Pennsylvania State Director

Full-Time Paid Position

The Center for Progressive Leadership (CPL) is a national progressive training institute dedicated to building the next generation of progressive political leaders and activists. Through intensive training programs for activists, staff, and future candidates, CPL provides promising emerging leaders with the skills and resources needed to become effective political leaders.

CPL has trained just under 3,000 leaders across the country, including over 1,000 in Pennsylvania alone. CPL Pennsylvania’s alumni are actively leading progressive efforts across the state in elected positions, at the head of non-profit and political organizations, and in local communities.

CPL is seeking a State Director in Pennsylvania who will lead the development and implementation of CPL’s political leadership programs in Pennsylvania. The State Director will create, implement and direct leadership develop programs and build a network of donors, political leaders, activists, and partner organizations to support CPL in Pennsylvania. 

The CPL political leadership programs in Pennsylvania will include:

Pennsylvania Political Leaders Fellowship: CPL’s core training program recruits, trains, mentors, and networks promising political leaders, organizational directors and future candidates in our target states. The Fellowship consists of 9-months of intensive training, group workshops, mentorship and one-on-one coaching for 40-60 working adults to give them the tools, resources, and knowledge needed to become effective candidates, organizational leaders, and activists in their communities.

New Leaders Program: CPL’s New Leaders program connects diverse young leaders to paid positions with progressive organizations, including both internships during the summer in Washington, D.C. as well as entry level positions in Washington, D.C. and across the state.

Springboard Trainings: Springboard Trainings focus on recruiting and engaging new activists and staff for political campaigns and organizations.  With a strong focus on recruiting minority and women, these trainings provide activists and staff with the skills and resources needed to build long-term political power in their area. These trainings are often held in partnership with local progressive organizations.
  
Partnership Training Programs: CPL provides leadership training programs for strategic organizational partners and communities within each state. The programs are customized to each partner and will vary in length, focus, and timing depending on the needs of each organization. The State Director will be responsible for identifying potential partnerships and developing the appropriate trainings.

Partnership and Network Development: CPL provides our partners and leaders strategic opportunities to build networks for the purpose of maintaining and developing state-wide political progressive communities that build, connect, cultivate and secure a core pool of political talent.
  
The Center for Progressive Leadership was founded in 2003 and is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Find out more information at www.progressiveleaders.org.

Job Description:

The Pennsylvania State Director will be responsible for creating and working with a board of directors and staff to develop and implement a Pennsylvania strategic plan to accomplish the mission of CPL. Specifically, the Pennsylvania State Director’s responsibilities will include:

1. Program Development:
With the support of CPL’s national program staff, the Pennsylvania State Director will lead the planning and implementation of CPL’s political leadership programs. This will include collaborating on program design with national staff; and, recruiting and overseeing local staff and trainers for  Fellowship program and other political leadership trainings;  and, leading training sessions.

2. Fundraising:
The Pennsylvania State Director will lead outreach to local donors, foundations, and corporations in order to raise over $85,000 in funding from in-state donors each year. Any candidate for the State Director position must have existing donor relationships across the state and some experience doing large-dollar fundraising.

3. Outreach and Coalition Building:
The Pennsylvania State Director will develop strategic partnerships with other organizations in the state-wide progressive community to support programs; and Fellowship recruitment and placement. In addition, the State Director will develop a broad and diverse network of political leaders, trainers, and activists who will support CPL’s leadership programs as recruiters, mentors, and volunteers.

4. Staff Recruitment and Management:
The Pennsylvania State Director will hire and manage 2 full-time Pennsylvania staff, including a Pennsylvania Program Manager and Pennsylvania Outreach Director. The Director will be in charge of designing and implementing strategies that maximize employee potential and foster an environment where staff can work together cooperatively and effectively in meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals. The State Director will oversee all supervision of State personnel, which includes work allocation, training, and problem resolution. In addition, the State Director is responsible for evaluating performance, making recommendations for personnel actions, and motivating employees to achieve peak productivity and performance.

5. Financial Management:
The Pennsylvania State Director will develop and manage Pennsylvania budgeting and financial reporting. On a bi-monthly basis, the State Director will update the Pennsylvania budget in a report to CPL’s national office.

Location:

The State Director will be based in Pennsylvania (in-state location is negotiable), and will travel throughout the state as necessary for fundraising, outreach and training purposes.

Salary & Benefit:

Salary for this position will be commensurate with the candidate’s level of relevant professional experience.
 

Qualifications:

• Five or more years of post-college professional experience with at least 3 years of management experience
• Demonstrated commitment to promoting progressive values and causes through long-term leadership development
• Extensive experience in political organizing and leadership (preferably in Pennsylvania)
• Comfort and experience with fundraising from large and small donor sources
• Solid roots and connections in the Pennsylvania progressive political community
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community
• Highly driven with a flexible schedule that can accommodate weekend and evening training sessions

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.

How to Apply:

In order to be considered for the position, applications must include an resume and cover letter in a single document, labeled with your name and the position to which you are applying, as well as two writing samples and two letters of reference.

Application should be sent to: pennsylvania_director@progressiveleaders.org.