Political Strategist

POSITION SUMMARY: 

California Donor Table and the California Donor Table Fund are looking for a Political Strategist to help build state and local political infrastructure able to achieve lasting progressive electoral and governing success in California. We are especially interested in political operatives, people with experience with campaigns, political action committees, and coalition experience. Ideal candidate is someone who is collaborative, highly strategic, driven and has experience in California politics.

The California Donor Table and California Donor Table Fund are aligned 501(c)(4) and 501(c)(3) nonprofits, respectively, that bring progressive donors throughout California together to invest in organizations and projects that build power in communities of color and champion social justice public policies in the state. We work within our broad network to deepen connections and align strategies so that progressives around the state are working in partnership toward the same vision of California as a healthy, just place to live with shared economic success and a democracy that works for all people. The tables have aligned over $40 million over the past decade to organizations and candidates building power in communities of color across the state. The Sr. Political Strategist will work to advance the state’s progressive movement: creating and supporting partisan and nonpartisan collaborations that connect efforts across issues and communities, and cultivating a strategic plan to build these collaboratives.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Capacity Building (50%)

• Develop and execute regional and statewide ecosystem power-building strategic plans 
• Develop strategies to build and sustain permanent progressive political infrastructure rooted in communities of color.
• Identify, cultivate and maintain working relationships with local, state, and national progressive organizations.

Donor Advising Support (20%):

• Work closely with CDT staff to identify and align key priorities and interests with donors 
• Participate in team building, work planning, systems design, evaluation and budgeting.

Campaigning (30%)

• Run Independent Expenditures for CDT-endorsed candidates 
• Develop and oversee contracts with key consultants.
• Manage political strategy for CDT 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Strategist’s mind: Grasps the subtleties of complex issues and identifies patterns in challenges. Comes up with insightful, pragmatic, equitable, and sustainable ways to tackle common challenges and produce positive change. Has a successful track record of taking a concept from idea to implementation.
• Campaign expertise: Experience running candidate, initiative and/or issue campaigns, experience in state or federal advocacy, advanced understanding of political strategy and politics. Some CA politics experience and relationships.
• Project management skills: stays on top of multiple projects, plans backwards, anticipates obstacles, identifies and involves stakeholders appropriately, uses resources wisely
• Strong racial equity lens in nonprofit and/or political environments: Experience promoting racial equity both within majority white arenas, as well as within multi-racial groupings. Integrates the pursuit of demographic diversity along with other progressive policy and political outcomes.
• Trustworthiness and realness: Comes across as genuine. Says what they mean. Builds authentic relationships across lines of difference, such as race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, class, ability, gender identity, citizenship status, or other identities. Follows through on commitments.

Work Environment:

The position is remote and based in California, preference is someone based outside of LA County. We have staff in the Bay and Los Angeles areas. Currently we are working remotely because of Covid. The position is a full-time, 40 hours per week position. Occasional evening and weekend work. Prefer candidates with experience and comfort working remotely. 

Organizational Relationships:

The Sr. Political Strategist reports to the Director and works collaboratively with staff, contractors, vendors and other partners on a weekly basis to maintain program efficiency.

Physical Demands:

The position requires a lot of time in front of a computer in a seated or standing position to take meetings, enter text or data into a computer or other machine by means of a traditional keyboard. Traditional Keyboard refers to a panel of keys used as the primary input device on a computer, typographic machine or 10-Key numeric keypad. Position requires ability to express or exchange ideas by means of the spoken word to impart oral information to clients or the public and to convey detailed spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.

If you don’t meet all the criteria above but still feel your experience could be a good fit for the role, please apply. We recognize that candidates who don’t check every box can still add value to our team.

Salary Range and Benefits

• Based in California, preferably outside of Los Angeles County
• Much of the organization is remote because of CoVid
• Start date:  As soon as possible 
• Travel: Extensive California and some national travel up to several times a month is required for success in this position - pending the changing CoVID reality
• Salary: Salary range is $90,000-120,000 (with additional experience and a Senior Political Strategist title)
• Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k) Retirement Plan with employer match, Flexible Spending  Accounts (FSA), Commuter Benefits, Basic Life and  AD&D Insurance, Voluntary Employee Paid Life and AD&D Insurance, Short Term Disability, Long  Term Disability, Employee Assistance Program, Paid Time Off

FLSA Status: Exempt

About the Organizations

The California Donor Table is a statewide community of donors who pool their funds to make investments in communities of color so they have the power and resources they need to (1) elect people who represent their values and needs and (2) help govern and hold decision-makers accountable. We believe that California can and must lead the nation in becoming a healthy, just place to live with shared economic success and a democracy that works for all our people. CDT is a fiscally sponsored project of Tides Advocacy.

The California Donor Table Fund is a community of donors who pool and align nonpartisan investments to advance the state’s progressive movement spanning issues and constituencies. We believe that all of us—those who advocate for women’s or LGBTQ issues; racial, economic justice or criminal justice; immigrant or workers’ rights; or environmental protection—are only able to win big when we work together. Join us as we focus on building a network that connects all these efforts, making us stronger and more effective. CDTF is a fiscally sponsored project of Tides Center.