Senior Political Program Manager (Area Political Director)

JOB TITLE: Senior Political Program Manager (Area Political Director)

SALARY: MGT E; $115,244.51

LOCATION: Remote; ALL USA

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW:

The 2 million members united in the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) are at the forefront of a movement to build power for working people and empower all workers to form unions, no matter what job they do. SEIU members are from every walk of life, every political party, every background, every faith. They come from communities with their own stories and strengths, and that makes the Union all the more powerful because there’s strength in numbers. SEIU members work across the healthcare spectrum providing high quality care and services. They are the workers who keep our nation’s airports running and make sure landmark buildings are clean and secure. They provide essential public services and give a foundation of learning to our youngest and brightest. SEIU members believe in and are fighting for a Just Society where all workers are valued and all people respected—no matter where they come from or what color they are; where all families and communities can thrive; and where we leave a better and more equitable world for generations to come.

PURPOSE:

The Senior Political Program Manager assists the International Union in strengthening its electoral, legislative, and fundraising infrastructure and capacity programs at the state and local levels. The Senior Political Program Manager will work in an assigned set of states and in conjunction with SEIU national, area, state and local leadership and staff to contribute to the development of the overall SEIU political, legislative and grassroots program and to help design and implement:

• Political plans that advance union organizing for specific states and local unions
• Electoral campaigns in key targeted federal, state and local races
• Legislative campaigns, ballot measures, and state battles
• Ongoing political education, leadership development and training programs for staff and members.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES: (Any one position may not include all of the specific duties and responsibilities listed. Examples provide a general summary of the work required and should not be treated as a total and complete list of expected duties to be performed by employees in the classification.)

• Coordinate political planning for targeted strategic organizing and political campaigns with Local Unions, State Councils and SEIU stakeholders with clear goals and benchmarks.
• Work with Local Unions and State Councils to build and execute field campaigns for targeted elections, political accountability and state battles.
• Report to SEIU stakeholders the political landscape and program progress.
• Assist Local Unions in recruiting, training, mobilizing and deploying Member Political Organizers (MPOs).
• Ensure Local Union and State Council actively report progress-to-goal for electoral programs.
• Increase SEIU political, community and labor strength through developing and enhancing working relationships with State Federations, Central Labor Councils, Affiliated and Independent Unions, community organizations and advocacy groups.
• Enhance the political infrastructure of SEIU through assisting the development of State Council plans; political and legislative programs, and through developing grassroots training and education programs for members and local union staff.
• Recruit, hire, train, supervise and evaluate staff assigned to the political program in the Region when called upon to do so by State Councils or Local Unions.

CONTACTS:

SEIU International Union staff, Local Union and affiliate leadership, State Councils, and other organizations and individuals as required.

DIRECTION & DECISION-MAKING:

This position reports to the National Field Director and the incumbent works largely independently.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

The Senior Political Program Manager position requires a high level of proven leadership and judgment and must demonstrate knowledge of grassroots political organizing. At least five years of direct experience with electoral campaigns, legislative campaigns, or union organizing, and a background that would provide for the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Developing and implementing comprehensive political plans.
• Working independently with elected SEIU leaders and staff at various levels of the organization in complex political situations.
• Possessing thorough knowledge of political campaign strategies, planning, tactics, and execution.
• Polling, researching, targeting, direct mailing, and performing opposition research.
• Working with voter files, Voter Activation Networks (VANs) and voter targeting.
• Possessing effective oral and written communications.
• Developing strong working relationships and the ability to work on a team.
• Managing and assessing multiple high-priority programs and priorities in different states.
• Managing a program budget and implementing strategic plans.
• Managing and developing electoral and grassroots campaign plans, logistics and timelines.
• Meeting deadlines with minimal supervision.
• Assessing programs, identifying obstacles, and collaborating on solutions to achieve goals.
• Working with leaders, staff, and partners and operating with a high level of judgment and discretion.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Work is performed in both the headquarters office in Washington, DC, and in the field (as required), and long and extended hours and travel are required.