Rhode Island State Director
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 Rhode Island State Director leads the RI Working Families Party's strategic growth and political power-building efforts. This role requires balancing high-level leadership with effective delegation to build a sustainable, progressive political infrastructure in Rhode Island. You will work with our New England and State Power Teams—as well as the RIWFP State Committee—to chart a strategy to:
- Build the power of the multi-racial working class within the state
- Make strategic interventions in key state, local, and federal elections
- Manage local staff organizers to support excellent state-level organizing
- Support development of members within the party as activists and as leaders
- Cultivate the coalition of labor and community groups committed to building the RIWFP
- Run strategic advocacy campaigns to make state and local government responsive to the needs and priorities of the working class
- Support and organize WFP elected champions into action
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
- Lead state political strategy including the development of long term state power plan
- Lead State Committee development and engagement
- Strengthen relationships with existing members
- Identify and recruit prospects (union, organizational, and individual)
- Facilitate strategic leadership of the State Committee, including regular meetings and the RIWFP endorsement process
- Build and maintain relationships with key institutional partners
- Set clear priorities and metrics for state operations
- Lead local fundraising initiatives (individual donors, foundations, organizational dues)
- Collaborate with Regional Director and Development team on grant proposals and major donor cultivation
- Collaborate with Regional Director to manage budgets for Rhode Island’s various programs and campaigns
- Work with staff and the treasurer to ensure legal and campaign finance compliance
- Plan and work with other staff and volunteers to implement annual membership drives and fundraising events
- Provide clear direction, development, performance management for state-based staff
- Oversee the recruitment, interviewing, and hiring of any future state-based staff
- Supervise and coach staff to develop and execute organizing plans that build WFP’s base of supporters, volunteers, members, and leaders
- Facilitate systems for effective delegation and accountability
- Foster a collaborative environment that promotes sustainable workloads
- Supervise and develop, in coordination with the Regional Director and the RIWFP State Committee, the organization's legislative and electoral campaigns priorities
- Supervise and coordinate state legislative lobbying, political programming, and state government interactions
- Coordinate electoral recruitment and organizing efforts
- Coach staff to develop and execute electoral and issue campaigns, including excellent field operations and aligned and powerful messaging
- Work with staff to align and integrate of campaign and organizing objectives
- Serve as primary spokesperson for RIWFP
- Maintain relationships with elected champions
- Collaborate with New England Regional Communications Director on narrative strategy
- Represent RIWFP in coalition spaces
1. Strategic Leadership (20%)
2. Fundraising & Financial Management (10%)
3. Team Leadership & Development (15%)
4. Legislative and Electoral Campaigns (35%)
5. External Leadership & Representation (20%)
Other Duties as Assigned
Skills & Qualifications
- 5+ years in community/labor organizing with 3+ years each in team leadership and political campaigns
- Demonstrated commitment to justice and a history of fighting for working people
- Commitment to long term power building the ability to make and stick to strategic plans
- Demonstrated ability to work with leaders, elected officials, and organizations with diverse background and interests and make and execute powerful plans together
- Strong analytical skills and sound political judgment
- Persuasive verbal and writing skills, including the ability to communicate effectively in a charged atmosphere
- Proven capacity to effectively and thoughtfully lead other staff and drive performance
- Demonstrated ability to create sustainable work environments and manage toward priorities with limited resources
- Demonstrated success in fundraising and relationship management
- Willingness to work irregular hours over the course of the year, including nights/ weekends
- Valid driver's license and ability to dive throughout the state required (mileage reimbursed)
- Intermediate computer skills including GSuite
- Preferred: Votivate/VAN experience, Spanish language skills, familiarity with Rhode Island movement ecosystem
What Else Should You Know
- Compensation: The salary range for this role is $85,000 - $110,000 a year. The final salary for this role will be determined based on our Pay Scale, which takes into consideration years of experience, geographic location, and final job description. The upper end of the salary range is reserved for individuals who significantly exceed the minimum qualifications and years of experience.
- We also offer a robust benefit package for full time employees including paid time off; health, dental, vision, and life insurance; flexible spending accounts; retirement plan options; professional development funding; and remote work support.
- Schedule: The position is full-time and permanent.
$85,000 - $110,000 a year
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.
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