Arizona Political Manager

Overview

The AZ Political Manager is the lead staff for our Arizona Green New Deal Coalition (AZ-GND).  The Political Manager provides leadership, project management, coordination, and administration of the AZ-GND which includes: scheduling, agenda prep, calendaring, and facilitation of coalition meetings; assisting in the logistics and implementation of major events, recruiting and on-boarding new coalition members, brand management, online social media, media relations and communications. The AZ Political Manager is also a key member of the AZ-WFP Team and helps organize a strong, progressive, and durable political organization in the state. The position works with our Arizona and National Teams as well as coalition partners to implement an integrated organizing and campaign model that builds our base of activists, members, and leaders that become the state’s largest political volunteer base and wins campaigns.  The Political Manager is also focused on achieving governing power and winning tangible improvement in the lives of the multiracial working class by electing WFP Elected Champions. Therefore the position works with our AZ and national teams on our direct electoral efforts including political action committee and independent expenditure committee campaigns.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Political, Electoral, and Lobbying In coordination with the AZ Campaigns Director:
Assist in the candidate recruitment process including conducting relational meetings with potential candidates as well as candidate and district research
Work with WFP staff and volunteer leadership to develop, organize, and facilitate a candidate endorsement process to identify WFP champions
Work with WFP endorsed candidates and issue coalitions to develop written campaign plans that build our base of supporters and lead to victory
Oversee paid field work implementation including writing scripts, cutting turf, and setting up phone banks, texting, and validator call operations
Produce regular and end-of-campaign reports to monitor progress toward goals and document outcomes for funders, organizational partners, and candidates
When legally compliant, work with endorsed candidates to ensure they are running strong campaigns
Ensure that WFP remains compliant with all federal, state, and local campaign finance and lobbying laws
Work with WFP staff and volunteer leadership to develop AZ-WFP policy/issue agenda
Draft written plans and oversee legislative campaigns, including organizing coalitions, media events, lobby visits, protests and rallies, etc.

In coordination with AZ Senior Organizer and other AZ-WFP team members:
Maintain close communication and regular updates on projects in order to mobilize members
Ensure alignment and integration of campaign and organizing objectives
When legally compliant, coordinate volunteer and paid voter outreach efforts
Coordinate and lead candidate and campaign staff training on the skills needed to win elections
Assist with political/popular education training sessions and skills building workshops
Organize labor, community organizations, and grassroots support for priority candidate and policy campaigns
Build and maintain strong relationships with local, state, and federal elected officials with the long term goal of developing Working Families (or Progressive) Caucuses that contend for governing power

Organizing, Coalition Building, and Leadership Development
In coordination with AZ Senior Organizer and other AZ-WFP team members:
Assist in developing target phone and text lists for volunteer recruitment (using EveryAction, Action Network, and Votivate or VAN)
Assist with volunteer training on voter outreach tactics and tech tools, legislative testimony, lobbying, and other campaign needs
Assist with recruiting and training campaign storytellers who can participate in the legislative process, actions, earned and paid media programs and as local leaders
To organize and facilitate training workshops and political education sessions that develop the skills, knowledge, and analysis of our members, leaders, and candidates
Serve as a AZ-WFP lead and representative on key campaign and coalition tables (coalition responsibilities will be distributed across the AZ-WFP staff)
Build durable relationships with key leaders of allied organizations to ensure alignment around campaign goals as well as larger, long-term vision
Assist with technical support to partner organizations on WFP mobilization tools (ThruTalk, Spoke, Action Network, etc.)

Cross Team Collaboration and Support
Work closely with communications staff to develop compelling narratives around our campaigns and ensure all actions and messaging reinforce our brand and values
Creation and management of budgets for campaigns and projects
Development and implementation of plans to meet fundraising goals for electoral and policy campaigns as well as general operations of AZ-WFP
The Political Manager is the lead on developing, fundraising for, and managing the GND budget
Participate in WFP Party Building efforts and activities including dues paying membership drives and fundraising events
Skills and Qualifications
Required:
At least 2 years of experience in political or social justice campaigns
At least 1 year of experience leading teams, including direct supervisory experience, ideally leading a field canvass operation
At least 1 year of experience in community or labor organizing
Ability to read and understand laws, policies, and legislative processes from municipal to federal levels
Strong analytical skills and sound political judgment
An energetic and strong commitment to progressive social change and racial, economic and environmental justice within an anti-oppression framework
Familiarity with Arizona’s political landscape and social justice ecosystem
Demonstration of a high level of project management including the ability to troubleshoot issues as they arise, make contingency plans, and shift plans as needed
Excellent verbal and written communication skills that embody grace and respect during challenging and tense situations
Highly self-motivated and ability to manage multiple streams of work
Willingness to work long and irregular hours, including nights/ weekends, depending on campaign needs
Ability to sit and/or stand for long periods in order to perform routine tasks and staff events
Car and valid driver’s license required (mileage reimbursed)
Intermediate computer skills, including GSuite (Gmail, Google Docs & Spreadsheets)
Intermediate level of experience working with VAN, Votivate, or other voter file software
Experience with mobilization tools (ThruTalk, Spoke, Action Network, etc.)
Preferred:
At least 1 year in a mid level position
Experience with social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Slack, etc.)
Ability to motivate and inspire others
Conflict resolution skills through a restorative justice and anti-oppression framework
Bilingual Spanish/ English strongly preferred
What Else Should You Know
Compensation: The salary range for this position is $55,000- $60,000. 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. 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: The position is located in Phoenix, Arizona.
Schedule: Full Time
Union Affiliation: WFP is a unionized workplace. This is a managerial position, not included in our bargaining unit.