Peninsula and South Bay Organizing Director

YIMBY Action and Yes In My Back Yard (YIMBY) are seeking a senior political organizer, skilled volunteer manager, and politically savvy relationship builder to grow the pro-housing movement in the San Francisco Peninsula and South Bay.

YIMBY Action and Yes In My Back Yard (YIMBY) are affiliated 501(c)(4) and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that work together to advance policy change that will increase the supply of housing in high-opportunity cities and towns. Our organizations envision an integrated and environmentally sustainable society where every person has access to a safe, affordable home near jobs, services, and opportunity. Our mission in the Peninsula and South Bay is carried out by two chapters: Peninsula for Everyone and South Bay YIMBY.

The Peninsula and South Bay Organizing Director will lead the fight for more inclusive housing policy in the Peninsula and South Bay and oversee all grassroots political activation, membership growth and management, coalition building, political relationships, and local media relationships. They will also collaborate with YIMBY and YIMBY Action national staff to set the regional strategy and build and nurture fundraising relationships. They will collaborate closely with a team of “power volunteers” (known internally as Leads), providing facilitation to help Leads team identify chapter goals and strategies, and providing extra capacity to execute on goals and strategies.

What we're looking for

Responsibilities

Manage a Team of Volunteer Leads to Achieve Growth (30%)

• Manage a team of volunteer Leads to craft a regional strategy for political impact, with an eye towards maximizing impact with limited resources.
• Meet regularly with Leads of both chapters to set chapter growth goals, in line with regional strategy. Ensure growth is informed by YIMBY Action national organizing best practices and YIMBY Action Chapter Development model. Your growth goals will be ambitious – you’ll need to co-create smart growth tactics with Leads and inspire them to execute the tactics
• Recruit Leads, including having one on ones with potential Leads, creating on-ramp opportunities for members own projects, and engaging current Leads in Leads recruitment.
• Activate, support, and add capacity to Leads to accomplish the following, in alignment with strategic priorities:
  • Meet list and membership growth targets through events, membership drives, and digital campaigns.
  • Host monthly member meetings and social events to keep membership trained and engaged.
  • Conduct 1-on-1s with new activists to welcome them to the movement and support their inclusion.
  • Build narrative power through hosting events, mobilizing members to write op-eds, and building relationships with local media.
  • Meet other Chapter goals, as defined by YIMBY Action’s Chapter Development model.
• Ensure enforcement of YIMBY Action Code of Conduct throughout the chapter communities.

Activate Leads and Members for Policy Priorities (30%)

• In collaboration with Leads, inspire effective advocacy from members. Specific campaigns include:
  • Endorsements - oversee regional endorsement process including endorsement votes. Drive members to disseminate endorsements and candidate information and support endorsed candidates’ campaigns
  • Legislative activation and ballot measures - drive members to advocate for strong federal, state, and local pro-housing legislation and ballot measures
  • Housing Project Advocacy - drive members to support housing projects at hearings and through petitions
  • Housing Elements - drive members to participate in Housing Elements meetings and hold cities accountable to fair Housing Elements
• Provide extra capacity to Leads to build key relationships:
  • Build relationships with relevant local elected officials and influencers.
  • Build coalition power by meeting with local coalition partners and advancing shared actions such as events and petitions.

Build Coalition and Media Relationships (20%)

• In collaboration with Leads and local Advisory Board, actively build relationships with key local groups.
• Invite coalition partners to support priority YIMBY legislation, candidates, and YIMBY-endorsed housing projects.
• Manage relationships with media and press contacts.
• Participate in local panels, television and radio shows, conferences, and other speaking engagements.

Fundraise to Resource the Local Movement (20%)

• In collaboration with Managing Director and local Advisory Board, actively build relationships with local funders, donors, and prospects.
• Move relationships forward by cultivating prospects and making bold fundraising asks.
• Help prospect new funders and donors by building local network and creatively identifying opportunities.

Qualifications

REQUIRED

• A demonstrated commitment to the YIMBY vision; previous work or volunteer experience that is aligned with YIMBY goals. A demonstrated passion for more housing and shelter of every type including subsidized nonprofit affordable housing, market-rate housing, transitional housing, navigation centers, and more.
• Experience managing volunteers; track record of success driving volunteers to high levels of performance and engagement.
• Experience in volunteer recruitment; particular experience attracting and engaging diverse volunteers.
• Experience building positive working relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders; demonstrated ability to interact with stakeholders professionally, with poise, and with an orientation towards identifying and building on common ground.
• Excellent public speaking abilities; ability to serve as a compelling ambassador with media and on panels.

PREFERRED

• Previous local community organizing and/or political activism experience.
• Previous experience in policy; demonstrated ability to absorb and articulate complex policy concepts.
• Understanding of local political landscape in the Peninsula and/or South Bay, including understanding of political players and key community groups.

Benefits

• Up to 100% employer funded comprehensive medical coverage
• 401k enrollment opportunities
• 3 weeks of paid vacation plus another 20 paid holidays
• Paid sick time
• Paid family & disability leave
• Significant professional development opportunities, including paid professional development stipend
• Flexible work hours within a 40 hour work week
• Membership in YIMBY Action nationwide activist network and vibrant 3,700+ member Slack community
• Access to YIMBY Action network of elected officials, journalists, and business leaders