Program Director

Location: Missoula or Bozeman, Montana Reports To: Executive Director Position Status: Full-time, exempt Hours/Week: 40 Salary: $75,000

Forward Montana (FMT) is seeking a permanent, full-time Program Director to strategize, manage, support and lead a statewide program to success across our leadership development, voter registration, voter mobilization, and issue campaigns. The ideal candidate is someone who can balance organizational vision, political urgency, and organizational capacity. You’ll excel in this role if you have all-star time management skills, are a strong strategic thought partner, and find excitement in having impact on multiple collaborative projects especially through supporting a team. Who We Are Forward Montana (FMT) and Forward Montana Foundation (FMF) are dedicated to supporting young Montanans in shaping their democracy to improve their lives and the lives of fellow Montanans through direct voter engagement, mobilization and strategic campaigns. We put young people on the front lines of civic engagement statewide, basing our efforts in youth-dense communities including Bozeman, Missoula, Billings, and the greater Flathead area. We are also in a moment of transition at Forward Montana (and across the country within youth organizing) where we are being called to reevaluate what youth organizing looks like. It is time to think big and bold while trying new things and evaluating tried and true tactics for effectiveness in today's landscape. What You’ll Do The Program Director reports to the Executive Director and is responsible for the following:

• Lead development of annual field program goals, strategies, plans and budget that align with the organization’s mission, vision, and goals with support from the Executive Director and Senior Organizing Managers;
• Evaluate the success and effectiveness of programs, making adjustments as necessary;
• Directly manage and support the development of two Senior Organizing Managers, our Special Programs Manager, and our Deputy Program Director of Indian Country with an eye towards staff professional development and program success;
• Support Senior Organizing Managers to develop and lead local issue advocacy campaigns and programs that support our strategic vision and mission;
• Work with the Executive Director, Legislative Director and the rest of the Program Team to inform legislative strategies;
• Build strong relationships with state and national partners and represent Forward Montana in relevant coalitions, in coordination with the Executive Director;
• Work with the Executive Director to strategize and participate in strengthening organizational visibility through coalitions, speaking engagements, and other external opportunities.

Must-Haves | Here’s what we’re looking for in a candidate:

• Strong people and project management skills with the ability to manage and empower a diverse team of peers at varying levels of experience to achieving necessary metrics and qualitative outcomes:
• You have a track record of supporting teams to accomplish ambitious goals and getting results even when there are obstacles and with a positive attitude;
• You’re excited about processes and systems within a team – you can run an effective meeting, give 100% to your individual check-ins with the people you manage, and can support creation of an event planning process on a tight timeline when necessary;
• You have experience hiring and managing a diverse team of folks and have experience developing systems to ensure they understand what, why and how our program plans build towards organizational goals;
• You can evaluate new opportunities for our program and organization while thinking about Forward Montana’s strategic mission and overall capacity;
• You’re excited about mentoring and supporting the professional development of other young people, with a growth mindset for yourself and others;
• You understand how to hold folks accountable to setting and reaching ambitious goals with creativity, flexibility and boldness.
• Experience in and enthusiasm for political strategy and its connection to civic & electoral power building:
• You are comfortable with developing and implementing political field plans from start to finish, centering them in tangible goals;
• You have experience creating phone banks and cutting turf in VAN/Everyaction;
• You’re committed to amplifying young voices to advocate for a more just Montana where young people can afford to live, work and have families, regardless of their backgrounds and lived experiences;
• You have an initial understanding or interest in developing an understanding of Montana’s political landscape and how we’re different from other states;
• You have some familiarity with c3, c4 & PAC organizations and how they each play a part in building power;
• You have experience developing and managing strong volunteer programs and understand the important role volunteers and community members play in the work.
• Experience in building strong collaborative relationships:
• You’re excited to build relationships with national and local coalition partners;
• You understand that partnerships are everything and are constantly seeking out new opportunities for Forward Montana to engage with new audiences and communities;
• You are energized by an ever- evolving team and have a demonstrated passion for team development and relationship building.
• Actively Anti-Prejudice:
• You are committed to actively contributing to a more equitable and inclusive FMT by facilitating conversations around diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice with the program team and our broader organization;
• You recognize how your own identities show up in the work and welcome, reflect on, and act on feedback while continuously learning about race, ability, and other lines of difference.

We understand that the right candidate may have experience in different areas. If you don’t meet all the requirements above but have an interest in learning, we encourage you to apply. What Else You Should Know Forward Montana is an equal opportunity employer and we value having staff who come from communities that are most impacted by our issues and work. We encourage people of color, LGBTQ2S+ people, women, and people with disabilities to apply.

• Logistics
• This exempt position is full-time (40 hours/week) and is based in Montana. There are opportunities for relocation reimbursements. Applicants must be located in or willing to move to Bozeman or Missoula.
• You must be comfortable working unconventional hours occasionally – including nights and weekends.
• You must have the ability to travel 1-3x/month (a valid driver’s license is required).
• This position includes both in-person and virtual components due to the size of the state and where staff is located.
• You must be comfortable being managed, managing others and building relationships with our statewide team remotely.

The salary for this position starts at $75,000 per year. Forward Montana also offers the following benefits for this role:

• 100% Employer covered health insurance, basic life insurance, and employee assistance program;
• Opt-in Employee paid dental, vision, accident, and term life insurance;
• Retirement plan with a 3% match;
• Monthly technology and wellness reimbursements;
• Professional development funds;
• Generous paid time off policy through which staff accrue 4 weeks of annual leave per year;
• Paid family leave;
• Nine paid holidays and winter break.

How to Apply Please submit a resume and one-page cover letter stating your interest in the position, why you think you’d be the right fit for Program Director at Forward Montana, and what skillsets you’d be excited to grow & develop in this position. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled; however, preference will be given to applications who submit materials by November 30th so that we can start interviews by December 7th. The preferred start date for this position is January 4th.