Deputy Political Director
Based Statewide in California
SEIU Local 2015 Job Description
SEIU Local 2015 is the largest union in California, representing more than half a million long-term care workers (home care, skilled nursing facility, and assisted living center workers) throughout the state. We are also the largest long-term care union in the U.S. and the largest local union in SEIU. Our members are as diverse as the state’s population and united in their commitment to caring for California’s older adults and those with disabilities.
SEIU Local 2015’s mission is to unleash the collective power of long-term care workers, their families, and their communities, harness the power of technology, and build a broad movement to disrupt the unjust status quo in order to bring lasting transformational change towards a more just society for all. For more information please visit, http://seiu2015.org.
About the role: The Deputy Political Director is responsible for the internal strategic planning development, staff oversight and development, strategic partner oversight, Caregiver Action Fund (CAF- formerly COPE) program implementation, and developing internal plans for issue and electoral campaigns on behalf of the union that empower our members to be strong forces in their work, in the legislative process and at the ballot box.
Duties & Responsibilities: A wide range of responsibilities including but not limited to:
- All areas of staff development, hiring, training, development, supervision, managing, evaluation and accountability
- Develop successful programs to create effective relationships between staff/membership and elected officials, community partners and other stakeholders;
- Lead department on training development for recruiting members for political fundraising, electoral campaigns, and legislative meetings and other community based activities;
- Track and and assess the strategic partnership work of the union and work with staff and other departments to align with the organization’s goals
- Coordinate political field activities, lobby visits, phone banking and events for our policy, legislative and electoral participation campaigns at the city, state and federal level;
- Mobilize and train new member leaders and activists for legislative and electoral activity;
- Support contract and organizing campaigns, including rallies, press events and targeted employer activity;
- Oversees implementation of a robust Caregivers Action Fund (CAF) program that resources Local 2015 members’ political and legislative objectives through close working relationship with key directors in organization
- Independently develops, implements and is responsible for outcomes of campaigns that align with and produce results towards the program of the Local and International Union.
- Train and assist staff in identifying, recruiting and developing leaders to successfully implement the mission, goals and work of the union
- Coordinate teams of staff in developing and implementing programs and campaigns
- Coordinates with Internal Directors on campaign work and staff development progress
- Creates systems within the department to track campaign, member and staff progress
- Works collaboratively with other departments to initiate, develop and evaluate programs
- Develops and executes programs that support members as leaders in our electoral, legislative and community partners work
- Assuming part or all of the Directors role, as needed, in the event of absence, leave or period of high workload
- Others duties as assigned
Qualifications: The Deputy Political Director may come from a variety of other organizing and political experiences, including having had a political field or strategic position of another major not-for-profit organization, labor or political organization or as campaign consultant.
- Demonstrated ability to develop, mentor, evaluate, support and hold staff accountable
- 5+ years of proven talents in organizing or campaign experience with a labor union, state or local agency or association, non-profit community organization, campaigns, or progressive elected official
- 2+ years of experience in leading large teams of staff and members
- Demonstrated ability to work independently with leadership and staff in complex political situations
- Demonstrated ability in developing campaign plans
- Knowledge and experience with managing voter contact and field campaigns
- Ability to manage and assess multiple programs and priorities and meet deadlines; track record of meeting outcomes
- Manage leadership of teams across large geographic areas
- Work effectively as part of a senior leadership team.
- Proven ability to navigate internal and external politics in service of advancing the agenda of members
- Ability to engage, nurture and encourage a diverse membership.
- Proven Personal creativity and strategic vision with the ability to listen to others
- Ability to navigate complex situations and exercise good judgment
Expected Behavior: The Deputy Director of Politics is expected to embrace, promote and demonstrate the organizations’ core values - Excellence, Diversity, Accountability, Transparency, Empowerment--, which include but are not limited to
- High ethical standards
- Train, develop, nurture and mentor members
- Encourage team work and participation by staff and members
Scope and Nature of Supervision: The Deputy Political Director reports directly to the Political Director.
Working Conditions:
- Willingness and ability to work long, irregular hours, including weekends and holidays.
- Willingness and ability to travel as required
Job descriptions are not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of every activity or responsibility that is required for each role.
SEIU Local 2015 is an equal opportunity employer, and we value diversity. We are committed to finding talent that is not determined on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Don’t check off every box in the requirements listed above? Please apply anyway! Studies have shown that marginalized communities - such as women, LGBTQ+ and people of color - are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. SEIU Local 2015 is dedicated to building an inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible workplace that fosters a sense of belonging – so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to still consider submitting an application. You may be just the right candidate for this role or another one of our openings!
