JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

The Main Street Alliance of Vermont is Hiring

Applications accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis

Job Title: Vermont State Director

Location:  Montpelier or Burlington areas

General Purpose: The Main Street Alliance (MSA) seeks a state director to drive & manage the Vermont Chapter of the Main Street Alliance.

About the Main Street Alliance:  Founded in 2008, the Main Street Alliance (MSA) is a growing national network of state-based small business coalitions working to ensure that the voices of real small business owners are heard on public policy issues that are critical to their businesses, their employees, and the communities that they serve.  Small business owners are a powerful constituency and serve as trusted messengers with public officials, the media, and the general public. MSA implements game-changing strategies that shift debates over critical economic justice issues, impacting public policy debates at the local, state and national levels.

Our Vermont chapter was founded in 2014 and has quickly become a leading voice on public policy in Vermont. The Main Street Alliance of Vermont works with more than 600 small business owner members around the state and has supported the passage of the Paid Sick Days law in 2015, Vermont's Green Mountain Secure Retirement Program in 2016, and is currently leading the Campaign for a statewide family and medical leave insurance program. 

Job Description: The duties of the Main Street Alliance Vermont State Director focus primarily on member engagement and leadership development, representing MSA in the VT legislature, campaign management, fundraising and partner and ally relationship building. The ideal candidate will be a highly energetic, creative self-starter with a proven track record of leading successful campaigns, community building, raising funds and staff management.

Job Responsibilities

• • Organize. Develop small business leaders to build power in Vermont and nationally and win campaigns.
  • Execute sharp and strategic campaigns. Use your outreach, canvassing, campaign, coalition, organizing and leadership development skills to execute strategic campaigns developed as a team. Work with Main Street Alliance staff and local coalition allies to develop a coordinated small business outreach and organizing plan for the state, and participate in the development of the Main Street Alliance network.
  • Relationship development and management. Develop and maintain relationships with small business owners across Vermont. Identify and develop iconic and small business leadership/spokesperson teams for direct engagement with decision-makers, media opportunities, and peer outreach through one-on-ones, organizing meetings and small business leadership trainings.
  • Make No Small Plans. But do make well-written ones. Work with team to develop monthly (and longer-term) work plans to drive campaigns forward.
  • Look to the long-term. Push every campaign to address not just the short-term gains but how they interact with Main Street Alliance’s long-term goals. Work with national MSA staff and state level ally advisory committee to develop a long term fundraising plan (including foundations, major donor program, small donor program, events, etc.) with benchmarks and goals for ensuring the growth and sustainability of the MSA Chapter.
  • Build deep trust. Invest in relationships with members, leaders and staff in order to deeply understand their self-interest.
  • Be inclusive. Recognize and appreciate different ways of working and being.
  • Be proactive. Ask questions. Look for new ways to engage. Take ownership of your work and bring ideas to the table.
  • Be a team player. We’re all in this together, we’re not afraid to roll up our sleeves and get the work done. Work with MSA staff to ensure we’re hitting goals to have the greatest impact.
  • Model our values and culture. Model optimism inside and outside the organization, and reinforce our core values and culture. Model transparent and accountable decision-making, and build this culture on staff. Represent MSA in coalition work, managing a network of established relationships with key community partners, as well as in the Capitol and with other elected officials.

Qualifications

• Deep commitment to a vision of racial, social, and economic justice and to building the collective voice of small business owners in Vermont.
• 3-5 years experience in community/grassroots organizing and/or political campaigns.
• 2-3 years legislative experience, preferably in Vermont.
• Experience working with or in small businesses.
• Experience working in coalition to develop and implement legislative and electoral strategies.
• Experience with foundation, individual donor and membership fundraising strategies.
• Strong written and verbal skills, and ability to listen.
• Ability to produce consistent, quality work in a fast-paced environment.
• Willingness and ability to travel around the state on a regular basis and work flexible hours required.
• Team building and staff management experience.
• Ability to work independently and strong time management skills.
• Computer skills (word processing, spreadsheet & database, PowerPoint, electronic communication).
• Ability to speak Spanish or other languages a plus.
• Experience with national campaigns or large municipal/state coalitions a plus.
• A passion for organizing and a sense of humor.

Salary & Benefits

Salary is within $65,000-70,000, based on experience. Our competitive benefits package includes 100% premium coverage for family medical, dental and vision insurance; 401(k) plan with 3% employer contribution after six months of employment; flexible spending account; life insurance; and paid time off at the end of December in addition to paid vacation.

Application Process

To apply, e-mail one single PDF including a cover letter, resumé and at least 3 references to: stephen@mainstreetalliance.org and jobs@mainstreetalliance.org with subject line: Vermont Director 

We are looking for committed, enthusiastic people with a sense of humor to join our organizing team!  Main Street Alliance is committed to equal opportunity, and are considering applicants of all races, gender, ages, sexual orientations, national origins, ethnicities, religion, and abilities. We urge people of color, and experienced organizers and activists of all backgrounds, to apply.