Senior Organizer

Job Title: Senior Organizer
Job Classification: Full-time (36 hours per week), Permanent, Exempt
Reports to: Executive Director
Location: Hybrid (Boston, MA)
Salary: $65,000 to $85,000 - based on experience

About the Boston Cyclists Union (BCU)

The Boston Cyclists Union’s mission is to transform the streets of greater Boston into equitable and inviting people-centered spaces affording access and connection for every body. We accomplish this through organizing, advocacy, public actions, and holding city and state agencies accountable to build out a network of safe, protected bike infrastructure.

We envision a Greater Boston where people, especially Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color (BIPOC), elders, youth, women, LGBTQ+ people, and those who have historically been most marginalized can safely ride for transportation and leisure on a network of connected, low-stress and physically separated bicycle infrastructure year-round. As a result, Boston will be a city where residents are healthier, neighborhoods greener with less pollution from motor vehicles, and traffic congestion is eased as more and more opt to ride a bike to reach their destinations.

Job Overview

The Senior Organizer plays a critical role in advancing mobility justice in Greater Boston by executing BCU’s organizing initiatives and supporting the implementation of campaigns under the strategic leadership of the Executive Director. This role combines grassroots engagement with operational coordination, ensuring that the voices and experiences of underrepresented communities are central to the BCU’s advocacy work.

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Senior Organizer collaborates across teams (staff, board, members, interns, and volunteers) and fosters relationships with partner organizations, elected officials, neighborhood groups, and community leaders. This position is responsible for building and sustaining volunteer networks, coordinating grassroots organizing efforts, supporting campaign activities, and ensuring that community mobilization aligns with the organization’s strategic goals under the leadership of the Executive Director.

By integrating community outreach with campaign execution, the Senior Organizer strengthens BCU’s ability to create sustainable, inclusive movements that reflect and serve the diverse populations of Greater Boston. This position emphasizes coordination, engagement, and mobilization, working closely with the Executive Director to amplify the organization’s impact at the grassroots level.

This role offers flexibility as a hybrid position, yet regular presence at the office and participation in in-person events are expected to nurture strong collaboration and community engagement. Some evenings and weekends may be required to accommodate community events, meetings, or other activities critical to advancing BCU’s mission. This position is critical in fostering an inclusive and leaderful movement in alignment with BCU’s core values.

Core Responsibilities

Membership & Community Engagement

• Recruit, train, and support volunteers in advocacy, campaign strategy, and storytelling, empowering them to take action on mobility justice issues.
• Build and strengthen relationships with community leaders, neighborhood associations, small businesses, and partner organizations to broaden the BCU’s network of allies and amplify community voices.
• Lead monthly Activist Group meetings and coordinate community engagement activities, such as bike rides, orientations, and pop-up events, ensuring participation from diverse communities including Black people, People of Color, LGBTQIA+ folks, women, youth, and families.
• Collaborate closely with the BCU Activist Committee to align community engagement efforts with BCU’s advocacy strategies and campaigns, leveraging their expertise to build stronger connections with key stakeholders and advance public-facing initiatives.
• Oversee the BCU’s $5 BlueBikes pass program, ensuring equitable distribution and access to affordable transportation.
• Collaborate with the Communications & Events Manager to support larger events that increase BCU’s visibility and membership.

Campaign Support & Advocacy

• Collaborate with the Executive Director to implement campaign strategies that close gaps in Boston’s Bike Network and advocate for safer road designs and policies, ensuring campaigns are community-driven and inclusive.
• Build and maintain relationships with public officials, city planners, and elected leaders to advance BCU’s advocacy goals.
• Engage with neighborhood groups, community leaders, and partner organizations to ensure campaigns are grounded in local needs and perspectives.
• Represent the BCU at public meetings, legislative hearings, and community forums, effectively advocating for mobility justice and amplifying underrepresented voices.
• Work with the Communications & Events Manager to develop and distribute campaign-related content, ensuring consistent and engaging messaging.

Program Management & Volunteer Coordination

• Manage volunteer networks, fostering leadership within the community and ensuring sustained engagement in BCU’s initiatives.
• Use digital tools, such as Every Action, to track engagement and measure the effectiveness of outreach and programs.
• Evaluate the impact of organizing efforts and provide feedback to refine strategies for future campaigns and activities.

Additional Responsibilities

As a small organization, we require employees to share in some administrative and fundraising activities.

• Support staff in executing fundraising activities, including but not limited to Bike Fest, Bos/treal, and providing content for grant proposals and reports.
• Manage incoming mail and bank deposits alongside Executive Director
• Manage organizational accounts with some vendors
• Support bookkeeper by maintaining records of expenses and doing first-review of incoming invoices
• Participate in shared office-management tasks, including monitoring our shared inbox, answering the phone, reordering materials.
• Speak on behalf of the BCU at public meetings, hearings, and press events to elevate the organization’s mission and goals.
• Perform other duties as required to support the Boston Cyclists Union's overall mission and goals.
• We have a very small office, and we all do our part to keep it clean and comfortable.

Organization-Wide Requirements

• Takes initiative and works to continuously improve systems and processes; suggests innovations to use resources strategically and to maximize positive impact.
• A problem solver who has the ability to handle emotional complexity while also navigating uncertainty and changing conditions in a growing organization.
• Able to manage conflict constructively, including the ability to self-reflect and to give and receive feedback up, down, and sideways in a hybrid working environment.
• Must be able to work both independently and as a collaborative member of various teams.
• Demonstrates strong cultural competency and an ability to engage effectively with Boston’s diverse communities, including multilingual and multicultural populations.
• Fluency in Spanish, Haitian Creole, or another language commonly spoken in Greater Boston is strongly preferred. Candidates who demonstrate cultural and linguistic competency in engaging with diverse populations will be prioritized.
• Seeks to uplift all voices and perspectives in our work and communities, with particular attention to underrepresented and historically marginalized groups.
• Works with integrity, accountability, clear communication, and follow-through.
• Flexible, adaptive, and able to respond to challenges and changes; values iteration and productively integrates new information
• Understands the importance of equitable practice as a foundational value and has the ability to implement across all areas of work.

Benefits

The Boston Cyclists Union offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support employees’ health, well-being, and work-life balance:

• Health & Dental Insurance: BCU covers 100% of employee premiums and 75% of dependent premiums (eligibility begins the first of the month after 30 days).
• Monthly Stipends: $50 phone reimbursement and $50 work-from-home stipend.
• Retirement Plan: BCU matches up to 3% of pre-tax earnings after six months of employment.
• Paid Leave: Generous sick leave, 5 personal days annually, and vacation starting at 15 days per year, increasing with tenure.
• Office Closures: One week in the summer and one week at year-end – at the discretion of the Executive Director.
• Paid Family & Medical Leave: Fully compliant with Massachusetts regulations.
• Abbreviated, remote hours on Fridays in the summer, except for scheduled programming or in-person meetings.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The Boston Cyclists Union is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, age, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, ability, or political orientation. Black and Indigenous people and other people of color, women, nonbinary people, LGBTQIA+, and disabled folks are strongly encouraged to apply.

We recognize that women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, Black and Indigenous people, and other people of color often hesitate to apply for roles unless they meet every listed qualification. If this role excites you and aligns with your skills and experiences, we encourage you to apply—even if you don’t meet every single requirement. We value diverse perspectives and experiences and are committed to building an inclusive team that reflects the communities we serve.