Director of Popular Education & Grassroots Leadership
**Note: Applicants to this role will not hear back till January 2026.**
JOB TITLE: Director of Popular Education & Grassroots Leadership
EMPLOYER: Catalyst Miami, Inc.
DEPARTMENT: Policy & Engagement
REPORTS TO: VP of Policy & Community Engagement
SUMMARY: This position is responsible for directing Catalyst Miami’s popular education programs and strengthening its network of grassroots leaders.
Catalyst Miami has a hybrid work environment. Candidate must be local to South Florida and able to attend in-person events regularly. Candidate will be expected to work evenings and weekends as needed for community events and will be offered “flex time” to make up for those hours during regular business hours.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Develop relevant and impactful popular education programming and leadership opportunities based on community needs, interests, and pressing socio-political issues
- Oversees and improves upon existing suite of leadership programs
- Expand, deepen, and activate Catalyst Miami’s leadership programs alumni network
- Work cross-departmentally to integrate the community members that come to Catalyst from each organizational entry point (services, leadership programs, worker co-ops) into our collective network
- Develop and maintain regular communication with program alumni and community leaders, and cultivate meaningful opportunities for leadership program alumni to get involved in local organizing
- Learn from and collaborate with local and national partners for best practices on community organizing and participatory policy change
- Develop, track, and monitor department budgets, goals, and grants (reporting and writing)
- Oversee performance, goals, and collective well-being of managing staff and team members
- Collaborate with VP of Policy & Community Engagement to develop and implement department goals in alignment with its long-term vision and Catalyst Miami’s strategic plan
- Develop meaningful partnerships and explore funding opportunities to expand programming and departmental goals
- Represents Catalyst Miami at community events
- Performs other related duties as assigned by management
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Directly supervises 1 employee within the Policy & Engagement department, subject to change.
- Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the Catalyst Miami's policies and applicable laws.
- Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, onboarding / training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Language: Professional working proficiency in oral and written English is required. Proficiency in Spanish or Haitian Creole is preferred.
- Education: Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience
- Years of experience: 4+
- Computer skills required: Microsoft Office Suite, Google Drive, and working knowledge of other web-based platforms.
CORE & CROSS COMPETENCIES:
- We are consistent and reliable.
Summary: Demonstrates reliability by following through on commitments, communicating clearly, and proactively addressing challenges.
- I respond to inquiries and move forward tasks without having to be reminded to do so.
- I follow instructions and ask questions as needed. I try things out and communicate transparently and honestly about my progress along the way.
- I ask for help troubleshooting challenges. When I see something that could be a problem, I communicate it to the appropriate leadership at Catalyst Miami along with a proposed solution. If I have a role in remedying the problem I follow-through with the necessary action steps.
- We show up for ourselves and each other.
Summary: Maintains self-awareness and composure, demonstrates empathy, and builds respectful, positive relationships with others.
- I take responsibility for my own physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental well-being.
- I navigate difficult issues without taking them personally. I know when to pause and take a breath. I challenge my own assumptions and seek understanding with curiosity instead of blame or judgement.
- I demonstrate care for the well being of my colleagues and fellow community members. I am aware of how my speech and energy may impact others. I communicate clearly, directly, and purposefully in a timely manner.
- I am self-reflective and respond well to the feedback I receive. When I know better, I do better.
- I practice gratitude. I know that any accomplishment is a team effort. I take the extra step to say thank you. Even on my worst days I act with kindness, compassion, and humility.
- We are exemplary partners.
Summary: Builds collaborative relationships and ensures work reflects diverse perspectives and the needs of the community.
- When I see opportunities for improvement in the way we do social impact, whether that be within my own work, with a peer, or in the community at large, I speak up and provide that feedback so that we can all do better.
- I engage in collaboration. I actively seek perspectives and input of those that are directly-impacted, listen well, and adapt to ensure that my initiatives reflect diverse needs and interests.
- I step up to fill gaps and meet needs, especially where no one else can, even when it may be inconvenient.
- I lead with a love of Miami and make work enjoyable.
- We are in the business of creating and embracing change.
Summary: Seizes opportunities for improvement, embraces change, and models equity, sustainability, and vision in everyday work.
- When I see an opportunity to be more impactful and strategic, I seize it. As a leader, I hold high expectations for what is possible. Together, we are capable of accomplishing extraordinary social progress. We do this work to win.
- I am open to change, new ideas, and experimentation.
- I make the effort to model what this world could be through my everyday actions. This means that I lower barriers to participation (ex. language, disability, food, transportation, childcare), so that everyone feels that they are welcome. In addition, our work holds the environment as sacred, this belief is reflected in the meetings, operations, & initiatives that I host.
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As supervisors, we steward the well-being and impact of our team.
Summary: Provides clear direction, fosters collaboration, develops talent, and ensures alignment with organizational goals and values.
- I steward commitment among staff to our organizational values, mission, and strategic goals.
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I am a mentor. I create opportunities for others to learn and grow, provide the necessary support and resources, proactively manage underperformance, and ensure that responsibilities are clearly understood among my team.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:
- Ability to lift up to 25 pounds
- Ability to work in a shared-workspace environment
- Stretch and bend to organize and distribute materials for Catalyst Miami activities
- Able to sit at desk for long periods of time and utilize computer for extended periods
- Must be able to work flexible hours to accommodate organization needs, including evenings and weekends. Out of town travel may be required.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The above describes the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.