ABOUT THE POSITION

MN350’s Political Manager position brings strategic and relational capacity at the intersection of policy and our communities in deep collaboration with our MN350 and MN350 Action organizing and communications teams. 

The Political Manager works with the Executive Director, staff, and volunteer organizers to engage and advise internal stakeholders on winnable political issues in local and statewide policy debates. In collaboration with the Executive Director, the Political Manager works with policymakers to repair our public processes and treaty promises. MN350 and MN350 Action seek to grow our constituency base from 35,000 to 50,000 by 2024 by building relationships with policymakers who champion climate justice and by actively supporting and holding them accountable for securing large-scale legislation and climate action plans for clean air, clean water, a stable climate, and an equitable future for all, first and foremost for communities most harmed. 

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR

MN350 is leading Minnesota’s efforts to address climate change through a commitment to climate justice. We have been on the front lines of many climate justice campaigns and are looking to build capacity at the front lines of policy change. 

We are looking for a dynamic, relational professional who knows how to navigate the complexities of the political process, policy, and political organizing. Most of our staff are organizers, and we need a Political Manager who can align political action with what is emerging through grassroots organizing. We need the Political Manager to help us understand what is possible politically in any given year and also integrate that into the passions of our organizing teams.  

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

·       Build power by building productive relationships and leading our engagement with policymakers at all levels of governance (city, county, state, federal)

. Set up political meetings for the Executive Director, including written statements as appropriate.  

·       Integrate with staff and volunteer organizers what is emerging through our organizing campaigns with a winnable political change agenda

·       Discern where it makes most sense for MN350 to invest our political energy to advance just transitions

·       Use our theory of change and recommend approaches to leverage our existing power to persistently push the state of Minnesota to invest in just climate  solutions across Minnesota

·       Collaborate with the Executive Director to provide input and strategic thinking into the organization’s internal and external communication and messaging

·       Partner with policy and legal professionals and our Indigenous organizing team to educate policymakers, particularly non-Native policymakers, about treaty rights and obligations and impress on them the importance of upholding treaties and Indigenous sovereignty 

This is a job posting, not a detailed work plan. Responsibilities in this posting will inform regular work plans including short-term goals and day-to -day assignments.

QUALIFICATIONS

Strong candidates will: 

·       Have 4+ years of professional-level (paid or unpaid) experience in electoral politics, issue advocacy, lobbying, movement building, community organizing, or a closely related field 

·       Have 2+ years of professional experience in political organizing with 2+ years in leadership roles

·       Be highly organized with a strength in  political analysis and community-based power-building

·       Have a track record for collaborating effectively within and across diverse groups of stakeholders while also working independently and taking appropriate initiative

·       Have 2+ years of experience working in a nonprofit setting and a comfort level navigating in the nonprofit arena and working effectively to build and maintain networks and coalitions

Relations & leadership skills: 

·       Ability to collaborate and integrate grassroots ideas with political realities  

·       Proven commitment to embodied leadership with ability to cultivate the leadership of others while also managing several tasks and projects concurrently 

·       Ability to plan and manage multiple projects, consult with various stakeholders, anticipate obstacles, manage timelines, keep staff and volunteers engaged and maintain good spirits. 

·       Excellent organizational and prioritization skills; ability to manage an unpredictable workflow and flexibility to respond thoughtfully and quickly. 

·       Excellent written and oral communication skills.

·       Understanding of the structural nature of power and inequity with demonstrated ability to transform it.

·       Relationally organized, having significant experience working with Black, Indigenous, People of Color,  broad coalitions and multiracial communities, proven ability to build rapport and trust with others. 

·       Familiarity with transformative justice, healing justice, and decolonization frameworks with willingness to stretch, imagine, and manifest practices within the organizational culture.

·       Personal commitment to operating from a place of hope, abundance and optimism

·       Analytical and creative thinker

Political Process and analysis: 

·       Working knowledge of state and national legislative and regulatory processes, with proven track record of identifying opportunities for public engagement

·       Experience with legislation incubation 

·       Proven ability to digest, interpret and communicate laws, legislation, and policymaking processes to diverse audiences

·       Longstanding and deep interest in local and national political developments, especially as they affect the pursuit of justice and equity, including climate justice and racial justice. 

Nonprofit operations experience: 

·       Understanding of state and federal 501(c)4 and 501(c)3 nonprofit regulations

·       Ability to maintain compliance and experience with change management, as well as experience implementing strategies that lead to organizational sustainability and success

·       Fundraising experience with the demonstrated ability to ask for and receive money 

·       Experience with State Campaign Finance Board reporting and compliance a plus

·       Proficiency with office programs, databases, and software, including Voter Action Network, Google Suite, and CRM tools. Comfortable and confident in learning new technologies.

SALARY & BENEFITS

·       Full-time, professional position. Salary range: $60,000 to $70,000 based on experience and qualifications 

·       Employer-paid health and dental benefits, 401K match, and paid time off 

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Reporting

The Political Manager reports to the Executive Director and works collaboratively with other staff and volunteers at every level.

Location & physical demands

MN350’s primary office is in Minneapolis. However, work is performed across the State of Minnesota. Work is performed in both remote and in-office settings, as safety guidelines allow, and includes significant time using a computer and phone. Occasional travel to other parts of Minnesota is required to attend events or meet with staff, volunteers, or other stakeholders. Some events are outdoors. Infrequent travel outside of Minnesota.

This is a salaried, unionized position. Flexibility is needed to work outside normal business hours, including evenings and weekends and occasional extended work hours to accomplish the mission of the organization.

MN350 fully complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

JOB CODE: Manager I