Lead Organizer

Abundant Housing Michigan’s (AHM) mission is to make the Great Lakes State an affordable place to live, work and raise a family. To achieve housing focused goals, AHM works with a range of policy efforts, including: reducing or eliminating minimum parking requirements, reducing minimal lot sizes, legalizing accessory dwelling units, legalizing denser forms of housing (especially along transit corridors), and legalizing single stair buildings.

The Lead Organizer will report to AHM’s Executive Director, Lauren Strickland. This is a full time position, remote within the state of Michigan. The Lead Organizer will meet with stakeholders across the state of Michigan (mileage and travel reimbursement will be provided, candidate must have a valid driver’s license and personal vehicle). Organizers can expect a blend of virtual and in person meetings, with 30% of their time anticipated to be in state travel. Limited out of state travel may be required for continued professional development. 

Core Responsibilities of the Role: 

• Grow AHM’s Affiliate network across the state of Michigan to prioritize AHM’s main goals of legalizing housing, reforming permitting, and prioritizing in-fill and adaptive re-use.
• Facilitate strategic planning based on statewide policy goals pertaining to housing.
• Advance grassroots advocacy efforts across the state, supporting AHM’s housing goals 

Tasks: 

• Identifying key stakeholders and decision makers, working to build key partnerships statewide. 
• Leading affiliate processes, identifying deliverables and facilitating action items to move projects forward.
• Coordinating and facilitating AHM affiliate network convenings, including scheduling and organizing meetings.
• This may include building agendas, taking meeting notes, following up on meeting deliverables, and effectively facilitating affiliate network meetings.
• Leading campaign efforts supporting statewide housing priorities. 
• This may include supervision of interns assisting with policy research and grassroots efforts. 
• Managing affiliate network communication, serving as AHM’s voice to existing and new stakeholders to grow AHM’s network.
• Additional duties as otherwise assigned.

Ideal Skills and Background:

• Strategic relationship building with diverse partners and stakeholders, and ability to manage relationships over time.
• Comfort with public speaking, including formal presentations and information relationship building. 
• Project management & administrative skills.
• Political acumen, including knowledge of Michigan statewide politics. 
• Strategic and critical thinking.
• Conflict resolution, including working with diverse and potentially oppositional stakeholders.
• Knowledge of zoning and land use.

Compensation:

The salary range for the role is $70,000- $75,000. Benefits include organizational contributions to healthcare (medical, dental, vision), and robust paid time off. 

As an organizing focused role, actual weekly hours may vary throughout the year due to the rhythm of legislative sessions. AHM is committed to work life balance, and strives to balance workload throughout the year. Typically expected working hours are 8:30am-4:30pm, but there are instances when this could shift, including a monthly coalition call, which is scheduled at 5:00pm.

We strongly encourage people of color and those part of historically marginalized communities to apply for this role, even if you don’t meet every ideal skill listed above. AHM is committed to inclusion and ensuring everyone has access to a home. We are more effective in our work when the voices and experiences of the people most impacted by the housing crisis are part of our team.

How to Apply

Application Instructions:

Interest candidates should upload application materials here.
Upload a Resume highlighting relevant skills and experience

In lieu of a cover letter, please respond to the following questions. We ask that you keep responses to 250 words or less:

• The Lead Organizer will work with network stakeholders across the state. Tell us about a time you have managed and grown a network of key stakeholders in pursuit of a common goal.
• How would you navigate the complexities of Michigan politics while promoting AHM’s mission to make the Great Lakes State an affordable place to live, work and raise a family?
• Confirm the City and State you reside in.