Democratic Party of Arkansas: Executive Director

Executive Director, Democratic Party of Arkansas

Location: Little Rock, Arkansas

Salary range: $80,000 - $85,000 annually, plus benefits

Reports to: Chair, Democratic Party of Arkansas

About the Opportunity: The Democratic Party of Arkansas (DPA) is seeking an Executive Director. In partnership with the Chair, the Executive Director is responsible for the strategy, activities, management, growth, and the day-to-day operations of the DPA. This specifically includes, but is not limited to, election-based activities, fundraising, budgeting, staff recruitment and retention, communications, outreach, and building Party infrastructure. The position requires a commitment to work alongside the DPA Officers, Executive Committee, State Committee, elected officials, and candidates across the state. This position has a wide range of responsibilities, including serving as a trusted advisor to and strategic asset for the Chair of the Party, its elected and party officials, its candidates, and leaders across the state.

Essential Job Functions:

• Serve as the chief strategic and tactical executive of the Democratic Party of Arkansas.
• Developing and implementing statewide campaign plans to win elections at the local, legislative, state, and federal levels.
• Overseeing the coordinated campaign efforts and coordination of consultants' activities; assisting with the hiring of a coordinated campaign director during election years.
• Working with field personnel and state party staff to maintain and expand grassroots efforts and primary base through voter registration and volunteer recruitment. Manage relationships in-state with elected officials, caucus leaders, candidates, auxiliaries, and state party membership; as well as national contacts through relationships at the ASDC and DNC, and partnerships with the DGA, DSCC, DCCC, and DLCC.
• Responsible for managing the day-to-day activities of all staff.
• Perform staff reviews, encourage staff development and training.
• Review and restructure staff functions and responsibilities as necessary.
• Direct fundraising efforts, develop strategy, and work with finance staff and/or consultants to implement.
• Work with the DPA Chair, DPA Treasurer, and staff to develop and adhere to the operating budget.
• Coordinate with DPA Secretary and Staff in preparing written reports for all meetings of the Executive and State Committees.
• Act as liaison with the staffs of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), the Association of State Democratic Committees (ASDC), and the Association of State Executive Directors.
• Attend DNC, ASDC, and county party meetings as necessary.
• Ensure all campaign finance reports, tax returns, and other required reports are accurately and timely filed by the compliance consultant.
• Work with the DPA Chair and Communications Director to issue press releases, speak on behalf of the Party where appropriate, and present the DPA in a positive and professional light.
• Oversee the State Party technology operations including database development and computer operations.
• Implement delegate selection process in presidential election cycles.
• Develop, oversee, and maintain relations with Democratic donors both in-state and out-of-state.
• Develop training programs for the State Party, including party membership, campaign staff, and candidates.
• Oversee development and production of party-building and message-delivery tools, including but not limited to: newsletters, websites, email communications, social media, and brochures.
• Organize all meetings of the Executive and State Committees as required by the rules of the DPA.
• Maintain and work with legal counsel to ensure the DPA is in compliance with all state and federal law.
• Demonstrate an understanding of all aspects of elections, including state-of-the-art campaign techniques, campaign planning, targeting, polling, election law, GOTV programs, party building, and pre-election planning.
• Ensure building maintenance is adhered to for the DPA Headquarters.

Highly qualified candidates must possess:

• Substantial professional, nonprofit, business, or political senior management experience.
• Strong abilities in organization planning for strategy and program.
• Extensive team management skills with demonstrated ability to achieve high levels of performance and outcomes through management and influence.
• A reputation for leading with integrity and making decisions with the input of the appropriate stakeholders.
• Conflict and crisis-management experience with proven, clear decision-making ability.
• Demonstrated success in fundraising and knowledge of donor networks.
• Core competencies:
• Clear, effective, high-quality writer.
• Excellent in interpersonal skills and building relationships.
• Good information/administrative organizational skills.
• Digital by nature - a natural with smartphone, iPad, tablet, and laptop for work and personal reasons; monitoring email and social media in real time is intuitive.
• Highly communicative - responsive to internal and external requests, emails, and calls, within reason.
• Multi-tasker - Able to juggle multiple activities yet not lose focus on top priorities or let something slip through the cracks.
• Organized in thinking and doing.
• Committed to the values and practices of a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace with the ability to receive feedback and learn from it.
• Knowledge of Arkansas politics and the national political environment and developments.
• Willingness and flexibility to travel throughout Arkansas and out of state.