Elections Advocacy Program Manager

Organization Overview

Democracy North Carolina (Democracy NC) works to strengthen democratic structures, build power in disenfranchised communities, and inspire confidence in a transformed political process that works for all. Through grassroots organizing, policy advocacy and research, and strategic communications, the nonpartisan organization aims to protect  and advance voting access, ensure fair representation, and increase the participation of  those historically underrepresented in the political process, especially people of color. For 30 years, this 501(c)3 nonprofit (and its predecessor, Democracy South) has taken on powerful institutions and politicians, regardless of party, and promoted reforms  that expand public involvement in civic life. Democracy NC works closely and in coalition with reform-minded local, state, and national partners to achieve the policy outcomes and grassroots participation necessary for a just and equitable democracy. 

Position Overview

The Elections Advocacy Program Manager is a full-time position that supports Democracy NC’s efforts to advance structural democracy reform and mitigate harm from voting and election administrative restrictions through county training, advocacy, and monitoring. The Elections Advocacy Program Manager will help develop and carry out the organization’s long-term reform agenda, at the county and municipal levels, by leading our year-round election advocacy programmatic work and supporting key local advocacy programming. The position will also help administer the election advocacy regranting programs. 

The Elections Advocacy Program Manager reports to the Policy Director, and works directly alongside the Policy Manager who leads our statewide policy advocacy initiatives and the Senior Policy Analyst who carries out our long-term structural democracy research agenda. The position also supports specific volunteer programs led by the Election Protection Research Manager who develops our election protection programming research. This position is currently hybrid but is based in the organization’s Morrisville office.

Responsibilities

Election Advocacy Program

• Manages and coordinates our interdepartmental Elections Advocacy program, including County Board of Elections Monitoring, Early Voting Advocacy, Elections Funding Advocacy, and Canvass Monitoring:
  • Works alongside the Policy Director, Organizing Director, Volunteer Program Associate, and Communications team to recruit, manage, train, and develop materials for statewide and year-long Elections Advocates;
  • Leads and/or assists staff with planning, developing curriculum and materials (including any online learning tools), and working on logistics and technical components for trainings and events; 
  • Serves as the point of contact for questions about Election Advocacy Programs from volunteers and other community stakeholders; 
  • Reviews and analyzes Elections Advocates’ and other volunteers’ reports to ensure high-quality data collection for internal and external reporting, including program evaluation;
  • Supports the Policy and Election Protection Manager(s) in conducting election administration research and analyzing County Boards of Election data;
  • Attends state and local election meetings on behalf of Democracy NC, when needed, including election administration conferences; 
  • Builds relationships and meets with local decision-makers and State Board of Elections officials to advance local election policy reform agenda;
  • Provides strategic guidance and policy support, including the creation of projects and campaigns to support local advocacy initiatives;
• Represents Democracy NC in coalition spaces, and convenes stakeholders and/or partners to participate in collaborative work planning processes.
• Coordinates and supports interdepartmental regranting programs:
  • Works alongside the Policy Director, Organizing Director, and support staff to recruit, manage, train, and develop materials for Elections Advocacy regranting programs;
  • Serves as primary contact for grantees and manages grantee responsibilities and obligations;
  • Mobilizes grantees in response to local advocacy needs and in coordination with coalition partners. 
• Supports Research & Data, as needed in the following areas:
  • Internal and external data requests, and other research projects as needed. 
  • Assists with post-program reporting and evaluation as directed by the Policy Director and Senior Policy Analyst.

Election Protection Programs 

• Poll Monitoring/Vote Protector Program:
  • Works alongside the Election Protection Research Manager to assist with the recruitment and placement of a diverse volunteer base for our Vote Protector Program across North Carolina; 
  • Assists in promoting the Adopt-a-Precinct regrant program and, when needed, evaluating applications to determine which organizations receive grants; 
• Additional Election Protection Support:
  • Supports coordination with NC Election Protection Table partners and programs and may serve as a facilitator for working groups related to Elections Advocacy Programs; 
  • Supports Policy and Election Protection Manager(s) with coordinating provisional ballot phone banking and other election protection campaigns.

Skills and Attributes

• Ability to execute logistically heavy statewide programs with multiple components, paying close attention to details.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including conducting trainings for large and diverse audiences.
• Ability to work across multiple departments and collaborate in a virtual environment.
• Strong sense of what is needed to move work forward in terms of priorities and next steps; knowing when to seek guidance and help 
• Willingness and ability to learn new technology quickly.
• Strong meeting facilitation skills 
• Sharp, strategic thinker.
• Reliable and quick at data entry.
• Comfortable in a dynamic, fast-paced work environment.

Qualifications

• At least 2-3 years of management-level work experience in a related field OR 1-2 years of management-level work experience in a related field and a relevant graduate degree (e.g., MSW, MPA, MPP, Journalism, JD). 
• Experience in advocacy or grassroots organizing efforts.
• Volunteer recruitment and management experience preferred.  
• Strong project management and coordination skills, including close attention to detail.
• Familiarity with or a strong interest in North Carolina elections law and procedures and democracy issues.
• Demonstrated commitment to racial justice and anti-racism, to North Carolina, and the South.