State Director Alabama (Project One America)

Position Summary:

The Alabama State Director is responsible for developing and implementing a multi-year plan and program for the Human Rights Campaign in Alabama to advance equality and opportunity for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) people. The State Director is expected to be a visible, passionate champion for LGBTQ equality and to establish and maintain productive, collaborative, working relationships with relevant stakeholders throughout the state.

The State Director collaborates with in-state partner organizations and with a team of HRC staff to develop and implement a program and strategy to mobilize grassroots advocacy on behalf of HRC’s educational programs as well as local, state and federal LGBTQ legislative priorities.  

The position is based in Birmingham, Alabama.

Position Responsibilities:

• Strategic Plans: Develop and implement state plans to advance HRC’s legislative, electoral, membership, communication and education goals. Ensure that the diverse population of the state is reflected in planning strategies and implementation.
• Local, state, and federal advocacy: Develop and implement strategies and campaigns for supporting local, state and federal advocacy efforts in the state. Develop and maintain key relationships with legislative leaders and key decision makers. Lobby on behalf of HRC’s legislative & policy priorities and provide leadership to HRC staff, contractors and volunteers in grassroots and direct lobbying activities.
• Coalition Work: Lead HRC’s efforts to partner effectively with state and local LGBTQ and allied organizations in the state to collaborate and develop efforts to advance the goals of the LGBTQ movement.
• Volunteer Grassroots Support: Develop plans to engage and increase HRC’s membership and grassroots network. Help build a strong volunteer team structure and contribute to identifying and organizing opportunities for volunteers. Identify meaningful opportunities to engage faith and business leaders, youth, people of color, transgender communities, and other marginalized communities.
• Other program activities: Provide support as necessary to HRC staff working to expand the organization’s non-political programs in the state, including the Corporate Equality Index, Healthcare Equality Index, All Children-All Families, and Welcoming Schools. Ensure that programs are conducted in ways that are respectful to local coalition partners and are inclusive of the community.
• Management: Manage full-time employees as well as contractors and temporary field organizers as needed, including when applicable, recruiting, interviewing, hiring, conducting performance reviews, coaching, motivating and training.
• Communication: Act as a spokesperson for HRC in the state; represent HRC to other organizations and at public events as necessary; maintain regular communication with HRC’s membership and community partners.
• Public Education: In collaboration with in-state partner organizations and HRC staff, develop and implement broad public education programs and outreach activities designed to educate and engage community members on issues of LGBTQ equality, including healthcare, workplace, non-discrimination, faith issues and safe schools.
• Training: Oversee the design and implementation of training programs for volunteers and supporters in the state.
• Fundraising: In collaboration with the development teams, maintain relationships with current donors and help identify and build relationships with potential donors.
• Other duties/responsibilities as assigned in accordance with anticipated growth and expansion of HRC programs in the state.

Position Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent work experience) is required with at least five to eight years of experience with progressively increasing leadership responsibilities preferred.
• Experience with political and education issue advocacy campaigns. Working knowledge of state and federal legislative processes.
• Experience in staff and program management, including development and oversight of budgets.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with strong ability to influence others and to resolve conflicts while maintaining effective relationships.
• Strong critical thinking, organizational, communication and administrative skills with keen attention to detail and ability to deliver results on a number of tasks simultaneously.
• Demonstrated success with developing plans intended to achieve specific long- and short-term goals and to problem-solve in a manner that shows both strategic and tactical thinking.
• Strong skills with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel) and Google Apps (Gmail, Google Docs and Drive).
• Must have valid driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle.
• Flexibility with work schedule; this position requires frequent and extensive travel across the state and to HRC’s Washington, DC headquarters.
• Strong commitment to LGBTQ equality and knowledge of LGBTQ issues.

All positions at the Human Rights Campaign may require travel on a regular basis or periodically. Where the need arises for business travel, appropriate compensation as outlined by the Fair Labor Standards Act will apply.

No phone calls, please. Due to the volume of applications we receive, we are unable to respond to queries about application status.