Job Description

SEIU Michigan State Council

Executive Director

Based in Detroit or Lansing, MI

The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) is the nation's largest and fastest growing union. The Michigan State Council is made up of SEIU Local 526M/Michigan State Corrections Organization, SEIU Local 517M, SEIU Local 1 and SEIU HCMI/Healthcare Michigan representing working people across the healthcare, public, property services and corrections industries.

The Michigan State Council brings together local and International Union stakeholders to advance a shared vision for building power for all workers across Michigan. The local unions are dedicated to working together to improve the lives of workers and their families and creating a more just and humane society. SEIU’s strategy is centered on building a multi-racial, worker-led movement to drive bold demands on corporations and government to rewrite the rules for Unions for All workers, regardless of race, immigration status, where or how they work.

SEIU is seeking an innovative leader to serve as the Michigan 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 Michigan.

Principal Duties

• Develop and implement comprehensive state plans that integrate political, organizing, and member work to win key elections, drive the Unions for All demand, build a leader-rich SEIU, advance justice fights, and build long-term state power.
• Drive the demand for Unions for All, racial, and economic justice by mobilizing SEIU members and not-yet-union workers to challenge corporate power and demand government action to ensure that all workers have the ability to form strong, industry-wide or sectoral unions.
• Advance union organizing campaigns led by SEIU divisions, programs and local unions to build the organizing capacity of SEIU and organize new workers into the Union.
• Strengthen the political capacity of local unions and members to win and hold power at the national, state and local level, including supporting recruitment and development of worker leaders and activists, building the internal political fundraising program, and enhancing the skills of staff and members.
• Build independent political power for SEIU and partners in a wider movement through developing sustainable civic engagement programs and political organization, particularly in communities of color.
• Drive SEIU’s program to elect champions for working families and shift the political debate to focus on an agenda that improves the lives of workers and their families and communities.
• Support campaigns to win economic, racial, immigrant and environmental justice and to make unions and worker organizations central to the debate at the federal, state and local level, and hold elected officials accountable to those issues.

Key Responsibilities

• Facilitate and manage collaborative planning processes by partnering with SEIU Michigan 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 Michigan Locals and priority campaigns to expand working people’s power in Michigan.
• 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 Michigan’s yearly legislative agenda.
• Support a collaborative candidate endorsement process driven by members and not-yet-union workers.
• Anchor the coordination of SEIU Michigan’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 responsibility. 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 Michigan State Council is supervised by the Michigan 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 either the Detroit or Lansing area.

The salary range for this position is $100,000 - 125,000, depending on qualifications and experience. Generous benefit package includes pension and fully-covered health insurance with dental and vision plans.

To Apply
Submit a cover letter and résumé to marissa.murphy@seiu.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.

WHEN APPLYING: Be sure to indicate that you saw this information at .

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