Managing Director of Politics and Advocacy

Women Donors Network [WDN; 501(c)(3) organization] and WDN Action [WDNA; 501(c)(4) organization] are immediately hiring a passionate, seasoned, and inspiring Managing Director of Politics and Advocacy to lead, manage and drive political strategy and advocacy at WDN Action. This is a full-time, remote role that will report to the President and CEO.

ABOUT US

Women Donors Network [WDN] is a national network of women donors [cis and trans], nonbinary, and gender-expansive individuals committed to protecting and advancing gender, racial, economic, and climate justice. As a growing multiracial and multigenerational community of donor organizers, we connect, grow, fund, and mobilize together in solidarity with movements to transform people, culture, and systems rooted in justice. Through WDN Action, our c4 affiliate organization, we work to transform policies, political infrastructure, and political possibilities by investing in advocacy and electoral strategies that center the leadership of historically excluded communities. Together, we envision a just and sustainable world where everyone can safely and freely determine their own futures. 

This is an exciting time at WDN and WDN Action as we embark on the first year of our bold, new strategic plan. We are in a period of growth and transformation and are expanding our team of people who are passionate about social justice and motivated to amplify our impact. Our values are rooted in a culture of courage, commitment, curiosity, accountability, hope, and joy. You can read more about our path forward here.

We are a geographically distributed, remote team of 20 from a range of intersectional identities, including cisgender, BIPOC, and nonbinary people. We have a shared staffing structure across WDN and WDN Action, where our team dedicates a portion of their time to each organizational entity. We believe that a diverse team is integral to our work and strongly encourage applications from people of color, people with disabilities, women, LGBTQIA+, and all other applicants from historically excluded identities in the United States.

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are seeking our first-ever Managing Director of Politics and Advocacy for WDN Action in a period of transformative growth and development as we advance the vision of our new strategic plan. Collaborating closely with the President and CEO, this role will inspire our membership through impactful political education and advocacy initiatives, galvanize abundant resources to fund justice-driven movements, and elevate WDN Action’s voice, presence, and influence in the field. We are seeking a highly relational leader who can bring together sharp political analysis, operational expertise, and an organizing ethos to harness the power of our network of changemakers and leverage the full range of our resources – across financial, social, and political capital.

Reporting directly to the President and CEO and serving as an integral member of the Leadership Team, the Managing Director of Politics and Advocacy will drive our network’s engagement in political and advocacy initiatives with increased opportunities to connect, learn, fund, and mobilize. 

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES

As WDN and WDN Action continues to operationalize our new Strategic Plan, the Managing Director of Politics and Advocacy will be focused on the following:

WDN ACTION LEADERSHIP

• Lead annual planning and strategic plan implementation for WDN Action in partnership with the CEO, Staff Team, and Board of Directors.
• Leverage political expertise to craft an effective strategy for WDN Action’s member organizing, political education, and advocacy initiatives to inspire and activate the power and voice of our network.
• Work alongside the CEO and Vice President of Community and Development to achieve fundraising targets to advance our goals.
• Oversee a movement-aligned strategy for 501(c)(4) grantmaking, resource mobilization, and partnership development.
• In collaboration with the President and CEO, serve as a public voice for WDN Action.
• Foster cohesion across WDN and WDN Action’s strategies to advance our shared North Star.

POLITICS & ADVOCACY STRATEGY

• Design and implement a values-aligned, multi-year politics and advocacy strategy in collaboration with advisors and key stakeholders.
• Collaborate with political advisors and partners to shape our political analysis and c4 grantmaking priorities while overseeing the execution of WDN Action’s funding strategy.
• Consult on impact reporting, ensuring a seamless, people-centered approach to grantee engagement and reporting.
• Elevate the impact of our grantee partners in collaboration with the Communications Team and facilitate opportunities to amplify their work.

MEMBER ENGAGEMENT & ORGANIZING

• Elevate the impact of 501(c)(4) organizing and funding and drive engagement with WDN Action’s work within our network and beyond.
• Foster the leadership and capacity of our members to engage in organizational advocacy initiatives and seize strategic opportunities for collective action.
• Expand our network’s advocacy endeavors and political education and contribute subject matter expertise for relevant programs or convenings.

PARTNERSHIPS & INFLUENCE

• Collaborate with peer networks, state donor tables, political advisors, our grantees, and the WDN/A network to ensure our strategy is comprehensive, inclusive, and impactful.
• Enhance our organizational voice and influence within the field.
• Oversee strategy for c4 organizational partnerships and support the Director of Movement Partnerships in cultivating strong relationships across the field.

TEAM LEADERSHIP

• Build and sustain a culture of collaboration, communication, excellence, and accountability.
• Lead, coach, and manage the Politics and Advocacy Team, aligning their scope with WDN/A’s strategy and goals.
• Manage and review the performance of the Director of Movement Partnerships.
• Manage the consulting partnership with our Political Advisor.
• Collaborate with cross-functional partners on annual planning, strategy, budgeting, and other relevant organization-wide initiatives.
• Coach and mentor peers to support their broader professional development.

Requirements

PREFERRED CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS

• 10+ years of political strategy and advocacy experience.
• A steadfast commitment to WDN/A’s mission, rooted in collective liberation and the ability to speak to, bridge, and unite a dynamic audience behind our strategic path.
• Demonstrated track record in building and successfully scaling political strategy, advocacy campaigns, and external influence; experience in a membership organization is strongly preferred. 
• Previous experience leveraging a multi-entity organizational structure to advance impact.
• Previous experience as a Department Leader with the ability to support, mentor, and grow varying skill sets and abilities.
• Understanding and fluency in the complexities of organizing with a dynamic community of multigenerational and multiracial audiences, including differences across race, age, power, privilege, access, ability, etc.
• Deeply attuned to the political landscape and current events with the ability to craft timely, written analysis that connects to and advances WDN/A’s strategic priorities. 
• Verifiable experience identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding relationships with partners, donors, and media that strengthens our voice, presence, and influence in the field.
• Broad-based knowledge and experience with a range of communications modalities with deep expertise in political communications, advocacy campaigns, executive communications, brand ambassadorship, and public relations with an emphasis on storytelling.
• Demonstrated success leading well-organized donor engagement campaigns that inspire major gifts and increase impact and engagement.
• Exceptional writing, presentation, and communication skills with proficiency in Google Suite, Zoom, Slack, and MacOS.

CANDIDATE CHARACTERISTICS

• A collaborative, motivating, and proactive leadership style. 
• A charismatic communicator with executive presence, commitment to transparency, a high level of emotional intelligence, and a willingness to have courageous conversations. 
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate plainly and directly – with empathy and insight.
• Ability to maintain a growth mindset even when met with challenges and able to problem solve by providing dynamic solutions.
• A flexible, agile working style that succeeds in fast-paced, entrepreneurial organizations that centers what is best for the organization, a culture of kindness and a one-team mindset.
• Outstanding team leadership, program management, relationship building, donor engagement, and public speaking skills.

CANDIDACY PROCESS AND TIMELINE

To be considered for the Managing Director of Politics and Advocacy role, please submit an application, resume, and cover letter through our WDN Careers Page. We will continue to accept applications for this opportunity until this role is filled, prioritizing applications received prior to July 1, when we will begin an initial application review. 

To protect the integrity of our structured candidacy process, we kindly ask that all applicants do not call, email or message our office or any member of the WDN Team or Board of Directors about this opportunity. We will review applications as received and will invite a short list of candidates to schedule a screening call with a member of our team.

WDN is an equal opportunity employer that values a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. WDN encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, and veteran status. WDN does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, country of origin, citizenship, ancestry, genetic information, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, political affiliation, exercising one’s right to family care and medical leave, medical condition, including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions, or any other category protected by local, state, or federal laws. WDN is not offering US visa sponsorship at this time.

Upon request, WDN offers accommodations for candidates with disabilities during the application, interview, and hiring process, such as additional time on hiring exercises, interview questions in advance, or closed captioning on Zoom.

Benefits

The base salary for the Managing Director of Politics and Advocacy starts at $225K/year. This role is also eligible to receive WDN's Employee Benefits Package, which is inclusive of the following:

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance [paid by WDN at 100% for employees and 80% for dependents]
• 401K Contribution [4% of your gross pay contributed by WDN and an additional 3% match of your gross pay]
• 20 Vacation Days and 14 Observed Holidays
• Partial Reimbursement of Your Internet and Phone Expenses
• Stipends to Support Remote Office Expenses, Co-Working, and Learning and Development