The WI WFP Political Director is responsible for building out a year-round strategy for candidate recruitment, development, endorsement, campaign support, and post-campaign support of electeds that supports our state power plan. During the peak of the election season, the Political Director will provide strategic support to top tier WI WFP endorsed candidates (coordinated with candidates or independent expenditures depending on the race). The role is responsible for building relationships with leaders statewide who have potential to be candidates, endorsed candidates, electeds, campaign staffers, key volunteers, WI WFP organizing committee and leaders of aligned grassroots organizations. The role will collaborate with the State Director, other WI state staff, and the National Organizing Director most frequently, but also WFP political strategists and the National Campaigns Director on national priority races.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Collaborate with other senior leadership to developing the state power building plan with the WFP organizing committee, elected leaders, and aligned partners
Build and maintain relationships with endorsed and aligned candidates and campaigns, to implement the political and electoral strategy in the state power building plan
Manage our Know Your Neighbor Canvassing Program
Identify key strategic opportunities and priority electoral races aligned with the state power building plan
Candidate recruitment and vetting, including providing key leadership with state director and organizing committee of electoral endorsement process
Run events such as candidate trainings with and without partner organizations
Build a statewide container for WFP and aligned elected officials to connect across Wisconsin
Work with WFP-endorsed campaigns to assess campaign needs so that WI WFP can build digital and organizing plans that take advantage of our tools (e.g., dialer, peer-to-peer text, etc.) and offer services to best support their campaigns
Coordinate with WFP national staff to support endorsed candidates as necessary
Support fundraising for coordinated campaigns and independent expenditures so that these initiatives can be successful
Electoral program development and management, including both independent expenditure and coordinated campaigns and maintaining a long term strategy to engage and build WFP membership
Support the development of electoral tactics that rest on and build the strength of WFP’s membership, volunteers and leaders, working in consultation with staff across the organization
Align our political strategy with major organizational partners and organizing around shared priorities
Help ensure compliance with campaign finance rules and reporting to all relevant entities
Relationship management and in-person events and meetings up and down the state
Help the State Director maintain national relationships with organizations including Vera Action, Seed the Vote, and others as appropriate; support on the ground membership and party building in Madison, WI in absence of organizing staff
Supervise paid canvass manager/vendor, organizers, etc. as needed
Other duties as assigned.
SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS
At least 4 years of electoral experience, including in-state specific experience, and at least 5 years in the workforce
2+ cycles as a campaign manager
Existing relationships with WI electoral organizations, candidates, and elected officials
Demonstrated ability to cultivate powerful relationships and build alliances
Experience managing “hard” side campaigns coordinated with candidates, and “soft” side independent expenditure campaigns
Experience with WI compliance laws for c3, c4, state PACs, and federal compliance laws of national PACs
Working knowledge of all aspects of electoral campaigning, including field, paid media, earned communications, fundraising, volunteer recruitment, and digital organizing
Experience with coalition-building - especially aligning plans across allies into one coherent whole
High competency with numbers, and comfort using NGP-VAN, Catalyst, databases, spreadsheets, and learning new campaign software
Strong communications skills, including writing, public speaking, and listening;
Commitment to values of diversity, equity, and inclusion
Ability to mobilize quickly and inspire others to do so
Valid Driver’s License and ability to travel to in person events and meetings in other parts of the state
Flexibility and willingness to be resourceful and communicative is a top priority
LOCATION
SCHEDULE
UNION AFFILIATION
Skills Required
- At least 4 years of electoral experience
- 2+ cycles as a campaign manager
- Existing relationships with WI electoral organizations
- Experience managing hard and soft side campaigns
- Working knowledge of electoral campaigning aspects
- Experience with coalition-building
- High competency with numbers and databases
- Strong communications skills including writing and public speaking
- Valid Driver's License for travel
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.
