December 19, 2024

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Kansas is a non-profit and non-partisan organization dedicated to preserving and advancing the civil rights and legal freedoms guaranteed by the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights and the Kansas Constitution. The ACLU of Kansas works in the state legislature, the courts, and local communities to protect the rights of all people living in Kansas. The organization’s work includes efforts to strengthen and defend First Amendment rights, voting rights, reproductive rights, racial justice, LGBT rights, immigrants’ rights, stopping government surveillance, and reforming the criminal legal system.

Currently, under our 80/20 model 80% of our efforts and resources are dedicated to our two campaigns: Reimagine Justice and Represent!. The remaining 20% of our efforts are devoted to other civil liberties matters as they arise. The ACLU of Kansas often works in broad-based coalitions made up of individuals and organizations from across the political, partisan, and ideological spectrum. The ACLU of Kansas is an affiliate of the national American Civil Liberties Union, has an annual budget of approximately $2.5 million, and has more than 30,000 supporters across the state.

The ACLU of Kansas comprises two separate corporate entities, the American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas and the ACLU Foundation of Kansas. Both entities have the same overall mission and share some resources but are separate entities that engage in different types of work to protect civil liberties. The ACLU Foundation of Kansas is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation that primarily engages in litigation and public education. The ACLU of Kansas is a 501(c)(4) non-profit corporation that primarily engages in lobbying and advocacy.  On a contracted basis, the ACLU of Kansas also provides operational support to Kansans United for Civil Liberties, an IRS Section 527 organization that provides non-partisan, non-endorsing voter education about civil liberties issues in elections for public office. 

POSITION OVERVIEW

The American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas seeks to hire an experienced, passionate, strategic, and innovative Director of Voter Education Programs/Senior Advisor. This position will have primary responsibility for functions related to Kansans United for Civil Liberties (the IRS Section 527 organization), managing a non-partisan and non-endorsing political program that educates voters about candidates' positions on the issues, implementing get out the vote (GOTV) programs, facilitating collaboration with critical organizational partners, and serving as a key point of contact for current and prospective elected officials throughout the State of Kansas. The position is a full-time, salaried position and reports to the Executive Director.  The position is a senior management position, part of the organization’s leadership team, and is not eligible for participation in the organization’s collective bargaining unit.   

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITES

Voter Education and Mobilization (30%)

  • As Director of Voter Education Programs for the ACLU of Kansas, create and oversee the creation of non-partisan, non-endorsing voter education materials including regional and state-specific voter information guides, voting and policy FAQs, ballot issues, and candidate information.
  • Create and oversee the creation of non-partisan voter registration, mobilization, and Get Out the Vote (GOTV) efforts, in collaboration with and independently of the affiliate’s Field Department.
  • Provide guidance for the development of voter planning conversations with coalition partners and other relevant organizations.
  • Work with the affiliate’s Communications Department and vendors to ensure the timely production of high-quality content deliverables, including setting cross-organizational planning meetings as needed.
  • Be a resource on up-to-date voter education information, ensuring that all content is proofread, fact-checked, and represents the voice of the ACLU of Kansas and its related organizations.
  • Proactively identify and act upon opportunities to create new, engaging voter education and mobilization content in response to news events and current and potential voter questions.
     

Kansans United for Civil Liberties (KUCL) Oversight and Leadership (70%)

  • As Senior Advisor to KUCL, manage all aspects of the services and operational support that the ACLU of Kansas is contracted to provide to KUCL.
  • Establish and implement annual programmatic plans for KUCL, including setting goals, prioritization of resources, development of the programmatic budget, and selection of elections in which the organization should engage.
  • Manage all aspects of KUCL’s voter education activities, including creation and distribution of candidate questionnaires, preparation of materials, messaging development, and candidate inquiries.
  • In collaboration with the Chief Operating Officer, develop and implement the annual operating budget, financial reports, and financial tracking of KUCL activities.
  • Manage the procurement process for all KUCL vendors, including for polling, research, paid media, voter contact, legal counsel, and other services as needed.
  • Manage relationships with all vendors, including the development of scopes of work, receipt of deliverables, and invoicing.
  • In collaboration with the Chief Operating Officer, ensure compliance with all relevant federal, state, and local laws and regulations, including the filing of all applicable reports with governmental agencies.
  • Lead KUCL’s engagement with external funders and stakeholders, including ACLU National and individual donors.
  • Serve as the liaison to KUCL’s independent board of directors, including preparing board agendas, briefing materials, and organizational documents.
  • In collaboration with the Communications Department, develop and implement a strategy for the KUCL brand, voice, and public-facing activities.
  • Track electoral and leadership opportunities, especially for members of historically underrepresented groups, to serve in elected and appointed leadership roles on the local, regional and state levels.
  • Track electoral opportunities and victories.
  • Manage coalition engagement for the organization, including building out more robust partnerships with other non-partisan voter education organizations.
  • Manage elected official political engagement with the organization.
  • As needed, serve as a spokesperson for the organization. 
     

QUALIFICATIONS

  • At least five years' experience in federal, state, issue and/or electoral campaigns.
  • Knowledge of and commitment to the history and mission of the ACLU and the ACLU of Kansas.
  • Basic understanding of campaign finance laws regulating political activities of 501(c)4 organizations, 527 organizations, and Kansas governmental ethics requirements.
  • At least two cycles worth of experience in managing electoral engagement initiatives, especially in candidate races.
  • Experience developing and administering political education and training programs.
  • Familiarity with CRM data management tools.
  • Experience with board management.
  • Experience taking initiative, being proactive, and learning to anticipate cross-organizational needs.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, along with a willingness to be patient, collegial to, and supportive of, affiliate colleagues.
  • Willingness to receive and respond to feedback, communicate directly regarding issues that arise, and work as a cohesive and collaborative member of a diverse community.
  • A personal approach that values the individual, respects diversity, acknowledges the intersectionality of the identities of your colleagues and clients, and approaches the work with an anti-racist lens and commitment.
  • Willingness to travel across the state with occasional overnight stays.

COMPENSATION

The salary for the Director of Voter Education Programs/Senior Advisor is in a range that begins at $80,000 and rises commensurate with experience.

BENEFITS

A career with the ACLU of Kansas provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. Staff members have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make a career with the ACLU of Kansas very rewarding, including but not limited to:

  • Competitive health benefits: The ACLU of Kansas pays the full premium for the health care coverage for the employee and approximately 70% for dependents.
  • Comprehensive Retirement Package: including automatic enrollment in the organization’s Contribution Plan.
  • Longevity Payments paid yearly and gradually increasing based upon the anniversary date of hire.
  • Generous Paid Time Off includes 17 paid holidays, vacation, personal, and sick paid time-off.
  • Employee Assistance Plan offers support and referrals to help employees and members of the employee’s household to manage everyday life issues.
  • Flexibility: ACLU of Kansas follows a hybrid schedule model allowing staff to work remotely for up to three days per week. Our in-office time is primarily used for team meetings and formal and informal collaboration.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Submit a letter of interest, resume, and a professional writing sample of no more than 3 pages to Vanessa Phipps, Senior HR Consultant, [email protected]. No calls please. Please put Director of Voter Education Programs – YOUR NAME” in the subject line of your email.

In your letter of interest, please indicate where you learned of the opportunity if possible.  Applicants who proceed beyond first round interviews will be asked to complete a short work-related assignment.

The job announcement will remain on our website for 30 days or until the position is filled, whichever is longer. No phone calls or in-person applications, please. The ACLU of Kansas strongly encourages formerly incarcerated individuals to apply.

This job description provides a general but not comprehensive list of the essential responsibilities and qualifications required. It does not represent a contract of employment. The ACLU of Kansas reserves the right to change the job description and/or posting at any time without advance notice.
 

The ACLU of Kansas is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. The ACLU of Kansas encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, criminal record, or veteran status. The ACLU of Kansas undertakes affirmative action strategies in its recruitment and employment efforts to assure that persons with disabilities have full opportunities for employment in all positions.

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