Georgia Organizing Director

Note: This is a work-from-home role, however the candidate must be based in Atlanta, GA, due to the frequency of in-person Atlanta meetings and events.

YIMBY Action and Yes In My Back Yard (YIMBY) are seeking a senior community organizer, skilled volunteer manager, and politically savvy relationship builder to grow the pro-housing movement in metro Atlanta and across Georgia.

YIMBY Action and Yes In My Back Yard (YIMBY) are affiliated 501(c)(4) and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that work together to advance policy change that will increase the supply of housing in high-opportunity cities and towns. Our organizations envision an integrated and environmentally sustainable society where every person has access to a safe, affordable home near jobs, services, and opportunity. Our mission in the Atlanta region is carried out by Abundant Housing Atlanta (AHA).

The Georgia Organizing Director will lead the fight for more inclusive housing policy and oversee all grassroots political activation, membership growth and management, coalition building, political relationships, and local media relationships. They will also collaborate with YIMBY and YIMBY Action national staff to set the strategy and build and nurture fundraising relationships. They will collaborate closely with a team of “power volunteers” (known internally as Leads), providing facilitation to help the Leads team identify chapter goals and strategies, and providing extra capacity to execute on goals and strategies. They will also work with a local advisory board that supports effective relationship management with key business members and other key partners.

What we're looking for

Responsibilities

Manage a Team of Volunteer Leads to Achieve Growth (40%)

• Organize and motivate a team of volunteer Leads to craft a metro Atlanta regional strategy for political impact, with an eye towards maximizing limited resources.
• Provide organizing support for additional YIMBY Action chapters in the Atlanta metro region and across Georgia.
• Meet regularly with Leads to set chapter growth goals. Ensure growth is informed by YIMBY Action national organizing best practices and YIMBY Action Chapter Development model.
• Manage and coach volunteers to create and host regular 101 style events, panels, or educational workshops related to the mission of Abundant Housing Atlanta with the goal of attracting new members and volunteers.
• Assist local Leads with expanding chapter leadership, including having 1-on-1s with potential Leads, creating on-ramp opportunities for volunteers to own projects, and identifying highly engaged members to train up for future leadership opportunities.
• Activate, support, and add capacity to Leads to accomplish the following, in alignment with strategic priorities:
  • Meet list and membership growth targets through events, membership drives, and digital campaigns.
  • Host monthly member meetings and social events to keep membership trained and engaged.
  • Conduct 1-on-1s with new activists to welcome them to the movement and support their inclusion.
  • Build narrative power through hosting events and mobilizing members to write op-eds.
• Work with Leads to ensure representation at daytime events, such as government meetings, and ensure key takeaways are shared among local Leads, members, and community allies.
• Ensure enforcement of YIMBY Action Code of Conduct throughout the chapter communities.

Activate Leads and Members for Policy Priorities (30%)

• In collaboration with Leads, inspire effective advocacy from members. You’ll need to keep leadership development as a core focus as advocacy and event opportunities arise, so Leads can own the work with you! Specific campaigns include:
  • Endorsements - oversee regional endorsement process including endorsement votes. Drive members to disseminate endorsements and candidate information and support endorsed candidates’ campaigns
  • Legislative activation and ballot measures - drive members to advocate for strong federal, state, and local pro-housing legislation and ballot measures
  • Housing Project Advocacy - drive members to support housing projects at hearings and through petitions
• Provide extra capacity to Leads to build relationships with relevant local elected officials and influencers.

Fundraise (20%)

• In collaboration with YIMBY Action staff and the local Advisory Board, actively build relationships with local funders, donors, and prospects to reach an annual fundraising goal of $200k.
• Sustain existing foundation and building industry funding relationships. Move relationships forward by cultivating prospects and making bold fundraising asks.
• Sustain/expand the fundraising pipeline by helping prospect new funders and building a local network to creatively identify opportunities.

Build Coalition and Media Relationships (10%)

• In collaboration with Leads and local Advisory Board, actively build relationships with key local groups in Atlanta and adjacent cities/counties. Connect with statewide partners, based on chapter locations.
• Invite coalition partners to support priority YIMBY legislation, candidates, and YIMBY-endorsed housing projects.
• Build relationships with key city staff, elected officials, and influential individuals such as NPU leaders and peer nonprofits such as Propel ATL.
• Manage relationships with media and press contacts.
• Participate in local panels, television and radio shows, conferences, and other speaking engagements.

Qualifications

REQUIRED

• 5-10 years of experience in local community organizing and/or political activism, including event-planning and team coordination. Ability to plan and run organizing events and campaigns to completion.
• 5-10 years of experience managing volunteers, coordinating issue-based advocacy efforts, and organizing volunteers for candidate endorsements/elections. Strong project management experience and a demonstrated ability to supervise and delegate to others in order to effectively complete complex tasks.
• A demonstrated commitment to the YIMBY vision; previous work or volunteer experience that is aligned with YIMBY goals. A demonstrated passion for more housing and shelter of every type including subsidized nonprofit affordable housing, market-rate housing, transitional housing, navigation centers, and more.
• Experience in volunteer recruitment, including attracting, engaging, and cultivating leaders within a diverse community.
• Experience building positive working relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders; demonstrated ability to professionally interact with stakeholders, with an orientation towards identifying and building on common ground.
• Positive attitude and excitement to fundraise from individuals, businesses, and foundations, with the ability to meet local and statewide fundraising targets.
• Demonstrated ability to proactively address and resolve interpersonal and organizational conflicts while fostering a positive and collaborative work environment.
• Strong oral and written communication skills. Can effectively communicate the organization’s mission and strategic future to various audiences while building excitement about shared vision and goals.

PREFERRED

• Ability to communicate effectively with media and serve on panels with allied organizations
• Experience in housing policy, including the ability to analyze, revise, and develop local and statewide policy documents and volunteer trainings.
• Particular understanding of the local political landscape in the metro Atlanta region, including understanding of and/or relationships with political players and key community groups.

Benefits

• Up to 100% employer funded comprehensive medical coverage
• 401k enrollment opportunities
• 3 weeks of paid vacation plus another 20 paid holidays
• Paid sick time
• Paid family & disability leave
• Significant professional development opportunities, including paid professional development stipend
• Flexible work hours within a 40 hour work week
• Membership in YIMBY Action nationwide activist network and vibrant 3,700+ member Slack community
• Access to YIMBY Action network of elected officials, journalists, and business leaders