Political Director

Political Director

Political Director works under the direction of the Chief of Organizing. The ideal candidate has senior‑level leadership experience in legislative or political organizing campaigns with a labor union, non‑profit community organization, or progressive elected official. The candidate must be an experienced manager able to effectively lead a staff group and collaborate with diverse staff and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Build political support for strategic organizing and bargaining campaigns of the local.
• Oversee all aspects of the union's political program, including GOTV, voter registration, candidate interviews, endorsements, legal reporting, internal communications and political reporting requirements.
• Create and oversee the Local's political plan and budget.
• Coordinate the Committee on Political Education so that the union's members lead the Local's political program.
• Participate in the staff leadership team in guiding the Local's direction in accordance with the plan set by the elected Executive Board.
• Coordinate the union's political program with those of the area labor councils and the SEIU International and State Council.
• Lobby elected officials to gain their support for our issues.
• Work with Local leadership to develop and implement public policy and political advocacy strategies in various counties and municipalities where Local 521 represents members.
• Work with the International Union to coordinate the Local's political activities and plans with those of the International Union at the Federal, State and Local levels.
• Work with the Local leadership, directors, and field staff to coordinate political field activities, lobby visits, phone banking and events for our public policy campaigns at the city, county, state and federal level.
• Coordinate political messaging and engagement strategies with the union's member communications staff.
• Identify and develop members for potential elected and appointed political or community positions.
• Provide support to representational staff for recruitment, training, leadership development and coordination of member political activists for political fundraising and mobilization for electoral and issue campaigns.
• Plan and implement the electoral program for local, state and federal elections.
• Support contracts and organizing campaigns by integrating political strategy into the campaign planning, including rallies, press events, legislative opportunities and other targeted political activity.
• Build the union's capacity through support of the Local and SEIU's COPE program and other grassroots political fundraising drives.
• Coordinate the union's political work with the SEIU State Council and other labor and community allies.
• Work with Local leadership to identify community, political and civic organizations with whom the Local shares values and interests and develop and implement outreach and engagement with those allies.

Minimum Qualifications

• At least five years' experience in political and/or advocacy work with progressive intention.
• Willingness and ability to travel, including overnight travel and assignments.
• Computer literacy and a willingness to learn the organization's technology tools.
• Strong personal planning, motivation, time‑management skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to exercise discretion and independent judgment.
• High level of oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to establish, maintain rapport and work in mutually beneficial coalitions with widely varied ethnic, social and philosophical groups.
• Ability to work under pressure and with minimal supervision.
• Ability to plan strategically, follow a plan and be accountable to a team in carrying out a plan.
• Dedication to building power for workers and a willingness to participate in a wide field of activities toward that objective.
• Freedom and willingness to work irregular and long hours and attend required evening and weekend meetings.
• Established relationships with community organizations in Local 521 preferred areas.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work in diverse communities and individuals.
• Ability to work independently as well as on a team.

Additional Requirements

Must possess a valid California driver’s license; must pass a DMV check and have a good driving record; must have auto insurance covering business driving (minimum of $100,000 per person/$300,000 per incident bodily injury liability/$100,000 property coverage); and must possess an automobile for business use.

Compensation and Benefits

Salary commensurate with experience ($136,115.49 – $150,442.30). SEIU Local 521 employees enjoy fully employer‑paid family health, dental and vision insurance; generous leave package; fully employer‑paid defined benefit pension plan; 401(k); flexible savings accounts for annual health and childcare expenses; $200,000 life insurance plan; and other benefits outlined in the policies of SEIU 521.

Affirmative Action Employer

Local 521 is an affirmative action employer and encourages applications from all qualified candidates regardless of race, ethnicity, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, or disability. Local 521 works to ensure fair treatment of applicants and employees and actively enforces policies against discrimination and sexual harassment.

This position is open until filled; however, the posting/acceptance of applications may close at any time.