Campaigns Director

Job Title: Campaigns Director 

Reports To: Programs Director 

Status: Full Time, 35 hours a week, Exempt

Plain Language version of the job description found here. 

About Dogwood Alliance: 

Dogwood Alliance advances environmental justice and climate action through mobilizing diverse voices to protect the forests and communities of the Southern US from destructive industrial logging. Having transformed the practices of some of the largest corporations in the world, Dogwood is on the leading edge of international, national and regional efforts to advance forest protection in the US South.

About the Role:  

The Campaigns Director will primarily direct and manage the Federal-level campaigns for Dogwood Alliance. The position will lead the coordination of campaign activities with national and international partners/coalitions, manage our federal political advocacy, and lead the development and implementation of federal and international public movement-building strategies. 

The Campaigns Director will work directly with the Programs Director, Organizing Director, and Conservation Director to implement and evaluate our program’s strategy and theory of change related to federal and international campaigns. This position will work with the program staff to develop and implement yearly plans and associated activities and conduct research on the ground and online to support Dogwood Alliance programs. The Director will coordinate with our strategic campaign partners to co-create high-level strategy and tactics and support releasing essential research and campaign products to the public, our activists, and the media. 

Location & Travel: 

The Campaigns Director role is a remote, full-time position, is exempt, and reports to the Programs Director. This position is remote, with the possibility of occasional, as-needed travel for team retreats, board meetings, and other events. This position utilizes frequent Zoom meetings and phone calls. There may be regular travel (15% of time) and interactions with legislators in Washington DC & partner communities across the South. 

We are looking for candidates who live in proximity to Washington DC, anywhere on the East Coast or Gulf South in the states of: Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Florida, and Arkansas and Florida. Under FLSA Guidelines, this job is classified as Professional.

Key Responsibilities: 

Specific responsibilities include: 

• Direct Dogwood Alliance federal campaigns and political advocacy work
• Lead the development and implementation of federal and international online and in-person actions
• Lead Dogwood Alliance involvement in Federal and International coalitions and related coalition activities

Strategic Planning, Reporting, and Evaluation

• Develop, implement, and report on strategic campaign plans that include measurable outcomes, progress indicators, strategies, and activities
• Work with the Programs Director to assist in the execution, reporting and evaluation of organizational programs
• Coordinate with the Programs Director, Organizing Director, and Conservation Director to identify strategic opportunities for big-picture analysis and engagement
• Maintain a working knowledge of relevant issues affecting the campaign and our strategic efforts

Building Support for the Campaign

• Oversee campaign related online action and engagement opportunities with the Dogwood member listserv in close coordination with programs staff and marketing team.
• Coordinate and manage existing campaign partnerships with allied organizations.
• Develop diverse campaign coalitions that increase the effectiveness of campaign activities and recognition, specifically with a focus on biomass and US forest protection
• Develop and support the creation of outreach materials to support our movement building and political advocacy
• Travel to wood pellet mills to document evidence of destruction of bottomland hardwood forests and other high conservation value forests
• Coordinate on in-person events and actions
• Coordinate with Grant manager to identify new funding opportunities for Federal and International campaigns

Communications

• Identify key opportunities for generating activists/media for the campaign
• Coordinate with marketing staff to ensure that the current status of and activities on the federal and international campaigns are reflected through all communication and marketing channels
• Develop and write blogs, emails, and e-actions for the campaign, in coordination with marketing & communications staff

Management and Reporting

• This position is responsible for managing our Federal Lobbyist (consultant) and the Program team’s Communications firm (consultant)
• Hold weekly meetings with the Programs Director
• Attend weekly team coordination meetings
• Assisted in developing and maintaining a three-month work plan and weekly priorities
• Develop quarterly work reports for the Supervisor

Skills and Experience

The Campaigns Director is a director-level position requiring skill in the following competency areas: 

• extensive organizing and advocacy skills
• the expertise to build and manage coalitions, influencing groups towards outcomes and results
• the ability to plan and carry out creative and hard-hitting campaign actions
• comfortable embedding and integrating their policy & coalition work with principles of equity and inclusion

A successful candidate will have: 

• 5+ years of campaigning and political advocacy experience, or related experiences.
• A demonstrated commitment towards environmental justice, policy work, social justice and building political power
• Strong writing and communication skills through letters, emails, social media
• Strong experience leading and facilitating groups and coalitions through meetings, in-person events, and hybrid offerings
• Ability to analyze policy documents and strategies for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats
• Ability to remain results and outcome oriented while balancing relationships and needs of the community
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in teams and coalitions; the ability to negotiate where we want to go and where we are is important!

Compensation and Benefits:

Salary range is $65,000-$75,000, depending on experience. Benefits package includes health insurance, SIMPLE IRA retirement plan with employer contribution, generous paid time off, and an excellent working environment. See a summary of our benefits package here. 

The current salary range for this position is in line with our existing compensation framework. We are actively conducting a comprehensive review and restructure of our compensation structure, which may lead to an increase in the offered package as new structures are implemented in 2024. 

EEOC Statement: 

At Dogwood Alliance, we are unwavering in our commitment to fostering an environment of equity, justice, and inclusivity. Dogwood Alliance advances environmental justice and climate action by mobilizing diverse voices to protect Southern forests and communities from industrial logging. Our staff and culture reflects this mission. We aspire to have a diverse and visionary leadership, an equitable leadership structure and a transformative culture of belonging and care. 

We believe that every individual, regardless of their background, deserves equal opportunities to thrive and succeed. Our dedication to upholding the principles of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) runs deep in every aspect of our organization. In this spirit, Dogwood Alliance provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Furthermore, Dogwood Alliance does not discriminate against qualified individuals because of their disabilities and makes  efforts to provide reasonable accommodations to assist individuals with disabilities in performing and thriving in their jobs. 

Our commitment extends beyond mere compliance with legal standards; it’s a promise to actively cultivate an environment where each employee’s unique experiences and talents are celebrated and respected. We are dedicated to providing equal opportunities in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, compensation, benefits, and all other aspects of employment. Harassment and retaliation are contrary to our values and will not be tolerated.

We strive to eliminate barriers that could impede the full potential of any member of our team. We encourage open conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion and are committed to addressing any concerns promptly and transparently. Together, we work to build a team culture that reflects the forests we swear to protect—one that champions collective care, embraces diversity, and empowers each individual to contribute their best. Our commitment to equity and justice is resolute, and we are dedicated to partnering with our staff, volunteers, communities to create a more just and green future for all.