Description

Protect Democracy is seeking deeply connected, strategic, and bridge-building leaders with a deep, working knowledge of their local community organizations, civic infrastructure, and political dynamics to serve as Community Relations Coordinators in 5 locations where we plan to launch 501(c)(3) civic action pilots (soon to be branded). These pilots aim to help American communities facing growing divides to rebuild trust and agency by offering opportunities to solve local problems together and shape their future. To this end, the pilots will train local community members as civic captains, with a focus on community organizing and bridge-building skills. The civic captains will then work within their communities, with the pilots’ specific programming to be shaped by the communities themselves. This will be done with the scaffolding of trusted local organizations, support from Protect Democracy, and the stewardship of the civic captains themselves.

We seek to hire a Community Relations Coordinator in each of our intended 2026 pilot locations:

• Kenosha County, WI
• Erie County, PA
• Nash County, NC
• Macon-Bibb County, GA
• Mecklenburg County, NC

These Community Relations Coordinators will join our team on a contract basis for an initial 3 months, with the potential to extend. Each Community Relations Coordinator must have deep familiarity with their assigned pilot location. 

The ideal candidates will be the face of this initiative on the ground, connecting directly with local institutions and leaders. The individuals who fill these roles will provide an essential bridge between the local pilots and our national organization. The priority application deadline for this role is April 1, 2026.

Key Responsibilities:

Landscape & Partnership Development (initial 3-month commitment)

• Map the Ecosystem: Identify key local influencers, community organizations, faith leaders, and municipal stakeholders, and assess their services or activities, constituencies, capacity, and levels of trust within the community.
• Build the Network: Secure buy-in from diverse local partners to ensure the program is representative of the community’s full political and social spectrum.
• Cultural Translation: Adapt national program goals to fit the unique needs and history of the location.
• Establish Local Partnerships: In collaboration with Protect Democracy, help identify and vet our official in-location partners to ensure the success of the program.
• Drive Recruitment of Civic Captains: Work with local partners to recruit, select, and onboard a cohort of 10-12 diverse residents ready to lead.

While the primary aims of these contract positions involve the above landscaping and partnership development activities, opportunities for an expanded contract may involve assisting with the later stages of launching and administering the program. 

Job Requirements:

• At least 5 years of experience in community organizing or nonprofit leadership.
• Willingness to work in the pilot location during the full contract period.
• Deep familiarity with the socio-political landscape of one of the pilot locations (see above).
• Existing, trusted relationships with a diverse set of local community organizations, coalitions, and leaders in the pilot location.
• A high degree of emotional intelligence and the ability to work comfortably with people across the ideological spectrum without judgment.
• Comfort with the ambiguity of a pilot phase and an ability to navigate obstacles as they arise.
• Skill and experience in managing difficult conversations and keeping groups focused on shared goals.
• Exceptional communication skills.

Requirements

Ideal Candidate:

• Has lived and worked in the pilot location for several years and is widely seen as a trusted, neutral convener.
• Understands the landscape of local nonprofits, faith communities, civic groups, and political actors, including who they serve, how they collaborate, and what capacity and trust they hold in the community.
• Proven track record of managing multi-stakeholder projects, including planning, timelines, partner coordination, meeting facilitation, and follow-through on deliverables.
• Has led complex community-based projects from design through implementation, often with limited structure or in pilot environments.
• Is comfortable bridging across ideological, racial, geographic, and generational divides to help groups identify shared goals and act together.