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Deputy Director of Programming & Strategic Partnerships

Mississippi Votes & Mississippi Votes Action Fund Location: Jackson, MS Status: Full-Time, Exempt Reports To: Executive Director Salary: $100,000 annually + competitive benefits

About Us

Mississippi Votes (MSV) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit civic engagement organization led by young people and grounded in intergenerational synergy. Through voter education, grassroots organizing, policy advocacy, and leadership development, we work to build a transformative culture of civic engagement across Mississippi.

Mississippi Votes Action Fund (MSVAF) is our 501(c)(4) sibling organization. MSVAF deepens our impact through issue advocacy, voter mobilization, and campaign strategies that expand democratic access and protect voting rights.

Together, MSV and MSVAF empower young Mississippians, protect the integrity of elections, and build long-term civic infrastructure for inclusive democracy in Mississippi.

Position Overview

The Deputy Director of Programming & Strategic Partnerships is a senior leadership position responsible for guiding programmatic cohesion, alignment, and execution across both MSV and MSVAF. This role ensures that programs and campaigns are grounded in strategy, aligned with organizational priorities, and positioned for impact and scale.

In addition to leading internal programmatic alignment, this role is responsible for cultivating and maintaining strategic partnerships that support MS Votes’ statewide expansion. This includes developing and managing relationships across Mississippi that enhance the reach, visibility, and effectiveness of MS Votes’ programming—particularly in regions where the organization is growing its presence.

This position supervises the Field Director, Policy Director, and Communications Director, and works in close collaboration with the Deputy Director of Operations & Finance and the Executive Director. The Deputy Director of Programming & Strategic Partnerships plays a key role in ensuring values alignment, accountability, and strategic planning across both the 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) entities.

Core Responsibilities

Programmatic Leadership

• Lead strategic planning and program implementation across civic engagement, field, communications, and policy initiatives.
• Align department-level goals with organization-wide objectives across both MSV and MSVAF.
• Supervise and support the Field Director, Communications Director, and Policy Director.
• Ensure each program area is meeting benchmarks, adhering to internal protocols, and delivering measurable impact.
• Promote collaboration and coordination across departments to amplify effectiveness and mission alignment.
• Support strategic planning, campaign development, and program innovation rooted in equity and inclusion.

Strategic Partnerships & Statewide Expansion

• Develop and maintain partnerships with civic organizations, campuses, churches, community groups, and leaders across Mississippi.
• Advance MS Votes’ statewide presence by identifying opportunities for regional expansion and long-term partnership.
• Create systems for partner engagement that strengthen local civic infrastructure and align with MSV/MSVAF campaigns and values.
• Represent MS Votes in coalitions, convenings, and collaborative spaces that support civic power-building across the state.
• Maintain a consistent statewide presence and build authentic relationships that reflect community needs and regional dynamics.

Cross-Entity Strategy (501c3 & 501c4)

• Work with the Executive Director to ensure appropriate planning and role distinction between c3 and c4 activities while maximizing mission alignment.
• Support the development of advocacy, voter mobilization, and civic education campaigns with an understanding of the legal frameworks and messaging requirements of both entities.
• Coordinate closely with policy and communications teams to ensure that MSVAF-led campaigns are legally compliant, strategic, and community-informed.

People & Culture Leadership

• Foster a supportive, accountable, and inclusive work environment that values collaboration, transparency, and staff development.
• Conduct regular check-ins and performance evaluations with direct reports.
• Identify and support professional development opportunities for program staff.
• Collaborate with the Executive Leadership Team on internal culture-building initiatives.

Organizational Planning & Reporting

• Partner with the Executive Director and Deputy Director of Operations & Finance to implement strategic goals and reporting processes.
• Assist in grant reporting and funder communication by aligning data, narrative, and program benchmarks.
• Help assess and refine internal systems for campaign planning, reporting, and evaluation.

Qualifications

Required

• At least 5 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, advocacy, organizing, or campaign work
• Strong understanding of civic engagement, youth leadership, grassroots organizing, and racial justice
• Demonstrated success supervising teams and managing cross-departmental initiatives
• Excellent relationship-building and communication skills with diverse partners and stakeholders
• Strategic thinker with a high capacity for managing layered projects and timelines
• Experience with 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) program planning, compliance, and legal separation

Preferred

• Experience in Mississippi or the Deep South
• Familiarity with issue campaigns, electoral strategy, or advocacy work
• Experience with CRM, project management, and organizing tools (e.g., EveryAction, Asana, VAN)
• Commitment to building political power through place-based, community-centered strategies

Compensation & Benefits

Salary: $100,000/year

Benefits: 50% of employee premiums covered for medical, dental, and vision; 100% coverage of mental health services

Location: Jackson, MS (some statewide travel required; hybrid flexibility available)

To Apply

Submit your application at https://msvotes.bamboohr.com/careers

Youth Organizer

About Us:

Mississippi Votes (MSVotes) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization of intergenerational synergy centering and led by young people invested in the progression of Mississippi. We do this through our programming and outreach strategy that empowers young people, encourages civic engagement, and educates communities on voting rights through place-based, grassroots organizing. Our vision is to cultivate a transformative culture of civic engagement throughout the state of Mississippi.

Overview:

There will be five (5) Youth Organizers on the Field Team. Each Youth Organizer will co-facilitate the field plans of their respective region’s high schools, colleges, and universities, with a strategic understanding of Mississippi Votes’ theory of change in relation to developing a voter friendly Mississippi under the direction of and with support from their respective Regional Coordinator. The Youth Organizers will be responsible for frequently assisting the Policy & Research Team to develop the organization’s field plan and communal approach to the vision towards developing legislation that seeks to expand Mississippi’s electorate. The Youth Organizers co-facilitate all GOTV efforts including, but not limited to, MS Votes’ annual #Up2Us campaign. The Youth Organizers are responsible for managing a database of national and local supporters; forming or joining coalitions as necessary with unanimous approval from the Leadership Team. The Youth Organizer will also be responsible for developing and implementing a program to increase civic engagement among high school and college students in Mississippi. The Youth Organizer will coordinate with local schools, colleges, universities, and community organizations to identify opportunities for students to get involved in their communities and to learn about the political process. They will also develop and lead workshops and other educational programming to help students develop the skills and knowledge they need to be active and engaged citizens.

The Youth Organizers are responsible for organizing in one of the 5 regional offices identified by Mississippi Votes: 1.) Tupelo (Northeast), MS, 2.) Hattiesburg (South), MS, 3.) Cleveland (Delta), MS, and 4.) Gulfport (Coast), MS. Each of these offices are located strategically in Mississippi’s Congressional Districts. In some instances, the Youth Organizer will be responsible for assisting to organize and work in and around college campuses in the areas they are responsible for.

The Youth Organizers will lead for the day to day operations and programming for the Democracy in Action Fellowship Program, as well as the Youth Advisory Council, and are also responsible for any programming or events that involving high school and college-aged students in their respective region. (note: college aged doesn't mean that those persons participating have to be in a traditional educational setting; they just happen to fall in the 18-39 age range thus making them eligible to participate in programming).

Responsibilities:

• Establish a strong professional culture within the voter services team focused on accountability, specific goals, innovation, and sense of purpose.
• Understand and be aware of Elections Laws and Regulations in the state of Mississippi.
• Willing to work with a fundraising team on occasion to assist with narrative building.
• Manage the field program budget and logistics in coordination.
• Ability to design, communicate, and implement a comprehensive, data-driven field plan.
• Build and manage a large, multi-layered statewide intergenerational field team consisting of paid staff, student fellows and interns, and volunteers.
• Set and meet benchmarks for voter registration, volunteer recruitment, voter contact, grassroots engagement, and get out the vote (GOTV).
• Co-create and implement a quality control system for voter registration maintenance within every level of the organization’s programs.
• Work with Regional Coordinators and Voter Services Team to design and standardize best practices for data management using the organization’s data software to track and report on program progress and outcomes across all campuses. (i.e. voter registration services, canvassing details, etc…)
• Co-Manage MS Votes’ VAN (Voter Access Network) and Every Action software; work towards building an independent data platform.
• Monitor initiatives and efforts to measure impact (i.e. voter registration/turnout, #Up2Us Campaign residuals).
• Execute YAC programming curriculum to increase civic engagement among students in Mississippi.
• Develop and lead workshops and other educational programming to help students develop the skills and knowledge they need to be active and engaged citizens.
• Build relationships with local schools and community organizations to create partnerships and opportunities for students to get involved in their communities and to learn about the political process.
• Support efforts to strengthen relationships with key local, state, and national partners/alliances to work with and enrich the learning experience for students. Develop a coalition of organizations doing youth civic engagement work in Mississippi and across the country.
• Manage the day to day operations of MS Votes’ college and university programming that include the Democracy in Action Fellowship and potentially student groups that form with our ideology and practice. This also includes creating/developing advocacy toolkits, issue briefs, reports, and policy statements affecting college aged youth; lead the revision of existing MS Votes advocacy toolkits to share strategies and tips for youth and collegiate organizing.
• Set frequent meetings that discuss the status and flow of programming that will intersect as well as set quarterly goals and objectives based on the overarching goals and vision of the organization as laid out by the Executive Director.
• Where appropriate, represent MS Votes at conferences, in the media, and other approved events.
• Lead Summer Youth Programming.
• Help coordinate Voter Empowerment Project.

Qualifications:

• Ability to lead large groups of people, create electoral plans, and inspire young people to participate in civic engagement.
• Experience in leading statewide or regional field programs and mobilizing volunteers.
• Management and training experience.
• Well-organized individuals with effective time management skills who can take initiative to work independently and in a team with minimal supervision.
• Experience in program coordination, event planning, and youth organizing required.
• Strong computer skills including G Suite and database management.
• Experience with VAN.
• Exceptional interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to gracefully manage multiple projects to meet multiple deadlines.
• Enthusiasm for the work and willingness to learn.
• Must be knowledgeable of the political landscape of Mississippi.
• Bachelor’s Degree or 3 years of equivalent experience in community organizing, field organizing, and/or youth engagement preferred.

Position Details:

Salary: $45,000-$50,000/yearly; depending on experience.

MS Votes offers a competitive benefits package covering 50% of employee medical, dental, and vision insurance premiums

Flexibility in work hours; evening and weekend hours may be necessary.

Travel required.

Reports To:

Regional Coordinator

Additional Information:

For more information, please feel free to visit our website: www.msvotes.org.

How to Apply:

Submit your resume and cover letter to jobs@msvotes.org via the form on the “Join the Team” page of our website: https://www.msvotes.org/opportunities/employment/

Mississippi Votes is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified persons are encouraged to apply regardless of race, color, creed, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, age, height, weight, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, marital or domestic partner status, or religious affiliation.

Young people, People of Color, and Womxn are strongly encouraged to apply.

Legislative Assistant

Full Time At-Will Employment As Soon As Possible

About Us Mississippi Votes (MS Votes) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization driven by young people committed to advancing civic engagement, voter education, and advocacy for equitable voting rights policies in Mississippi. Through grassroots organizing, research, and community-driven advocacy, we cultivate a culture of civic participation and democratic accountability across the state.

Position Overview

The Legislative and Policy Associate is a critical member of MS Votes’ Policy and Research Team, supporting the organization’s legislative advocacy, voting rights policy analysis, election protection efforts, and suffrage restoration work.

This role involves research, policy tracking, coalition engagement, and direct voter support, including assisting with MS Votes’ Election Protection Hotline and guiding individuals through the suffrage restoration process. The ideal candidate is passionate about democracy, social justice, and advancing equitable policies for historically marginalized communities.

This position supports each member of the Policy and Research Team, collaborates across departments, and engages with elected officials, community organizations, and advocacy coalitions.

Key Responsibilities

Legislative and Policy Research

• Monitor, track, and analyze state and federal legislation related to voting rights, civic participation, and democracy reforms.
• Research on voting laws, ballot access, election integrity, and voting-related legislation, including voter ID laws, absentee voting, early voting, and redistricting.
• Prepare policy briefs, fact sheets, reports, and talking points to inform MS Votes’ advocacy efforts.
• Draft public comments, testimonies, and official statements on relevant legislation and policy proposals.
• Track local, state, and federal bills and provide legislative summaries to the Policy and Research Team.

Support for the Policy and Research Team

• Policy Director: Assist with executing MS Votes’ overall policy agenda, drafting legislative updates, and coordinating policy campaigns.

• Advocacy and Outreach Coordinators (2) – Each responsible for four policy portfolios:

  • Conduct research and policy analysis to support their policy areas.
  • Assist with policy-related events, public forums, and town halls.
  • Provide content for advocacy materials tailored to their portfolios.

• Policy and Research Analyst (Focus: Rights Restoration & Voting Rights Laws/Legislation):

  • Support rights restoration efforts through policy tracking, case documentation, and research.
  • Assist with the suffrage application process, ensuring individuals have accurate resources and guidance.

• Voting Rights Coordinator (Focus: Election Protection):

  • Assist in Election Protection Hotline operations, answering voter inquiries, troubleshooting election-related issues, and escalating concerns.
  • Provide research and logistical support for voter education initiatives.

Election Protection & Suffrage Restoration

• Election Protection Hotline: Answer voter inquiries, address concerns related to voter ID, absentee voting, polling place issues, and other election-related matters.
• Hotline Data Tracking: Analyze trends from hotline calls to inform advocacy strategies.
• Suffrage Restoration Support: Guide individuals through the rights restoration application process, including completing forms, tracking cases, and providing policy updates.
• Advocacy for Legislative Reform: Assist in advocating for policies that streamline and improve the suffrage restoration process.

Advocacy and Coalition Engagement

• Assist in developing and executing legislative strategies in collaboration with the Policy Director.
• Attend legislative hearings, committee meetings, and public forums, providing summaries and strategic recommendations.
• Build and maintain relationships with elected officials, government agencies, and advocacy organizations to advance equitable voting policies.
• Represent MS Votes in coalition meetings, advocacy working groups, and policy strategy discussions.

Community & Youth Mobilization

• Help organize advocacy campaigns, lobby days, town halls, and community listening sessions.
• Support grassroots organizing efforts by educating young voters on legislative issues and civic participation.
• Assist in developing civic education programs that increase public awareness of voting rights and legislative processes.

Cross-Team Collaboration

• Work with the Communications Team to create voter education materials, press releases, and social media content on policy issues.
• Provide policy insights and research to the Organizing Team to inform voter outreach strategies.
• Collaborate with the Operations & Finance Team to support grant reporting and documentation of advocacy efforts.

Election Season Responsibilities

During peak election periods, this role will have additional responsibilities:

• Expanded Election Protection Support: Increased hotline coverage, assisting voters with real-time election issues.
• Poll Monitoring & Rapid Response: Assist with polling place issue escalation and coordination with legal partners.
• Community Engagement Blitz: Assist with intensified voter education efforts leading up to Election Day.
• Legislative Monitoring: Track any legislative or administrative actions that may impact voter access.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in political science, public policy, law, social sciences, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• Demonstrated knowledge of state and federal legislative processes related to voting rights and democracy.
• Strong research and analytical skills with the ability to synthesize complex policy information.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience drafting policy materials.
• Experience in grassroots organizing, advocacy, coalition-building, or legislative engagement.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and legislative tracking tools.
• Passion for youth civic engagement, racial justice, and equitable democracy.

Position Details

• Salary: $50,000 annually
• MS Votes offers a competitive benefits package covering 50% of employee medical, dental, and vision insurance premiums, and 100% of mental healthcare costs.
• Location: Jackson, MS

Reports To:

Policy & Research Director

How to Apply:

Apply on our Careers page at https://msvotes.bamboohr.com/careers.

Mississippi Votes is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified persons are encouraged to apply regardless of race, color, creed, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, age, height, weight, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, marital or domestic partner status, or religious affiliation.

Young people, People of Color, Women, and LGBTQ+ folx are strongly encouraged to apply.

Mississippi Votes is looking for Interns for the Fall 2025 Semester at Jackson State University, Belhaven University, Milsaps College, Mississippi College, and Tougaloo College. Interns must be Full Time Undergraduate Students or enrolled as a Graduate Student at either of the aforementioned colleges. During the Spring Semester Internship, MS Votes does not accept Undergraduate Senior Applicants.

Application Deadline: July 25, 2025 at 11:59pm CST 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScTCnIpdX72kTyAUVgtjrNUvlxjaYjMdr8i28RXAE462VEvaQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

Start Date for Selected Applicants: Week of August 5, 2025

Internship Details:

MS Votes’ Fall 2025 Internship is an opportunity that engages and empowers young people attending Mississippi’s metropolitan area colleges and universities. This internship is jammed packed with travel opportunities and real experience working in the social justice realm. Participants will have the opportunity to work on projects and events from start to finish, work directly with the leaders of MS Votes, and of course, learn more about the organization through normal clerical, day-to-day work. Interns will gain skills such as, grassroots organizing, communications, data management and much more. Interns will deepen their political analysis through readings and various trainings.

Requirements:

• Must attend in person orientation
• Must attend 3 political education trainings 
• Must have reliable transportation
• Must be able to commit to at least 10 hours per week 
• Must be able to assist MS Votes with event
• Self-motivated; Self-starter
• Task oriented
• Ability to work collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and/or conflicts
• Exceptional collaborative learning style
• Commitment to the mission of the MS Votes
• Reports to Mississippi Votes'  Operations Assistant

Duties and Responsibilities

35% of the responsibilities are clerical/administrative; 

35% is special projects; 

30% is training and leadership development

• Answer phone inquiries, direct calls, and provide basic information; oversee mail deliveries, packages, and couriers
• Perform clerical duties, take memos, maintain files, and organize documents; photocopy, fax, etc. as needed
• Take notes and memos during meetings; type documents, drafts, and reports; sort and manage files
• Run general operations related errands
• Manage databases and input information, data, and records
• Set up, break down, organize, and maintain conference rooms, training rooms, and meeting rooms; update company calendars
• Attend organization functions and networking events
• Update and post supervised social media and website content; respond to web correspondence, social media posts and emails
•  Plan and Manage a minimum of four (4) Voter Registration Events 
• Coordinate and/or assist with special projects as assigned (i.e., staffing the MS Votes Voter Information Hotline, Text and Phone Banking, etc)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much and how often will I be paid? 

A:  Interns are paid $15.00/hourly and receive their pay on a bi-weekly basis through direct deposit. 

Q: What if I already have knowledge of the training being offered? Do I have to attend? 

A: All training sessions are mandatory! You never know what ideas could spark during a training session. 

Required Readings & Writing

The political education of young people is a core value of MS Votes. Interns may be required to engage in reading circles with the MS Votes team but surely the Executive Director. Fellows may also be asked to produce blog pieces for MS Votes’ blog site and for public consumption during the duration of their internship. 

This year’s required reading for your cohort is:

How the Word is Passed, Clint Smith

Opportunities for Growth

Mississippi Votes’ commitment to the development of young people is true and vast. As opportunities present themselves, MS Votes will oblige any other development requests interns may have.

For Questions or concerns, please contact the HR Manager at jobs@msvotes.org.