Southern Arizona Director

Southern Arizona Director

In 2025, the time for organizing our communities is more important than it has ever been. Our family of organizations Arizona Coalition for Change 501(c)(3) and Our Voice Our Vote Arizona 501(c)(4) is seeking an experienced and dynamic Southern Arizona Director to lead our organizing and advocacy efforts in Tucson and throughout Southern Arizona. This individual will play a pivotal role in building coalitions, addressing key local issues, and advancing our mission to empower Black and other communities of color in the region. A deep understanding of local, state, and federal policy is essential, as well as a passion for forging long-term relationships that drive systemic change.

The Southern Arizona Director will oversee a range of organizing and advocacy initiatives, including large-scale voter registration efforts, community organizing work, and issue-based campaigns focused on local concerns. This role involves attending key stakeholder meetings in Pima County on policy, community, and economic development, as well as participating in rural development partnership meetings. The Director will also work to build and sustain partnerships with community organizations and advocacy groups, ensuring that our initiatives are aligned with the needs and priorities of those most impacted by inequities. A core component of the role will be to host community issue sessions to raise awareness about critical issues facing Southern Arizona communities, while also organizing campaigns that engage local leaders and residents in driving tangible change. The Director will work closely with elected officials, government agencies, and other stakeholders to advocate for policies that reflect the values of Our Voice, Our Vote Arizona. As a senior leader, the Southern Arizona Director will supervise a team of three while contributing to the broader strategic direction of the organization. The ideal candidate is a creative, results-oriented leader with a proven track record in grassroots organizing, coalition-building, and issue advocacy. This person should also be deeply committed to developing the leadership of others and empowering communities to take action.

About The Organization

Arizona Coalition for Change is a Black-led organization with a dynamic multicultural team that empowers everyday people to transform their community through building civic power, leadership development, and community collaboration. We advocate for lasting progressive public policies that change the dynamics of communities by putting people first. We work to develop and uplift voices in communities to take on the nation's most pressing issues.

Organizational Beliefs

Arizona Coalition for Change and Our Voice Our Vote Arizona is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We deeply value the expertise of lived experience and strongly value and seek to invest in applicants that have shared lived experience with the constituents we currently and hope to work with, including folks of color, those who are immigrants, or children of immigrants to the US, those whose first language is not English, trans and queer individuals, and others from communities who have been impacted by systemic inequities. Our team members must be passionate about developing relationships and building grassroots power for Black and other people of color communities in the state. We have undertaken a new strategic direction, doubling down on transformative organizing by establishing a culture where leaders are liberated through collective movement building, leadership development, and risk-taking.

Role Responsibilities:

Stakeholder Engagement and Communications

• Cultivate and maintain strong, effective relationships with Tucson community leaders, elected officials, and key stakeholders.
• Represent the organization at external coalition meetings, community events, and public forums in Tucson, ensuring that our mission is aligned with local priorities.
• Regularly communicate with external stakeholders and partners about our advocacy priorities, upcoming events, and opportunities for collaboration.
• Host community issue sessions to raise awareness around key local issues, and engage community members in discussions on policy and civic action.

Organization Strategy and Advocacy Work

• Contribute to the development and implementation of Our Voice, Our Vote Arizona's voter registration program, with a focus on Southern Arizona communities.
• Research Tucson-specific issues related to the organization’s strategic priorities, ensuring that our advocacy work is responsive to the unique challenges faced by local communities.
• Analyze and report on data aligned with our programs, tracking progress and evaluating the impact of our campaigns.
• Compose written reports summarizing program activities, tracking progress toward goals, and outlining key insights and challenges.
• Collaborate closely with the Phoenix Directors to align strategies and ensure consistency in the organization’s advocacy and organizing efforts across the state.

Team Management and Leadership

• Serve as a member of the organization’s leadership team, supporting the Executive Director in designing strategy, setting organizational priorities, and leading quarterly planning sessions.
• Manage a three-person team, including a local organizer, civic engagement manager, and operations manager. Foster a high-performance culture by modeling effective communication, coordination, and clarity of roles.
• Host weekly all-program team meetings, ensuring that team members are aligned on goals, challenges, and solutions.
• Support the planning and execution of the Tucson program’s team culture plan, promoting professional development and fostering a positive, collaborative team environment.
• Oversee and manage the Tucson program budget, ensuring financial resources are aligned with organizational priorities, and report regularly on spending progress and upcoming needs.

Ideal Skills and Experiences:

• Commitment to Civic Engagement: A strong and demonstrated commitment to advancing the civic engagement of historically underrepresented communities, particularly in Southern Arizona, and a deep understanding of the challenges these communities face.
• Campaign/Community Organizing Experience: At least 2-3 years of experience in campaign or community organizing, ideally in roles such as field director, field manager, regional organizing director, canvass director, or campaign manager. Experience leading organizing efforts and mobilizing people to action is critical.
• Problem-Solving and Organizational Skills: A detail-oriented problem-solver with the ability to develop efficient systems and processes that ensure the successful execution of campaigns and initiatives. You should be able to address challenges as they arise and create solutions that meet the team’s goals.
• Coalition Building: Demonstrated ability to work effectively and diplomatically in a coalition setting, collaborating with diverse stakeholders—including community organizations, elected officials, and advocacy groups—who may not report directly to you, yet whose support is vital to the success of campaigns.
• Project Management: Strong ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, balancing day-to-day demands with long-term strategic priorities. You must be adept at setting priorities, tracking progress, and delivering results.
• Resilience and Deadline Management: Ability to work well under pressure, resolve conflicts, and meet tight deadlines. You should thrive in dynamic, fast-paced environments and have a track record of maintaining focus and delivering high-quality work in challenging situations.
• Communication Skills: Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to engage diverse audiences, build relationships, and clearly articulate complex ideas and campaign strategies. Strong public speaking skills are a plus.
• Flexibility and Availability: Willingness to work some weekends and evenings, particularly during the weeks leading up to voter registration deadlines. You should be flexible and responsive to the needs of the team and the community.
• Travel and Transportation: Access to a vehicle and the willingness to drive long distances within Southern Arizona as needed for community outreach, meetings, and organizing events.

Benefits:

• Top-of-the-line medical, dental, vision, and life insurance options.
• 401(K) plan with employer matching options
• Paid time off for holidays
• Extended paid time off for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years
• 10 paid time off (PTO) days
• Paid family and sick leave
• Professional development opportunities
• 10 hours of paid community service to support our community
• Strong team culture!

To Apply send your cover letter and resume, and two references to careers@azc4c.org. Include “Southern Arizona“ in the subject line. In the cover letter please thoroughly explain why you are a strong fit for this position.