Director of Training

Full Time Position

The Center for Progressive Leadership (CPL) is a national political training institute dedicated to developing the next generation of progressive political leaders. CPL develops diverse leaders who can effectively advance progressive political and policy change. Since 2003, CPL has trained over 3,000 future candidates, political professionals, advocacy leaders, and organizational staff who are changing the face of politics in this country.

With a deep commitment to developing diverse, grassroots leaders, CPL has four permanent state offices (Arizona, Colorado, Michigan, and Pennsylvania) and is opening 1-2 new offices each year (starting with Ohio in 2008). CPL also runs intensive leadership programs for diverse progressive leaders from across the country through our national office in Washington, DC.

CPL’s 35 staff and faculty across the country work every day to identify, recruit, train, coach, and mentor promising and diverse progressive leaders. Over the next three years, CPL has ambitious plans to add 4-6 new state offices, build a national training center and dorm in Washington DC, launch an intensive national fellowship program for the most promising progressive leaders in the country, double our staff team, and train thousands of diverse progressive leaders. For more information, visit our website at www.ProgressiveLeaders.org.

Job Description:
The Center for Progressive Leadership is seeking a master trainer and curriculum developer to join our senior management team. Primary responsibilities will include:

• Leading the development of all core curriculum and training modules for  CPL’s political leadership programs;
• Delivering highly experiential, interactive, relevant and practical progressive political training consistent with CPL’s methodology and approach;
• Expanding and managing the network of highly experienced, qualified trainers who are experienced in both the content and the format of CPL’s trainings;
• Designing and leading train-the-trainer sessions with CPL’s national and state staff and faculty;
• Identifying, researching, and developing ongoing best practices in leadership development and training to support CPL’s trainings consistently being innovative and of the highest quality;
• Working closely with other progressive leadership development organizations to share curricula, identify areas for collaboration, and inform the ongoing improvement of CPL’s programs; and
• Helping to assess, evaluate and improve the overall quality of CPL’s training programs.

Requirements:
MUST HAVE AT LEAST EIGHT YEARS OF SENIOR-LEVEL EXPERIENCE IN TRAINING AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, INCLUDING CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT, TRAINING DESIGN, AND TRAINING DELIVERY.

1. Extraordinary Trainer and Facilitator: A mastery of training and facilitation techniques; a deep understanding of interactive, adult training approaches; a strong commitment to long-term progressive leadership development

2. Deep Progressive Political Leadership Experience: A wealth of knowledge of and experience with progressive campaigns, organizing, advocacy, and organizational leadership and the capacity to communicate this knowledge through training and facilitation

In specific, applicants must be a master trainer in at least three of the following core CPL program areas and a proficient trainer in five areas: 

• Collaborative Political Leadership: coalition building, diversity training, conflict resolution, values-based community building, and facilitative management
• Fundraising: campaign, nonprofit, and political organization fundraising - planning, best practices, and pitching
• Message and Communications: message development, media relations, public speaking, visionary communications, and speaking to values
• Campaign Planning and Management (electoral and advocacy): campaign strategy, management, and innovations, political landscape mapping, and values-based campaigning
• Organizational Planning and Management: strategic planning, organizational growth and development, and team management
• Visionary and Values-driven Leadership: progressive philosophy, turning values into policy, and policy leadership
• Organizing: grassroots organizing theory and practice, field organizing, issue advocacy, volunteer engagement, and power mapping

CPL is a team of dedicated and passionate individuals. Applicants must possess strong leadership skills and have a clear commitment to training and progressive politics.

CPL is an equal opportunity employer. Minorities and women are encouraged to apply.

Location:
The Director of Training would ideally be based in Washington, D.C., although this could be flexible for someone who is willing to travel to DC regularly. The position will also include frequent travel to CPL’s state offices for trainings (1-2 trips per month, including significant weekend travel). 

Salary:
The Center for Progressive Leadership offers competitive salaries, including benefits for all full-time employees.  Salary commensurate with experience.

How to Apply:
To apply for the position, email a cover letter and resume (one document please) to TrainingDirectorSearch@progressiveleaders.org.

Position closes on August 30th, 2008, unless filled sooner.