Senior Director of Political Engagement

Status: Full-time, exempt
Salary: $105,000-$125,000 with Benefits
Location: Main office in Raleigh, NC; hybrid (2 days in office / 3 remote). Requires frequent travel across the Triangle and other parts of the state.

About the Organizations

North Carolina Asian Americans Together (NCAAT) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization committed to supporting equity and justice for all by fostering community among Asian American communities and allies in North Carolina through civic engagement, leadership development, grassroots mobilization, and political participation.

NCAAT in Action (NCAATIA) is committed to supporting equity and justice for all by building political power among Asian Americans and allies in North Carolina through voter education, progressive advocacy, and leadership development.

Benefits

NCAAT and NCAAT in Action offer full-time employees health, dental, and vision insurance; paid time off for vacation and wellness; and an optional 401k plan. To support work-life balance, we offer flextime and occasional remote work depending on project needs. Employees also receive a yearly professional development stipend that may be used for Asian language courses and/or other training opportunities.

Job Summary/Overview

The Senior Political Director serves as the strategist of NCAAT and NCAAT in Action’s political and advocacy efforts. This position requires a trusted and well-connected political operator with exceptional analytical ability, a deep understanding of North Carolina’s political landscape, and strong relationships across the political spectrum. The Senior Political Director will shape both organizations’ political strategies, oversee endorsement and advocacy programs, and ensure that Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities are represented and empowered in the state’s civic and political processes.

Key Responsibilities

Political Strategy & Leadership

• Partner with the Executive Director & Deputy Director for programs to design the strategy for all political initiatives across NCAAT and NCAAT in Action.
• Develop and execute strategic political priorities that align with the organizations’ mission and goals.
• Supervise, mentor, and build the capacity of the Education & Political Engagement Team (1-2 staff).
• Facilitate cross-department coordination for political strategic decisions, setting clear direction, convening regular meetings, and driving alignment across teams.
• Maintain an expert-level understanding of key races, regions, and trends across North Carolina, particularly as they affect AAPI communities.

Candidate Endorsements & Electoral Engagement

• Design and oversee the candidate endorsement process, including:
  • Setting application, interview, and decision deadlines.
  • Crafting or refining candidate questionnaires.
  • Managing candidate communications and follow-up.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with endorsed candidates and provide strategic counsel as appropriate and in alignment with our c3/c4 entity .
• Lead the development and implementation of independent expenditure strategies for endorsed races under NCAAT in Action.
• Oversee the political mail program, including message development, execution timelines, and vendor management.
• Monitor priority races daily, providing timely strategic assessments and updates to internal and external stakeholders.
• Facilitate post election debriefs & analysis for internal and external audiences.

Legislative Advocacy & Policy Engagement

• Serve as the organizations’ lead on legislative advocacy, oversee the tracking relevant policy developments at the municipal, state and national levels.
• Develop and implement advocacy campaigns that mobilize AAPI communities, including rapid-response efforts, legislative testimony, and issue-based organizing.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with key legislators, policymakers, legislative staff, and coalitions.
• Represent NCAAT and NCAAT in Action in public forums—legislative committee meetings, press conferences, hearings, and public testimony.

Data, Evaluation & Reporting

• Collaborate with NCAAT’s Head of Data and state tables to integrate analytics into political and advocacy strategies.
• Use data to identify and understand key demographics, preferences, and trends within North Carolina’s AAPI population.
• Partner with the Executive Director, Deputy Director of Programs and Deputy Director for Development & Strategy to prepare political progress reports for leadership, affiliates, and funders.
• Provide timely updates and insights to inform grant reporting and donor communications.

Core NCAAT Leadership Competencies

Strategic and Mission-Driven Leadership
Leads with a clear understanding of NCAAT’s mission, values, and long-term goals. Translates strategic vision into actionable plans that strengthen organizational impact. Anticipates emerging trends in civic and political landscapes and adapts strategies accordingly.

Relationship and Collaboration Skills
Builds and sustains strong partnerships across teams, coalitions, and political stakeholders. Navigates complex relationships with diplomacy and cultural sensitivity while fostering trust and accountability across internal and external collaborators.

Communication and Influence
Articulates complex ideas with clarity and credibility across diverse audiences. Serves as a compelling spokesperson and advocate for AAPI communities. Demonstrates sound political judgment in both internal communications and external messaging.

Personal and Professional Effectiveness
Demonstrates high emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and resilience under pressure. Manages competing priorities with composure and models professional integrity, adaptability, and ethical decision-making.

Operational and Technical Proficiency
Applies strong analytical and project management skills to drive efficiency and accountability. Uses data, research, and evaluation tools to inform strategy and measure outcomes. Oversees budgets, contracts, and compliance processes responsibly.

Equal Opportunity

NCAAT is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, gender, gender identity, age, or disability. Women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and others from historically marginalized groups are strongly encouraged to apply.