Governance Strategist - SEIU at SEIU – Washington, District of Columbia

SEIU (Service Employees International Union)

JOB TITLE: Governance Strategist

Grade: MGT F

Annual Salary: $135,609.02

LOCATION: Washington DC; New York; or Los Angeles

ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW:

We are the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), a union of about 2 million diverse members in healthcare, the public sector, and property services. We believe in and fight for our Vision for a Just Society: where all workers are valued and all people respected—no matter where we come from or what color we are; where all families and communities can thrive; and where we leave a better and more equitable world for generations to come. We are an anti-racist union determined to check corporate power and uproot structural racism through unions—worker power and collective action—and government—legislative and political action. We fight for Unions for All and a Government that Works for All so that all of us, across race and place, can have power together in unions and participate fully in our democracy.

PURPOSE:

This position is responsible for supporting the Governance Department in a variety of assignments and projects. The position deals with highly sensitive issues affecting governance matters at both the International Union and local union levels.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

(Any one position may not include all of the specific duties and responsibilities listed. Examples provide a general summary of the work required and should not be treated as a total and complete list of expected duties to be performed by employees in the classification.)

• At the direction of the Director of Governance, analyze governance issues and assignments to provide potential options for resolution. Identify relevant facts and circumstances, and in conjunction with other stakeholders and departments, identify other potential considerations (i.e., legal matters, appropriate timing).
• Work with Geography Officers on potential emerging Local Union problems in connection with governance issues and identify potential paths forward.
• Under the supervision of the Department Director, assist with trusteeships, monitorships, personal representative and other governance assignments with Locals.
• Provide support to local unions relating to budget, management, internal structure, and policy issues. Prepare progress reports to be shared at regularly-scheduled update meetings.
• Regularly coordinate with other IU departments including Legal, Finance, Strategic Initiatives, Communications and Together We Rise to share information and opinions relevant to ongoing governance matters.
• Develop and prepare regular reports and summaries of ongoing governance matters for departmental meetings.
• Update Governance Dashboard at the direction of Governance Senior Staff.
• Develop materials to support common understanding of the steps and considerations for governance work. Identify tools and create model materials and checklists to help future staff and officer teams carry out the plan.

CONTACTS: Includes SEIU officers, Executive Office, local union elected officials and senior staff and other departments and geographies, other unions or coalition members.

DIRECTION & DECISION MAKING: This position reports to the Governance Director and works independently.

QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university desirable but not required. Minimum of five (5) years of related work experience or a combination of education and experience that would provide for the following knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Comprehensive understanding of labor union governance under the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act, and significant experience working within SEIU’s Constitutional structures on matters of governance;
• Extensive experience working with or in an SEIU local union; minimum 5 years work at different levels of the union, including work that requires you to be embedded within a local and working with local union staff.
• Understanding of IU vs Local Union governance; responsiveness to members' interests, while collecting the facts and checking legal standing.
• Appreciation of the role of Local Union leaders elected by members and importance of self-governance and Local Union responsibilities and roles;
• Understanding of IU history with Local Unions we are engaging with, affiliation agreements, nature of our relationship with other national Unions that may or may not be partners with us nationally or on the ground.
• Understanding of local unions’ governance structures and their relationships with the International Union;

• Strong collaborative skills with a demonstrated track record of contributing to or achieving desired outcomes as part of a team;
• Ability to work under demanding, high pressure circumstances, working long hours and/or making extended travel where required;
• Experience exercising the highest levels of judgment, diplomacy, and confidentiality;
• Ability to work independently to develop plans and advise individuals at all levels of the union on a variety of governance matters;
• Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to determine priorities, manage multiple projects;
• Experience in managing budgets;
• Proficiency with standard computer programs;
• Excellent analytic, research, verbal, written and presentation skills.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Work is generally performed in an office setting, but may be required to work in other settings conducive to performing the work required to complete the assignment, such as field assignments. Long and extended hours and travel required.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS: SEIU offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package that reflects our values as a labor organization and our commitment to the well-being and long-term security of our staff. Benefits include:

• A comprehensive, employer-sponsored health benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision coverage
• A defined benefit pension plan
• Paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Additional benefits consistent with a mission-driven workplace

SEIU believes that workers deserve dignity, stability, and the ability to plan for their futures, and our benefits are designed to support that belief.