Working Families Party (WFP) and Working Families Power seek to build a powerful, left political force that can win real governing power: the durable capacity of the multiracial working class to shape and wield government in its own interests. In Connecticut, we’ve been winning elections for champions for working people for two decades, and organizing to leverage those electoral successes into legislative victories for working families — including paid family and medical leave, paid sick days, immigrant protections, and equitable state budgets.
The Governance Director will lead our work aligning and organizing elected officials around a clear vision for Connecticut and how we can get there through explicit policy changes and a unified platform. From cohering newly-elected legislators to convening aligned allies, this role will take the lead in organizing our legislative champions. The position is also responsible for crafting and implementing a legislative strategy for the organization. Electoral responsibilities for this role predominantly include incumbent defense, with other elections as Party priorities dictate. The role will require the staffer to be a registered lobbyist with the state of Connecticut.
This position is supervised by the Connecticut State Director, and will work closely with our team of five, as well as with staff in similar roles in other WFP states around the country. The role includes local and national professional development opportunities.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Organizing legislators
Organize and run regular WFPower meetings of elected officials
Develop trusting working relationships with allied legislators
Develop bi-annual WFPower legislator retreats (pre- and post-session) to debrief and plan
Regularly host skill and/or issue training spaces (such as on press relations or housing policy)
Lead development of a public WFPower legislative agenda or platform
Identify opportunities for shared messaging
Lead WFP staff team in supporting aligned legislators (ie communications and social media work with Comms Director)
In conjunction with the organizing staff, develop pathways for activists to support WFP electeds and legislation
Analyze and strategize the evolving legislative landscape
Organize substantive new legislator orientation event series to build community and recruit newly-elected legislators into organizing with WFPower
Meet monthly with newly elected aligned legislators for at least a year after election
Coalition work and legislative lobbying
Lead WFPower involvement with coalitions working on tax equity, progressive revenue, paid family & medical leave, housing, and more
Craft legislative strategies and build campaigns to pass priority legislation
Track priority legislation and manage/deliver WFPower testimony on key bills
Lobby legislators on WFPower priority bills
Electoral responsibilities
Support incumbent elected officials in planning re-election campaigns
Lead WFP incumbent electoral defense work
Manage WFP electeds showing up for each other in election season
Coordinate group endorsement efforts in primary elections where possible
Support candidate recruitment efforts
Municipal elected responsibilities
Track and manage ongoing opportunities for municipal elected officials to engage WFP
Support governance of aligned municipal elected officials by connecting them to each other, coalitions, and national resources
Identify and coach municipal electeds with potential for running for higher office
Raise funds to drive CTWFPower and CTWFParty work
Support the state director in researching and obtaining grants for governance work
Lead efforts to help aligned legislators create PACs
Raise funds from legislator PACs into WFP
Compliance
Manage registrations and monthly/annual reports for all registered lobbyists on the team
Create and use tracking systems for lobbying hours
Report to funders lobbying time as required
Other duties as assigned.
SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS
At least 4 years of relevant professional experience in advocacy, politics, or organizing
Demonstrated track record of commitment to social, economic, and racial justice
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 sense of empathy and ability to build collaborative relationships.
Excellent problem solving skills, with excellent 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.
Basic computer skills including Microsoft Office Suite & Google Suite
Driver’s license, reliable transportation, and willingness for regular in-state travel
Ability and willingness to work late evenings and weekends, including at the State Capitol during legislative session
PreferredExperience with the Connecticut legislature
Experience managing electoral campaigns
Fluency in Spanish
Location: The position requires weekly in-person work with opportunities to work remotely when possible. The role requires that the staffer become a registered lobbyist with the state of Connecticut.
Schedule: Full time
Union AffiliationWFP 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.
Skills Required
- At least 4 years of relevant professional experience in advocacy, politics, or organizing
- Commitment to social, economic, and racial justice
- Track record working closely with elected officials to pass progressive policy
- Excellent facilitation skills and ability to build solidarity and shared strategy
- Ability to quickly learn new contexts and policy areas
- Ability to make decisions in nuanced political settings
- Empathy and ability to build collaborative relationships
- Excellent problem-solving skills and judgment during conflict
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to work independently and manage complex projects
- Ability to manage multiple projects and prioritize work
- Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite and Google Suite
- Driver's license, reliable transportation, and willingness for regular in-state travel
- Ability and willingness to work late evenings and weekends, including at the State Capitol during legislative session
- Experience with the Connecticut legislature
- Experience managing electoral campaigns
- Fluency in Spanish
- Currently authorized to work for any employer in the United States
- Become a registered lobbyist with the state of Connecticut
What We Do
The Working Families Party (WFP) is a progressive political organization for the multiracial working class, dedicated to building a party that fights for workers and people over the powerful. WFP recruits, trains, and runs people-powered candidates for office to advance a progressive agenda, aiming to win major victories for working families, such as higher wages, fairer criminal justice, and getting money out of politics.
