State Council Executive Director – SEIU Colorado

The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) is the nation's largest and fastest growing union. The Colorado State Council is made up of SEIU Local 105 and Colorado WINS (COWINS). Local 105 unites over 8,000 healthcare, janitorial, security, and airport workers throughout the state and the Southwest. Its membership has grown by over 50 percent in the last five years. COWINS is a statewide union of 26,000 public service workers for the State of Colorado. Its rapidly growing membership has been committed to improving the lives of workers and the delivery of services since winning the right to collectively bargain in 2020.

The Colorado State Council brings together local and International Union stakeholders to advance a shared vision for building power for service and care workers across Colorado. It seeks to set strategic priorities; develop and execute integrated plans unifying SEIU’s organizing, political, legislative and member strength work; and establish strong relationships with aligned partners to advance racial and economic justice and win Unions for All Colorado workers, regardless of race, immigration status, or where and how they work.

SEIU is seeking an innovative leader to serve as the Colorado State Council Executive Director.

Position Overview

The State Council Executive Director will guide and direct the council to develop and execute strategic plans that reflect the goals of the SEIU Colorado

Principal Duties

• Build and implement comprehensive state plans that integrate work across locals, campaigns, and programs – with an emphasis on politics, organizing, member strength, and leadership development – to advance SEIU Colorado’s vision, strategy, and goals.
• Work with Colorado locals to tell one story across campaigns that aligns with our vision for economic and racial justice and Unions for All.
• Center racial justice in all of work by consistently applying a racial justice lens and a race/class analysis to organizing, political action, and member engagement. Build strong, inclusive campaigns that amplify diverse worker voices.
• Prioritize bold campaigns to win strategic union organizing breakthroughs and rewrite the rules for Unions for All.
• Lead issues-centered political work that raises the bar for candidates and elected leaders to advance Unions for All workers and build a multi-racial democracy.
• Support deep and lasting strategic partnerships with Black-, Brown-, and AAPI-led organizations that build long-term power for workers and communities..

Key Responsibilities

• Facilitate and manage collaborative planning processes by partnering with SEIU Colorado Locals, the International Union, and stakeholders to design plans to meet statewide political and organizing objectives and goals.
• Execute an integrated statewide program across SEIU Colorado Locals and priority campaigns to expand working people’s power in Colorado.
• Supervise and manage the work and development of all State Council staff.
• Create and execute a member leadership development and education program that focuses on politics and organizing.
• Develop and implement a reporting structure that tracks program metrics and outcomes on the state council’s strategic goals.
• Represent SEIU to elected officials, partners and coalitions.
• Organizational operations and development, including budget management, financial and other reporting requirements, research, writing, public speaking, preparation of reports and staffing the Council Executive Board.
• Lead or provide strategic guidance on lobbying programs and support legislative field strategy for priority campaigns at the state and federal level.
• Support the development of SEIU Colorado’s yearly legislative agenda.
• Support a collaborative candidate endorsement process driven by members and not-yet-union workers.
• Anchor the coordination of SEIU Colorado’s electoral planning and IE programs.
• Foster and expand strategic partnerships and coalitions to build support and momentum for SEIU priorities.

Key Qualifications

• Demonstrated commitment to workers, union power and member leadership anchored in a strong belief of fighting for economic and racial justice.
• At least 7-10 years of related, progressively responsible work experience including organizational-level leadership. Experience working in unions preferred; campaign, organizing, and/or experience in other progressive grassroots membership-based organizations will be considered.
• Extensive knowledge of political organizing and comprehensive campaign strategies.
• Experience in policy development and state lobbying work and a deep understanding of state legislative processes.
• Ability to design, coordinate, and direct strategic political and organizing campaigns.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills.
• Ability to hire, supervise and develop staff at all levels.
• Superb interpersonal skills, with a history of forging strong relationships with multiple stakeholders.
• High level of leadership and judgment. Ability to work independently and in consultation with organizational leaders in complex political situations.
• Develop and maintain a budget and other administrative responsibilities. Properly complete reporting and other legal requirements by deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to work in diverse workplaces with complex situations with multiple levels of accountability.
• Ability to negotiate, resolve conflicts, voice differing viewpoints and opinions and build consensus.

Direction and Decision Making

The Executive Director of the Colorado State Council is supervised by the Colorado State Council Executive Officers, and coordinates with and provides regular updates to a designated International Union representative. This position requires independent judgment.

Physical Requirements

Work is generally performed in an office setting but may require work in other settings conducive to performing the task required to complete assignments. Long and extended hours and extensive travel required.

Location, Salary and Benefits

This position is based in the Denver metro area.

The salary range for this position is $90,000 - 110,000, depending on qualifications and experience. Generous benefit package includes pension and fully-covered health insurance with dental and vision plans.

Apply

Submit a cover letter and resume to apply@seiucolorado.org. The cover letter should be concise, compelling, and outline the specific ways in which you would be a good fit for this position.

SEIU is an equal opportunity employer.