National Programs Coordinator, Center for Progressive Leadership

The Center for Progressive Leadership (CPL) is a national political training institute that develops diverse leaders who can effectively advance progressive political and policy change. Through long-term, comprehensive programs for organizational leaders, political professionals, activists and future candidates, CPL provides promising leaders with the skills, resources, and networks needed to become powerful progressive leaders. Since 2003, CPL has trained over 5,000 future candidates, political professionals, advocacy leaders, and organizational staff who are changing politics in this country.

With a deep commitment to developing diverse, grassroots leaders, CPL has five permanent state offices (Arizona, Colorado, Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania) and is opening 1-2 new offices each year. CPL’s 50 staff and faculty across the country work every day to identify, recruit, train, coach, and mentor promising and diverse progressive leaders. Over the next three years, CPL has ambitious plans to add 2-3 new state offices, build a national training center and dorm in Washington DC, launch an intensive national fellowship program for the most promising progressive leaders in the country, expand our staff team, and train thousands of diverse progressive leaders.

CPL’s current national programs include the New Leaders Internship and Fellowship Program. CPL’s New Leaders Program works to change the face of tomorrow’s political leadership by connecting young people of color, LGBT youth, and women to paid internships and entry-level positions with progressive organizations. CPL provides the New Leaders with training and leadership development, mentoring, and networking opportunities. CPL is also in the process of developing additional national programs, which the National Programs Coordinator will help to support. Find out more information at www.progressiveleaders.org.

Job Description: New Leaders Program responsibilities (approximately 75-80% of time)

• Assist in identifying and recruiting qualified young people of color, LGBT youth, women and other individuals to apply for the New Leaders Internship and Fellowship Program
• Support the selection and acceptance process for the New Leaders Internship and Fellowship Program, including developing a system to track all applicants, communicating with and doing outreach to prospective applicants, reviewing applications, and coordinating interviews with top applicant
• Identify networking and educational opportunities for New Leaders with other progressive political, advocacy, and nonprofit organizations
• Provide support as needed in tracking placement opportunities with partner organizations and matching selected New Leaders with positions
• Work with CPL’s program staff to help design trainings, networking events, coaching and mentorship opportunities for New Leaders. Other national program team responsibilities (approximately 20-25% of time)
• Support the program staff in Washington, DC with curriculum development, including research, writing and editing, as well as revising existing curriculum for future program use
• Support training and coaching sessions, including preparing materials, confirming participants’ attendance, and handling all logistics
• Assist in new program development, including researching, collecting and analyzing information to inform program design, looking at other program models, and preparing written materials and information. Qualifications: CPL is a team of dedicated and passionate individuals. Applicants must be high energy and enthusiastic, possess strong leadership skills, have a clear commitment to training and progressive politics, and have significant connections to and experience in engaging traditionally underserved communities.

Qualified applicants must:

• Have experience coordinating and/or supporting programs, ideally with internship, leadership development or training programs
• Have experience mobilizing and working with underserved populations
• Display exceptional interpersonal, communication and writing skills
• Display excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, as well as the ability to effectively prioritize, multi-task and work independently
• Have the ability to work effectively with a diverse range of individuals
• Be team-oriented and enjoy working collaboratively
• Be highly motivated with a flexible schedule that can accommodate weekend and evening training sessions. CPL is an equal opportunity employer. People of color, women, people who identify as LGBTQ, and people from low-income, immigrant or refugee backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

To apply: Please submit a resume and cover letter via e-mail to Mandara Meyers, Director of Programs, at mmeyers@progressiveleaders.org. Applications will be accepted until November 13th, 2009 or until the position is filled. Due to the volume of applications, we will unfortunately not be able to acknowledge receipt of all applications.