Worker Power Director

Description

Job Description

Position Description

The Worker Power Director will design, develop, and lead the CPC Center’s labor and workforce development policy and program activities.

The ideal candidate will have a passion for defending workers’ rights and working with partners across the movement to protect those rights as federal law is developed and implemented.

The Worker Power Director will provide vision and strategic direction for the CPC Center's national labor agenda to achieve our mission and will be a member of the program director’s group.

• This management position will design, manage, and implement the following main responsibilities, including expanding and maintaining relationships with key union partners, state and local leaders, grassroots workforce development stakeholders, and Congressional staff;
• leading Technical Assistance on workforce priorities to state and local partners under IRA implementation; leading the Convening for a Pro-Worker Future (CPWF) and emerging work on AI;

managing and proactively engaging with key funders; monitoring key labor and legislative proposals and trends; and other duties as assigned.

The successful candidate will have demonstrated experience in management and supervision, budgeting and fundraising, the ability to build and grow relationships with organized labor at the local, state, and national levels, and to foster collaboration toward common goals.

You will proactively spot opportunities to advance the Center’s strategic vision and are entrepreneurial when it comes to overcoming obstacles.

You recognize the roles race, gender, and other identities play in shaping working people’s experiences and are deeply committed to dismantling these structural barriers.

Primary Responsibilities

In collaboration with the Center’s executive team, the Development Director, and other program directors and reporting to the Executive Director, this position will be responsible for the following areas :

• Lead the Center’s implementation efforts to help state and local stakeholders navigate the Inflation Reduction Act’s program specifically, working with stakeholders to understand and comply with the law’s worker protection requirements and offering guidance on opportunities to go beyond the law to protect workers.
• Manage and lead the newly created Technical Assistance Hub with our labor partners.
• Manage and oversee the operations of this department and its growth.
• Strategize and execute new emerging work to uplift and protect workers in the age of Artificial Intelligence (AI) with other organizational partners.
• Create, develop, and deliver timely briefs, explainers, fact sheets, social media posts, and other related labor-related issues and policy materials, as well as proactively create new, timely analyses and work products.
• Analyze legislation, committee action, and Floor activity in Congress, forecast trends and potential impacts, and develop strategies to track consistently.
• Seek strategic opportunities for coalition-based work with movement partners to expand support for key policies in the worker power space.
• Represent the organization in public forums, briefings, conferences, and other external appearances as needed.
• Provide robust training and public education on key labor policy issues to diverse audiences.
• Lead fundraising and building relationships to grow the labor program.
• Advise the Executive Director and other key staff on priority labor and worker power policy and program issues.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships through proactive outreach with organized labor at the local, state, and national levels, progressive movement stakeholders, and congressional offices.
• Manage and lead the Center’s Coalition for a Pro-Worker Future (CPWF), a working group of labor leaders, think tanks, advocacy organizations, and other stakeholders committed to upholding the rights of working people.
• Conceptualize and draft proposals to pitch to potential funders in partnership with the executive team and the Development Director.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

To be successful in this job, you will excel in four areas :

Commitment to workers’ rights : You are dedicated to protecting workers’ right to bargain collectively for better wages, benefits, and working conditions.

You have a deep knowledge of federal labor and workforce policy, related dynamics in Congress, and the challenges facing organized labor throughout the United States.

Relationship and coalition building : You develop and maintain strong, collaborative working relationships across lines of difference, particularly with labor partners at the local, state, and national levels;

progressive movement allies; and Congressional offices. You know how to build alliances, find opportunities for collaboration, and have experience in coalition building.

Entrepreneurial management : You have solid management capacity, including effective supervision and experience managing multiple projects and keeping tasks from slipping through the cracks.

You can spot opportunities to advance your goals and take advantage of them. You have a track record of accomplishing ambitious goals and solving problems to overcome challenges and get results.

Commitment to racial equity and social justice : You recognize the role of race, income, age, immigration status, and other identities in shaping disparities among working people, and you consistently amplify community voices to advocate for more equitable policy solutions.

You recognize how your own identities show up at work, and welcome, reflect on, and act on feedback with an eye toward continuous learning about race, ability, and other lines of difference.

The ideal candidate for this position will possess the following qualifications :

• At least 10 - 15 years of progressively responsible work experience, ideally working with unions and / or local, state, or Congressional lawmakers in labor and worker power issues.
• Deep knowledge of federal or state labor and workforce policy.
• Existing relationships with key stakeholders, as listed above.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Working knowledge of Google Suite applications.
• Demonstrated supervisory skills and management experience
• Demonstrated fundraising and budgeting skills
• Skills related to analysis, research, writing, and public speaking on complex issues, as well as the ability to communicate effectively about policy, implementation, and new emerging trends to diverse audiences, are preferred.
• Demonstrated leadership skills, including collaborative coalition-building work with partners and the ability to develop shared strategy and navigate complex political dynamics among stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to strategize, set long-term objectives, outline plans and steps, and achieve them in line with mission-centered work.
• A Bachelor’s Degree or relevant work experience in workers’ rights is strongly preferred.
• Grassroots organizing experience is valued but not required.

Core Competencies

• Commitment to centering anti-racism and equity in work.
• Solid management and leadership skills
• Ability to build meaningful relationships and work collaboratively with a diverse group of staff members and partners.
• Excellent, proactive problem-solving skills.
• Exceptional project management and time management skills.
• Strong communication skills through writing, speaking, and active listening.
• Demonstrated flexibility and openness in responding to changing work priorities.
• A commitment to a high standard of work product, deadline-driven timeliness, attention to detail, and driving towards results.
• Ability to perform well under pressure in a small organization with a fast-paced, multitasking environment.

Key Relationships

This position will report to the Executive Director and work closely with the IRA Direct Pay implementation team. It will also collaborate with Policy, Legislative Affairs, Communications, and Training and Capacity-Building staff as necessary.

Salary and Benefits

The salary range for this position, depending on experience, is $120,000 - $131,100 . Salary is based on experience.

We offer excellent benefits, including 20 annual paid vacation days, 10 sick days, one (1) personal day per month, and additional paid holiday leave between December 24 and January 1;

a 5 percent 401(k) match, 100 percent employer-covered health, dental and vision insurance for the employee, generous paid parental leave, and other benefits consistent with the Employee Handbook.

FLSA Classification : Exempt

Location

We are remote, but based in the Washington, DC metro area and expect individuals to join in-person meetings and events. Only candidates who live in / around Washington, DC, or are willing to relocate there, will be considered.

Commitment to Diversity

The CPC Center is an equal opportunity, fair chance employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, prior history of arrest or conviction, caregiver status, or other categories protected by law.

About The Congressional Progressive Caucus Center

The Congressional Progressive Caucus Center (the CPC Center) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that identifies and develops solutions to build a more just, equitable, and resilient nation.

Our network brings together policy experts, community leaders, organizers, and advocates to build people-led, cutting-edge policy.