SEIU Local 521 Political Director

About the Role SEIU Local 521 seeks a Political Director based in San Jose, CA to lead and coordinate the Local's political program, work with leadership, staff, and members to build power for workers, and advance campaigns in coordination with area labor councils and the SEIU International/State Council. Reporting to the Chief of Organizing, the role requires senior-level leadership in legislative or political organizing within labor, nonprofit, or progressive settings, and strong managerial capacity to lead a diverse team. What You'll Do

• Build political support for strategic organizing and bargaining campaigns.
• Oversee all aspects of the Local's political program, including GOTV, voter registration, 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 Local's members lead the political program.
• Participate in the staff leadership team guiding the Local's direction in accordance with the plan set by the elected Executive Board.
• Coordinate the Local's political program with area labor councils and the SEIU International and State Council.
• Lobby elected officials to gain support for our issues.
• Develop and implement public policy and political advocacy strategies in various counties and municipalities where Local 521 represents members.
• Coordinate the Local's political activities with the International Union at Federal, State and Local levels.
• Work with Local leadership, directors, and field staff to coordinate political field activities, lobby visits, phone banking and events for our public policy campaigns.
• 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.
• Support 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. What We're Looking For
• At least five years' experience in political and/or advocacy work with progressive organizations.
• Willingness and ability to travel including overnight travel.
• Computer literacy and willingness to learn the organization's technology tools.
• Strong personal planning, motivation, and time management skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to exercise discretion and independent judgment.
• High level ability to communicate orally and in writing.
• 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 towards 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 that covers 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 & Benefits
• Salary: $136,115.49 – $150,442.30 per year.
• Benefits: fully employer-paid family health, dental and vision insurance; a generous leave package; fully employer-paid defined benefit retirement program.