Deputy Director - Political

Job Title:Deputy Director

Posting Number: MGT-62-60-0124-V

Annual Salary: $175,587.80

The American Federation of Teachers is a union of professionals that champions fairness; democracy; economic opportunity; and high-quality public education, healthcare and public services for our students, their families and our communities. We are committed to advancing these principles through community engagement, organizing, collective bargaining and political activism, and especially through the work our members do. The AFT believes that a culturally diverse workforce advances our mission and we strongly encourage applications from under-represented communities of workers.

Position Summary:
Under the direction of the political director, the Deputy Director will coordinate the development, implementation and evaluation of AFT's political and legislative mobilization efforts. This position is a key member of a political leadership team that will work with state federation and local affiliate leaders to develop and implement a robust political field mobilization effort including electoral campaigns, federal legislative campaign, and grassroots issue advocacy efforts.

Position Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement of AFT's internal political and legislative field programs at the national, state and local levels in support of candidates and issues.
• Supervise and manage appropriate department staff involved in AFT's political and federal legislative field programs at the national state and local levels.
• Develop and coordinate training program and staff/leadership development programs to build political capacity in states and local affiliates.
• Collaborate with state and local affiliates to develop and improve state and local political and legislative mobilization capacity around candidates and issues.
• Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with allied groups on political and legislative campaigns at the national, state and local level.
• Collaborate with AFT departments and affiliates to improve mobilization capacity at the state and local affiliates.
• Manage the day-to-day implementation of approved political programs, including the development of campaign plans, voter contact programs, accountability systems and campaign materials.
• Work on other initiatives or tasks supported by the AFT.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Extensive experience developing and implementing candidate, issue and/or legislative campaigns.
• Experience working collaboratively with culturally diverse community groups and allied organizations that center impacted communities.
• Strong understanding of general public campaigns and campaign finance laws.
• Applied experience working with polling instruments, data and developing appropriate targeting strategies.
• Experience in developing political and legislative training programs.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Extensive travel is required.
• A minimum of 10 years of relevant experience.
• Experience working on federal legislative issues, as well as state and local elections.
• Working experience ensuring compliance with state and local campaign laws.
• Working knowledge of public education and labor issues.

Work Environment:

AFT is a place-based organization. Extensive travel is required.