PROGRAM MANAGER

Progress North is a trusted grassroots organization connecting people – individuals and organizations –  in northern Wisconsin to advance a hopeful progressive vision for our region and our state. Across race, class, gender, sexual orientation, generation and geography we are working toward three goals:  1.) to engage voters about the issues they care about and turn them out to support bold, progressive leaders up and down the ballot; 2.) build a coalition of organizations in the region that will come together around a common vision for change that takes on structural racism, gender and economic inequities, and corporate power; 3.) to develop grassroots leadership and amplify the voices of the people of northern Wisconsin so that the priorities of our federal, state and local governments reflect our experiences and needs.

Position Summary:

Progress North is a leader, not just in Northwest Wisconsin, but across the state in people centered power building work that integrates grassroots organizing, policy advocacy, movement politics & civic engagement, and strategic communications. The Program Manager will work with volunteer leadership, staff, organizational partners, and other stakeholders to help develop comprehensive programs centering the needs of the people in our region. 

The work will include: 

• Program Development, Implementation and Evaluation: Work with Executive Director and other staff to survey our communities and identify issue campaigns that align with our overall mission, and further build the collective people power we need to win. This work will strategically align local & tribal issue work/campaigns that serve as building blocks for bigger state & federal fights.The work will also include tracking progress and evaluating methods, tools and tactics; as well as identifying trends and working with your team to implement new strategies and new issue directions. 

• Leadership Development and Training: Work with organizational partners to establish a leadership training program that (1) prepares people for political positions – whether that be winning elected office, securing positions in governing administrations, or working as a political campaign operative; (2) supports elected leaders to govern as progressive champions; (3) builds organizing skills with volunteer leaders that meets their needs for continued development. 

Essential Functions — Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following: 

• Work alongside the Executive Director to grow and deepen relationships between progressive organizational partners, both c3 & c4, across Wisconsin. 

• Develop a robust understanding of the political landscape in Wisconsin, including within tribal government, and help develop short- and long-term goals for our leadership development program & work specifically within tribal nations within our targeted geography.  

• Continue to work with and build relationships within the Wisconsin Rural Coalition, aligning the political power of participating organizations for greater impact and helping advance and create a collective long-term agenda for rural WI communities. 

• Lead a collaborative process to develop, implement and evaluate our current programs, as well as identify areas where we can expand or change our work.  

  • Includes: identifying overall program goals, create project plans, and driving overall project outcomes  

  • Assist with managing partner meetings and communications  

  • Work with the Executive Director to create an evaluation process to measure training and leadership development success.

  • Provide impactful facilitation, customized training, and thought process to support our volunteers & partner organizations in achieving their goals  

  • Help on tracking grant deliverables and overall progress to goals, identifying with the Executive Director when changes are necessary to either goals or overall programmatic work.

  • Work with Communications Manager, Digital Organizer and Lead Organizer to report on program outcomes and help tell the stories of volunteers, members & org partners.

  • Work with the Organizing teams at TakeAction Minnesota and within our progressive coalition infrastructure to coordinate relevant training resources. This looks like working with the Program Director, Organizing Director, Training Director and in-state and national allies, providing curriculum development support, serving as a lead trainer, and managing training teams 

Experience, Skills & Qualifications:

• Strong self-initiative and the ability to work independently; able to own and manage significant projects and follow through to completion without heavy day-to-day supervision 

• Committed to progressive, inclusive leadership, including valuing and prioritizing work with diverse coalitions and communities 

• Highly relational, with a strong belief in the importance of relationship-building for success, both internally and externally 

• Thoughtful, strategic leadership combined with energy to do the day-to-day work of program delivery 

• Tenacious and flexible, with a propensity for working through roadblocks and achieving your goals  

• A drive toward ambition and delivering excellent work, including the ability to manage and successfully execute multiple projects simultaneously 

• Openness to giving and receiving feedback for continuous learning, evolution, and improvement – you’re committed to building your own skills as well as building the skills and capacity of your colleagues 

• Deep and demonstrated commitment to racial, social, economic, and gender justice.

• Flexibility to work outside normal business hours that include evenings and weekends, and work extended hours to accomplish requirements of the position 

• 3 – 5 years of combined experience in electoral, organizing, and/or advocacy work

• Demonstrated success managing organizational relationships, coalitions and partnerships  

• Proven dynamic training and facilitation skills, including agenda design, curriculum design, and written resource development  

• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communications skills  

Physical Demands & Work Environment:

Work is performed in a standard office environment which requires occasionally lifting such articles as file boxes or heavier materials with help from others, and/or lifting and carrying light objects frequently. A job in this category may require walking or standing to a significant degree, or may involve sitting most of the time with long periods of computer work and heavy phone usage. Flexibility to work outside normal business hours that include evenings and weekends, and work extended hours to accomplish requirements of the position. Ability to travel as is necessary for job duties.

Salary/Benefits/Other Information:

This is a full-time salary position (Salary $60,000 exempt), and is dependent on on-going funding as are all the positions at Progress North. Full medical insurance, dental insurance, and retirement package provided, as well as ongoing leadership development of staff, including access to relevant training and conferences. Generous PTO package, that includes sick, personal & vacation time. 

Reports To & Location: This position reports directly to the Executive Director, and will supervise the Lead Organizer position. 

How to Apply: Email a cover letter, resume and three references (Word or PDF) to Shawnu Ksicinski, at shawnu.progressnorth@gmail.com, with the subject line “PROGRAM MANAGER.” This position will be open until filled. 

Progress North is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from people of color, persons with varying abilities, LGBTQIA2+ individuals, and women.