Organizing Director, Local

Organizing Director

San Diego, CA

The Organizing Director is responsible for coordinating internal organizing and collective bargaining. As a management-level employee, the Organizing Director is responsible for supervising, training, and evaluating assigned staff, including designated Leads.

They are responsible for driving membership recruitment, leadership development, worksite campaigns, and negotiations for the local.

This position serves on SEIU Local 221’s Senior Staff Team and is expected to work with other Team members on a multidisciplinary basis to successfully execute the vision of the President and executive board in all programs of the local, including internal organizing, representation, communications, external organizing, and politics.

• Develop and manage internal organizing campaigns – including membership and COPE drives, issue campaigns, and contract fights – that support the overall vision and priorities of the Local.
• Serve as lead Negotiator and campaign strategist for multiple contracts and “meet and confer” processes, while training assigned staff to bargain and lead contract campaigns.
• Plan and lead industrial actions of all types and sizes, including leafleting, unity breaks, worksite rallies, informational pickets, and strikes at multiple worksites simultaneously.
• Supervise the work of Organizer-Representatives, Senior-Organizer Representatives, and designated Leads to carry out programs, reach benchmarks, and achieve goals.
• Conduct frequent Organizing Team meetings and one-on-one meetings with staff to review and plan their work assignments, including the use of work plans.
• Assist the Chief of Staff in recruiting and hiring staff, conducting annual performance evaluations, and developing individualized professional development plans for assigned staff.
• Issue non-disciplinary Corrective Action when necessary to improve staff performance, as well as Disciplinary Action when Corrective Action is not successful or appropriate.
• Recommend higher levels of Disciplinary Action to the Chief of Staff and assist with the disciplinary process up to and including termination of staff when necessary.
• Support and innovate programs to recruit and develop new member-leaders, including the Power Builder Program, Stewards Council, Worksite Committees, and Contract Action Teams.
• Include rank-and-file members and workplace leaders in development of organizing strategies and tactics, always ensuring maximum buy-in, commitment, and participation in campaigns.
• Develop strategies and tactics that promote class-consciousness and advance anti-racist, anti-sexist, and other anti-oppressive struggles of working people.
• Forge and maintain strong working relationships with community organizations, political allies, and other unions, and work collaboratively to identify “common good” bargaining demands.
• Represent SEIU Local 221 in meetings with SEIU International, SEIU State Council, community organizations, elected officials, and elsewhere as deemed necessary by the Chief of Staff.
• Represent workers collectively and individually, including formal communications with employer representatives, filing charges, grievances, and other enforcement actions as needed.
  Competently perform all organizing and representational duties necessary to work a route, cover for staff absences, and trouble-shoot challenges.

The Organizing Director reports directly to the Chief of Staff. They must be capable of working with or without specific direction, including identifying programmatic needs and proactively bringing proposals forward to address them. Depending on the needs of the Local, the Organizing Director is responsible for leading planning and implementation collaboratively and independently. Analytical abilities, organizational commitment, and sound political judgement are necessary.

• Prior experience managing/supervising a staff of 5 or more within a labor organization and running campaigns for more than 5 years.
  Knowledge of internal organizing methods and practices, including campaign planning, leadership, messaging, and actions.
• Knowledge of…