Bay Area Organizing Director

YIMBY Action and Yes In My Back Yard (YIMBY) are seeking a skilled political organizer, excellent volunteer manager, and politically savvy relationship builder to grow the pro-housing movement in San Francisco, Marin County & Alameda County.

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.

What we're looking for

The Bay Area Organizing Director will lead the fight for more inclusive housing policy in San Francisco and oversee all grassroots political activation, membership growth and engagement, and list growth. They will collaborate closely with a team of over 40 “power volunteers” (known internally as Leads), providing facilitation to help the Leads team identify chapter goals and strategies, and adding extra capacity to execute on goals and strategies.

Our expectation is that this person will be able to work in-person in San Francisco three times per month, the East Bay once per month, and Marin once per month.

Responsibilities

Supporting Volunteer Leads to Achieve Growth (40%)

• Meet regularly with Leads to set chapter growth and political goals. Ensure goals and strategies are informed by YIMBY Action national organizing best practices and YIMBY Action Chapter Development model. Keep Leads focused and politically effective.
• Activate the Leads (providing extra capacity to Leads as needed) to accomplish the following:
  • Meet list and membership growth targets through events, tablings, membership drives, and political campaigns.
  • Host monthly member meetings and social events to keep membership trained and engaged.
  • Build narrative power in East Bay & Marin through mobilizing members to write op-eds and building relationships with local media. In San Francisco, collaborate with the Executive Director and our media professional.
  • Meet with new members to bring them up our ladder of engagement.
  • Identify and cultivate potential Leads to support the current Leads.
  • Leverage local excitement to recruit new leads, grow the list, increase membership, get mentioned in the press, & write op-eds.
• Ensure enforcement of YIMBY Action Code of Conduct throughout the chapters

Activating Leads and Members for Policy Priorities (50%)

• In collaboration with Leads, drive effective advocacy from members. Specific campaigns may include:
  • Endorsements - oversee a regional endorsement process including endorsement votes. Drive members to disseminate endorsements and candidate information and support endorsed candidates’ campaigns
  • Policy Activation - drive members to advocate for strong federal, state, and local pro-housing legislation
  • Housing Proposal Advocacy - drive members to support housing projects at hearings and through petitions
• Provide extra capacity to Leads to build key relationships:
  • Build relationships with relevant local elected officials and influencers.
  • Build coalition power by meeting with local coalition partners.

Fundraising (5%)

• Cultivate new major gift donors in Marin, East Bay, and SF
• Collaborate with the Senior Manager of Major Gifts to tee up asks for Executive Directors
• Meet with & cultivate mid-level donors

Other Projects (5%)

• Assist with various department or org-wide priorities, especially when geographically and demographically relevant

Measurables of success for this position may include:

• average turnout at key mobilizations
• # of active Leads
• % growth of subscriber list
• % growth in dues-paying and volunteer membership
• # of coalition partnerships
• # of media hits of assigned chapters
• # of op-eds produced by members
• # of monthly chapter events

Qualifications

Required

• 4+ years of experience in advocacy organizing, campaign management or membership growth for a local organization
• A deep commitment to the YIMBY vision. A passion for more housing and shelter of every type including subsidized nonprofit affordable housing, market-rate housing, transitional housing, navigation centers, etc.
• Extensive experience managing volunteers; track record of success driving volunteers to high levels of performance and engagement. This person needs to be able to lead without authority, inspiring people to action rather than commanding them.
• Experience in volunteer recruitment; particular experience attracting and engaging diverse volunteers.
• Previous community organizing and/or political activism experience.
• Experience building positive working relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders; demonstrated ability to interact with stakeholders professionally, with poise, and with an orientation towards identifying and building on common ground.
• Excellent public speaking abilities; ability to serve as a compelling ambassador with media and on panels.

Preferred

• Knowledge of/previous experience in housing activism
• Understanding of local political landscape in the Bay Area, including understanding of political players and key community groups.
• Previous experience in policy; demonstrated ability to absorb and articulate complex policy concepts.

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