Regional Organizing Lead – Texas

We strongly encourage people of color, transgender and non-binary people to apply. HRC is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes everyone, including non-LGBTQ+ people, to join our team. Don’t meet every single requirement?  Studies have shown that people from marginalized communities are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification.  At HRC, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Position Summary

HRC, in collaboration with our state equality partners, works to defend and advance pro-LGBTQ policies at all levels of government, holds elected officials accountable for their votes and actions, and elects pro-equality champions to office. 

The Regional Organizing Lead is responsible for all organizing efforts of HRC members, supporters, and volunteers within a specific state or region of the country, including recruitment, training, and overall cultivation of volunteer leaders. The Regional Organizing Lead will develop volunteer teams in key communities for political, issue, and legislative advocacy.

Volunteer Team Building: HRC relies on a powerful grassroots network of volunteer leaders taking regular action to resist attempts to roll back progress for the LGBTQ community while working to advance LGBTQ equality wherever possible. The Regional Organizing Lead will work with volunteer teams to establish best practices for group-led actions and to recruit and train an active volunteer base in the region. 

Political, Issue, and Legislative Advocacy: To accelerate the pace of progress toward full equality, we must grow our movement's political power, organize ourselves, our families, friends, and allies, and put equality issues at the center of the political conversation. The Regional Organizing Lead will help grow our political power by building organizing capacity and mobilizing HRC members, supporters, volunteers, and activists in support of equality and pro-equality candidates.  

This position is a temporary, full-time job with benefits based in or around Austin, TX.  This position ends approximately November 30, 2024. Possible extension depending on funding.

Position Responsibilities:

• At the direction of their manager, meet goals in the campaign plan to elevate LGBTQ equality, support HRC-endorsed candidates in federal and state elections, and provide assistance to HRC-supported ballot initiative campaigns. 

• Implement strategies to support federal and state legislation and national advocacy efforts and maximize HRC’s local lobbying efforts.    

• Support volunteer leadership; assist with political and volunteer activities of HRC steering committee members (as they relate to political and legislative activities) and other activists as outlined.  

• Ensure HRC’s volunteer network within the region is vital and growing. Work with volunteer leadership in the region to recruit new volunteers and engage existing volunteers, members, and supporters in grassroots activities.  

• Participate in the design and implementation of training programs for members, supporters, volunteers, and activists in the region.

• Meticulously track all volunteer outreach and engagement in VAN and submit reports as requested.

• Manage outreach within the region to selected constituencies, including people of color, religious communities, youth, and others. Participate in strategic partnerships with other organizations and groups to support HRC’s outreach and increase HRC’s visibility in the region.

• Represent HRC in strategic partnerships with allied organizations (LGBTQ organizations as well as other progressive allies) to collaborate and advance the goals of HRC and the LGBTQ movement.  

• Share HRC’s commitment to inclusion and the intersectionality of our movement by integrating campaign and outreach efforts to defend and advance shared advocacy priorities like reproductive rights, immigrant rights, workers’ rights and other civil rights causes.

• Represent HRC at local events.

• Other duties as assigned.

Position Qualifications:

• At least two years of experience, and one to two cycles of electoral campaign experience, preferably with at least one cycle as a field organizer.

• Demonstrated record of successfully working in coalition on issue or advocacy campaigns (experience in applicable state is preferred). 

• Must be a people person: strong interpersonal skills include the ability to skillfully navigate fast-pace, high-volume engagements, resolve conflicts, build teams, motivate others, and work effectively in a team environment in both a lead and a support role.

• Working knowledge of federal and state legislative processes.

• Ability to work independently within the context of a plan.

• Experience meeting goals and holding others accountable.

• Effective time management skills, including an ability to prioritize; must be highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to handle multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.  

• Excellent listening, interpersonal, communication and problem-solving skills, as well as excellent writing, verbal communication, and presentation skills.

• Must be proficient with Microsoft Office applications (Word and Excel) and G-suite (Gmail, Google Docs and Drive).

• Demonstrated experience with VAN and a familiarity with other standard organizing and advocacy tools and social media required.

• Excellent ability to establish and maintain professional interpersonal relationships and resolve conflicts when necessary.

• Must have access to reliable transportation.

• Flexibility with work schedule is required; this position requires some evening and weekend work.

• Strong interest in the rapidly changing LGBTQ equality movement and a working knowledge of LGBTQ issues. 

All positions at the Human Rights Campaign may require travel on a regular basis or periodically. Where the need arises for business travel, appropriate compensation as outlined by the Fair Labor Standards Act will apply.

Level Description:

The HRC Staff Level Structure is available on the HRC Staff Intranet.