Director of Field and Organizing

Massachusetts Teacher Association

$90K — $120K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree required.
  • 5+ years of management experience in overseeing programs and personnel.
  • 5+ years of experience in public sector union representation and contract administration.
  • 5+ years of experience in organizing and movement-building for social change.
  • Strong leadership and motivational skills for staff and members.
  • Understanding of political and community action as it pertains to union dynamics.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and strong communication skills.

Responsibilities

  • Manage staff, operations, and budget of the Division of Field and Organizing.
  • Foster rank and file organizing and member leadership development.
  • Develop strategic goals for collective bargaining and organizing programs.
  • Advise Executive Director on field program strategies aligned with MTA goals.
  • Collaborate on legislative campaigns to empower members and cultivate activists.
  • Oversee division budget and manage compliance with financial procedures.
  • Monitor membership trends and effectiveness of programs and materials.

Benefits

  • Collaborative and creative work environment focused on social justice.
  • Opportunity to guide impactful union strategies in a managerial role.
  • Training and leadership development for staff and members.
  • Networking opportunities across multiple regions and divisions.
  • Flexibility to influence organizational growth and effectiveness.
Full Job Description
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

Develops vision, strategy, and programs for MTA's largest division which supports over 400 local MTA affiliates, including engaging and activating members, developing local leaders, organizing to build collective power, and assuring that the contractual, legal and professional rights of MTA members are enforced.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
  • Manages the staff, operations and budgeted resources of the Division of Field and Organizing, including supervising five regional field managers in six regional offices and the state-wide higher ed team.
  • Fosters rank and file organizing, local activism, and leadership development to build union power.
  • Centers the values of racial, economic, and gender justice in all aspects of the work.
  • Develops and implements strategic goals for collective bargaining, contract enforcement, and organizing that fulfill the goals of MTA's Strategic Action Plan.
  • Advises the Executive Director on strategy and implementation of a field program to achieve MTA's goals and, as part of the MTA management team, develops and implements strategies for overall organizational growth and effectiveness.
  • Collaborates with appropriate divisions to develop legislative and political campaigns that empower members and develop new activists and leaders.
  • Develops and administers the annual division budget and completes annual Uniserve application to the NEA; accounts for expenditures in accordance with prescribed procedures.
  • Provides advice, assistance, and training on collective bargaining, contract enforcement, and organizational development to field staff and local leadership.
  • Provides advice, assistance, and training on grassroots organizing and power building to field staff and local leadership.
  • Conducts performance reviews, makes employment related recommendations and administers the personnel policies of the association in compliance with the respective staff union contracts.
  • Identifies, designs, communicates, and manages programs for the delivery of services, organizational efforts, membership development, and leadership development.
  • Oversees data collection and reporting to track membership recruitment, retention, and engagement, and to establish systems that use data to help ensure effectiveness.
  • Creates a collaborative team spirit among division staff and as part of the management team.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Encourages and fosters a team environment within and among regional offices and other divisions.
  • Identifies staff and local association training needs; designs and/or coordinates programs as required.
  • Plans and conducts regular scheduled staff meetings and keeps Field and Organizing staff and managers up to date on Board actions and organizational activities.
  • Ensures that regional offices have coverage at all times; steps in to bargain contracts or handle enforcement issues when needed.
  • Implements association policies and procedures as directed and develops policy recommendations as needed.
  • Develops and communicates guidelines and strategies for collective bargaining and related programs.
  • Assists in the development of training programs for staff and members.
  • Serves cooperatively and effectively as a member of the management team.
  • Serves on various committees, and staffs as needed when assigned.
  • Assumes responsibility for special program assignments.
  • Develops and maintains up-to-date Standard Operating Procedures.
  • Attends MTA Executive Committee, Board of Directors meetings, and other regional conferences and gatherings as needed.
  • Coordinates activities with the NEA as required.
  • Maintains familiarity with the laws and regulations governing municipal and state employees, MTA affiliates and the MTA.
  • Oversees development and production of membership materials.
  • Oversees the administration of multiple grant programs for local affiliates.
  • Monitors membership and contracts state-wide and identifies trends to be monitored and addressed.
  • Performs ongoing assessment of effectiveness of programs and materials.
  • Performs other related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS
  • Bachelor's Degree required.
  • Minimum of five years of management experience including but not limited to the ability to manage, supervise, coordinate and evaluate programs and personnel.
  • Minimum of five years of experience in representing unions in public sector collective bargaining and all elements of contract administration.
  • Minimum of five years of experience in organizing and movement-building for social change.
  • Ability to effectively motivate and lead staff, elected leaders, and members.
  • Demonstrated ability to work in a positive, creative and strategic manner with staff and elected leaders in the development and implementation of programs and long-range plans.
  • Demonstrated understanding of the importance of organizing and leadership development as it relates to building collective power.
  • Demonstrated understanding of the importance of political and community action as it relates to a state association and affiliates.
  • Knowledge and support of democratized forms of bargaining including bargaining for the common good, and open bargaining.
  • Excellent written and verbal skills; effective public speaker.
  • Willingness to accept responsibility and ability to make swift, sound decisions.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills for facilitating decision-making with individuals and diverse groups, and for mediating and resolving disputes between individuals and groups.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
  • Willingness and ability to work long hours, nights and weekends, and to travel statewide and nationally as required.
  • Ability to travel on short notice to respond to situations in various geographic locations.
  • Personal automobile and Massachusetts driver's license.


*MTA reserves the right to waive any qualifications at its discretion*

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