Description

Michigan Voices is a statewide civic engagement table established in 2005 to educate, engage, activate, and protect underrepresented and disenfranchised communities so that they can fully participate in democracy. We envision a Michigan where Black, Brown, Indigenous, and other historically marginalized voices lead the way in shaping a just and inclusive future. As a 501(c)(3) organization, we support over 100 partner organizations—-our “table partners”—by providing capacity-building resources, regrants, data, and the tools they need to strengthen democracy through a racial equity lens.

Our work spans three interconnected areas:

•      Civic Engagement - advancing voter education, registration, turnout, issue advocacy, and constituency engagement.
•      Civic Access – defending voting rights and ensuring fair, transparent election administration.
•      Civic Representation - working on census, redistricting, and representation to ensure that every community counts and every voice is heard.

Together, these efforts form the backbone of a statewide movement to create a thriving, equitable democracy.

Position Overview: 

Michigan Voices seeks a dynamic strategist with strong coalition-building and management skills to help strengthen our ability to provide infrastructure to support Michigan’s dynamic ecosystem of social justice nonprofits. The ideal candidate will be both a visionary and a hands-on leader, providing consultation, guidance, and action to advance Michigan Voices’ mission of building an inclusive and thriving democracy. 

This role will work closely with the Executive Director and senior leadership team to shape organizational strategy, support development and communications, foster partnerships, and engage the board. In addition to serving as an external representative of Michigan Voices’ values and vision, this person will be a strong internal leader - supporting programmatic staff to maximize their impact, aligning teams with organizational priorities, and cultivating a workplace culture rooted in equity and collaboration.

Functioning as a key leader within the organization, the Deputy Director will augment and extend the capacity of the Executive Director, serving as a strategic partner and thought leader across the team and partners. They will directly oversee the Coalitions and Communications, Field, Data, and Partnership teams and collaborate across departments, playing a pivotal role in ensuring that Michigan Voices continues to thrive as a hub for civic engagement, racial equity, and democratic participation in Michigan.

Primary Functions:

Vision, Strategy, and Leadership: Help shape vision and strategy to ensure Michigan Voices’ team can effectively support a vibrant, collaborative, and powerful ecosystem of social justice organizations across Michigan. 

•      Serve as a collaborative member of the Senior Leadership Team, shaping staffing, structure, and resources to advance Michigan Voices’ mission of building an inclusive and thriving democracy.
•      Partner with the Executive Director to ensure program team goals and work plans are aligned with our values, strategic direction, and commitment to equity and racial justice. 
•      Anticipate organizational needs, identify emerging challenges, and recommend solutions to strengthen systems and alignment. Collaboratively support design and implementation of systems to set and review organizational priorities, monitor progress, and embed Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (EDIB) principles into every aspect of our work. 
•      Partner with Executive Director and Development Director to support funder stewardship and education to procure funding that supports program impact and general organization needs. Support some grant management activities, including narrative and grant compliance reporting. 
•      Act as thought partner to department leads, providing strategic advice and support on people management, program design, budgeting and organizational growth. Provide strategic support on high-level initiatives, ensuring cross-team coordination and accountability.  
•      Serve as "right hand" support and trusted partner to the Executive Director, providing strategic advice and assistance on follow-up on high-level tasks. Represent the Executive Director as needed, ensuring continuity of vision and leadership across the organization and with external partners. 

 Organizational Growth and Partnership: Strengthen external relationships, collaboration, and infrastructure support to elevate Michigan Voices’ impact.

•      Strengthen relationships with over 100 table partners, ensuring they have the resources, tools, and support to advance civic engagement in their communities.
•      Build collaboration and communication that fuels innovation and impact, helping Michigan Voices remain a trusted convener in the state’s democracy ecosystem.
•      Provide strategic guidance on communications, partnerships, and board engagement, ensuring that Michigan Voices’ story, mission, and vision are elevated to funders, partners, policymakers and the public. 
•      Work with the Partnership Manager to manage and implement the partnership structure and adherence to membership requirements, strengthen onboarding and communication to partners, and support compliance with federal and state regulations.
•      Work with the program managers and finance and operations team members to oversee the regranting process.

Staff Leadership and Development: Foster a thriving, values-driven workplace where staff can leverage their brilliance to grow and lead professionally.

•      Mentor and support staff, fostering professional growth, accountability, and alignment with organizational values.
•      Champion a positive, inclusive workplace culture that emphasizes care for each person alongside collaboration, continuous learning, and shared leadership.
•      Ensure teams have resources and support they need to succeed, while creating opportunities for leadership development at all levels.  

Compensation:

This is a full-time position. The salary range for this position is $95,000 – $110,000 and is commensurate with experience. Benefits include 100% health, dental and vision insurance coverage for employees and eligible family 401k, short & long-term disability, wellness program, and a $100,000 life insurance policy. We also offer a reasonable time off policy with paid vacation and sick time, a gender-neutral parental leave policy, and a paid sabbatical leave program.

Position Location: 

Michigan Voices is based in Detroit, MI. While the majority of our work is conducted remotely, we operate as a highly collaborative team with regular virtual communication and coordination. Staff can expect occasional in-person meetings, retreats, and events in Detroit and across Michigan to foster connection, alignment and partnership with our statewide network. Because of the nature of civic engagement work, some evenings and weekends are required, particularly during election cycles and peak program periods. We prioritize equity, collaboration, and care in our workplace practices, and seek to build an environment where staff can thrive while advancing our shared mission. 

To Apply: 

Michigan Voices is partnering with CLC Endeavors in support of this process. To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter to the email listed. We encourage interested candidates to apply by October 7th, though applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. While all hiring processes are human-centered and therefore subject to change, we anticipate moving through the below steps:  

•      Preliminary screening interview with CLC Endeavors.
•      Narrative in-depth interview with Callie following feedback by Michigan Voices.
•      Small panel interview with MV team members. 
•      One-on-one interview with MV’s Executive Director. 
•      Final interview with a number of MV team members (may include a brief exercise).
•      Reference checks.

Michigan Voices is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Studies have shown that women, nonbinary folks, and People of Color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications described in a job description. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organization and are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job. That candidate may come from a background less traditional to our field of work, and that's okay. We strongly encourage you to apply, even if you don't believe you meet all the qualifications described.

Requirements

Qualifications:

The ideal candidate is a values-driven strategist and coalition builder who thrives at the intersection of internal leadership and external movement-building. They bring vision, adaptability, and a deep commitment to equity, along with the practical skills to strengthen organizations, nurture staff, and build powerful partnerships across Michigan and beyond. 

Values-Driven: Deep alignment with Michigan Voices’ mission to invest in grass-seed, grassroots, and grass-tops organizations, and a commitment to advancing racial, economic, and social justice.  

Movement Leadership: At least 4 years of senior management experience, including staff supervision with a strong track record of building relationships across progressive movements, grassroots organizations, electoral efforts, major progressive partners, and/or relevant government groups. 

Strategic and Adaptive Leadership: Demonstrated ability to design and lead organizational development, manage change and growth with sensitivity to culture and staff morale, and bring creative problem solving to complex challenges.  

Communication and Coalition Skills: Exceptional communicator, writer, and facilitator with a collaborative leadership style. Skilled at building consensus, fostering partnerships, and representing organizations in high-stake settings. 

Equity and Cultural Competence: Experience working with marginalized communities with self-awareness and cultural intelligence to navigate one’s presence based on power dynamics. Understanding of how power, privilege, and oppression manifest at different levels, with a personal commitment to learning and growth around this and equity. A demonstrated commitment to racial, economic, and social justice values.

Data-Informed and Result-Oriented: Comfortable using data and evaluation to guide decision-making, measure impact, and strengthen systems for accountability and improvement. 

Operational and Tech Savvy: Ability to thrive in a hybrid or remote work environment, with proficiency in Google Suite, MS Office, VAN (ideal but not required), and project management software (e.g., Monday). Quick learner of new tools and comfortable with video-based collaboration for both meetings and trainings (Zoom).

Flexibility and Travel: Willingness to travel within Michigan and nationally (6-8 times per year), with reliable transportation, and ability to work irregular hours during peak seasons such as elections.