Midwest Academy - Co-Director

Co-Director

We are seeking a dynamic organizer-trainer to share the role of Director of the Midwest Academy. Building on the Academy’s remarkable decades-long legacy, the Co-Director will design new initiatives to meet the needs of organizers across the country and help adapt the training curriculum to meet this changing moment in history. The Co-Director will train in the Midwest Academy’s very hands-on/experiential style, fundraise to support the work of the academy and develop relationships with organizations across the movement. The Co-Director should be familiar with the Midwest Academy’s theory of change, possess a deep commitment to racial, gender, and economic justice practices, and be excited to design a program with energy to drive the Academy into the future.

Overview of the Academy

The Midwest Academy has played a vital role in preparing generations of organizers, many of whom are now in leadership positions in community and labor organizations. Our curriculum distills decades of experience in organizing into practical lessons for organizers in how to support the development of self-determined, democratically governed organizations that win real improvements in people’s lives and help build the broader movement for racial, economic and social justice. Our commitment at this moment in history is to provide training and other forms of strategic support to groups organizing to build power in communities of color and low-income and working-class communities and constituencies while also ensuring our programs are broadly accessible to the progressive movement ecosystem. 

As the field of organizing evolves, the Academy is committed to changing as well, to build on our storied history and evolve in ways that best support the current organizing field. We have enriched our organizer training curriculum to speak directly to the needs that organizers have identified in this moment. You can read more about our national training programs here. 

Role

The Co-Director will share responsibility to:

• Fulfill the Academy’s mission through visionary, responsive, and creative leadership rooted in current political, organizing, and movement trends and prospects;
• Develop and execute short- and long-term strategic plans that advance the Academy’s mission and ensure organizational sustainability;
• Supervise and actively participate in the Academy’s training, coaching, and strategic planning programs;
• Develop, revise, and implement curriculum, training sessions, handouts, and educational materials using popular education and experiential learning approaches;
• Help lead the Academy’s fundraising efforts, including developing foundation proposals and reports, preparing and overseeing major donor campaigns and individual giving, and organizing the annual fundraising event;
• Oversee administrative and fiscal responsibilities, including budgeting, financial analysis, and audit preparation;
• Lead staff development, including hiring, supervision, training, mentoring, and performance management;
• Establish, strengthen, and manage existing partnerships within the progressive movement, including national, state, and local organizations, unions, allies, and other progressive training organizations;
• Develop and implement new outreach strategies and programs to ensure the growth, relevance, and stability of the organization;
• Serve as a visible spokesperson for the Academy, representing its mission and values publicly.

Requirements and Preferences 

The Co-Director should:

• Have 15+ organizing experience, including at least 10 years in senior-level leadership roles, preferably in a mix of community and labor settings;
• Share the progressive values that guide the Academy’s work in support of democracy, justice, and peace;
• Have experience in multi-cultural and racially diverse organizing environments;
• Demonstrate strong experience with popular education and experiential learning methodologies;
• Have experience developing and facilitating curriculum and training programs;
• Be knowledgeable about, or able to quickly learn, the Academy’s program model and training approach;
• Be a skilled organizing trainer with intergenerational organizing experience;
• Demonstrate successful fundraising experience;
• Have strong networking skills and established connections within progressive communities;
• Be an experienced supervisor capable of managing complex and demanding responsibilities;
• Think creatively and strategically;
• Be skilled in writing and public speaking;
• Be proactive, well-organized, and detail-oriented
• Be able to travel as required and work some evenings and weekends;
• Work effectively and collaboratively with the Board;
• Foster a joyful, values-aligned, and sustainable work environment;
• Preference for experience working in a union setting;
• College degree or higher preferred.

Salary and Benefits

This is a remote position with the expectation of travel 1-2 times a month, for multiple days at a time. This is an exempt, non-union full-time (40 hours a week) position with a salary of $172,242. The Co-Director reports to the Academy’s Board of Directors.

Midwest Academy offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

• 100% coverage for medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401k w/ company match
• 15 vacation days your first 3 years, and 20 vacation days in your 4th year and on
• 12 sick and safe leave days per year, with the potential for accumulation up to 125 days
• 12 weeks of full-time paid parental leave, with an additional 4 weeks of half-time leave for transitioning back to full-time work schedule 
• 6 personal days
• Annual professional development stipend

Application Process

To apply please submit your application materials here. We have partnered with NRG Consulting group on this search. If you have any questions, please reach out to [email protected] and [email protected]. The preferred application deadline is April 10, 2026.
 

The Midwest Academy values a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. We strongly encourage applications from all qualified individuals of every race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, and record of arrest or conviction.