Program Director
Local Progress and Local Progress Impact Lab are seeking a Program Director.
About Local Progress and Local Progress Impact Lab
Local Progress and the Local Progress Impact Lab work collectively to advance a racial and economic justice agenda through all levels of government. Local Progress (LP) is a movement of more than 1,500 local elected officials advancing a racial and economic justice agenda through all levels of local government. The Local Progress Impact Lab (the Impact Lab) brings together local leaders, partners, and experts to build the knowledge, skills, and leadership needed to advance racial and economic justice at the local level.
About the position:
LP and the Impact Lab are looking for a Program Director with a track record of organizing, coalition building, training and facilitation, strategic planning, and staff supervision. Working as part of a national program team, the Program Director will be responsible for envisioning and overseeing LP and the Impact Lab’s issue-focused member programming and developing opportunities for issue campaigns. The Program Director will ensure LP and the Impact Lab offer a wide array of programs, virtual and as part of in-person convenings, for members at various skill and experience levels across the full range of issues. The Program Director will anchor and develop the programmatic and campaign work of at least one core issue area. Working as part of a team, this position will support the development of campaign opportunities and new strategies for collective action.
The ideal candidate for this job is someone with a track record of relational organizing, developing leaders, and bringing people with different backgrounds and opinions together for a shared agenda. You're a strategic thinker who also pays attention to the details. You have experience in designing training programs and facilitating effective meetings that organize people to action. You hold a keen interest in transformational policy and campaign work at the municipal level.
The Program Director will report to the Managing Director, Program and Campaigns.
Location: This is a remote, U.S-based position with no in-office requirement.
Primary Responsibilities
- Programming and member education
- Lead, in consultation with the Managing Director, the planning and implementation LP and the Impact Lab's program offerings both in-person and virtual.
- Oversee and project manage a full calendar of programming to ensure it maintains excellent content and facilitation standards, reflects a diversity of issues, and remains relevant for a wide range of skill and experience levels.
- Work alongside the Managing Director in developing and implementing the annual National Convening program.
- Anchor and develop the programmatic and campaign work of at least one core issue area.
- Organizing and movement collaboration
- Develop campaign priorities for the organization– work across the organization, movement allies, and members to envision strategy, garner commitment, and move to action.
- Build and maintain relationships with national, state, and local partner organizations.
- Support staff in navigating the intricacies of building partnerships consistent with our theory of collaborative governance.
- Member leadership development and support
- Design and implement program strategies in coordination with member organizing strategies to bring new members into the network, deepen their engagement, and advance on a pathway of leadership within the network.
- Manage LP’s 1:1 support request system ensuring requests are assigned and followed-up on in a timely fashion.
- Support the Managing Director and other staff in instituting standards for member-led steering committee development.
- Support Local Progress and the Impact Lab's work
- Collaborate across teams to support organizational activities and infrastructure including caucus work, state chapter activities, Progressive Governance Academy, reports, convenings, web products, etc.
- Help develop a culture of excellent supervision and staff development within LP and the Impact Lab.
- Support the Managing Director, Program and Campaigns in maintaining funder relationships and identifying new opportunities for expanding support.
Required Qualifications
- 7-10+ years of organizing, strategic campaigning, and/or advocacy experience.
- 3+ years of demonstrated success in supervising staff working across a breadth of issues and functions.
- Experience in relational organizing and an ability to relate to and move to action a diverse group of people from a variety of local contexts and backgrounds, including in a virtual setting.
- Experience and expertise in an LP or related issue area.
- Ability to manage multiple projects, create and execute organizing work plans, anticipate obstacles and identify ways to navigate challenges, identify and involve stakeholders appropriately, and drive projects independently.
- A commitment to inside/outside strategy and movement governance that features deep partnership between “outside” organizing and “inside” elected officials.
- A demonstrated commitment to social, racial, and economic justice and a deep interest in local policy, politics, and government.
- Ambition, drive, energy, and the ability to work flexible, long hours when necessary and travel (approximately once per month up to 6 days a month).
The Ideal Candidate will have:
- Experience in leading and managing multi-stakeholder coalitions.
- Experience with economic justice, immigration, and/or municipal finance.
- Previous experience working with local elected officials.
- A background and skill set in interactive training design and adult learning.
Salary and Benefits:
Salary will be determined according to a salary scale which takes into account years of experience, job duties, and other factors, but is expected to be between $117,000 and $127,250.
We operate on a four day workweek with a default schedule of Monday through Thursday. We have a generous benefits package, including health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, five weeks of vacation per year, 20 sick days per year, paid holidays, and contributions to individuals’ 403(b) plans. The Local Progress office is closed between December 24 and January 1 annually.
This is a management position and will not be part of the Local Progress bargaining unit.
Timeline:
We encourage applicants to apply by October 15 for an anticipated start date of January 20, 2026. Applicants will be screened on a rolling basis so we encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible. If you have any time constraints, please indicate as much in your application.
How to apply:
Please submit your cover letter and resume through the JazzHR portal.
Local Progress Values
- Respect: We value people and treat each other with dignity. We strive to understand each other as full human beings, and give each other grace and room to grow.
- Honesty: We communicate directly with each other, are honest about our strengths and our shortcomings, and are transparent about who has what level of information and authority and why.
- Groundedness: We are authentic, and have high humility and low ego. We ground our work in the day-to-day reality and needs of our members.
- Mutual accountability: We do what we say we're going to do, follow through on our commitments to each other and to our members, and we hold each other to a high bar. We self-reflect and develop each other’s skills as leaders.
- Nuance: We understand that our work is complex and hold space for multiple viewpoints, contradictions, and tensions. We can hold many things as true while making decisions that advance our mission.
- Impact: We empower our team to make decisions to drive their work. We are focused on results, persistent in overcoming obstacles, and adapt to changing external conditions. We take pride in our work.
- Collaboration: We come together across different levels of power to advance shared interests. We center what’s best for the organization and are team players.
- Joy: We value playfulness, humor, and joy as ways to create community, connection, and goodwill that sustains us through the challenges inherent in our work.
Local Progress is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and actively recruits people of color, womxn, individuals with disabilities, and members of the LGBTIQAA+ community.