Michigan Progressive Governance Director

Working Families Party•Michigan, MI

7d•Remote

About The Position

The Michigan Progressive Governance Director works through the Working Families Party (WFP) and Working Families Power to support elected officials aligned with the organizations’ goal of winning governing power for working people and using it to improve their lives. The role maintains relationships with aligned elected officials, particularly state legislators, and helps them develop progressive policy, communicate effectively, organize in solidarity, create shared strategy, and engage constituents year-round. The director supports incumbents in electoral campaigns, legislative caucuses and cohorts through strategy and political education, and partner organizations advancing the Michigan WFP legislative agenda. The role is remote, with Lansing preferred, and involves substantial in-person work at the Capitol during legislative session as well as travel within Michigan. This is a unionized bargaining-unit position.

Requirements

At least 5 years of experience in government, advocacy, politics, or organizing.
Demonstrated ability to work closely with elected officials to pass progressive policy.
Excellent facilitation skills and 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 empathy and ability to build collaborative relationships.
Excellent problem-solving skills and strong 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.
Valid license, access to a car, and ability to travel throughout Michigan.
Must be currently authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.; employment visa sponsorship is not available.

Nice To Haves

Experience in and knowledge of Michigan’s political landscape and state legislature.
Experience in electoral campaigns.
Fluency in Spanish.

Responsibilities

Lead WFP’s work supporting progressive legislators at the federal, state, and local levels.
Convene regular opportunities for values-aligned legislators to talk, learn, and strategize together.
Plan and build programming that strengthens strategic alignment and solidarity between aligned elected officials and community and advocacy organizations.
Work with local and state partners, including re:power and Local Progress, to support legislative training and other development opportunities.
Build trusting working relationships with allied legislators and partner organizations to advance issue advocacy.
Analyze the state and local legislative landscape and develop strategy.
Connect WFP elected officials with advocacy groups, coalitions, national policy expertise, and cohorts of like-minded elected officials across state lines.
Track priority legislation and identify opportunities to advance shared messages.
Create talking points and toolkits on priority issues.
Support Michigan WFP elected officials in communicating with their districts.
Support elected officials in planning re-election campaigns as part of shared Michigan WFP strategy.
In conjunction with the Organizing Director, develop pathways for activists to support aligned elected officials and legislation.
Train staff, activists, leaders, and newly elected candidates on how the legislature works and on power-building in the legislative context.
Perform other related duties as assigned.