Now Hiring: Director of Organizing
About the position
The Director of Organizing will work with volunteers, partner organizations, neighborhood chapter leaders, community and neighborhood groups, businesses, and elected officials to gather neighborhood input and develop a leader-ful movement for mobility justice and expanding a bike network in Boston and beyond. The Director of Organizing will work with all parts of the organization (staff, board, members, interns, and volunteers) to further develop Boston Cyclists Union’s campaigns and programs. They will supervise two community organizers and will report to the Executive Director.
Core Responsibilities
- Plan and execute organizing campaigns for safer road designs and policies that create streets with more space for people biking, walking and using non-car modes
- Supervise two community organizers and work with them to hold Activist Group meetings, orientations, trainings bike rides, canvasses and other engagement activities
- Support the community organizers’ neighborhood campaign work as well as their individual development/growth through regular feedback and reflection
- Manage programs and events to extend BCU’s reach and grow our membership, especially programming that includes, centers the experience of and celebrates Black and People of Color, LGBTQIA folks, women, youth and families in the biking space
- Build relationships with community organizations, neighborhood associations, small businesses, and more to expand our network of allies and partners
- Coordinate volunteers and support neighborhood chapter leaders in executing campaign strategies
- Meet with public officials, city planners, and elected officials and ensure that the Boston Cyclists Union has strong working partnerships at the city and state level
- Represent the BCU on committees, task forces and coalitions
Other responsibilities
- Create content for campaigns including action alert emails, one-pagers, and organizational letters to decision-makers
- Speak at public meetings, hearings and other events on behalf of the BCU including to the press
- Support staff around executing fundraising activities including Biketoberfest (October), Bos/treal (May) and giving content for grant proposals and reports
- Manage outreach and member engagement using digital tools including Every Action
Desired qualifications:
If you meet some but not all of the desired qualifications, we encourage you to apply. We are open to a diverse set of experience, knowledge and skills to fill this role and will commit to training to fill around areas of growth.
- Deep commitment to the Boston Cyclists Union mission and vision
- At least 4-5 years experience in community organizing, advocacy, community engagement and/or program management
- At least 2 years of supervision experience including providing and receiving feedback and a demonstrated ability to support staff with marginalized identities
- Proven ability to foster leadership development, recruit and retain volunteers
- Experience facilitating groups both in-person and online and prioritizing inclusion of all voices, experiences, and backgrounds
- Highly organized and comfortable tracking deadlines, details and moving multiple projects simultaneously
- Familiarity with transportation planning, bikeway and street bikeway and street design, urban policy and planning, and/or transportation advocacy, or very motivated to learn
- Demonstrated track record of successful campaign planning and campaign wins
- Demonstrated commitment to racial equity and inclusion
- Experience working in and building power with working class communities of color
- Clear, effective, and strategic communicator, both written and oral
- Ability to work nights and weekends, especially from May to October
- Experience tracking engagement in a database, ideally experience with NGP Van or Every Action is a plus
- Bilingual abilities in Spanish are a plus
- Existing relationships and knowledge of Boston politics, organizations, and communities is a plus
Salary and Benefits:
This is a full-time, exempt position with an annual salary of $65,000 - $75,000/year based on experience.
Benefits include health and dental insurance offerings (including 100% health insurance monthly premium coverage by employer for individuals and 75% for individual+; 80% dental insurance monthly premium coverage by employer for the individual employee); retirement plan with employer match; three weeks of paid vacation in the first year along with paid federal holidays, five personal days, and paid sick time; $50 monthly reimbursement for cell phone use; and a commitment to training and professional development opportunities. Staff can work from home (with a stipend) or in the office though this position does require presence at in-person events, rides, and engagement opportunities.
How to apply:
Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled, with preference given to applications received by November 1. We strongly encourage applicants to submit their application as soon as possible. Women, LGBTQ+ and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) individuals are strongly encouraged to apply.
Boston Cyclists Union is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, age, religion, gender, sexual orientation, ability or political orientation.
To apply please fill out the application here:
About the BCU
The BCU’s mission is to transform the streets of Greater Boston into equitable and inviting people-centered spaces affording access and connection for every body. We accomplish this through organizing, advocacy, public actions, and holding city and state agencies accountable to build out the network of safe, protected bike infrastructure. In addition, we provide and teach free bike repair at farmers markets, and hold events to support and grow the bike community.
Our 1,000+ member grassroots organization is one of the most active and effective transportation advocacy groups in Metro Boston. The Boston Cyclists Union works to increase ridership in Boston, Cambridge, Somerville, and Brookline. We aim to connect our homes, parks, schools, paths and business districts with a network of low-stress bike routes, including quiet neighborhood streets and protected bike lanes, so that people of all ages and abilities can feel safe and comfortable riding a bike. We see our organizing as connected to other issues of environmental justice, mobility justice, and housing justice. Recognizing that systemic racism and inequities have impacted how our cities are built and how projects continue to be prioritized, we advocate for an equitable distribution of resources and safe cycling infrastructure throughout Boston.