Advising and events manager jobs

Compass is a growing organisation, with a network of local groups, and is looking for someone to help get these groups election-ready while strengthening our relationships across the progressive political landscape. This is a fantastic time to be working with a dynamic, progressive political organisation with big ambitions.

The Organiser will be responsible for powering Compass’ local groups, with a key focus on building our local groups ahead of the next election, and developing relationships across progressive political parties. They will play a key role in helping Compass strengthen its organising infrastructure while building productive relationships with partners outside Labour, including Liberal Democrats, Greens, and Welsh and Scottish nationalists, and with regional leaders working outside Westminster.

They will support work across the full range of Compass’ campaigns work, building powerful coalitions in key seats, growing the local groups infrastructure, developing cross-party relationships, and working on cutting through to key constituencies.

The role requires someone to use their excellent relationship building skills to work with diverse groups of people to build and grow teams around a shared vision and strategy.

The Organiser will work closely with Compass’ Deputy Director, as well as with the Executive Director, Campaigns Officer, Fundraising and Membership Manager, and Media and Press Officer, and alongside a broad network of partners, allies, associates and volunteers. We are looking for someone who is enthusiastic, relational, organised, committed and keen to learn. They should be comfortable working in a small, lively team and with groups and political traditions with different perspectives.

This role involves:

• Growing, building and coordinating our local groups network across the UK, supporting them to drive local activity and engagement with our campaigns.
• Working with the Compass Local Groups team to set local strategy, coordinate actions and deliver on Local Groups campaign goals in line with our national campaigns.
• Building and maintaining strong cross-party relationships with progressive politicians, activists, and party staff, including Liberal Democrats, Greens, Plaid Cymru, the SNP, and others, to strengthen Compass’ influence and coalition-building.
• Extending and deepening our relationships in key constituencies, and helping groups to do effective outreach to groups under-represented in our sector.
• Supporting the delivery of effective and creative campaigns at the national and local level on key issues such as democratic reform, climate action and inequality.
• Organising and activating our local group leaders to grow their mailing lists and expand their local reach.

Key Competencies

• Flexible and able to multitask: able to work in a fast-paced environment, to prioritise effectively and handle a range of responsibilities.
• Creative and enterprising: ability to construct local campaigns that energise and persuade.
• Committed and focused: able to sustain energy on campaigns over a long period.
• Able to take the initiative: able to self-organise, work independently and efficiently.
• Collaborative and co-operative: able to bring people together to take action, work across networks, with excellent interpersonal and communication skills, online and in person.
• Able to identify leadership potential in others: enable people to take on local leadership roles.
• Good political judgement: able to facilitate effectively, communicate clearly and support local organisers in a fast-paced and sometimes sensitive political environment working across political parties.
• Willingness to learn: be open-minded, flexible and eager to gain new skills.

Experience, qualifications and knowledge

• Experience in the political campaigning sector – whether in a not-for-profit, political party, charity, trade union or NGO.
• Experience with local organising – whether in a professional or volunteering capacity, plus an understanding of the dynamics of how local groups work as part of a national network.
• Alliance- and relationship- building skills – experience working with a range of different allies, stakeholders and partners and able to build trusted relationships quickly across different perspectives.
• Community building/community management skills – experience of working with volunteers, leaders or activist groups to develop their capacity and leadership to campaign.
• Experience managing campaigns or events – working in a team to deliver activities on the ground.
• Familiarity with digital campaigning tools for mass communication.
• An understanding of the UK progressive political scene and support for the aims, vision and values of Compass.

More about Compass and this role

Compass is a highly ambitious organisation, working to change the way we do politics. With a strong track record of bold and innovative campaigns and a wide network of members, associates and partners, Compass is rapidly expanding its political influence and reach.

This post is suitable for someone who believes in and wants to be part of creating the vision and culture of a good society and wants to work flexibly and energetically to further these goals. Though small in size, the team is supported by a community of partners, allies, members and supporters. 

This role is suitable for someone who wants to work hard to develop new skills and is able to learn on the job, even if they haven’t worked in a political role before.

Pay will be £30-33k, London-based, with room for flexible working in terms of hours and location. The team has an office in central London (near Vauxhall) and the likely candidate would need to be comfortable travelling to the office at least 2- 3 times a week.

You will work closely with Compass’ Deputy Director who will offer managerial support and work with you to develop and deepen your skills over time.

The position is full-time and we are looking for someone to start as soon as possible. There is a 3-month probationary period.

Compass is committed to providing equal opportunities to people regardless of background and we actively seek applications from people with backgrounds that are underrepresented in our sector, especially with regards to race and class. We recognise that representation in our sector is not good enough; this makes our politics and our campaigns weaker. As such, we particularly encourage applications from people who can demonstrate the skills, even if they have never worked in this precise field. We welcome people to apply who can demonstrate their aptitude, even if a career in politics has so far been closed off to them.

To apply for this role, please complete the application form here. You will be asked to upload a 1-page cover letter addressing what abilities, skills and experience you believe make you a good fit for the Organiser role, a CV, and to answer two questions related to the position (below).

The application deadline is Monday 31st August 5pm. Initial interviews will be held on Friday 4th September, and the remaining interviews will be held in early September. We may close applications sooner if suitable candidates are found to advance to the next stage of the process, so early applications are strongly advised.