Executive Director: Philadelphia Jobs With Justice

Philadelphia Jobs With Justice is a grassroots coalition organization with a 25 year history of fighting for justice for working people in Philadelphia, both on the job and in our communities. We believe in long-term multi-issue coalition building, grassroots base building, organizing, and strategic action as the foundation for building a workers’ movement. We believe that by engaging a broad community of allies we can win bigger victories. Philly JWJ is an autonomous chapter of a national network of local coalitions. In addition to our mission of building solidarity between unions and community organizations to win bigger victories, our Board of Directors, composed of representatives of member organizations, develops strategic campaigns that build power for working people, particularly working people of color.

In 2018, in collaboration with the National Domestic Workers Alliance, Philly JWJ launched an autonomous domestic worker organizing project to build a broad membership base of domestic worker leaders in Philadelphia and win a Philadelphia Domestic Worker Bill of Rights. In 2020, following the passage of a 10-Year Tax Abatement reform bill that inadequately addresses the funding needs of our public schools, our leadership recognized an opportunity to launch a new campaign for wealthy nonprofits to contribute their fair share of funding to our public schools. After a year of sustained pressure, our campaign member leaders won a $100 million commitment from the University of Pennsylvania to fund the remediation of lead and asbestos in our city’s public schools. In 2022, Philly Jobs With Justice launched a campaign to build power and fight for safe and healthy workplaces for warehouse and delivery workers in Philadelphia. The Executive Director will play a lead role in advancing the goals of the campaign.

The Executive Director’s primary responsibilities include:

Program and Campaign Management:

  • Work with the coalition and Board to develop strategic priorities and plans;
  • Translate strategic plans into actionable steps with measurable benchmarks and outcomes;
  • Manage a coalition of 30+ unions and community organizations;
  • Perform day-to-day programmatic duties and tasks related to coalition and campaign work.

Staff Management: 

  • Create long and short term work plans for staff;
  • Conduct weekly check-ins to track progress and identify growth areas;
  • Promote staff development through identifying professional development opportunities.


Operations and Infrastructure Management: 

  • Work with the Board to build the infrastructure of the organization to promote efficient systems that support strategic priorities;
  • Work with the Board to manage day-to-day operations, including managing the employee health insurance plan, retirement plan, general liability insurance, workers compensation insurance, check deposits, office rent payments, etc.

Financial Management:

  • Lead a multifaceted fundraising strategy with a diverse pool of sources, including grant writing, individual donor development, fundraising events, and coalition dues and contributions;
  • Manage an average operating budget of $250,000 – $350,000;
  • Work with the Board Treasurer to manage bookkeeping and ensure compliance with the organization’s tax status and financial obligations.

Qualifications:

  • Minimum 4 years experience as a community, labor, or electoral organizer;
  • Familiarity with developing, launching, and executing new campaigns;
  • Experience with social media platforms, primarily Facebook and Instagram;
  • Competency with video communication platforms;
  • Demonstrated experience in member leadership development;
  • Understanding of issues facing low wage workers;
  • Strong facilitation skills;
  • Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures;
  • Ability to balance multiple projects at once and set priorities based on long-term strategy and short-term goals;
  • Willingness to experiment with a variety of recruitment and engagement strategies;
  • Ability to frame issues and fights as well as articulate organizational values, strategy, and priorities to diverse audiences;
  • Flexible schedule and ability to work some nights and weekends as necessary;
  • Fundraising experience preferred;
  • Management experience preferred;
  • Ability to drive and access to a car preferred.

    Benefits

    Generous paid time off, medical and dental benefits, and an employer-matched 401k.

    Please submit your resume and cover letter to devan@phillyjwj.org with the subject “Executive Director Application” Applications will only be accepted electronically. Please include a daytime phone number and email where we can contact you. Interviews will take place on a rolling basis.

    Candidates must be vaccinated for COVID-19 before beginning the position. Requests for accommodations may be submitted. Relocation funds available on a case-by-case basis. People of Color, People with Disabilities and members of the LGBTQ community strongly urged to apply. Staff references are available upon request.

    Philadelphia Jobs With Justice is currently operating under a hybrid office policy. Candidates must be located in the greater Philadelphia area with the ability to travel throughout the city, including to our office in the Spring Garden neighborhood. Salary range for this position is $75,000 – 85,000 with generous paid time off, medical and dental benefits, and an employer-matched 401k. This is a 40 hour/week position; hours outside of this schedule will be recouped through our comp time policy.