Michigan Progressive Governance Director

About the Working Families Party

The Working Families Party (WFP) is the progressive party for the multiracial working class, fighting for a nation that works for the many, not the few. We recruit, train, and support transformational candidates up and down the ballot — and run them to win.

We believe that no matter where we come from or what our color, most of us want the same things. We want to earn enough to thrive, not just survive, and leave a better future for our kids. We want healthy food and clean water, safe neighborhoods and a safe world. We want to be free.

The Working Families Party is regular people coming together across our differences to make a better future for us all. We’re a multiracial party that fights for workers over bosses and people over the powerful. We want an America which realizes the promise – unrealized in our history – of freedom and equality for all.

ABOUT THIS ROLE

The Working Families Party and Working Families Power share the goal of winning governing power for working people and wielding it to improve their lives. In Michigan, we have elected working-class champions and built a coalition of values-aligned electeds to begin to wield significant governing power. Through our advocacy organization Working Families Power, the Michigan Progressive Governance Director will lead the work to support these elected officials. The position of Progressive Governance Director will maintain relationships with aligned elected officials, - particularly state legislators - to help them develop progressive policy, communicate powerfully, organize in solidarity with one another, create shared strategy, and effectively engage their constituents year-round. Through the Working Families Party and WF Power, the Progressive Governance Director will also support incumbents in their electoral campaigns, support legislative caucuses and cohorts through strategy and political education, and work with partner organizations to advance the MI WFP Legislative agenda.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead WFP’s work to support progressive legislators at the federal, state, and local levels.
• Convene regular opportunities for values-aligned legislators to talk, learn, and strategize together.
• Plan and build programming to increase strategic alignment and ability to act in solidarity between values-aligned elected officials and community and advocacy organizations
• Work with key local and state partners, such as re:power and Local Progress to support legislative training opportunities and other developmental opportunities
• Develop trusting working relationships with allied legislators and partner organizations in order to advance issue advocacy
• Provide analysis and strategy of the legislative landscape at the state and local level
• Connect WFP electeds to outside advocacy groups and coalitions, national policy expertise, and cohorts of like-minded electeds across state lines.
• Track priority legislation.
• Identify opportunities to advance shared messages.
• Create talking points and toolkits on priority issues.
• Support MI WFP electeds in their communication to their districts.
• Support electeds in planning their re-election campaigns as a part of MI WFP shared strategy.
• In conjunction with the Organizing Director, develop pathways for activists to support values-aligned elected officials and legislation.
• Train staff, activists, leaders, and newly elected candidates on how the legislature works and power building in the legislative context.
• Other related duties as assigned.

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

Required:

• At least 5 years of experience in government, advocacy, politics, or organizing.
• Demonstrated ability to work closely with elected officials to pass progressive policy.
• Excellent facilitation skills and the ability to build solidarity and shared strategy across differences.
• Ability to quickly learn new contexts and policy areas.
• Ability to make decisions with consequences in nuanced political settings.
• Strong empathy and the ability to build collaborative relationships.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and strong judgment in moments of conflict.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage complex projects.
• Ability to manage multiple projects at once and prioritize work.
• Valid license, access to a car, and ability to travel throughout Michigan

Preferred:

• Experience in and knowledge of the political landscape in MI and the state legislature.
• Experience in electoral campaigns.
• Fluency in Spanish is a plus

Applicants must be currently authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor, or take over sponsorship of, employment visas at this time.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Working Families Party is an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to economic and social justice. Women, people of color, LGBTQ people, people with disabilities, and members of other historically disenfranchised populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Any applicant who requires an accommodation in order to apply for or perform the essential functions of the job should contact us at jobs@workingfamilies.org with the subject line "Application Accommodation" to request such an accommodation.

Salary & Compensation: The final salary will be determined based on an internal equitable scale that takes into consideration years of experience, geographic location, and final job description. The upper end of the salary range is reserved for individuals who significantly exceed the minimum qualifications and years of experience.

We also offer a robust benefit package for full time employees including paid time off; health, dental, vision, and life insurance; flexible spending accounts; retirement plan options; professional development funding; and remote work support.

Location: Lansing, Michigan preferred. This is a remote, although this role will spend a lot of time in person at the Capitol in Lansing during legislative session. Some additional travel within the state of Michigan is required.

Unit positions: WFP is a unionized workplace. This is a bargaining unit position. WFP union employees are represented by Workers United affiliated with SEIU and the affiliated Local 1115, Workers United.