Connecticut Progressive Governance Director
Connecticut
New England /
Temporary - Part Time /
On-site
About the Working Families Party
The Working Families Party (WFP) is the progressive party for the multiracial working class, fighting for a nation that works for the many, not the few. We recruit, train, and support transformational candidates up and down the ballot — and run them to win.
We believe that no matter where we come from or what our color, most of us want the same things. We want to earn enough to thrive, not just survive, and leave a better future for our kids. We want healthy food and clean water, safe neighborhoods and a safe world. We want to be free.
The Working Families Party is regular people coming together across our differences to make a better future for us all. We’re a multiracial party that fights for workers over bosses and people over the powerful. We want an America which realizes the promise – unrealized in our history – of freedom and equality for all.
The Working Families Party seeks to be a national, left political force. In Connecticut, we have won enough elections that WFP champions and allies can begin to wield significant governing power. Through our advocacy organization Working Families Power, the Connecticut Progressive Governance Director will lead the work to support these WFP electeds. The half-time position of Progressive Governance Director will maintain relationships with aligned elected officials, particularly state legislators, to help them develop progressive policy, communicate powerfully, organize in solidarity with one another, create shared strategy, and effectively engage their constituents year round. Through the Working Families Party the Progressive Governance Director will also be responsible for supporting incumbents in their electoral campaigns.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Lead WFP’s work to support progressive legislators.
- Develop trusting working relationships with allied legislators.
- Analyze and strategize the legislative landscape.
- Schedule, plan, and facilitate meetings of elected officials.
- Connect WFP electeds to outside advocacy groups and coalitions, national policy expertise, and cohorts of like-minded electeds across state lines.
- Track priority legislation.
- Identify opportunities to advance shared messages.
- Create talking points and toolkits on priority issues.
- Support electeds in their communication to their districts.
- Support electeds in planning their re-election campaigns.
- Lead WFP incumbent defense electoral work.
- In conjunction with the Organizing Director, develop pathways for activists to support WFP electeds and legislation.
- Train staff, activists, leaders, and newly elected candidates on the workings of the legislature and power building in the legislative context.
- Other related duties as assigned.
Skills and Qualifications
- Required:
- At least 5 years of experience in advocacy, politics, or organizing.
- Demonstrated ability to work closely with elected officials to pass progressive policy.
- Excellent facilitation skills, and the 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 sense of empathy and ability to build collaborative relationships.
- Excellent problem solving skills, with excellent 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 Connecticut
- Experience in and knowledge of the political landscape in CT.
- Experience in electoral campaigns.
- Fluency in Spanish
Preferred:
What Else Should You Know
- Location: Hartford, Connecticut preferred. Remote although this role will spend a lot of time in-person at the Capitol in Hartford during spring legislative session.
- Salary: This is a part time position. The pay range for this position is $28.85 to $38.46 per hour (for 20-25 hours a week). The final salary will be determined based on an internal equitable scale that takes into consideration years of experience, geographic location, and final job description.
- Union Affiliation: WFP is a unionized workplace. This is a non-managerial role eligible to join WFP's staff bargaining unit after six months of employment. WFP's union employees are represented by the New York Metropolitan Area Joint Board, Workers United union.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Working Families is an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to economic and social justice. Women, people of color, LGBTQ people, people with disabilities, and members of other historically disenfranchised populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Any applicant who requires an accommodation in order to apply for or perform the essential functions of the job should contact us at jobs@workingfamilies.org with the subject line "Application Accommodation" to request such an accommodation.
