Director of Engagement & Organizing

Planned Parenthood Votes! Connecticut (PPV!CT) and Planned Parenthood Votes! Rhode Island (PPV!RI) are the advocacy and political arms of PPSNE; PPV!CT and PPV!RI engage in educational, advocacy and limited electoral activity, including grassroots organizing, legislative advocacy, and voter education.  

Position Summary: The Director of Engagement and Organizing provides strategic leadership to the Engagement and Organizing team in Connecticut and Rhode Island.  This team is responsible for delivering programs that deepen community awareness of PPSNE’s mission and services, engaging volunteers in meaningful opportunities, supporting volunteer and clinical student education programs with onboarding and compliance requirements, and organizing community members to strengthen the movement for reproductive freedom across our region.   

This position is a visible leadership role within the organization and involves heavy collaboration with colleagues across teams and departments. The Director is a part of an integrated, multi-disciplinary Public Engagement leadership team that develops and implements coordinated strategies to build strong relationships in the communities we serve.  The Director also maintains a dotted line reporting relationship with PPSNE’s Chief Policy and Advocacy Officer and works in close collaboration with the Public Policy and Advocacy team to align engagement and organizing activities with advancing our policy and advocacy goals. Regular collaboration also takes place with PPSNE’s Clinical Services and Development teams to support the organization’s strategic priorities. As a leader at PPSNE, the Director ensures that the organization’s Dignity, Belonging, and Equity (DBE) framework is embedded in their approach to their work.

Essential Functions

Engagement Strategy Management: 

• Sets direction and leads the implementation of outreach and volunteer programs to build awareness of PPSNE’s services and increase community support for the organization’s mission 

• Builds and maintains strong relationships with community partners, volunteers, and stakeholders across Connecticut and Rhode Island 

• Identifies and builds new strategic partnerships that deepen organizational connections in communities across a two-state region 

• Facilitates cross-departmental collaboration on key initiatives that support engagement goals and priorities 

Organizing Strategy Management: 

• In collaboration with the Chief Policy & Advocacy Officer, leads the development of organizing strategies and campaigns to advance the organization’s movement building, advocacy, and policy goals 

• Directs the implementation of field plans, including volunteer recruitment, leadership development, canvassing, phone banking, and text outreach to community members in Connecticut and Rhode Island 

• Oversees volunteer activities for targeted issue-based advocacy, policy, and electoral campaigns for Planned Parenthood Votes! Connecticut and Planned Parenthood Votes! Rhode Island 

• Leads training and provides technical assistance for various organizing campaigns, events, actions, and other general activities to advance reproductive health, rights, and freedom 

 

Leadership and Collaboration: 

• Acts as a member of the Public Engagement leadership team to develop and co-lead the implementation of a unified public engagement strategy to advance the organization’s long-term goals and priorities 

• Supervises and supports a team of engagement, organizing, and volunteer services staff by providing coaching, mentorship, accountability, and professional development  

• Collaborates closely with members of the Communications & Brand Marketing, Education & Training, and Public Policy & Advocacy teams to ensure engagement and organizing strategies align with broader organizational priorities and campaigns  

• Collaborates with Clinical Services and Equity & Organizational Culture teams in partnership with the Volunteer Services Manager to optimize systems and workflows for volunteer and student onboarding to meet quality and compliance standards 

• Advances the organization’s commitment to social justice and helps foster a culture of dignity, belonging, and equity for all people  

Data and Analytics: 

• Establishes measurable goals for engagement and organizing programs; monitors and reports on team progress towards these objectives 

• Utilizes a variety of data and organizing tools such as EveryAction/VAN, Hustle, and Volgistics to track constituency engagement and to inform program strategies and decision making 

• Partners closely with affiliate colleagues and the national data team to implement best practices in data management and reporting 

• Trains other affiliate staff on use of data tools and reporting  

Key Requirements

 

• A team leader who can own projects from start to finish, jump in, and propose solutions and options, and bring ambition, creativity, and passion to this work  

• Passionate commitment to PPSNE’s mission, vision, and values especially centering on health equity and a deep sense of accountability to the community 

• Minimum of five years of professional experience and three years of progressive management experience in community engagement and organizing, public relations, coalition building, nonprofit management, communications or similar field 

• Bachelor’s degree in political science, social work, public administration, communications, or a related field; or equivalent combination of professional education, training, and grassroots organizing experience 

• A strong track record in managing people directly or indirectly, including team members who work remotely; Demonstrates the ability to motivate and inspire a team 

• Demonstrates an ability to build authentic relationships, work effectively across difference, and build trust with a diversity of people 

• Has experience establishing clear decision-making process; Demonstrates judgment in knowing when and how to gather meaningful input  

• Proven ability to respond effectively to changing priorities while simultaneously managing multiple complex initiatives; A creative, flexible, and learning orientation  

• Must be a strong communicator and leader who is quick thinking and able to handle controversy and ambiguity 

• Has a deep understanding of health inequity and its historical and continued impact on patients, communities, and healthcare systems 

• Ability to create new systems and processes and work cross-departmentally with different departments effectively 

• Must be able to work flexible hours, including nights and weekends, dependent on legislative calendars and electoral cycles 

• Must have reliable transportation with the ability to routinely travel throughout Rhode Island and Connecticut as needed 

• Bilingual candidates are strongly encouraged to apply 

Work Schedule

The position is hybrid based in Connecticut or Rhode Island; candidates must reside in either state or be able to immediately relocate. This is a full-time, 37.5 hour a week, position; regular schedule will be Monday – Friday, with frequent evenings and weekends. 

PPSNE offers a comprehensive benefit package which includes; Health, dental and vision insurance, retirement savings, paid parental leave, tuition reimbursement, generous paid time off, a flexible spending account, wellness program and more. 

PPSNE is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We are committed to building an inclusive workplace that values diversity and inclusion and reflects the diversity of our communities and patients.