Executive Director

Save Our Cumberland Mountains/SOCM, founded in 1972 and initially rooted in coalfield counties in East Tennessee, has grown into a state-wide Tennessee organization with close to 2,500 members. The organization focuses on multi-issue community organizing and addresses issues of social, environmental, and economic justice. SOCM has a diverse constituency and is committed to racial justice.

Grassroots membership-based and member run, SOCM chapters organize around local issues and work together through statewide committees on campaigns that address broader issues as well. Over the years SOCM members have organized successful campaigns to address mineral extraction, voting rights, toxics and solid waste, mineral taxation, temporary workers, forestry and aerial spraying issues, and other local and state wide issues in order to have a say in what affects their lives.

In coalition SOCM has partnered with other groups working for state tax reform, adequate health care, and other economic justice issues. Historically SOCM has stood for Save Our Cumberland Mountains, and the organization is in the process of changing its name to more accurately reflect its statewide scope and multi-issue agenda. SOCM is also developing a strategic plan to guide the organization's development into an even stronger, more diverse statewide organization.

Position Overview:

The SOCM Executive Director fosters the integrity, growth and flourishing of the entire organization. The Director is responsible for oversight of all operations in order to carry out the mission of the organization and achieve goals determined by the democratically-elected Board of Directors.

This includes coordination and monitoring of strategic planning, program development, and evaluation. It also includes foundation and grassroots fundraising, legal and financial administration, staff supervision, fostering leadership development for members and staff, and cultivating strong working relationships with organizational allies in Tennessee and throughout the United States. The SOCM Executive Director reports to the SOCM Board of Directors.

Responsibilities:

• Coordinate regular strategic planning, program development and evaluation
• Foster democratic participation in the organization
• Coordinate resource development, cultivate relationships with foundations and donors, and write grant proposals
• Work with the SOCM Finance Committee to develop the annual budget
• Assure that leadership and training opportunities are available to members and staff
• Monitor progress on SOCM program work through direct supervision of the Assistant Director/Lead Organizer
• Cultivate relationships with other organizations and resources to share and enhance SOCM's program effectiveness
• Manage the budget and directly supervise financial management staff
• Assure timely filing of all federal and state reports
• Provide oversight on personnel management procedures and work with SOCM's Personnel Committee to hire and evaluate personnel
• Report directly to the SOCM Board of Directors, help prepare Board meeting agendas, and see that Board decisions are carried out

Qualifications:

• Commitment to community organizing around social, environmental, economic and racial justice issues as a method of social change
• Extensive experience in grassroots community organizing; 10 years experience preferred
• Significant management and supervisory experience; experience working with a racially diverse staff and constituency preferred
• Proven grant writing experience; experience with donor-based fundraising a plus
• Competence in office technology and basic software applications
• Knowledge of and experience working with the legislative process
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work well in a team environment and take direction from a member-run Board

Compensation: Salary commensurate with experience. Excellent benefits include full health insurance coverage, pension, 4 week vacation to start, regular holidays, sick days, sabbatical, growth leave, and other benefits

Deadline: Applications should be submitted ASAP until position is filled.

To Apply:

Please submit resume, cover letter, and a list of at least 3 references. Please put Executive Director Position in the heading. In your cover letter please include a description of your specific experiences in doing grassroots community organizing. A more complete job description is available on request.

For questions about the position, call Cassie Watters.

SOCM is an equal opportunity employer.