Senior Director

Summary

Join the Alliance for Youth Action as their Senior Director of National Training and Program! This role leads national training programs for civic engagement, organizing, and political programs across 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organizations. You will oversee the Alliance’s national training programs, serve as the executive lead of the New Deal for Organizing, and develop a new 501(c)(4) training program. Beyond training, you will support capacity building initiatives, including network-wide convenings and leadership development. The ideal candidate has deep experience in community organizing, understands how race and power shape civic engagement, and has a track record of managing complex initiatives. This full-time position reports to the Vice President of Capacity Building and is based in the United States. The Alliance offers a competitive benefits package.

Requirements

• 5+ years of progressive experience leading community, labor, or student organizing initiatives, with demonstrated success in developing grassroots campaigns, power analyses, and leadership pipelines
• Experience developing, executing, and evaluating training curriculum for organizing, electoral campaigns, or other professional development leading to strong results for participants
• Experience in adult learning and education through the development of strong adult learning curriculum, tracking learning objectives and assessing growth in learning
• 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
• Substantial experience managing complex programs and cross-functional teams. Skilled in coaching, performance management, and fostering professional growth
• Ability to cultivate high-level partnerships with state and national organizations, philanthropic partners, and grassroots community leaders. Experience leading multi-stakeholder collaborations strongly preferred
• 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
• Knowledge of voter data, analytics platforms, and technology tools that strengthen organizing strategies. Ability to apply insights from data to elevate campaign impact
• Experience overseeing departmental or organization-wide budgets, with the ability to make sound financial decisions that position programs for long-term sustainability

Responsibilities

• Lead and Evaluate New Deal for Organizing Program
• Lead the development, execution, and evaluation of the New Deal for Organizing training program to rebuild training infrastructure for youth organizing nationwide
• Proactively foster and grow collaborative relationships between the Alliance and State Voices Network to align resources, unify strategies, and co-create opportunities for greater impact at the state and local levels
• In collaboration with Midwest Academy, oversee and direct curriculum development and training methodologies, setting priorities and approving final structures
• Proactively foster and grow collaborative relationships between the Alliance and State Voices Network to align resources, unify strategies, and co-create opportunities for greater impact at the state and local levels
• In collaboration with Midwest Academy, select, direct, and oversee the work of trainers and contractors, ensuring alignment with strategic goals, budget parameters, and performance expectations
• Design and Execute National Political Training Program
• Design the learning objectives and curriculum for a rigorous political training program designed to ensure our network of youth organizing groups are prepared for executing 501(c)(4) programs in the 2026 midterm elections
• Work closely with the Senior Director of Capacity Building to define strong political programs, evaluate affiliate capacity to execute those programs, and provide the training necessary to implement those programs
• Implement robust metrics and analytics to assess the program’s effectiveness. Use insights to adapt curriculum, refine training approaches, and measure improvements in grassroots capacity-building
• Lead National Voter Contact Program
• Collaborate with the VP of Grantmaking and Partnerships to understand the 2026 political landscape and identify gaps in national youth political programs to fill with a national youth voter contact campaign for target races in 2026
• Work with the Political Director and Executive Team to develop, implement, and evaluate national voter engagement programs, including vended field operations, phone banking, direct mail, text messaging, and digital outreach
• Spearhead Key Initiatives and Projects
• Assist in the coordination and implementation of network-wide capacity building initiatives, including trainings, cohorts, Executive Director support, and peer learning opportunities, by providing logistical, facilitation, and programmatic support to fill gaps and ensure smooth execution
• Coordinate closely with the development team to share stories of impact to funders and partners
• Collaborate with members of the Senior Leadership Team to add capacity and expertise where needed, examples may include: national research and polling agendas, capacity building supports for our state-based affiliates, data analysis and program evaluation, and fundraising
• Develop, implement, and enforce the strategic vision, policies, and operational priorities for these programs in coordination with executive leadership

Preferred Qualifications

• Expertise in training, curriculum development, and evaluation of impact
• 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

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