Job Opportunities

 

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Ballot Initiative Strategy Center (BISC) & BISC Foundation


Ballot Initiative Strategy Center (BISC) is seeking a dynamic, innovative and experienced executive director to build on its outstanding eleven-year record of advancing progressive policies through ballot initiative campaigns across the country. This exceptional person will also serve as executive director of BISC Foundation, a separate nonprofit educational organization.

Beginning as a small research operation, BISC, a 501c(4) organization, has evolved into a powerhouse of the progressive community, adapting the tactics pioneered by the right and employing them to advance progressive causes. Through the use of ballot initiatives, legislative referenda and popular referenda, BISC has been instrumental in significant campaigns across the country over the last decade. This work includes: passing laws to increase the minimum wage in 10 states since 1998 (which led to the federal increase for all workers in 2007); defeating regressive and extreme tax cuts in 25 states; protecting equal opportunity; reducing class-sizes; fighting against medical malpractice caps; protecting environmental regulations, as well as a number of other victories. At the same time BISC has developed programs to root out systematic fraud in signature gathering and organize campaigns to expose abusers of direct democracy.

BISC is governed by a 15 member board of directors comprised of progressive policy makers, organizers and labor leaders. Current staff includes six full time employees, with additional staffing by interns. BISC’s annual budget is approximately $1.5 million. More information on BISC can be found at http://www.ballot.org.

BISC Foundation, a separate 501c(3) organization, educates the public about the ballot initiative process, exposes fraud and malfeasance in the process, and educates progressive organizations in order to strengthen public policies across the states and build an effective response to the right wing’s damaging initiative strategy. BISC Foundation’s work with ballot initiative campaigns demonstrates the capacity of this process for increasing civic engagement, fostering progressive policy changes, and building power in the states. BISC Foundation addresses both the challenges and opportunities inherent in the process by monitoring and advocating a ballot measure process that is truly direct democracy.
 
BISC Foundation has a seven member board. BISC Foundation uses a portion of the staff resources of BISC.

Reporting to the board of directors, the executive director will act as the lead strategist and organizer of the progressive ballot initiative campaign world, recognizing emerging issues, common opportunities and potential hazards across states and connecting disparate actors around the country to promote best practices. The executive director connects Washington and state-based actors, educates the progressive political leadership about the ballot initiative process and identifies ways to use ballot initiatives to drive progressive gains and defend against conservative threats. The executive director oversees legal research and resources which promote ballot integrity, challenges laws that make progressive results harder to achieve, and forces the right wing to expend resources and energy defending themselves. The executive director is the chief fundraiser for BISC and its programs and directs resources where they can be put to best use. Finally, the executive director manages the staff and promotes excellence in the workplace for the purpose of maximizing BISC’s impact.

The incoming executive director will lead these efforts, manage BISC’s growth in a way that promotes and supports the smart use of ballot initiatives for progressive purposes, and push to integrate ballot initiatives more fully into the toolset for progressives in the states and in Washington. The executive director will devote part of his/her time to managing, developing and overseeing programs of and fundraising for BISC Foundation.

Ideal candidates for this position will share our commitment to progressive change and will bring a variety of experiences and attributes to BISC, including:

  • Strong leadership skills and a strategic vision of how ballot initiatives will and should be used in the future, and for the role that BISC will play in that context
  • Organizational management and development experience
  • 5-7 years experience working in related fields
  • 3-5 years experience with strategic planning, budgeting, staff management, work planning and evaluation
  • Political or advocacy campaign management experience
  • 3-5 years, or a minimum of 2 election cycles, working in state-based political campaigns
  • Ballot initiative campaign experience at all levels -- strategy, message development, management, field -- preferred
  • Fundraising experience in a campaign or advocacy environment
  • An advanced degree

Salary will be competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience.

To apply, send an e-mail with a cover letter detailing your qualifications, resume, and salary requirements to (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) . Resumes will be accepted until December 21, 2009.

BISC is an equal opportunity employer and employs personnel without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression), familial status (including pregnancy), family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, disability, source of income, status as a victim of intra-family offense, military service and place of residence or business. This policy applies to employment, internships, internal promotions, training, opportunities for advancement, dismissals, relationships with vendors, use of WINTE

WINTER INTERNSHIP (1)

 

BISC seeks one winter intern to work in the organization’s Washington DC office. Applicants should be highly organized, creative and pro-active individuals with a commitment to progressive state politics and policy.

About BISC and BISC Foundation

Ballot Initiative Strategy Center (BISC) is the progressive “think and do tank” for ballot measure research and strategic campaign support.  We are a resource for grassroots advocates seeking to pass issues of economic justice, environmental protection, expanded health care, quality public education, and much more.  The only organization of its kind, BISC uses the initiative process as a tool for achieving progressive policy goals and building broad political power in the states.

Position Responsibilities

Ballot Initiative Strategy Center is committed to offering a fulfilling and rewarding fellowship experience and we will work with you to develop an internship that meets your interests. We are committed to providing a broad-ranging set of duties and responsibilities to challenge and enrich the professional development of all BISC personnel.

Through our internship program BISC offers newcomers to the field a variety of experiences to increase political acumen (spanning more than a dozen states and several issue areas), develop working knowledge of statewide ballot initiatives as a unique and powerful tool, and to take on real responsibility, accountability, and ownership of work.

Interns work under the supervision of program staff and may engage in project-based work that extends to other program areas.

Common duties for interns at Ballot Initiative Strategy Center include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Monitor and track of ballot measure activity through news articles, legislative sites
  • Research and report on state laws and practices regarding the use and implementation of ballot measures around the country
  • Assist in maintenance of materials and public information distributed through a variety of channels
  • Conduct in-depth research and provide writing assistance on the development of tools and materials for our partner organizations (ranging from campaign tracking to finance research)
  • Assist in meeting and presentation planning, materials development for trainings
  • Providing back-up for operations and development staff as needed
  • Support senior staff in coordination of logistical matters including travel, meeting and event planning
  • Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

  • Interest in progressive policy and politics
  • Strong verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills and research abilities
  • Detail and deadline orientation, organization, and demonstrated ability to multitask
  • Previous office and/or nonprofit experience a plus
  • A sense of humor and ability to think on your feet

EEO Policy

BISC follows an Equal Employment Opportunity Policy and employs personnel without regard to: race, ethnic or religious background, descent or nationality, sexual orientation, gender (including pregnancy), gender identification, disability, marital status, age, height, weight, or military service. This policy applies to employment, internships, internal promotions, training, opportunities for advancement, terminations, relationships with vendors, use of contractors and consultants and in dealing with the general public. 

Application Procedure

We look forward to adding the right people to our team this fall. Please send your resume (no more than one page) and cover letter (no more than one page) to (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

No faxes, please.

Additional Information

  • City: Washington, DC
  • Country: United States
  • Education Requirement: Bachelor's degree or equivalent
  • Experience Requirement: 0 - 1 Years