Leadership Development Program Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Salary : $63,000-$68,000 / year

Job Title : Leadership Development Program Manager

Reports to : Political Director

Status : Full-time, Exempt

Location : Alaska. If in Anchorage, in-person office work is required at least two days per week.

Salary : $63,000-$68,000

Position Overview

The Alaska Center Education Fund is seeking a passionate, outgoing, community-minded, and dedicated individual to serve as our Leadership Development Program Manager.

The Program Manager will be responsible for developing and running a leadership program to train and support the appointment of Alaskans who share our vision and who reflect the diversity of Alaska.

The focus in recruitment will center on leaders who are underrepresented in leadership on Boards and Commissions, including BIPOC, low-income, young people, rural, women, and other communities.

Creating a Just Transition to a locally-driven, sustainable economy requires shifting power to people who have historically been underrepresented, and this Boards and Commissions Program is focused on helping to meet that objective.

This program is funded through a grant from our national affiliate, the League of Conservation Voters Education Fund. The Program Manager will have the support of a network of other state affiliates of the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) who have received this grant and have already created this program in their state, as well as LCV’s Senior Manager of Candidate Recruitment & Training.

Additionally, the Program Manager will connect with partner organizations and individual leaders who are already deeply engaged in recruiting, building, and supporting leaders.

Depending on the cohort, applicants to this program may be focused in Southcentral Alaska or have a statewide reach.

The position will be supervised by the Political Director and is expected to build strong relationships with appointed board members and commissioners, elected leaders and their staff, and the political ecosystem in order to build a strong community of support for the fellows.

Organizational Overview

The Alaska Center Education Fund envisions a thriving, just, and sustainable Alaska for future generations. We engage and empower Alaskans of all ages to support clean air and water, a strong and resilient democracy, and a fair and equitable transition from an extractive economy to a regenerative economy.

We focus on climate justice and clean energy solutions, wild salmon habitat protection, and ensuring all Alaskans can engage in the civic process.

In partnership with our sister organization The Alaska Center, we engage in youth leadership development, community organizing, and supporting public officeholders who share our values.

A central strategy of The Alaska Center Education Fund is leadership development. The Boards and Commissions Fellowship program would build upon our existing leadership ladder, a network of programs beginning in elementary school and continuing after high school.

Since 1998, The Alaska Center Education Fund has hosted and supported Alaska Youth for Environmental Action (AYEA), a statewide coalition of teens who care about stewarding Alaska’s lands and waters.

For young people graduating from high school, we have a part-time civic engagement fellowship program focused on civic engagement.

These opportunities enable youth to engage with their communities through GOTV efforts in local elections. At every step of this leadership ladder, we prioritize equity and inclusion, offering scholarships so that family income is not a barrier to participation.

Our sister organization, The Alaska Center, works to elect, engage, and empower Alaskans to stand for our values. The Alaska Center focuses more deeply on policy in addition to supporting candidates who will be champions for our mission.

Core Responsibilities (80%)

• Develop and maintain relationships in support of the fellowship program, and regularly consult Alaskans and partner organizations in-state who are engaged in developing diverse leaders
• Build a broad network of Alaskans to identify and recruit candidates for the training program; run an interview and selection process to create the first class of fellows
• Develop a training curriculum for the Boards and Commissions Fellowship Program, including recruiting monthly speakers, researching local speakers, and looking to other already-established programs as examples
• Plan and facilitate excellent monthly sessions for Fellows
• Ensure consistent efforts to promote strong engagement of fellows during the fellowship and the placement process
• Work with the Political Director to connect participants with policymakers and elected officials as part of the training
• Identify and create resource hub of all Boards and Commissions opportunities statewide
• Facilitate placement of participants on relevant boards and commissions
• Develop methods to keep program alumni engaged in the fellowship and aware of leadership opportunities in their communities and the state
• Work with the Communications Manager and Co-Executive Directors to publicly promote the program, working to identify opportunities to connect with Alaskans
• Other duties as assigned

Organizational Duties (20%)

• All staff : Participate in all-staff meetings, Advocacy Meetings, team retreats, etc.
• Administrative : complete time-sheets and all required paperwork
• Fundraising : Participate in all-staff events such as the annual auction and end-of-year fundraising campaign
• Fundraising : Work with organizational leadership to assist with program-specific fundraising as necessary, including meeting with donors or foundations alongside Development staff.

Support institutional fundraising for the program.

Other : Provide assistance and support to other staff of AKCEF / AKC.

Any other duties as assigned. Annually staff update and review their job descriptions to see where each role has evolved.

Required Skills and Qualifications-

We encourage candidates to apply even if they think they don’t meet all the skills right now.

• Passion for The Alaska Center Education Fund’s vision to create a thriving, just, and sustainable future.
• Commitment to understanding race, class, gender, and other equity issues in organizing and politics. Commitment to strengthening racial justice, equity, and inclusion throughout our organization, in campaigns, and with partners
• At least five years of professional experience, with some experience in recruitment and training, and / or leadership development.
• Demonstrated initiative and ability to work well independently and on a team
• Good project organization skills and self-direction with the ability to focus on details, goals, and deadlines
• Strong communication skills, both in person and electronically
• Ability to work with a wide variety of people, including elected officials, candidates for office, state agency and local government staff, board and staff, organization members, prospective and current fellows, and national partners in a positive, professional manner;
• Strong local network within Alaska, preferably with communities that are currently underrepresented on local boards and commissions
• Ability to work a flexible schedule as needed. Some program and event work on evenings and weekends will be required. Attendance is required for all Boards & Commissions training dates (TBD, but likely monthly Saturdays)
• Ability to maintain a positive attitude and solution-based approach in high-pressure or difficult situations.
• Willing to learn or experience with municipal governments
• Ability to travel

Preferred Skills and Qualifications

• Community organizing, training and facilitation skills
• Experience with Google-Suite platforms
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, respond quickly to emerging opportunities, and be flexible to adapt to changing circumstances
• Experience building effective relationships with diverse community groups working toward a common goal
• Experience with Voter Action Network (VAN), EveryAction (EA) and affiliated databases

This is a full-time position based in Alaska. All of The Alaska Center staff have access to paid professional development opportunities, including training and support.

The Alaska Center is an equal opportunity employer. Employment and promotional opportunities are based upon individual capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, sexual orientation, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status,or any other protected characteristic as established under law.

We are committed to supporting, centering, and working with Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, Working-Class and Low-Income people, Women, LGBTQIA2+ people, and Disabled people in addressing the many crises that impact us.

We strongly encourage people with these identities or who are members of other marginalized communities to apply.

To Apply : Please complete the form linked here, including submitting all requested materials. Please address how your qualifications match the job description and why you want to work for our organization in your cover letter.

Position open until filled. Review of applications will be on an ongoing basis. No phone calls, please. Please email [email protected] with any questions.