagues across varying levels of management
• Demonstrated ability to integrate equity principles into organizational culture, campaigns, and coalition work. History of successful interventions in problematic dynamics and advancing racial equity in the workplace
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, adept at articulating strategic priorities to diverse audiences, and comfortable representing the organization publicly
• Ability to backwards map from a long-term outcome to manage a project from start to finish, bringing stakeholders along and meeting hard deadlines
• Aptitude for identifying and prioritizing organizational needs, charting clear pathways to achieve them, and navigating complex, dynamic movement landscapes
• Skilled at building consensus, securing buy-in, and motivating cross-organizational teams and partners to achieve shared goals
• Champions creative solutions, processes, and technologies to continually enhance program efficacy and meet evolving movement needs
• Ability to work autonomously and manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Holds oneself and team accountable for delivering measurable outcomes. Able to own missteps, repair harm, and maintain strong relational trust

Responsibilities

• Coach and support the development of the Network’s electoral programs
• Support the Capacity Building team and broader organization in meeting our cycle goals to execute high-quality, political programming up and down the ballot across our state-based partners
• Lead in the development of work with our state-based partners to identify down-ballot targets, electoral goals, and the strategies and tactics to lead those goals
• Coach, train, and develop network leaders to enhance their strategic thinking around programmatic effectiveness and overall capacity to achieve their electoral goals
• Offer guidance on strategic decision-making related to political initiatives to senior network staff and Executive Directors in our network
• Assist with the development and refinement of program plans through writing and editing support
• Conduct regular one-on-one coaching sessions to foster individual and organizational growth
• Provide on-site support through visits and trainings as necessary to ensure effective program implementation and impact
• Develop coalition partnerships to influence youth vote programs
• Lead the Alliance and the network’s participation in key state coalitions to shape strategies on youth vote campaigns
• Work with state-based affiliates and partners to develop down-ballot targets and clarify electoral goals
• Foster strong relationships between affiliates and state-based partners to increase collaboration and impact across our network
• Support the development of external partnerships at the national level to coordinate youth vote efforts
• Provide strategic advice and support on national programs
• Work in partnership with the Senior Director of Capacity Building to create a framework for effective political programs, including a template plan for our network affiliates
• Advise on tactics, universes, and other strategies to consider to meet high-level goals
• Provide support to the VP of Grantmaking on the National Political Plan Development and Research by conducting in-depth political research to inform the development of the national political plan. This research will include analyzing national and state-level political trends and identifying key local races to prioritize
• Work with Grantmaking & Partnerships to support the creation of a political program rubric and the development of tools or processes for evaluating program effectiveness and implementation
• Collaborate closely with the Senior Director of National Training and Program in running national direct voter contact initiatives to fill gaps

Preferred Qualifications

Ability to cultivate high-level partnerships with state and national organizations, philanthropic partners, and grassroots community leaders. Experience leading multi-stakeholder collaborations strongly preferred

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance covering 100% of employee premiums
• 75% of premiums for employee dependents
• Employer retirement contributions (SEP IRA) of 5% of salary
• Employer paid life insurance, short and long term disability income protection insurance
• Cell phone and internet stipends of $100 per month
• WMATA transportation Smartbenefits for staff located in the DMV area
• Professional development opportunities and funds
• Generous paid time off policy through which staff accrue 10 hours of PTO per month
• Unlimited sick leave
• Paid family and medical leave up to 16 weeks
• Paid Sabbatical (after 4 years of service)
• 15 paid holidays
• Potential for end of year or other bonuses