We seek an outcomes-oriented and collaborative leader to support North Star Civic Foundation's mission and the next phase of growth for the Bull Run Center.‍ ‍The ideal candidate will be a “civic generalist” with strengths in effective communications and coordination, community-led policy making, coalition strategy, and meeting and event planning. This role reports to the Executive Director, and works in close partnership with the Research Director and Special Projects Coordinator. It’s a small team; everyone does a little bit of everything.

Our ideal candidate will be deeply familiar with Portland’s political and policy landscape, and comfortable navigating the ecosystem of diverse stakeholders. This is not a traditional advocacy or government relations role, but experience with the policymaking process will be helpful for this position.

The Bull Run Center’s ethos is informal, positive, and grounded in radical hospitality. The backbone of this role is engaging Bull Run Center members to strengthen relationships with each other and the communities they serve, represent, and convene. From this foundation, we invite members to refine strategies and align action for the future of Portland. This role is essential to that strategy and action work, and supports member-led committees in values-centered and cooperative policy research, problem solving, and report writing.

In this role, your primary purpose is serving the Bull Run Center, but you will occasionally support other North Star priorities, including communications, project coordination, or report writing for state-level projects or national grantmaking priorities.

• 45-55% Manage Member-led Alignment and Shared Strategy Development

  • Support the Governing board and standing committees with decision making, coordination, and developing norms and practices for a new organization.

  • Provide Bull Run members with timely follow-up from monthly “Kitchen Cabinet” strategy meetings to outline next steps, hone key strategy questions, and link to related efforts. 

  • Support 2-4 member-led committees with meeting coordination, thought partnership, process coordination, and consistent follow-through. May include playing an active role in editing final products – reports, info graphics, websites, one-pagers, etc.

  • Develop effective strategies, messages, and materials to advance member-led civic and policy recommendations. This may include position papers, talking points, correspondence, testimony and advocacy plans, communications plans, and/or social media posts, stories, and engagement.

• 20-25% Lead and Collaborate on Member Communications and Organizing

  • Develop and maintain relationships with Bull Run Center members, representing a wide range of sectors and communities.

  • Write and send timely, effective, engaging communications to members.

  • Proactively organize members to participate in meetings, work groups, votes, and other Bull Run Center opportunities for engagement.

  • Develop materials and systems to support members to participate in annual “Your City, Your Choice” opinion research (polling), both to seek community input and to share back findings, analysis, and opportunities for deeper community-wide engagement. 

  • Manage member database to support member coordination, dues payment, communications, and retention.

• 10-15% Support Communications for Stumptown Stats

  • Support Research Director and volunteer committee with communications for research products, blog posts, storytelling, social media, and press engagement. May include playing an active role in editing final products – reports, info graphics, website, one-pagers, etc.

• 10-15% Other Activities as Needed

  • Support event set-up and break-down with the full team (2-3 times monthly).

  • Support other North Star priorities, including communications, project coordination, or report writing for state-level projects or national grantmaking priorities.

Studies show that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every qualification listed in a job description. We are most interested in forming a collaborative team — and believe that some job skills and experiences may be shared among other team members. You may also have super powers that we didn’t even think to list here. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and what you may bring to the role. 

• Several years experience in a leadership role in policy development & analysis, government affairs, communications, or work in related civic and political fields.

• Trusting and collaborative relationships across many levels of Portland’s political, advocacy and philanthropic communities, spanning the local political spectrum.

• Demonstrated ability to craft compelling communications deliverables including newsletters, social media content, web content, and press releases. 

• Brings a generous, service-oriented approach to working closely with a large group of civic leaders on collaborative projects and activities.

• Able to work effectively, respectfully and cooperatively with a wide range of individuals from different backgrounds, sectors, ideologies, and positions, and with individuals and organizations that are at different points in their engagement with racial justice and with policies and practices grounded in equity.

• Outcome-oriented approach to inclusive processes, with a focus on moving forward on a timeline that matters for delivering meaningful results.

• Detail-oriented, able to work independently and in a team, able to prioritize and manage several tasks efficiently, able to meet multiple deadlines, and able to shift priorities and adapt to change.

• Ability to translate complex ideas and data in clear, concise and accessible language.

• Able to maintain the highest level of confidentiality and handle sensitive information and material, using exemplary discretion and judgement in what and how information is shared with others.

• Adaptive comfort with digital platforms for collaboration, project management, communications and membership management. North Star uses Google work spaces, MailChimp, SurveyMonkey, AirTable, and Apple software.

North Star is supported by a tight knit staff team. Our culture is important to us. We’re looking for and appreciate:

• Big picture vision of the scale, timeline and ecosystem of opportunities to advance change at the intersection of democracy and economic opportunity.

• A strong appetite for clear outcomes and measurable wins within our big vision.

• Deeply inclusive, outcomes-based approach to problem solving; Confident leadership grounded in racial justice values and an ability to work closely and constructively with elected, community, and stakeholder group members who may be new to prioritizing equity and inclusion in their policy and engagement work. 

• An approach to relationships that is based in trust, clear communication and a spirit of collaboration.

• A warm and positive approach to navigating differences of opinion and perspective.

• Commitment to life-work balance, a good laugh, and restorative self care.

This is a non-exempt, full-time position. The starting salary range for this position is $90,000-$102,000 per year. Starting salary offers are made based on an assessment of the candidate’s skills, experience, and abilities in relation to the job description, and also in relation to peer roles in the organization.

North Star offers a collaborative, team-oriented, flexible and family-friendly workplace. Our excellent benefits package includes generous paid time off, flexible scheduling and work location, excellent medical and dental coverage (100% coverage for employees, and 50% coverage for dependents) and a 401k retirement plan. Employees have access to paid volunteer leave and professional development opportunities. 

North Star Civic Foundation endeavors to increase all staff wages annually to account for cost of living as well as to recognize and honor experience gained over time. We review and adjust the organizational pay scale every 2-3 years. Employees can expect to move up in the range for their position’s pay grade as they gain more experience in their roles.

Work Schedule: This role requires the ability to be flexible about one’s schedule and work hours, including regular evening hours.  

North Star Civic Foundation provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, gender assignment, gender identity or expression, national origin, (dis)ability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.