Senior Director of National Training

About the role

The Alliance for Youth Action (along with our sister 501(c)(3) organization, the Alliance for Youth Organizing) is searching for a Senior Director of National Program who will lead programs that serve the leadership and staff of our multiracial affiliate network to create and execute strategic and effective advocacy, electoral, base-building, and civic engagement campaigns. We are looking for someone with experience running national training programs for civic engagement, organizing, and/or political programs across 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organizations.

This role will primarily oversee the Alliance’s 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) national training programs, supporting the broader youth organizing ecosystem nationwide. The Senior Director will serve as the executive lead of the New Deal for Organizing (ND4O), our flagship 501(c)(3) training initiative co-led with State Voices and Midwest Academy. In this capacity, they will be responsible for ND4O’s strategic direction, execution, partner coordination, and evaluation. In addition, the Senior Director of National Training and Program will be charged with developing and launching a new 501(c)(4) training program focused on preparing Alliance affiliates to run rigorous, ambitious political programs in advance of the 2026 midterm elections.

Beyond training, the Senior Director of National Training and Program will support major capacity building initiatives, including: coordinating and executing network-wide convenings and leadership development efforts, leading national voter contact programs, and leading or advising on data analysis and program evaluation.

Sitting at the intersection of strategic leadership, partnership-building, and program innovation, the ideal candidate brings:

• Deep experience in community organizing and power-building,
• A nuanced understanding of how race and power shape civic engagement,
• A track record of managing complex, multi-partner initiatives,
• And strong skills in training, evaluation, and program design.

This role reports to the Vice President of Capacity Building and is a full-time exempt position based in the United States (see Logistics, below). Alliance for Youth Organizing is a unionized workplace, and staff are represented by the Washington-Baltimore News Guild, Local 32035; this is a management position that is not in the bargaining unit.

Job Responsibilities

Lead and Evaluate New Deal for Organizing Program

• Lead the development, execution, and evaluation of the New Deal for Organizing training program to rebuild training infrastructure for youth organizing nationwide.
• Proactively foster and grow collaborative relationships between the Alliance and State Voices Network to align resources, unify strategies, and co-create opportunities for greater impact at the state and local levels.
• In collaboration with Midwest Academy, oversee and direct curriculum development and training methodologies, setting priorities and approving final structures.
• Proactively foster and grow collaborative relationships between the Alliance and State Voices Network to align resources, unify strategies, and co-create opportunities for greater impact at the state and local levels.
• In collaboration with Midwest Academy, select, direct, and oversee the work of trainers and contractors, ensuring alignment with strategic goals, budget parameters, and performance expectations.

Design and Execute National Political Training Program

• Design the learning objectives and curriculum for a rigorous political training program designed to ensure our network of youth organizing groups is prepared for executing 501(c)(4) programs in the 2026 midterm elections.
• Work closely with the Senior Director of Capacity Building to define strong political programs, evaluate affiliate capacity to execute those programs, and provide the training necessary to implement those programs.
• Implement robust metrics and analytics to assess the program’s effectiveness. Use insights to adapt curriculum, refine training approaches, and measure improvements in grassroots capacity-building.

Lead the Alliance Cohort Program

• Collaborate with members of the Capacity Building team to execute the Alliance Cohort program. This includes evaluating the success of current programming, gauging network needs, finalizing learning outcomes, identifying facilitators, and reviewing and approving agendas.
• Meet regularly with the cohort facilitation team, establish regular feedback loops with cohort participants, network with Executive Directors, and make program changes to ensure learning outcomes are met.

Spearhead Key Initiatives and Projects

• Assist in the coordination and implementation of network-wide capacity building initiatives, including trainings, cohorts, Executive Director support, and peer learning opportunities, by providing logistical, facilitation, and programmatic support to fill gaps and ensure smooth execution.
• Coordinate closely with the development team to share stories of impact to funders and partners.
• Collaborate with members of the Senior Leadership Team to add capacity and expertise where needed, examples may include: national research and polling agendas, capacity building supports for our state-based affiliates, data analysis and program evaluation, and fundraising.
• Develop, implement, and enforce the strategic vision, policies, and operational priorities for these programs in coordination with executive leadership.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive experience leading community, labor, or student organizing initiatives, with demonstrated success in developing grassroots campaigns, power analyses, and leadership pipelines.
• Experience developing, executing, and evaluating training curriculum for organizing, electoral campaigns, or other professional development leading to strong results for participants.
• Experience in adult learning and education through the development of strong adult learning curriculum, tracking learning objectives and assessing growth in learning.
• Proven track record of setting a strategic vision at the department or organizational level, aligning large-scale projects with broader mission objectives, and adapting to a rapidly shifting political landscape.
• Substantial experience managing complex programs and cross-functional teams. Skilled in coaching, performance management, and fostering professional growth.
• Ability to cultivate high-level partnerships with state and national organizations, philanthropic partners, and grassroots community leaders. Experience leading multi-stakeholder collaborations strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to integrate equity principles into organizational culture, campaigns, and coalition work. History of successful interventions in problematic dynamics and advancing racial equity in the workplace.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, adept at articulating strategic priorities to diverse audiences, and comfortable representing the organization publicly.
• Knowledge of voter data, analytics platforms, and technology tools that strengthen organizing strategies. Ability to apply insights from data to elevate campaign impact.
• Experience overseeing departmental or organization-wide budgets, with the ability to make sound financial decisions that position programs for long-term sustainability.

Key Competencies

• Expertise in training, curriculum development, and evaluation of impact.
• Aptitude for identifying and prioritizing organizational needs, charting clear pathways to achieve them, and navigating complex, dynamic movement landscapes.
• Skilled at building consensus, securing buy-in, and motivating cross-organizational teams and partners to achieve shared goals.
• Champions creative solutions, processes, and technologies to continually enhance program efficacy and meet evolving movement needs.
• Ability to work autonomously and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Holds oneself and team accountable for delivering measurable outcomes. Able to own missteps, repair harm, and maintain strong relational trust.

Logistics

• Compensation: $125,000 - $145,000 per year commensurate with experience.
• Benefits: The Alliance offers a competitive benefits package covering:
• • Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance covering
  • • 100% of employee premiums
    • 75% of premiums for employee dependents
  • Employer retirement contributions 401(k) of 5% of salary
  • Employer paid life insurance, short and long term disability income protection insurance
  • Internet stipend of $100 per month
  • Professional development opportunities and funds
  • Generous paid time off policy through which staff accrue 14 hours of PTO per month
  • Generous Sick and Safe Leave Policy
  • Paid family and medical leave up to 16 weeks
  • Paid Sabbatical (after 4 years of service)
  • 15 paid holidays
  • Potential for end of year or other bonuses
• Location: This is a full-time position based in the United States. All Alliance staff are required to live within about an hour from an airport with frequent flights to DC and to our network locations; eligible airports are listed here. Moving reimbursements are offered to employees who need to move for this position.
• Travel: Under non pandemic circumstances, domestic travel for this role may be up to 30% of this position. Must be willing to work periodically long, irregular hours and to travel as needed.

To Apply

Please fill out this application, and submit a single pdf document including the following:

• Two paragraphs or less explaining why you want this position and what makes you a strong candidate (please prioritize content over formality)
• Resume
• Three references (we will reach out to you first before contacting them)

Please reach out to aubrey@allianceforyouthaction.org with any questions.

The Priority Deadline to apply is Thursday, August 20th, 2026 with a target start date of Monday, August 24th, 2026.