State Director

Full Time Position - Wisconsin

The Center for Progressive Leadership (CPL), a 501(c)(3) founded in 2003, is a national progressive training institute dedicated to building the next generation of progressive political leaders and activists. Through intensive training programs for activists, non-profit staff and future candidates, CPL provides up-and-coming progressive leaders with the skills and resources needed to become effective political leaders committed to advancing progressive values and policies.

Since opening, CPL has trained more than 5,000 emerging leaders through programs in our Washington D.C. headquarters, as well as our state offices in Arizona, Colorado, Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

CPL is seeking a State Director in Wisconsin who will lead the development and implementation of CPL's political leadership programs with a concentration on under-represented communities throughout the state. Additionally, the State Director will build a network of donors, political and community leaders, activists, and partner organizations to support CPL in Wisconsin.

The Wisconsin State Director will serve on CPL's Senior Staff Team and report directly to the Vice President of State Operations.

1. Program Development:

With the support of CPL's national program staff, the Wisconsin 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 our Political Leaders Fellowship, as well as other political leadership trainings developed by CPL. CPL's methodology for training is based on adult learning. It is preferred that State Director applicants have training experience.

2. Fundraising:

The Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin State Director will hire and manage 1 full-time staffer whose main responsibility will be program management. The State Director will be in charge of designing and implementing strategies that maximize employee potential and foster an environment where staff can cooperatively and effectively work towards 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 staff to achieve peak productivity and performance. The State Director will also be responsible for identifying and hiring contract faculty for the Political Leaders Fellowship.

5. Financial Management:

The Wisconsin State Director will develop and manage the state's budgeting and financial reporting.

The State Director will be based in Wisconsin and will travel throughout the state as necessary for fundraising, outreach and training purposes.

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

• 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 Wisconsin)
• Comfort and experience with fundraising from large and small donor sources
• Solid roots and connections in the Wisconsin 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:
Email a resume and cover letter in a single document, labeled with your name and the position to which you are applying, to bmeyer@progressiveleaders.org. If you have any questions, please call Beth Meyer at 602 254 1495.

To learn more about the Center for Progressive Leadership, please visit our website at www.progressiveleaders.org.